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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:49:06 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:49:06 -0700 |
| commit | 9168a26279e669345c5dd100b14d4aba303842da (patch) | |
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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Forty-one years in India + From Subaltern To Commander-In-Chief + +Author: Frederick Sleigh Roberts + +Release Date: August 14, 2005 [EBook #16528] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FORTY-ONE YEARS IN INDIA *** + + + + +Produced by Michael Ciesielski, Lesley Halamek and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + Transcriber's Note: The Footnotes are linked to the text. Click the <a name="Fnr">Footnote</a> '<a href="#Fn"><sup>No.</sup></a>' to read the Footnote. <br /> + Click the '<a class="footnote" href="#Fnr">Footnote No.:</a>' <a name="Fn">to</a> return to the appropriate place in the text. +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><h4><i>PUBLISHED JANUARY</i> 4, 1897.</h4> + + <hr /> + +<table width="90%" align="center" summary="Publication details" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>First Edition (before publication), + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 2, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Second Edition (before publication), + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 2, 1897. +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>United States Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 12 <i>dollars</i> + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 4, 1897. +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Indian Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 32 <i>rupees</i> + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 4, 1897. +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Third Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 4, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Fourth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 4, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Fifth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 14, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Sixth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 16, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Seventh Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 21, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Eighth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> +<i>January</i> 27, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Ninth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>February</i> 3, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Tenth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>February</i> 8, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Eleventh Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>February</i> 12, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twelfth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>February</i> 17, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Thirteenth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>February</i> 23, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Fourteenth, Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>February</i> 26, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Fifteenth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>March</i> 8, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Sixteenth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>March</i> 18, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Seventeenth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>April</i> 6, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Eighteenth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>April</i> 28, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Nineteenth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>May</i> 31, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twentieth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>July</i> 7, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-first Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>July</i> 31, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-second Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>August</i> 28, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-third Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>September</i> 21, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-fourth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>October</i> 21, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-fifth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>November</i> 18, 1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-sixth Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>December</i> 14,1897. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-seventh Edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>January</i> 4, 1898. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>A Braille type edition for the blind</i> +</td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> +(<i>Nearly ready</i>.) +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-eighth edition, + two volumes, demy octavo</i>, 36s. + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + <i>May</i> 11, 1898. +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="foo" width="70%" valign="top"> +<i>Twenty-ninth Edition, + one volume, small demy octavo</i> + </td> +<td class="rightfoo" width="30%" valign="top"> + (<i>Now ready</i>.) +</td> +</tr> + +</table> +<br /><br /> + +<hr /><br /> +<h3><i>Frontispiece</i></h3> + <hr class="medium" /><br /> + +<span class="page"><a name="plate1">[plate 1]</a></span> + <p class="center"> +<img src="images/01-fmldroberts.jpg" width="308" height="470" alt="Field-Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar" border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS V.C.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a Photograph by Messrs. Bourne and Shepherd.</i></span> +</p> + +<hr /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> +<h1>FORTY-ONE YEARS IN INDIA</h1> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h5>FROM</h5> +<h3>Subaltern to Commander-in-Chief</h3> +<br /><br /> + +<h5>BY</h5> +<h4>FIELD-MARSHAL</h4> +<h3>LORD ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR +V.C., K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E.</h3> +<br /><br /> +<p class="center"> +<img src="images/seal1.jpg" width="91" height="100" alt="seal" border="0" /> +</p> + +<h4><i>FIRST EDITION IN ONE VOLUME</i></h4> +<br /><br /> +<h4>WITH FORTY ILLUSTRATIONS</h4> +<br /><br /> +<h5>LONDON<br /> +RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON<br /> +Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen<br /> +1898</h5> +<h5><i>All rights reserved</i></h5> + +<hr /> + + <br /><br /> +<h5><i>A NEW EDITION, BEING THE TWENTY-NINTH</i></h5> + + <br /><br /> + <hr /><br /><br /> + <p class="center1"> + <i>TO THE COUNTRY TO WHICH I AM SO PROUD OF BELONGING,<br /><br /> + +TO THE ARMY TO WHICH I AM SO DEEPLY INDEBTED,<br /><br /> + +AND TO MY WIFE,<br /><br /> + +WITHOUT WHOSE LOVING HELP<br /><br /> + +MY 'FORTY-ONE YEARS IN INDIA'<br /><br /> + +COULD NOT BE THE HAPPY RETROSPECT IT IS,<br /><br /> + +I DEDICATE THIS BOOK</i>.</p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> + +<span class="page"><a name="pvii">[page vii]</a></span> + + +<h3>PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.</h3> + + <hr /> +<p> +I would never have ventured to intrude upon the public with my +personal reminiscences had I not been urged to do so by friends who, +being interested themselves in what I was able to tell them of India +as my father knew it, and as I found it and left it, persuaded me that +my experiences of the many and various aspects under which I have +known the wonderful land of my adoption and its interesting peoples +would be useful to my countrymen. It was thought that I might thus +contribute towards a more intimate knowledge of the glorious heritage +our forefathers have bequeathed to us, than the greater number of +them possess, and towards helping them to understand the characteristics +and requirements of the numerous and widely different races +by whom India is inhabited.</p> +<p> +It is difficult for people who know nothing of Natives to understand +and appreciate the value they set on cherished customs, peculiar +idiosyncrasies, and fixed prejudices, all of which must be carefully +studied by those who are placed in the position of their Rulers, if the +suzerain Power is to keep their respect and gain their gratitude and +affection.</p> +<p> +The Natives of India are particularly observant of character, and +intelligent in gauging the capabilities of those who govern them; and +it is because the English Government is trusted that a mere handful of +Englishmen are able to direct the administration of a country with +nearly three hundred millions of inhabitants, differing in race, religion, +and manners of life. Throughout all the changes which India has <span class="page"><a name="pviii">[page viii]</a></span> +undergone, political and social, during the present century, this feeling +has been maintained, and it will last so long as the services are filled +by honourable men who sympathize with the Natives, respect their +prejudices, and do not interfere unnecessarily with their habits and +customs.</p> +<p> +My father and I spent between us nearly ninety years in India. +The most wonderful of the many changes that took place during that +time may be said to date from the Mutiny. I have endeavoured in +the following pages to explain the causes which, I believe, brought +about that terrible event—an event which for a while produced a +much-to-be-regretted feeling of racial antagonism. Happily, this +feeling did not last long; even when things looked blackest for us, it +was softened by acts of kindness shown to Europeans in distress, and +by the knowledge that, but for the assistance afforded by the Natives +themselves, the restoration of order, and the suppression of a fierce +military insurrection, would have been a far more arduous task. +Delhi could not have been taken without Sikhs and Gurkhas; +Lucknow could not have been defended without the Hindustani +soldiers who so nobly responded to Sir Henry Lawrence's call; and +nothing that Sir John Lawrence might have done could have +prevented our losing, for a time, the whole of the country north of +Calcutta, had not the men of the Punjab and the Derajat* remained +true to our cause.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +[Note *: Tracts beyond the Indus.]</p> +<p> +It has been suggested that all outward signs of the Mutiny should +be obliterated, that the monument on the Ridge at Delhi should be +levelled, and the picturesque Residency at Lucknow allowed to fall +into decay. This view does not commend itself to me. These relics +of that tremendous struggle are memorials of heroic services performed +by Her Majesty's soldiers, Native as well as British; and by +the civilians who shared the duties and dangers of the army. They +are valuable as reminders that we must never again allow ourselves to +be lulled into fancied security; and above all, they stand as warnings +that we should never do anything that can possibly be interpreted by<span class="page"><a name="pix">[page ix]</a></span> +the Natives into disregard for their various forms of religion.</p> +<p> +The Mutiny was not an unmitigated evil, for to it we owe the +consolidation of our power in India, as it hastened on the construction +of the roads, railways, and telegraphs, so wisely and thoughtfully +planned by the Marquis of Dalhousie, and which have done more +than anything to increase the prosperity of the people and preserve +order throughout the country. It was the Mutiny which brought +Lord Canning into closer communication with the Princes of India, +and paved the way for Lord Lytton's brilliant conception of the +Imperial Assemblage—a great political success which laid the +foundation of that feeling of confidence which now, happily, exists +between the Ruling Chiefs and the Queen-Empress. And it was the +Mutiny which compelled us to reorganize our Indian Army and make +it the admirable fighting machine it now is.</p> +<p> +In the account I have given of our relations with Afghanistan and +the border tribes, I have endeavoured to bring before my readers the +change of our position in India that has been the inevitable +consequence of the propinquity upon our North-West Frontier of a +first-class European Power. The change has come about so +gradually, and has been so repeatedly pronounced to be chimerical +by authorities in whom the people of Great Britain had every reason +to feel confidence, that until recently it had attracted little public +attention, and even now a great majority of my countrymen may +scarcely have realized the probability of England and Russia ever +being near enough to each other in Asia to come into actual conflict. +I impute no blame to the Russians for their advance towards India. +The force of circumstances—the inevitable result of the contact of +civilization with barbarism—impelled them to cross the Jaxartes +and extend their territories to the Khanates of Turkestan and the +banks of the Oxus, just as the same uncontrollable force carried +us across the Sutlej and extended our territories to the valley of the +Indus. The object I have at heart is to make my fellow-subjects +recognize that, under these altered conditions, Great Britain now +occupies in Asia the position of a Continental Power, and that her<span class="page"><a name="px">[page x]</a></span> +interests in that part of the globe must be protected by Continental +means of defence.</p> +<p> +The few who have carefully and steadily watched the course of +events, entertained no doubt from the first as to the soundness of +these views; and their aim has always been, as mine is now, not to +sound an alarm, but to give a warning, and to show the danger of +shutting our eyes to plain facts and their probable consequences.</p> +<p> +Whatever may be the future course of events, I have no fear of the +result if we are only true to ourselves and to India. Thinking +Natives thoroughly understand the situation; they believe that the +time must come when the territories of Great Britain and Russia in +their part of Asia will be separated only by a common boundary line, +and they would consider that we were wanting in the most essential +attributes of Rulers if we did not take all possible precautions, and +make every possible preparation to meet such an eventuality.</p> +<p> +I send out this book in the earnest hope that the friendly +anticipations of those who advised me to write it may not be +seriously disappointed; and that those who care to read a plain, +unvarnished tale of Indian life and adventure, will bear in mind that +the writer is a soldier, not a man of letters, and will therefore forgive +all faults of style or language.</p> + +<p class="rindent">ROBERTS.</p> + +<p class="indent2"> +<i>30th September</i>, 1896.</p> + +<hr class="full" /><br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="pxi">[page xi]</a></span><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate2">[plate 2]</a></span> + <p class="center"> +<img src="images/02-kashmirgate.jpg" width="350" height="305" alt="Kashmir Gate at Delhi." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>KASHMIR GATE AT DELHI.</b></p> + +<br /><br /> + + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<table width="80%" align="center" summary="Contents" border="0"> +<tr> +<td width="85%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#I">CHAPTER I</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Voyage to India—Life in Calcutta—A destructive cyclone—Home-sickness +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" width="17%" valign="top"> +PAGE<br /> + <a href="#1">1</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#II">CHAPTER II</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Bengal Horse Artillery—Incidents of the journey—New Friends +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#6">6</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#III">CHAPTER III</a><br /> +<p class="indent">With my father at Peshawar—Peshawar in 1852—Excitements +of a frontier station—A flogging parade—Mackeson's assassination—The +Jowaki expedition—A strange dream—A typical frontier fight +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#9">9</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#IV">CHAPTER IV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">A trip to Khagan—The Vale of Kashmir—With +the Horse Artillery—My first visit to Simla—Life at Peshawar—A +staff appointment—The bump of locality +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#19">19</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#V">CHAPTER V</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Lord Dalhousie's Afghan policy—Treaty +with Dost Mahomed—War with Persia—The advantage of +the Amir's friendship—John Nicholson—'A pillar of strength on the frontier' +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#27">27</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#VI">CHAPTER VI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">First tidings of the mutiny—Prompt action at +Peshawar—A bold policy—The Movable Column—An annoying +occurrence—I leave Peshawar +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#34">34</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxii">[page xii]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#VII">CHAPTER VII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">First symptoms of disaffection—Outbreak at +Berhampur—Mangal Pandy—Court-Martial at Meerut—Mutiny +at Meerut—The work of destruction—Want of energy—Hugh +Gough's experiences—Nothing could arrest the mutiny +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#40">40</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">General Anson—The news reaches Simla—Anson loses +no time—A long list of troubles—John Lawrence —The Phulkian +family—Death of General Anson +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#50">50</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#IX">CHAPTER IX</a> +<p class="indent">John Lawrence's wise measures—Disarmament at +Peshawar—Salutary effect in the valley +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#58">58</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#X">CHAPTER X</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Neville Chamberlain's presence of mind—The command of +the Column—Robert Montgomery—Disarmament at Mian Mir—A +Drum-Head Court-Martial—Swift retribution +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#62">62</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XI">CHAPTER XI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Ferozepore—Crawford Chamberlain at Multan—Chamberlain's +masterly conduct—Nicholson succeeds Neville Chamberlain—Irresolution at +Jullundur—General Mehtab Sing—Nicholson's soldierly instincts—More disarmaments +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#69">69</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XII">CHAPTER XII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">George Ricketts at Ludhiana—Pushing on to Delhi—In the camp before Delhi +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#78">78</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The first victory—Enthusiasm amongst the troops—Barnard's +success at Badli-ki-Serai—The Flagstaff Tower—Position on the Ridge—Quintin +Battye—The gallant little Gurkhas—Proposed assault—The besiegers +besieged—Hard fighting—The centenary of Plassy +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#82">82</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">A new appointment +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#96">96</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XV">CHAPTER XV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Reinforcements begin to arrive—An assault again +proposed—The attack on Alipur—Death of General Barnard—General +Reed assumes command—Two V.C.'s—Treachery in camp—Fighting +close up to the city walls—Sufferings of the sick and wounded—General Reed's health fails +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#97">97</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxiii">[page xiii]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Archdale Wilson assumes command—Enemy baffled in the +Sabzi Mandi—Efforts to exterminate the Feringhis—A letter from +General Havelock—News of Henry Lawrence's death—Arrival of the +Movable Column—The 61st Foot at Najafgarh +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#108">108</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Wilson's difficulties—Nicholson's resolve—Arrangements +for the assault—Construction of breaching batteries—Nicholson expresses +his satisfaction—Orders for the assault issued—Composition of the attacking columns +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#116">116</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Delhi stormed—The scene at the Kashmir Gate—Bold +front by Artillery and Cavalry—Nicholson wounded—The last I saw of +Nicholson—Wilson wavers—Holding on to the walls of Delhi +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#125">125</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Capture of the Burn bastion—The 60th Rifles storm the +palace—Hodson captures the King of Delhi—Nicholson's +death—Gallantry of the troops—Praise from Lord Canning +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#133">133</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XX">CHAPTER XX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Necessity for further action—Departure from Delhi—Action +at Bulandshahr—Lieutenant Home's death—Knights-errant—Fight at +Aligarh—Appeals from Agra—Collapse of the administration—Taken by +surprise—The fight at Agra—An exciting chase—The Taj Mahal +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#140">140</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Infatuation of the authorities at Agra—A series of +Mishaps—Result of indecision and incapacity +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#154">154</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Advantage of being a good horseman—News from +Lucknow—Cawnpore—Heart-rending scenes—Start for +Lucknow—An exciting Adventure—Arrival of Sir Colin +Campbell—Plans for the advance +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#158">158</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Sir Colin's preparations—The Alambagh—The +Dilkusha and Martinière—Mayne's death—A tall-talk +story—Ammunition required—A night march—The advance +on Lucknow—Sir Colin wounded—The attack on the +Sikandarbagh—Heroic deeds—The 4th Punjab Infantry +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#169">169</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Henry Norman—The Shah Najaf—The mess-house—Planting +the flag—A memorable meeting—The Residency +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#183">183</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxiv">[page xiv]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#XXV">CHAPTER XXV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Sir Colin's wise decision—Robert Napier—Impressions on +visiting the Residency—Henry Lawrence—Lawrence as Statesman and +Ruler—Lawrence's friendliness for Natives—A hazardous duty +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#190">190</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Death of General Havelock—Appeals from +Cawnpore—General Windham—The passage of the Ganges +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#198">198</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The fight at Cawnpore—Unexpected visitors—A +long chase—Unjur Tiwari—Bithur—Windham at Cawnpore +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#204">204</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The Fight at Khudaganj—A mêlée—Oudh or Rohilkand? +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#212">212</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Mianganj—Curious effect of a mirage—The +Dilkusha revisited—Passage of the Gumti—Capture of the Chakar +Kothi—Capture of the iron bridge—Hodson mortally +wounded—Outram's soldierly instinct—A lost +opportunity—Sam Browne—Start for England—Death of Sir William Peel +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#216">216</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXX">CHAPTER XXX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">What brought about the Mutiny?—Religious fears of the +people—The land question—The annexation of Oudh—Fulfilment of +Malcolm's prophecy—The Delhi royal family—The Nana Sahib—The +Native army—Greased cartridges—Limited number of British +troops—Objection to foreign service—Excessive age of the British officers +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#231">231</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Discontent of the Natives—Successful administrators—Paternal +despotism—Money-lenders and the Press—Faddists—Cardinal points +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#245">245</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Home again—Back in India—Allahabad and Cawnpore—The +Viceroy's camp—State entry into Lucknow—The Talukdars of Oudh—Loyalty +of the Talukdars—Cawnpore and Fatehgarh—The Agra Durbar +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#251">251</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Delhi under a different aspect—Lord Clyde—Umritsar and +Lahore—The Lahore Durbar—Simla—Life at Simla +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#262">262</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxv">[page xv]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The Staff Corps—With the Viceroy's camp again—The +marble rocks—Lady Canning's death—Pig-sticking at Jamu—Lord +Canning—Another cold-weather march—Gwalior and Jhansi—Departmental promotion +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#269">269</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The Umbeyla expedition—The Akhund of Swat—The 'Eagle's Nest' +and 'Crag piquet'—The death of Lord Elgin—Loyalty of our Pathan +soldiers—Bunerwals show signs of submission—The conical hill—Umbeyla in +flames—Bunerwals agree to our terms—Malka destroyed +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#280">280</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">A voyage round the Cape—Cholera camps—The Abyssinian expedition—Landed at Zula +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#293">293</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Sir Robert Napier to command—Defective transport—King Theodore commits suicide—First A.Q.M.G. +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#298">298</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Afzal Khan ousts Sher Ali—Sher Ali regains the +Amirship—Foresight of Sir Henry Rawlinson—The Umballa Durbar +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#303">303</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The Lushais—The Lushai expedition—Defective transport +again—Practice <i>versus</i> theory—A severe march—Lushais foiled +by Gurkhas—A successful turning movement—Murder of Lord Mayo +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#308">308</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XL">CHAPTER XL</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Lord Napier's care for the soldier—Negotiations with Sher +Ali renewed—Sher Ali's demands +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#319">319</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLI">CHAPTER XLI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">A trip in the Himalayas—The famine in Behar—The Prince +of Wales in India—Farewell to Lord Napier +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#323">323</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLII">CHAPTER XLII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Lord Lytton becomes Viceroy—Difficulties with Sher +Ali—Imperial assemblage at Delhi—Reception of the Ruling +Chiefs—Queen proclaimed Empress of India—Political importance of +the assemblage—Sher Ali proclaims a 'Jahad'—A journey under difficulties +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#328">328</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Object of the first Afghan war—Excitement caused by Russia's advances +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#338">338</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxvi">[page xvi]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Effect of the Berlin Treaty at Kabul—Sher Ali decides against +England—A meeting of portentous moment—Preparations for war—Letter from Sher Ali +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#341">341</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLV">CHAPTER XLV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Shortcomings of my column—Attitude of the Border tribes +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#348">348</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLVI">CHAPTER XLVI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The Kuram valley—Conflicting news of the enemy—An +apparently impregnable position—Spingawi route decided on—Disposition +of the force—A night attack—Advantages of a night attack—Devotion +of my orderlies—Threatening the enemy's rear—The Peiwar Kotal +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#351">351</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLVII">CHAPTER XLVII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Alikhel—Treachery of the tribesmen—Transport +difficulties—Sher Ali looks to Russia for aid—Khost—An attack on +our camp—An unsuccessful experiment—An unpleasant incident—Punjab Chiefs' Contingent +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#364">364</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLVIII">CHAPTER XLVIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Sher Ali's death—Premature negotiations—The treaty of +Gandamak—Making friends with the tribesmen—Gloomy forebodings—Good-bye to Cavagnari +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#375">375</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#XLIX">CHAPTER XLIX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Massacre of the Embassy—The Kabul Field Force—Lord Lytton's +foresightedness—Start for Kabul—Letter to the Amir—Proclamation to the +people of Kabul—Yakub Khan's agents—Reasons for remaining at Alikhel +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#382">382</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#L">CHAPTER L</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Hector Macdonald and Sher Mahomed—Yakub Khan—A Proclamation and an +Order—The <i>maliks</i> of Logar—Attack on the Shutargardan—Reconnoitring roads leading to Kabul +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#394">394</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LI">CHAPTER LI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The Afghan position—The fight at Charasia—Highlanders, Gurkhas, and +Punjabis—Defeat of the Afghans—Kabul in sight—Deh-i-Mazang +gorge—The enemy give us the slip +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#402">402</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LII">CHAPTER LII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Guiding instructions—Visit to the Bala Hissar—Yakub Khan +abdicates—The Proclamation—Administrative measures—Explosions in the Bala Hissar +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#410">410</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxvii">[page xvii]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#LIII">CHAPTER LIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Afghans afraid to befriend us—Kabul Russianized—Yakub Khan's +abdication accepted—State treasury taken over +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#418">418</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LIV">CHAPTER LIV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The amnesty Proclamation—Strength of the Kabul Field +Force—Yakub Khan despatched to India +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#424">424</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LV">CHAPTER LV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Political situation at Kabul—Serious trouble +ahead—Macpherson attacks the Kohistanis—Combined +movements—The uncertainty of war—The fight in the Chardeh +valley—Forced to retire—Padre Adams earns the +V.C.—Macpherson's column arrives—The captured guns recovered—Melancholy reflections +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#428">428</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LVI">CHAPTER LVI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Attack on the Takht-i-Shah—City people join the +tribesmen—Increasing numbers of the enemy—Loss of the conical +hill—Captain Vousden's gallantry—The retirement to Sherpur +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#441">441</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LVII">CHAPTER LVII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Sherpur—Defence of Sherpur—Arrest of Daud Shah—Rumours +of an assault—Attack and counter-attack—Communication with India +re-opened—Sherpur made safe +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#448">448</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LVIII">CHAPTER LVIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Two important questions—A Ruler required—News of Abdur +Rahman Khan—Abdur Rahman in Afghan-Turkestan—Overtures made to Abdur Rahman +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#456">456</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LIX">CHAPTER LIX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Jenkins attacked near Charasia—Sir Donald Stewart reaches +Kabul—Difficulties with Abdur Rahman—Abdur Rahman proclaimed Amir +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#462">462</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LX">CHAPTER LX</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Affairs at Kandahar—The Maiwand disaster—Relief from +Kabul suggested—A force ordered from Kabul—Preparations for the +march—The Kabul-Kandahar Field Force—Commissariat and Transport +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#468">468</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LXI">CHAPTER LXI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The order of marching—Ghazni and Kelat-i-Ghilzai—Food +required daily for the force—A letter from General +Phayre—Kandahar—Reconnoitring the enemy's position—A turning movement +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#478">478</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxviii">[page xviii]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#LXII">CHAPTER LXII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Commencement of the fight—72nd Highlanders and 2nd +Sikhs—92nd Highlanders and 2nd Gurkhas—Ayub Khan's camp—Difficulties +about supplies—Parting with the troops—A pleasing memory +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#487">487</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LXIII">CHAPTER LXIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Reception in England—A fruitless journey—Andaman Isles +and Burma—The Madras Army—Measures for improving the Madras +Army—Memories of Madras—An allegory +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#495">495</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LXIV">CHAPTER LXIV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Disturbing action of Russia—Abdur Rahman Khan<br /> + —The Rawal Pindi Durbar<br /> + —Unmistakable loyalty of the Natives +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#503">503</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LXV">CHAPTER LXV</a><br /> +<p class="indent">The Burma expedition—The Camp of Exercise at +Delhi—Defence of the North-West Frontier—Quetta and +Peshawar—Communications <i>versus</i> fortifications—Sir George Chesney +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#507">507</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LXVI">CHAPTER LXVI</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Nursing for the soldier—Pacification of Burma +considered—Measures recommended—The Buddhist priesthood—The +Regimental Institute—The Army Temperance Association +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#514">514</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LXVII">CHAPTER LXVII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Defence and Mobilization Committees—The Transport +Department—Utilization of Native States' armies—Marquis of +Lansdowne becomes Viceroy—Rajputana and Kashmir—Musketry +instruction—Artillery and Cavalry training +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#521">521</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#LXVIII">CHAPTER LXVIII</a><br /> +<p class="indent">Extension of command—Efficiency of the Native +Army—Concessions to the Native Army—Officering of the Native +Army—The Hunza-Naga campaign—Visit to Nepal—A Nepalese +entertainment—Proposed mission to the Amir—A last tour—Farewell +entertainments—Last days in India +</p><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#529">529</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#APPEND">APPENDIX</a><br /><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <a href="#544">544</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#INDEX">INDEX</a><br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<a href="#581">581</a> +</td> +</tr> + +</table> + + + <br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="pxix">[page xix]</a></span> + <br /> + <p class="center"> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate3">[plate 3]</a></span> + + <img src="images/03-piewarkotal.jpg" width="350" height="297" alt="Piewar Kotal." border="0" /><br /><br /> + <b>PIEWAR KOTAL.</b></p> +<br /><br /> + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<br /><br /> +<table width="100%" align="center" summary="illustrations" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="right" width="8%" valign="top"><br />I. </td> +<td width="72%" valign="top"><br /> +<a class="contents" href="#plate1">PORTRAIT OF FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS</a><br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Bourne and Shepherd, Simla, +engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" width="20%" valign="top"> +PAGE<br /> +<a href="#plate1"><i>Frontispiece</i></a><br /> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">II. </td> + +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate2">THE KASHMIR GATE AT DELHI </a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <i>Over List of <a href="#plate2">Contents</a></i> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">III. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate3">THE PEIWAR KOTAL</a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>Over List of <a href="#plate3">Illustrations</a></i> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">IV. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate4">PORTRAIT OF GENERAL SIR ABRAHAM ROBERTS</a>, G.C.B. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph, engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#10">10</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">V. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate5">PORTRAIT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN NICHOLSON</a>, C.B. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Painting by J.R. Dicksee + in possession of the Rev. Canon Seymour, + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#32">32</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" width="8%" valign="top">VI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate6"> PORTRAIT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR HARRY TOMBS</a>, V.C., G.C.B. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Grillet and Co., + engraved upon wood by Swain</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#84">84</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" width="8%" valign="top">VII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate7">PORTRAIT OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR JAMES HILLS-JOHNES</a>, + V.C., G.C.B. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Bourne and Shepherd, + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#96">96</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">VIII. <span class="page"><a name="pxx">[page xx]</a></span></td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate8">PORTRAIT OF FIELD-MARSHAL SIR DONALD MARTIN STEWART</a>, + BART., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., C.I.E. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Elliott and Fry, engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#98">98</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">IX. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate9"> PLAN OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT NAJAFGARH.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Plan made by Lieutenant Geneste, by permission of + Messrs. Wm. Blackwood and Sons</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#116">116</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">X. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map1">PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE THE SIEGE AND ATTACK OF DELHI, IN 1857</a><br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#140">140</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate10">PORTRAITS OF GENERAL SIR COLIN CAMPBELL (LORD CLYDE) + AND MAJOR-GENERAL SIR WILLIAM MANSFIELD (LORD + SANDHURST). </a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph taken in India, + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#166">166</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate11">PORTRAIT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JAMES OUTRAM</a>, G.C.B. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Painting by Thomas Brigstocke, R.A., + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#188">188</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate12">PORTRAIT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL SIR HENRY LAWRENCE, K.C.B. </a><br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph taken at Lucknow, + engraved upon wood by Swain</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <i>To face page</i> <a href="#194">194</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map2">PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW, IN 1857</a><br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#198">198</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XV. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map3">PLAN OF CAWNPORE </a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#208">208</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XVI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map4">PLAN OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT KHUDAGANJ</a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#214">214</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XVII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate13">PORTRAIT OF GENERAL SIR SAMUEL BROWNE</a>, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.S.I. <br /> + +<p class="indent"> +(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Elliott and Fry, + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>)</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#228">228</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XVIII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map5">PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE THE SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF LUCKNOW, IN 1858 </a><br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#230">230</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XIX. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate14">PORTRAIT OF LADY ROBERTS</a> (WIFE OF SIR ABRAHAM + ROBERTS). <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Sketch by Carpenter, engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <i>To face page</i> <a href="#252">252</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XX. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate15">PORTRAIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY EARL CANNING</a>, K.G., G.C.B., + G.M.S.I., VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Mayall, + engraved upon wood by Swain</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#278">278</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate16">THE STORMING OF THE CONICAL HILL AT UMBEYLA</a> BY THE + 101ST FOOT (BENGAL FUSILIERS). <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Sketch by General Sir John Adye, G.C.B., R.A., + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#288">288</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXII. </td> +<td valign="top"><span class="page"><a name="pxxi">[page xxi]</a></span> +<a class="contents" href="#plate17">PORTRAIT OF FIELD-MARSHAL LORD NAPIER OF MAGDALA</a>, + G.C.B., G.C.S.I. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Maull and Fox, + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#328">328</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXIII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate18">PORTRAIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE EARL OF LYTTON</a>, + G.C.B., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., VICEROY OF INDIA. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Maull and Fox, + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#334">334</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXIV. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate19">THE ATTACK ON THE PEIWAR KOTAL.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Painting by Vereker Hamilton, + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <i>To face page</i> <a href="#356">356</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXV. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate20">GENERAL ROBERTS'S GURKHA ORDERLIES.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Water-colour Sketch + by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R.E., + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i> +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <i>To face page</i> <a href="#360">360</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXVI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate21"> GENERAL ROBERTS'S SIKH ORDERLIES.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Water-colour Sketch + by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R.E., + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i> +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#362">362</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXVII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate22">ONE OF GENERAL ROBERTS'S PATHAN ORDERLIES.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Water-colour Sketch + by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R.E., + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#364">364</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXVIII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate23">ONE OF GENERAL ROBERTS'S PATHAN ORDERLIES.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Water-colour Sketch + by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R.E., + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#366">366</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXIX. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate24">THE ENTRANCE TO THE BALA HISSAR—THE LAHORE GATE AT KABUL.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph, + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#412">412</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXX. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map6">SKETCH SHOWING THE OPERATIONS IN THE CHARDEH + VALLEY ON DECEMBER 10TH AND 11TH, 1879 </a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#440">440</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map7">PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE THE DEFENCES OF SHERPUR AND + THE OPERATIONS ROUND KABUL IN DECEMBER, 1879</a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#454">454</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate25">CROSSING THE ZAMBURAK KOTAL.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Painting by the Chevalier Desanges, + engraved upon wood by W. Cheshire</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#480">480</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXIII. </td> + +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map8">PLAN OF THE ROUTE TAKEN FROM KABUL TO KANDAHAR</a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#484">484</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXIV. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map9">SKETCH OF THE BATTLE-FIELD OF KANDAHAR</a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#492">492</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXV. <span class="page"><a name="pxxii">[page xxii]</a></span></td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate26">PORTRAITS OF THE THREE COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF IN INDIA</a> +(SIR DONALD STEWART, SIR FREDERICK ROBERTS, AND + SIR ARTHUR HARDINGE). <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph, + engraved upon wood by Swain</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#500">500</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXVI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate27">PORTRAIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS OF + DUFFERIN AND AVA</a>, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.M.S.I., + G.M.I.E., F.R.S., VICEROY OF INDIA. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From an engraving by the Fine Art Society of a portrait + by the late Frank Holl, R.A., re-engraved + upon wood by George Pearson)</i> +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#502">502</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXVII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate28">PORTRAIT OF HIS HIGHNESS ABDUR RAHMAN, AMIR OF + AFGHANISTAN.</a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph, + engraved upon wood by Swain</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#504">504</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXVIII. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#map10">MAP OF CENTRAL ASIA</a> <br /> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> + <i>To face page</i> <a href="#506">506</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XXXIX. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate29"> PORTRAIT OF LADY ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR. </a> <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Johnson and Hoffmann, + engraved upon wood by George Pearson</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#514">514</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XL. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate30">PORTRAIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE</a>, + K.G., G.C.M.G., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., VICEROY + OF INDIA. <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Cowell, Simla, + engraved upon wood by Swain</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#524">524</a> +</td> +</tr> + <tr> +<td class="right" valign="top">XLI. </td> +<td valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#plate31">PORTRAIT OF FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS</a> ON HIS + ARAB CHARGER 'VONOLEL.' <br /> +<p class="indent">(<i>From an Oil-painting by Charles Furse, + made from an Instantaneous Photograph, and + engraved upon wood by E. Whymper</i>) +</p> +<br /> +</td> +<td class="right" valign="top"> +<i>To face page</i> <a href="#530">530</a> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<br /><br /> + + <hr class="full" /> +<span class="page"><a name="1">[Page 1]</a></span> + + +<br /><br /><br /><br /> + + + +<h1>FORTY-ONE YEARS IN INDIA.</h1> +<br /><br /> + +<hr /><br /> +<br /> + +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="I">I.</a></h2> +<p> +Forty years ago the departure of a cadet for India was a much more<span class="rightnote">1852</span> +serious affair than it is at present. Under the regulations then in +force, leave, except on medical certificate, could only be obtained once +during the whole of an officer's service, and ten years had to be spent +in India before that leave could be taken. Small wonder, then, that +I felt as if I were bidding England farewell for ever when, on the +20th February, 1852, I set sail from Southampton with Calcutta for +my destination. Steamers in those days ran to and from India but +once a month, and the fleet employed was only capable of transporting +some 2,400 passengers in the course of a year. This does not include +the Cape route; but even taking that into consideration, I should +doubt whether there were then as many travellers to India in a year +as there are now in a fortnight at the busy season.</p> +<p> +My ship was the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer <i>Ripon</i>, +commanded by Captain Moresby, an ex-officer of the Indian Navy, +in which he had earned distinction by his survey of the Red Sea. +A few Addiscombe friends were on board, leaving England under the +same depressing circumstances as myself, and what with wind and +weather, and the thought that at the best we were bidding farewell to +home and relations for ten long years, we were anything but a cheerful +party for the first few days of the voyage. Youth and high spirits had, +however, re-asserted themselves long before Alexandria, which place +we reached without incident beyond the customary halts for coaling +at Gibraltar and Malta. At Alexandria we bade adieu to Captain +Moresby, who had been most kind and attentive, and whose graphic +accounts of the difficulties he had had to overcome whilst mastering +the navigation of the Red Sea served to while away many a tedious +hour.</p> +<p> +On landing at Alexandria, we were hurried on board a large mast-less +canal boat, shaped like a Nile dahabeah. In this we were towed<span class="page"><a name="2">[Page 2]</a></span> +up the Mahmoudieh canal for ten hours, until we arrived at Atfieh, on +the Nile; thence we proceeded by steamer, reaching Cairo in about +sixteen hours. Here we put up at Shepherd's Hotel for a couple of +days, which were most enjoyable, especially to those of the party who, +like myself, saw an eastern city and its picturesque and curious bazaars +for the first time. From Cairo the route lay across the desert for +ninety miles, the road being merely a cutting in the sand, quite undistinguishable +at night. The journey was performed in a conveyance +closely resembling a bathing-machine, which accommodated six people, +and was drawn by four mules. My five fellow-travellers were all +cadets, only one of whom (Colonel John Stewart, of Ardvorlich, Perthshire) +is now alive. The transit took some eighteen hours, with an +occasional halt for refreshments. Our baggage was carried on camels, +as were the mails, cargo, and even the coal for the Red Sea steamers.</p> +<p> +On arrival at Suez we found awaiting us the <i>Oriental</i>, commanded +by Captain Powell. A number of people met us there who had left +England a month before we did; but their steamer having broken +down, they had now to be accommodated on board ours. We were +thus very inconveniently crowded until we arrived at Aden, where +several of the passengers left us for Bombay. We were not, however, +much inclined to complain, as some of our new associates proved +themselves decided acquisitions. Amongst them was Mr. (afterwards +Sir Barnes) Peacock, an immense favourite with all on board, and +more particularly with us lads. He was full of fun, and although then +forty-seven years old, and on his way to Calcutta to join the Governor-General's +Council, he took part in our amusements as if he were of the +same age as ourselves. His career in India was brilliant, and on the +expiration of his term of office as member of Council he was made +Chief Justice of Bengal. Another of the passengers was Colonel (afterwards +Sir John Bloomfield) Gough, who died not long ago in Ireland, +and was then on his way to take up his appointment as Quartermaster-General +of Queen's troops. He had served in the 3rd Light Dragoons +and on the staff of his cousin, Lord Gough, during the Sutlej and +Punjab campaigns, and was naturally an object of the deepest veneration +to all the youngsters on board.</p> +<p> +At Madras we stopped to land passengers, and I took this opportunity +of going on shore to see some old Addiscombe friends, most of +whom were greatly excited at the prospect of a war in Burma. The +transports were then actually lying in the Madras roads, and a few +days later this portion of the expedition started for Rangoon.</p> +<p> +At last, on the 1st April, we reached Calcutta, and I had to say +good-bye to the friends I had made during the six weeks' voyage, most +of whom I was never to meet again.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Life in Calcutta</span> +On landing, I received a letter from my father, who commanded the +Lahore division, informing me that the proprietor of Spence's Hotel<span class="page"><a name="3">[Page 3]</a></span> +had been instructed to receive me, and that I had better put up there +until I reported myself at the Head-Quarters of the Bengal Artillery +at Dum-Dum. This was chilling news, for I was the only one of our +party who had to go to a hotel on landing. The Infantry cadets had +either been taken charge of by the Town Major, who provided them +with quarters in Fort William, or had gone to stay with friends, and +the only other Artilleryman (Stewart) went direct to Dum-Dum, where +he had a brother, also a gunner, who, poor follow, was murdered with +his young wife five years later by the mutineers at Gwalior. I was +still more depressed later on by finding myself at dinner <i>tête-à-tête</i> +with a first-class specimen of the results of an Indian climate. He +belonged to my own regiment, and was going home on medical certificate, +but did not look as if he could ever reach England. He gave +me the not too pleasing news that by staying in that dreary hotel, +instead of proceeding direct to Dum-Dum, I had lost a day's service +and pay, so I took care to join early the following morning.</p> +<p> +A few years before, Dum-Dum had been a large military station, +but the annexation of the Punjab, and the necessity for maintaining a +considerable force in northern India, had greatly reduced the garrison. +Even the small force that remained had embarked for Burma before +my arrival, so that, instead of a large, cheery mess party, to which +I had been looking forward, I sat down to dinner with only one other +subaltern.</p> +<p> +No time was lost in appointing me to a Native Field Battery, and I +was put through the usual laboratory course as a commencement to +my duties. The life was dull in the extreme, the only variety being an +occasional week in Fort William, where my sole duty was to superintend +the firing of salutes. Nor was there much in my surroundings +to compensate for the prosaic nature of my work. Fort William was +not then what it has since become—one of the healthiest stations in +India. Quite the contrary. The men were crowded into small badly-ventilated +buildings, and the sanitary arrangements were as deplorable +as the state of the water supply. The only efficient scavengers were +the huge birds of prey called adjutants, and so great was the dependence +placed upon the exertions of these unclean creatures, that the +young cadets were warned that any injury done to them would be +treated as gross misconduct. The inevitable result of this state of +affairs was endemic sickness, and a death-rate of over ten per cent. per +<a name="I1r">annum</a>.<a href="#I1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +Calcutta outside the Fort was but a dreary place to fall back upon.<span class="page"><a name="4">[Page 4]</a></span> +It was wretchedly lighted by smoky oil-lamps set at very rare intervals. +The slow and cumbrous palankin was the ordinary means of conveyance, +and, as far as I was concerned, the vaunted hospitality of the +Anglo-Indian was conspicuous by its absence.</p> +<p> +I must confess I was disappointed at being left so completely to +myself, especially by the senior military officers, many of whom were +personally known to my father, who had, I was aware, written to +some of them on my behalf. Under these circumstances, I think it +is hardly to be wondered at that I became terribly home-sick, and +convinced that I could never be happy in India. Worst of all, the +prospects of promotion seemed absolutely hopeless; I was a supernumerary +Second Lieutenant, and nearly every officer in the list of +the Bengal Artillery had served over fifteen years as a subaltern. +This stagnation extended to every branch of the Indian Army.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A destructive cyclone</span> +There were singularly few incidents to enliven this unpromising +stage of my career. I do, however, remember one rather notable +experience which came to me at that time, in the form of a bad cyclone. +I was dining out on the night in question. Gradually the wind grew +higher and higher, and it became evident that we were in for a storm +of no ordinary kind. Consequently, I left my friend's house early. +A Native servant, carrying a lantern, accompanied me to light me on +my way. At an angle of the road a sudden gust of wind extinguished +the light. The servant, who, like most Natives, was quite at home +in the dark, walked on, believing that I was following in his wake. +I shouted to him as loudly as I could, but the uproar was so terrific +that he could not hear a word, and there was nothing for it but to try +and make my own way home. The darkness was profound. As I was +walking carefully along, I suddenly came in contact with an object, +which a timely flash of lightning showed me was a column, standing +in exactly the opposite direction from my own house. I could now +locate myself correctly, and the lightning becoming every moment +more vivid, I was enabled to grope my way by slow degrees to the +mess, where I expected to find someone to show me my way home, +but the servants, who knew from experience the probable effects of a +cyclone, had already closed the outside Venetian shutters and barred +all the doors. I could just see them through the cracks engaged in +making everything fast. In vain I banged at the door and called at +the top of my voice—they heard nothing. Reluctantly I became convinced +that there was no alternative but to leave my shelter and face +the rapidly increasing storm once more. My bungalow was not more +than half a mile away, but it took me an age to accomplish this short +distance, as I was only able to move a few steps at a time whenever<span class="page"><a name="5">[Page 5]</a></span> +the lightning showed me the way. It was necessary to be careful, as +the road was raised, with a deep ditch on either side; several trees +had already been blown down, and lay across it, and huge branches +were being driven through the air like thistle-down. I found extreme +difficulty in keeping my feet, especially at the cross-roads, where I was +more than once all but blown over. At last I reached my house, but +even then my struggles were not quite at an end. It was a very long +time before I could gain admittance. The servant who had been +carrying the lantern had arrived, and, missing me, imagined that I +must have returned to the house at which I had dined. The men with +whom I chummed, thinking it unlikely that I should make a second +attempt to return home, had carefully fastened all the doors, momentarily +expecting the roof of the house to be blown off. I had to continue +hammering and shouting for a long time before they heard and +admitted me, thankful to be comparatively safe inside a house.</p> +<p> +By morning the worst of the storm was over, but not before great +damage had been done. The Native bazaar was completely wrecked, +looking as if it had suffered a furious bombardment, and great havoc +had been made amongst the European houses, not a single verandah +or outside shutter being left in the station. As I walked to the mess, +I found the road almost impassable from fallen trees; and dead birds, +chiefly crows and kites, were so numerous that they had to be carried +off in cartloads. How I had made my way to my bungalow without +accident the night before was difficult to imagine. Even the column +against which I had stumbled was levelled by the fury of the blast. +This column had been raised a few years before to the memory of the +officers and men of the 1st Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery, +who were killed in the disastrous retreat from Kabul in 1841. It was +afterwards rebuilt.</p> +<p> +Dum-Dum in ruins was even more dreary than before the cyclone, +and I felt as if I could not possibly continue to live there much longer. +Accordingly I wrote to my father, begging him to try and get me sent +to Burma; but he replied that he hoped soon to get command of the +Peshawar division, and that he would then like me to join him. Thus, +though my desire to quit Dum-Dum was not to be immediately gratified, +I was buoyed up by the hope that a definite limit had now been +placed to my service in that, to me, uninteresting part of India, and +my restlessness and discontent disappeared as if by magic.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Home-sickness</span> +In time of peace, as in war, or during a cholera epidemic, a soldier's +moral condition is infinitely more important than his physical surroundings, +and it is in this respect, I think, that the subaltern of the present +day has an advantage over the youngster of forty years ago. The life +of a young officer during his first few months of exile, before he has +fallen into the ways of his new life and made friends for himself, can +never be very happy; but in these days he is encouraged by the feeling<span class="page"><a name="6">[Page 6]</a></span> +that, however distasteful, it need not necessarily last very long; and he +can look forward to a rapid and easy return to England and friends at +no very distant period. At the time I am writing of he could not but +feel completely cut off from all that had hitherto formed his chief +interests in life—his family and his friends—for ten years is an eternity +to the young, and the feeling of loneliness and home-sickness was apt +to become almost insupportable.</p> +<p> +The climate added its depressing influence; there was no going to +the hills then, and as the weary months dragged on, the young stranger +became more and more dispirited and hopeless. Such was my case. I +had only been four months in India, but it seemed like four years. My +joy, therefore, was unbounded when at last my marching orders arrived. +Indeed, the idea that I was about to proceed to that grand field of +soldierly activity, the North-West Frontier, and there join my father, +almost reconciled me to the disappointment of losing my chance of +field service in Burma. My arrangements were soon made, and early +in August I bade a glad good-bye to Dum-Dum.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="II">II.</a></h2> + +<p> +When I went to India the mode of travelling was almost as primitive<span class="rightnote">1852</span> +as it had been a hundred, and probably five hundred, years before. +Private individuals for the most part used palankins, while officers, +regiments, and drafts were usually sent up country by the river route +as far as Cawnpore. It was necessarily a slow mode of progression—how +slow may be imagined from the fact that it took me nearly three +months to get from Dum-Dum to Peshawar, a distance now traversed +with the greatest ease and comfort in as many days. As far as Benares +I travelled in a barge towed by a steamer—a performance which took +the best part of a month to accomplish. From Benares to Allahabad +it was a pleasant change to get upon wheels, a horse-dâk having been +recently established between these two places. At Allahabad I was +most kindly received by Mr. Lowther, the Commissioner, an old friend +of my father's, in whose house I experienced for the first time that +profuse hospitality for which Anglo-Indians are proverbial. I was +much surprised and amused by the circumstance of my host smoking a +<i>hookah</i> even at meals, for he was one of the few Englishmen who still +indulged in that luxury, as it was then considered. The sole duty of +one servant, called the <i>hookah-bardar</i>, was to prepare the pipe for his +master, and to have it ready at all times.</p> +<p> +My next resting-place was Cawnpore, my birthplace, where I +remained a few days. The Cawnpore division was at that time commanded +by an officer of the name of Palmer, who had only recently<span class="page"><a name="7">[Page 7]</a></span> +attained the rank of Brigadier-General, though he could not have been +less than sixty-eight years of age, being of the same standing as my +father.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Bengal Horse Artillery</span> +From Cawnpore I went to Meerut, and there came across, for the +first time, the far-famed Bengal Horse Artillery, and made the +acquaintance of a set of officers who more than realized my expectations +regarding the wearers of the much-coveted jacket, association +with whom created in me a fixed resolve to leave no stone unturned +in the endeavour to become a horse gunner. Like the Cavalry and +Infantry of the East India Company's service, the Artillery suffered +somewhat from the employment of many of its best officers on the staff +and in civil appointments; the officers selected were not seconded or +replaced in their regiments. This was the case in a less degree, no +doubt, in the Horse Artillery than in the other branches, for its <i>esprit</i> +was great, and officers were proud to belong to this <i>corps d'élite</i>. It +certainly was a splendid service; the men were the pick of those +recruited by the East India Company, they were of magnificent +physique, and their uniform was singularly handsome. The jacket +was much the same as that now worn by the Royal Horse Artillery, +but instead of the busby they had a brass helmet covered in front with +leopard skin, surmounted by a long red plume which drooped over the +back like that of a French Cuirassier. This, with white buckskin +breeches and long boots, completed a uniform which was one of the +most picturesque and effective I have ever seen on a parade-ground.</p> +<p> +The metalled highway ended at Meerut, and I had to perform the +remainder of my journey to Peshawar, a distance of 600 miles, in a +palankin, or doolie.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Incidents of the Journey</span> +This manner of travelling was tedious in the extreme. Starting +after dinner, the victim was carried throughout the night by eight men, +divided into reliefs of four. The whole of the eight were changed at +stages averaging from ten to twelve miles apart. The baggage was also +conveyed by coolies, who kept up an incessant chatter, and the procession +was lighted on its way by a torch-bearer, whose torch consisted +of bits of rag tied round the end of a stick, upon which he continually +poured the most malodorous of oils. If the palankin-bearers were +very good, they shuffled along at the rate of about three miles an hour, +and if there were no delays, forty or forty-five miles could be accomplished +before it became necessary to seek shelter from the sun in one +of the dâk-bungalows, or rest-houses, erected by Government at convenient +intervals along all the principal routes. In these bungalows a +bath could be obtained, and sorely it was needed after a journey of +thirteen or fourteen hours at a level of only a few inches above an +exceedingly dusty road. As to food, the <i>khansamah</i>, like 'mine host' +in the old country, declared himself at the outset prepared to provide +everything the heart of man could desire; when, however, the traveller<span class="page"><a name="8">[Page 8]</a></span> +was safely cornered for the rest of the day, the <i>menu</i> invariably +dwindled down to the elementary and universal 'sudden death,' which +meant a wretchedly thin chicken, caught, decapitated, grilled, and +served up within twenty minutes of the meal being ordered. At dinner +a variety was made by the chicken being curried, accompanied by an +unlimited supply of rice and chutney.</p> +<p> +I was glad to be able to break the monotony of this long journey by +a visit to a half-sister of mine, who was then living at the hill-station +of Mussoorie. The change to the delightful freshness of a Himalayan +climate after the Turkish-bath-like atmosphere of the plains in September +was most grateful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the few days I spent +in the midst of the lovely mountain scenery.</p> +<p> +My next station was Umballa. There I fell in with two other troops +of Horse Artillery, and became more than ever enamoured with the +idea of belonging to so splendid a service. From Umballa it was a +two nights' journey to Ludhiana, where I rested for the day, and there +met a cousin in the Survey Department, who had been suddenly ordered +to Lahore, so we agreed to travel together.</p> +<p> +The next halting-place was Jullundur. To make a change, we hired +a buggy at this place, in which to drive the first stage, sending our +palankins on ahead; when we overtook them, we found, to our +surprise, that their number had increased to six. We were preparing +for a start, when it struck us that we ought to make some inquiries +about the additional four, which, from the luggage lying about, we +assumed to be occupied, but which appeared to be stranded for want of +bearers to carry them on. The doors were carefully closed, and it was +some time before we could get an answer to our offers of assistance. +Eventually a lady looked out, and told us that she and a friend, each +accompanied by two children and an <i><a name="II1r">ayah</a></i>,<a href="#II1"><sup>1</sup></a> were on their way to +Lahore; that the bearers who had brought them so far had run away, +and that they were absolutely in despair as to how they were to proceed. +It turned out that the bearers, who had been engaged to carry +the ladies on the second stage towards Lahore, found it more amusing +to attend the ceremony of the installation of the Raja of Kaparthala, +then going on, than to fulfil their engagement. After discussing the +situation, the ladies were persuaded to get out of their palankins and +into our buggy. We divided the baggage and six doolies between our +sixteen bearers, and started off, my cousin, the <i>ayahs</i>, and I on foot. +It was then 10 p.m. We hoped relays of bearers for the whole party +would be forthcoming at the next stage, but we were doomed to disappointment. +Our reliefs were present, but none for the ladies. We +succeeded, however, in inducing our original bearers to come on a +further stage, thus arranging for the carriage of the <i>ayahs</i>, while we +two men trudged on beside the buggy for another ten or twelve miles.<span class="page"><a name="9">[Page 9]</a></span> +It was a heavy, sandy road, and three stages were about as much as the +horse could manage.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">New Friends</span> +Soon after daybreak next morning we reached the Bias river. +Crossing by a bridge of boats, we found on the other side a small one-roomed +house with a verandah running round it, built for the use of the +European overseer in charge of the road. On matters being explained, +this man agreed to turn out. The ladies and children were put inside, +and my cousin and I spent the day in the verandah; in the evening, +with the assistance of the overseer, we were able to get a sufficient +number of bearers to carry us all on to Mian Mir without further +adventure. In the course of conversation we found that one of the +ladies was the wife of Lieutenant Donald <a name="II2r">Stewart</a>,<a href="#II2"><sup>2</sup></a> of the 9th Bengal +Infantry, and that she and her friend were returning to join their +respective husbands after spending the summer months at Simla. This +meeting was the beginning of a close friendship with Sir Donald and +Lady Stewart, which has lasted to the present day.</p> +<p> +At Mian Mir (the military cantonment of Lahore) I stayed a few +days with another half-sister, and from there, as the weather was +beginning to get cooler, I travelled day and night. One evening about +eight o'clock I was disappointed at not having come across the usual +rest-house; lights could be seen, however, at no great distance, and I +proceeded towards them; they turned out to be the camp fires of a +Cavalry regiment which was halting there for the night. Being half +famished, and fearing that my craving for food was not likely to be +gratified unless someone in the camp would take pity upon my forlorn +condition, I boldly presented myself at the first tent I came across. +The occupant came out, and, on hearing the strait I was in, he with +kindly courtesy invited me to enter the tent, saying, 'You are just in +time to share our dinner.' My host turned out to be Major Crawford +<a name="II3r">Chamberlain</a>,<a href="#II3"><sup>3</sup></a> commanding the 1st Irregular Cavalry, the famous +Skinner's Horse, then on its way to Peshawar. A lady was sitting at +the table—Mrs. Chamberlain—to whom I was introduced; I spent a +very pleasant evening, and in this way commenced another equally +agreeable and lasting friendship.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="III">III.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1852</span> +<p> +Even the longest journey must come to an end at last, and early in +November I reached Peshawar. My father, who was then in his sixty-ninth +year, had just been appointed to command the division with the +temporary rank of Major-General. Old as this may appear at a period<span class="page"><a name="10">[Page 10]</a></span> +when Colonels are superannuated at fifty-seven, and Major-Generals +must retire at sixty-two, my father did not consider himself particularly +unlucky. As for the authorities, they evidently thought they were to +be congratulated on having so young and active an officer to place in a +position of responsibility upon the North-West Frontier, for amongst +my father's papers I found letters from the Adjutant-General and +Quartermaster-General expressing high satisfaction at his appointment +to this difficult command.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">With my Father at Peshawar</span> +It was a great advantage as well as a great pleasure to me to be with +my father at this time. I had left India an infant, and I had no recollection +of him until I was twelve years old, at which time he came +home on leave. Even then I saw very little of him, as I was at +school during the greater part of his sojourn in England, thus we met +at Peshawar almost as strangers. We did not, however, long remain so; +his affectionate greeting soon put an end to any feeling of shyness on +my part, and the genial and kindly spirit which enabled him to enter +into and sympathize with the feelings and aspirations of men younger +than himself, rendered the year I spent with him at Peshawar one of +the brightest and happiest of my early life. In one respect particularly +I benefited by the intercourse and confidence of the year in question. +My father spoke to me freely of his experiences in Afghanistan, where +he commanded during the Afghan war first a brigade, and then Shah +Shuja's contingent. The information I in this way gathered regarding +the characteristics of that peculiar country, and the best means of +dealing with its still more peculiar people, was invaluable to me when +I, in my turn, twenty-five years later, found myself in command of an +army in Afghanistan.</p> +<p> +Eleven years only had elapsed since the first Afghan war, when my +father went to Peshawar and found himself again associated with +several Afghan friends; some had altogether settled in the Peshawar +district, for nearly all of those who had assisted us, or shown any +friendly feeling towards us, had been forced by Dost Mahomed Khan, +on his return as Amir to Kabul, to seek refuge in India. One of the +chief of these unfortunate refugees was Mahomed Usman Khan, Shah +Shuja's Wazir, or Prime Minister. He had been very intimate with +my father, so it was pleasant for them to meet again and talk over +events in which they had both played such prominent parts. Usman +Khan died some years ago; but visitors to India who travel as far as +Peshawar may still meet his sons, one of whom is the Commandant of +the Khyber Rifles, Lieutenant-Colonel Aslam Khan, C.I.E., a fine +specimen of a Native soldier and gentleman, who has proved his loyalty +and done excellent service to the State on many trying occasions.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate4">[plate 4]</a></span> + <p class="center"> +<img src="images/04-gensiraroberts.jpg" width="316" height="470" alt="General Sir Abraham Roberts, G.C.B." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>GENERAL SIR ABRAHAM ROBERTS, G.C.B.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From a Photograph.</i></span> +</p> +<br /><br /> +<p> +My father had also been on terms of intimacy with Dost Mahomed +himself and many other men of influence in Kabul, from whom, while +at Peshawar, he received most interesting letters, in which anxiety was<span class="page"><a name="11">[Page 11]</a></span> +often expressed as to whether the English were amicably disposed +towards the Amir. To these communications my father was always +careful to send courteous and conciliatory replies. The correspondence +which took place confirmed him in his frequently expressed opinion +that it would be greatly to the advantage of the Government, and +obviate the necessity for keeping such large garrisons on the frontier, +if friendly relations could be established with the Amir, and with the +neighbouring tribes, who more or less looked to the Ruler of Kabul as +their Chief. My father accordingly addressed the Secretary to the +Government of India, and pointed out how successfully some of the +most experienced Anglo-Indian officials had managed barbarous tribes +by kindness and conciliation.</p> +<p> +My father was prevented by ill-health from remaining long enough +at Peshawar to see the result of his proposals, but it was a source of +great satisfaction to him to learn before he left <a name="III1r">India</a><a href="#III1"><sup>1</sup></a> that they were +approved by Lord Dalhousie (the Governor-General), and that they +were already bearing fruit. That the Amir was himself ready to +respond to any overtures made to him was evident from a letter written +by a brother of the Dost's, which was discovered amongst the papers of +Colonel Mackeson (the Commissioner of Peshawar) after his death. +It was still more gratifying to my father to find that the views of +Mackeson's successor, Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Edwardes, on this +subject entirely coincided with his own. This distinguished officer and +brilliant administrator zealously maintained this policy, and succeeded +in establishing such a good understanding with the Ruler of Kabul +that, when the Mutiny broke out, Afghanistan stood aloof, instead of, +as might have been the case, turning the scale against us.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Peshawar in 1852</span> +The Peshawar division in 1852 was not only the most important, +but the largest, in India. It included besides Attock, Rawal Pindi, +and Jhelum, the hill-station of Murree, which had only been recently +occupied. The cantonment of Peshawar had been laid out by Sir Colin +Campbell (afterwards Lord Clyde), who commanded there when we +first occupied that place in 1849. He crowded the troops, European +and Native, into as small a space as possible in order that the station<span class="page"><a name="12">[Page 12]</a></span> +might be the more easily protected from the raids of the Afridis and +other robber tribes, who had their homes in the neighbouring mountains, +and constantly descended into the valley for the sake of plunder. +To resist these marauders it was necessary to place guards all round +the cantonment. The smaller the enclosure, the fewer guards would +be required. From this point of view alone was Sir Colin's action +excusable; but the result of this overcrowding was what it always is, +especially in a tropical climate like that of India, and for long years +Peshawar was a name of terror to the English soldier from its proverbial +unhealthiness. The water-supply for the first five-and-twenty +years of our occupation was extremely bad, and sanitary arrangements, +particularly as regards Natives, were apparently considered +unnecessary.</p> +<p> +In addition to the cordon of sentries round the cantonment, strong +piquets were posted on all the principal roads leading towards the +hills; and every house had to be guarded by a <i>chokidar</i>, or watchman, +belonging to one of the robber tribes. The maintaining this watchman +was a sort of blackmail, without consenting to which no one's horses or +other property were safe. The watchmen were armed with all sorts of +quaint old firearms, which, on an alarm being given, they discharged +in the most reckless manner, making it quite a work of danger to pass +along a Peshawar road after dark. No one was allowed to venture +beyond the line of sentries when the sun had set, and even in broad +daylight it was not safe to go any distance from the station.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Excitements of a Frontier Station</span> +In the autumn of 1851 an officer—Captain Frank Grantham, of the +98th Foot—was riding with a young lady on the Michni road, not far +from the Artillery quarter-guard, when he was attacked by five hill-men. +Grantham was wounded so severely that he died in a few days, +the horses were carried off, but the girl was allowed to escape. She +ran as fast as she could to the nearest guard, and told her story; the +alarm was given, and the wounded man was brought in. The young +lady was called upon shortly afterwards to identify one of the supposed +murderers, but she could not recognize the man as being of the party +who made the attack; nevertheless, the murderer's friends were afraid +of what she might remember, and made an attempt one night to carry +her off. Fortunately, it was frustrated, but from that time, until she +left Peshawar, it was considered necessary to keep a guard over the +house in which she lived.</p> +<p> +From all this my readers may probably think that Peshawar, as I +first knew it, was not a desirable place of residence; but I was very +happy there. There was a good deal of excitement and adventure; I +made many friends; and, above all, I had, to me, the novel pleasure of +being with my father.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1853</span><span class="rightnote"><br />My Father's Staff</span> +It was the custom in those days for the General commanding one of +the larger divisions to have under him, and in charge of the Head-Quarter<span class="page"><a name="13">[Page 13]</a></span> +station, a senior officer styled Brigadier. Soon after I went to +Peshawar, Sydney <a name="III2r">Cotton</a><a href="#III2"><sup>2</sup></a> held this appointment, and remained in it +for many years, making a great reputation for himself during the +Mutiny, and being eventually appointed to the command of the division. +The two senior officers on my father's staff were Lieutenant <a name="III3r">Norman</a><a href="#III3"><sup>3</sup></a> +and Lieutenant <a name="III4r">Lumsden</a>,<a href="#III4"><sup>4</sup></a> the former Deputy Assistant-Adjutant-General +and the latter Deputy Assistant-Quartermaster-General. The +high opinion of them which my father had formed was subsequently +justified by their distinguished careers. Norman, with sixteen years' +service, and at the age of thirty-four, became Adjutant-General of the +Army in India, and a year or two later Secretary to Government in +the Military Department. He finished his Indian service as Military +Member of Council. Lumsden became Quartermaster-General, and +afterwards Adjutant-General, the two highest positions on the Indian +staff.</p> +<p> +There was a separate mess for all the staff officers, and I remember +a curious circumstance in connexion with that mess which, unless the +exception proves the rule, is strong evidence against the superstition +that thirteen is an unlucky number to sit down to dinner. On the +1st January, 1853, thirteen of us dined together; eleven years after we +were all alive, nearly the whole of the party having taken part in the +suppression of the Mutiny, and five or six having been wounded.</p> +<p> +From the time of my arrival until the autumn of 1853, nothing of +much importance occurred. I lived with my father, and acted as his +Aide-de-camp, while, at the same time, I did duty with the Artillery. +The 2nd Company, 2nd Battalion, to which I belonged, was composed +of a fine body of men, who had a grand reputation in the field, but, +being somewhat troublesome in quarters, had acquired the nickname +of 'The Devil's Own.' Because of the unusually good physique of the +men, this company was selected for conversion into a Mountain +Battery, which it was thought advisable to raise at that time. I was +the only subaltern with this battery for several months, and though my +commanding officer had no objection to my acting as A.D.C. to my +father, he took good care that I did my regimental duty strictly and +regularly.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Flogging Parade</span> +One very painful circumstance stamped itself on my memory. I +was obliged to be present at a flogging parade—the only one, I am +glad to say, I have ever had to attend, although the barbarous and +degrading custom of flogging in the army was not done away with +until nearly thirty years <a name="III5r">later</a>.<a href="#III5"><sup>5</sup></a> A few years before I joined the +service, the number of lashes which might be given was limited to<span class="page"><a name="14">[Page 14]</a></span> +fifty, but even under this restriction the sight was a horrible one to +witness. The parade to which I refer was ordered for the punishment +of two men who had been sentenced to fifty lashes each for selling +their kits, and to a certain term of imprisonment in addition. They +were fine, handsome young Horse Artillerymen, and it was hateful to +see them thus treated. Besides, one felt it was productive of harm +rather than good, for it tended to destroy the men's self-respect, and +to make them completely reckless. In this instance, no sooner had +the two men been released from prison than they committed the same +offence again. They were a second time tried by Court-Martial, and +sentenced as before. How I longed to have the power to remit the +fifty lashes, for I felt that selling their kits on this occasion was their +way of showing their resentment at the ignominious treatment they +had been subjected to, and of proving that flogging was powerless to +prevent their repeating the offence. A parade was ordered, as on the +previous occasion. One man was stripped to the waist, and tied to +the wheel of a gun. The finding and sentence of the Court-Martial +were read out—a trumpeter standing ready the while to inflict the +punishment—when the commanding officer, Major Robert Waller, +instead of ordering him to begin, to the intense relief of, I believe, +every officer present, addressed the prisoners, telling them of his distress +at finding two soldiers belonging to his troop brought up for +corporal punishment twice in a little more than six weeks, and adding +that, however little they deserved such leniency, if they would promise +not to commit the same offence again, and to behave better for the +future, he would remit the flogging part of the sentence. If the +prisoners were not happy, I was; but the clemency was evidently +appreciated by them, for they promised, and kept their words. I did +not lose sight of these two men for some years, and was always gratified +to learn that their conduct was uniformly satisfactory, and that +they had become good, steady soldiers.</p> +<p> +The Commissioner, or chief civil authority, when I arrived at +Peshawar, was Colonel Mackeson, a well-known frontier officer who +had greatly distinguished himself during the first Afghan war by his +work among the Afridis and other border tribes, by whom he was liked +and respected as much as he was feared. During Shah Shuja's brief +reign at Kabul, Mackeson was continually employed on political duty +in the Khyber Pass and at Peshawar. On the breaking out of the +insurrection at Kabul, he was indefatigable in forwarding supplies and +money to Sir Robert Sale at Jalalabad, hastening up the reinforcements, +and maintaining British influence in the Khyber, a task of no +small magnitude when we remember that a religious war had been +proclaimed, and all true believers had been called upon to exterminate +the Feringhis. While at Peshawar, as Commissioner, his duties were +arduous and his responsibilities heavy—the more so as at that time<span class="page"><a name="15">[Page 15]</a></span> +the Afghan inhabitants of the city were in a dangerous and excited +state.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Mackeson's Assassination</span> +On the 10th September, 1853, we were horrified to learn that Mackeson +had been murdered by a religious fanatic. He was sitting in the +verandah of his house listening to appeals from the decisions of his +subordinates, when, towards evening, a man—who had been remarked +by many during the day earnestly engaged in his devotions, his prayer-carpet +being spread within sight of the house—came up and, making a +low salaam to Mackeson, presented him with a paper. The Commissioner, +supposing it to be a petition, stretched out his hand to take it, +when the man instantly plunged a dagger into his breast. The noise +consequent on the struggle attracted the attention of some of the +domestic servants and one of the Native officials. The latter threw +himself between Mackeson and the fanatic, and was himself slightly +wounded in his efforts to rescue his Chief.</p> +<p> +Mackeson lingered until the 14th September. His death caused +considerable excitement in the city and along the border, increasing to +an alarming extent when it became known that the murderer had been +hanged and his body burnt. This mode of disposing of one of their +dead is considered by Mahomedans as the greatest insult that can be +offered to their religion, for in thus treating the corpse, as if it were +that of (by them) a hated and despised Hindu, the dead man is supposed +to be deprived of every chance of paradise. It was not without +careful and deliberate consideration that this course was decided upon, +and it was only adopted on account of the deterrent effect it would +have upon fanatical Mahomedans, who count it all gain to sacrifice +their lives by the murder of a heretic, and thereby secure, as they +firmly believe, eternal happiness, but loathe the idea of being burned, +which effectually prevents the murderer being raised to the dignity of +a martyr, and revered as a saint ever after.</p> +<p> +It being rumoured that the Pathans intended to retaliate by desecrating +the late Commissioner's grave, it was arranged that he should +be buried within cantonment limits. A monument was raised to his +memory by public subscription, and his <a name="III6r">epitaph</a><a href="#III6"><sup>6</sup></a> was written by the +Governor-General himself.</p> +<p> +Shortly before Mackeson's murder my father had found it necessary<span class="page"><a name="16">[Page 16]</a></span> +to go to the hill-station of Murree; the hot weather had tried him very +much, and he required a change. He had scarcely arrived there, when +he was startled by the news of the tragedy which had occurred, and at +once determined to return, notwithstanding its being the most sickly +season of the year at Peshawar, for he felt that at a time of such +dangerous excitement it was his duty to be present. As a precautionary +measure, he ordered the 22nd Foot from Rawal Pindi to Peshawar. +This and other steps which he deemed prudent to take soon put an end +to the disturbances.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Jowaki Expedition</span> +No sooner had matters quieted down at Peshawar than the Jowaki +Afridis, who inhabit the country immediately to the east of the Kohat +Pass, began to give trouble, and we went out into camp to select a site +for a post which would serve to cover the northern entrance to the +pass and keep the tribesmen under surveillance. The great change of +temperature, from the intense heat he had undergone in the summer +to the bitter cold of November nights in tents, was too severe a trial +for my father. He was then close on seventy, and though apparently +active as ever, he was far from well, consequently the doctors strongly +urged him not to risk another hot weather in India. It was accordingly +settled that he should return to England without delay.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Strange Dream</span> +Shortly before his departure, an incident occurred which I will relate +for the benefit of psychological students; they may, perhaps, be able +to explain it, I never could. My father had some time before issued +invitations for a dance which was to take place in two days' time—on +Monday, the 17th October, 1853. On the Saturday morning he appeared +disturbed and unhappy, and during breakfast he was silent and +despondent—very different from his usual bright and cheery self. On +my questioning him as to the cause, he told me he had had an unpleasant +dream—one which he had dreamt several times before, and +which had always been followed by the death of a near relation. As<span class="page"><a name="17">[Page 17]</a></span> +the day advanced, in spite of my efforts to cheer him, he became more +and more depressed, and even said he should like to put off the dance. +I dissuaded him from taking this step for the time being; but that +night he had the same dream again, and the next morning he insisted +on the dance being postponed. It seemed to me rather absurd to have +to disappoint our friends because of a dream; there was, however, +nothing for it but to carry out my father's wishes, and intimation was +accordingly sent to the invited guests. The following morning the post +brought news of the sudden death of the half-sister at Lahore with +whom I had stayed on my way to Peshawar.</p> +<p> +As my father was really very unwell, it was not thought advisable +for him to travel alone, so it was arranged that I should accompany +him to Rawal Pindi. We started from Peshawar on the 27th November, +and drove as far as Nowshera. The next day we went on to +Attock. I found the invalid had benefited so much by the change +that it was quite safe for him to continue the journey alone, and I +consented the more readily to leave him, as I was anxious to get back +to my battery, which had been ordered on service, and was then with +the force assembled at Bazidkhel for an expedition against the Bori +villages of the Jowaki Afridis.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Typical Frontier Fight</span> +Having said farewell to my father, I started for Bazidkhel early on +the 29th November. At that time there was no direct road to that +place from Nowshera, nor was it considered safe to travel alone along +the slopes of the lower Afridi hills. I had, therefore, to go all the way +back to Peshawar to get to my destination. I rode as fast as relays of +horses could carry me, in the hope that I should reach Bazidkhel in +time for the fun; but soon after passing Nowshera I heard guns in +the direction of the Kohat Pass, and realized that I should be too late. +I was very disappointed at missing this, my first chance of active +service, and not accompanying the newly raised Mountain Train (as +it was then called) on the first occasion of its being employed in the field.</p> +<p> +The object of this expedition was to punish the Jowaki section of +the Afridis for their many delinquencies during the three previous +years. Numerous murders and raids on the Kohat and Peshawar +districts, the plunder of boats on the Indus, and the murder of a +European apothecary, were all traced to this tribe. They had been +blockaded, and their resort to the salt-mines near Bahadurkhel and to +the markets of Kohat and Peshawar had been interdicted, but these +measures produced no effect on the recalcitrant tribesmen. John +(afterwards Lord) Lawrence, who had come to Peshawar for the +purpose of taking over frontier affairs with Edwardes, the new Commissioner, +held a conference with the <i><a name="III7r">maliks</a></i><a href="#III7"><sup>7</sup></a> of the villages connected +with the Jowaki Pass, and being anxious to avoid hostilities, offered to +condone all past offences if the tribes would agree to certain conditions,<span class="page"><a name="18">[Page 18]</a></span> +which, briefly, were that no further crimes should be committed in +British territory; that such criminals as had taken refuge in their +villages should be given up; and that for the future criminals and +outlaws flying from justice should not be afforded an asylum in Jowaki +lands. To the second condition the whole tribe absolutely refused to +agree. They stated, with truth, that from time immemorial it was +their custom to afford an asylum to anyone demanding it, and that to +surrender a man who had sought and found shelter with them would +be a disgrace which they could not endure.</p> +<p> +Afridis have curious ideas as to the laws of hospitality; it is no +uncommon thing for them to murder their guests in cold blood, but it +is contrary to their code of honour to surrender a fugitive who has +claimed an asylum with them.</p> +<p> +The sections of the tribe living nearest our territory agreed to the +first and third of our conditions, no doubt because they felt they were +in our power, and had suffered considerably from the blockade. But +the Bori Afridis would make no atonement for the past and give no +security for the future, although they admitted having robbed and +murdered our subjects. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to +send a force against them. This force consisted of rather more than +1,500 men, British and Native. The Afridis made no stand until we +reached their main position, when they offered a stout resistance, which, +however, proved of no avail against the gallantry of the Guides and 66th +(now 1st) Gurkhas. The Bori villages were then destroyed, with a loss +to us of eight men killed and thirty-one wounded.</p> +<p> +Sufficient punishment having been inflicted, our force retired. The +rear-guard was hotly pressed, and it was late in the evening before the +troops got clear of the hills.</p> +<p> +The tribesmen with whom we had just made friends sat in hundreds +on the ridges watching the progress of the fight. It was no doubt a +great temptation to them to attack the 'infidels' while they were at +their mercy, and considerable anxiety was felt by Lawrence and +Edwardes as to the part which our new allies would play; their relief +was proportionate when it was found they intended to maintain a +neutral attitude.</p> +<p> +I shall not further describe the events of that day, more especially as +I was not fortunate enough to be in time to take part in the proceedings. +I have only referred to this expedition as being typical of many +little frontier fights, and because I remember being much impressed at +the time with the danger of trusting our communications in a difficult +mountainous country to people closely allied to those against whom we +were fighting. This over-confidence in the good faith of our frontier +neighbours caused us serious embarrassments a few years later during +the Umbeyla campaign.</p> +<p> +The force remained in camp for some time for the protection of the<span class="page"><a name="19">[Page 19]</a></span> +men employed in building the post, which was called Fort Mackeson, +after the murdered Commissioner. When it was completed we returned +to Peshawar.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="IV">IV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1854</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />A Trip to Khagan</span> +<p> +I had had a great deal of fever during my eighteen months' residence +at Peshawar, and in April, 1854, I obtained six months' leave to +Kashmir. I travelled <i>viâ</i> Murree to Abbottabad, along the route now +well known as the 'Gullies.' Here I was joined by Lieutenant George +Rodney <a name="IV1r">Brown</a>,<a href="#IV1"><sup>1</sup></a> a subaltern of Horse Artillery, with whom I chummed +at Peshawar.</p> +<p> +Abbottabad was a very small place in those days. It was named +after its first Deputy-Commissioner, James <a name="IV2r">Abbott</a>,<a href="#IV2"><sup>2</sup></a> famous for his +journey <i>viâ</i> Bokhara and Khiva to Russia in 1839, undertaken for the +release of Russian prisoners who were kept as slaves by the Turkomans. +He had just left, and had been succeeded as Deputy-Commissioner +by a Captain Becher, who, fortunately for us, was away in the +district. I say fortunately, because we were bent on visiting Khagan, +and had obtained permission from the Commissioner of Peshawar to +do so. He had told us to apply to Becher for assistance, but from +what we heard of that officer, it did not seem likely he would help us. +Khagan was beyond our border, and the inhabitants were said to be +even more fanatical than the rest of the frontier tribes. The Commissioner, +however, had given us leave, and as his Deputy appeared to be +the kind of man to create obstacles, we made up our minds to slip +away before he returned.</p> +<p> +We started on the 21st May, and marched to Habibula-Ki-Ghari. +Here the road bifurcates, one branch leading to Kashmir, the other to +Khagan. We took the latter, and proceeded to Balakot, twelve miles +further on, which was then our frontier post. There we found a small +guard of Frontier Police, two of whom we induced to accompany us on +our onward journey for the purpose of assisting to look after the baggage +and collecting coolies. Three days' more marching brought us to +Khagan. The road almost the whole way from Balakot ran along a +precipice overhanging the Nainsukh river, at that time of year a +rushing torrent, owing to the melting of the snows on the higher +ranges. The track was rough, steep, and in some places very narrow. +We crossed and recrossed the river several times by means of snow-bridges, +which, spanning the limpid, jade-coloured water, had a very pretty +effect. At one point our <i><a name="IV3r">shikarris</a></i><a href="#IV3"><sup>3</sup></a> stopped, and proudly told +us that on that very spot their tribe had destroyed a Sikh army sent<span class="page"><a name="20">[Page 20]</a></span> +against them in the time of Runjit Sing. It certainly was a place well +chosen for a stand, not more than fifty yards wide, with a perpendicular +cliff on one side and a roaring torrent on the other.</p> +<p> +The people apparently did not object to our being in their country, +and treated us with much civility throughout our journey. We were +enjoying ourselves immensely, so when an official cover reached us +with the signature of the dreaded Deputy-Commissioner in the corner, +we agreed that it would be unwise to open it just then.</p> +<p> +Khagan was almost buried in snow. The scenery was magnificent, +and became every moment more wonderful as we slowly climbed the +steep ascent in front of us; range after range of snow-capped mountains +disclosed themselves to our view, rising higher and higher into the air, +until at last, towering above all, Nanga <a name="IV4r">Parbat</a><a href="#IV4"><sup>4</sup></a> in all her spotless +beauty was revealed to our astonished and delighted gaze.</p> +<p> +We could not get beyond Khagan. Our coolies refused to go further, +alleging as their reason the danger to be dreaded from avalanches in +that month; but I suspect that fear of hostility from the tribes further +north had more to do with their reluctance to proceed than dread of +falling avalanches. We remained at Khagan for two or three days in +the hope of being able to shoot an ibex, but we were disappointed; we +never even saw one.</p> +<p> +We retraced our steps with considerable regret, and reached Habibula-Ki-Ghari +on the 31st May. Here we received a second official document +from Abbottabad. It contained, like the previous letter, which +we now looked at for the first time, orders for our immediate return, +and warnings that we were on no account to go to Khagan. Since +then Khagan has been more than once visited by British officers, and +now a road is in course of construction along the route we travelled, as +being a more direct line of communication with Gilghit than that <i>viâ</i> +Kashmir.</p> +<p> +We made no delay at Habibula-Ki-Ghari, but started at once for the +lovely Vale of Kashmir, where we spent the summer, amusing ourselves +by making excursions to all the places of interest and beauty we had so +often heard of, and occasionally shooting a bear. The place which +impressed me most was <a name="IV5r">Martund</a>,<a href="#IV5"><sup>5</sup></a> where stand the picturesque ruins +of a once renowned Hindu temple. These noble ruins are the most +striking in size and position of all the existing remains of the past +glories of Kashmir.</p> +<p> +From Martund we made our way to Vernag, the celebrated spring +which is supposed to be the source of the Jhelum river. The Moghul +Emperor Akbar built there a summer palace, and the arches, on which +it is said rested the private apartments of the lovely Nur Jehan, are +still visible.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Vale of Kashmir</span> +We wandered over the beautiful and fertile Lolab valley, and pitched<span class="page"><a name="21">[Page 21]</a></span> +our little camp in the midst of groves of chunar, walnut, apple, cherry, +and peach trees; and we marched up the Sind valley, and crossed the +Zojji La Pass leading into Thibet. The scenery all along this route is +extremely grand. On either side are lofty mountains, their peaks +wrapped in snow, their sides clothed with pine, and their feet covered +with forests, in which is to be found almost every kind of deciduous tree. +From time to time we returned for a few days to Srinagar, the capital +of Kashmir, to enjoy the pleasures of more civilized society. Srinagar +is so well known nowadays, and has been so often described in poetry +and prose, that it is needless for me to dwell at length upon its delights, +which, I am inclined to think, are greater in imagination than in reality. +It has been called the Venice of the East, and in some respects it +certainly does remind one of the 'Bride of the Sea,' both in its +picturesqueness and (when one gets into the small and tortuous canals) +its unsavouriness. Even at the time of which I am writing it was +dilapidated, and the houses looked exactly like those made by children +out of a pack of cards, which a puff of wind might be expected to +destroy. Of late years the greater part of the city has been injured +by earthquakes, and Srinagar looks more than ever like a card city. +The great beauty of the place in those days was the wooden bridges +covered with creepers, and gay with booths and shops of all descriptions, +which spanned the Jhelum at intervals for the three miles the river +runs through the town—now, alas! for the artistic traveller, no more. +Booths and shops have been swept away, and the creepers have +disappeared—decidedly an advantage from a sanitary point of view, but +destructive of the quaint picturesqueness of the town.</p> +<p> +The floating gardens are a unique and very pretty characteristic of +Srinagar. The lake is nowhere deeper than ten or twelve feet, and in +some places much less. These gardens are made by driving stakes into +the bed of the lake, long enough to project three or four feet above the +surface of the water. These stakes are placed at intervals in an oblong +form, and are bound together by reeds and rushes twined in and out +and across, until a kind of stationary raft is made, on which earth and +turf are piled. In this soil seeds are sown, and the crops of melons +and other fruits raised in these fertile beds are extremely fine and +abundant.</p> +<p> +The magnificent chunar-trees are another very beautiful feature of +the country. They grow to a great height and girth, and so luxuriant +and dense is their foliage that I have sat reading and writing for hours +during heavy rain under one of these trees and kept perfectly dry.</p> +<p> +The immediate vicinity of Srinagar is very pretty, and the whole +valley of Kashmir is lovely beyond description: surrounded by +beautifully-wooded mountains, intersected with streams and lakes, and +gay with flowers of every description, for in Kashmir many of the +gorgeous eastern plants and the more simple but sweeter ones of<span class="page"><a name="22">[Page 22]</a></span> +England meet on common ground. To it may appropriately be applied +the Persian couplet:</p> + +<p class="indent1"> +'Agar fardos baru-i zamin ast, hamin ast, hamin ast'<br /> +(If there be an Elysium on earth, it is this, it is this). +</p> +<p> +The soil is extremely productive; anything will grow in it. Put a stick +into the ground, and in an extraordinary short space of time it becomes +a tree and bears fruit. What were we about, to sell such a country for +three quarters of a million sterling? It would have made the most +perfect sanatorium for our troops, and furnished an admirable field for +British enterprise and colonization, its climate being as near perfection +as anything can be.</p> +<p> +How sad it is that, in a country 'where every prospect pleases, only +man' should be 'vile'! And man, as he existed in Kashmir, was vile—vile, +because so miserable. The Mahomedan inhabitants were being +ground down by Hindu rulers, who seized all their earnings, leaving +them barely sufficient to keep body and soul together. What interest +could such people have in cultivating their land, or doing any work +beyond what was necessary to mere existence? However hard they +might labour, their efforts would benefit neither themselves nor their +children, and so their only thought was to get through life with as little +exertion as possible—in the summer sitting in the sun absolutely idle +the greater part of the day, and in the winter wrapped up in their +blankets, under which were concealed curious little vessels called +<i>kangris</i>, holding two or three bits of live charcoal. Every Kashmiri +still carries one of these <i>kangris</i>, as the most economical way of keeping +himself warm.</p> +<p> +Early in September we said good-bye to the happy valley and returned +to Peshawar, where I rejoined the Mountain Battery.</p> +<p> +In November, to my great delight, I was given my jacket. At first +my happiness was somewhat damped by the fact that the troop to +which I was posted was stationed at Umballa. I did not want to leave +Peshawar, and in the end I had not to do so, as a vacancy most +opportunely occurred in one of the troops of Horse Artillery at that +station, which was given to me.</p> +<p> +Life on the frontier in those days had a great charm for most young +men; there was always something of interest going on; military +expeditions were constantly taking place, or being speculated upon, +and one lived in hope of being amongst those chosen for active service. +Peshawar, too, notwithstanding its unhealthiness, was a favourite +station with officers. To me it was particularly pleasant, for it had +the largest force of Artillery of any station in India except Meerut; +the mess was a good one, and was composed of as nice a set of fellows +as were to be found in the army. In addition to the officers of the +regiment, there were a certain number of honorary members; all the +staff and civilians belonged to the Artillery mess, and on guest-nights<span class="page"><a name="23">[Page 23]</a></span> +we sat down as many as sixty to dinner. Another attraction was the +'coffee shop,' an institution which has now almost ceased to exist, at +which we all congregated after morning parade and freely discussed +the home and local news.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">With the Horse Artillery</span> +The troop to which I was posted was composed of a magnificent +body of men, nearly all Irishmen, most of whom could have lifted me +up with one hand. They were fine riders, and needed to be so, for the +stud-horses used for Artillery purposes at that time were not the quiet, +well-broken animals of the present day. I used to try my hand at +riding them all in turn, and thus learnt to understand and appreciate +the amount of nerve, patience, and skill necessary to the making of a +good Horse Artillery 'driver,' with the additional advantage that I was +brought into constant contact with the men. It also qualified me to +ride in the officers' team for the regimental brake. The brake, it must +be understood, was drawn by six horses, each ridden postilion fashion +by an officer.</p> +<p> +My troop was commanded by Captain Barr, a dear old fellow who +had seen a good deal of service and was much liked by officers and +men, but hardly the figure for a Horse Artilleryman, as he weighed +about seventeen stone. On a troop parade Barr took up his position +well in advance and made his own pace, but on brigade parades he had +to conform to the movements of the other arms, and on these occasions +he used to tell one of the subalterns as he galloped past him to come +'left about' at the right time without waiting for his order. This, of +course, we were always careful to do, and by the time we had come +into action Barr had caught us up and was at his post.</p> +<p> +During the winter of 1854-55 I had several returns of Peshawar +fever, and by the beginning of the spring I was so reduced that I was +given eight months' leave on medical certificate, with orders to report +myself at Mian Mir at its expiration, in view to my going through the +riding course, there being no Riding-Master at Peshawar.</p> +<p> +I decided to return to Kashmir in the first instance, and thence to +march across the Himalayas to Simla.</p> +<p> +On my way into Kashmir I was fortunate enough to fall in with a +very agreeable travelling companion—Lieutenant John <a name="IV6r">Watson</a>.<a href="#IV6"><sup>6</sup></a> He +was then Adjutant of the 1st Punjab Cavalry, and was looked upon as +one of the most promising officers of the Frontier Force. We spent +a very enjoyable time in Kashmir, and early in August I started for +Simla with two brother officers named Light and Mercer, whose +acquaintance I had only recently made, but who turned out to be very +pleasant fellow-travellers.</p> +<p> +We marched <i>viâ</i> Kishtwar, Chamba, and Dharmsala, a distance of<span class="rightnote">1855</span> +about 400 miles, through most beautiful scenery. At the last-named +place I parted from my companions, who travelled onwards to Simla<span class="page"><a name="24">[Page 24]</a></span> +by the Kulu valley, while I took the shorter route <i>viâ</i> Bilaspur.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">My First Visit to Simla</span> +The Simla of those days was not the busy and important place it has +since become. The Governor-General seldom visited it, and the +Commander-in-Chief only spent a summer there occasionally. When +I arrived, Sir William Gomm, the Commander-in-Chief of that day, +who had been spending the hot weather months there, was about to +give up his command, and Colonel <a name="IV7r">Grant</a>,<a href="#IV7"><sup>7</sup></a> who had been his Adjutant-General, +had left not long before.</p> +<p> +The only thing of interest to myself which occurred during the +month I remained at Simla was that I lunched with Colonel Arthur +Becher, the Quartermaster-General. I think I hear my reader say, +'Not a very remarkable event to chronicle.' But that lunch was a +memorable one to me; indeed, it was the turning-point in my career, +for my host was good enough to say he should like to have me in his +department some day, and this meant a great deal to me. Joining a +department at that time generally resulted in remaining in it for the +greater part of one's service. There was then no limit to the tenure +of staff appointments, and the object of every ambitious young officer +was to get into one department or another—political, civil, or the army +staff. My father had always impressed upon me that the political +department was <i>the</i> one to aspire to, and failing that, the Quartermaster-General's, +as in the latter there was the best chance of seeing +service. I had cherished a sort of vague hope that I might some day +be lucky enough to become a Deputy Assistant-Quartermaster-General, +for although I fully recognized the advantages of a political career, I +preferred being more closely associated with the army, and I had seen +enough of staff work to satisfy myself that it would suit me; so the +few words spoken to me by Colonel Becher made me supremely happy.</p> +<p> +It never entered into my head that I should get an early appointment; +the fact of the Quartermaster-General thinking of me as a +possible recruit was quite enough for me. I was in no hurry to leave +the Horse Artillery, to which I was proud of belonging, and in which +I hoped to see service while still on the frontier. I left Simla very +pleased with the result of my visit, and very grateful to Colonel Becher, +who proved a good friend to me ever after, and I made my way to +Mian Mir, where I went through the riding-school course, and then +returned to Peshawar.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1856</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />Life at Peshawar</span> +The winter of 1855-56 passed much as the cold weather generally +does in the north of India. Our amusements consisted of an occasional +race-meeting or cricket match. Polo was unknown in those days, and +hunting the jackal, a sport which has been a source of so much recreation +to the Peshawar garrison for thirty odd years, had not then been +thought of. It was a pleasant change to visit the outposts, and whenever +I got the chance I rode over to Mardan, where the Corps of Guides <span class="page"><a name="25">[Page 25]</a></span> +were stationed, commanded by that gallant soldier, Harry <a name="IV8r">Lumsden</a>,<a href="#IV8"><sup>8</sup></a> +who had raised the corps in 1846 under the auspices of Henry Lawrence. +Many were the good gallops I enjoyed with his hawks, hunting the +<i><a name="IV9r">aubara</a></i>.<a href="#IV9"><sup>9</sup></a> Of work there was plenty at Peshawar, for the Brigadier, +Sydney <a name="IV10r">Cotton</a>,<a href="#IV10"><sup>10</sup></a> kept us alive with field days, carefully instilling into +us his idea that parade-grounds were simply useful for drill and preliminary +instruction, and that as soon as the rudiments of a soldier's +education had been learnt, the troops should leave their nursery, and +try as far as possible to practise in peace what they would have to +do in war. Sydney Cotton was never tired of explaining that the +machinery of war, like all other machinery, should be kept, so to speak, +oiled and ready for use.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Staff Appointment</span> +My dream of a staff appointment was realized more quickly than I +had expected. In the early part of 1856 the Surveyor-General applied +for the services of two or three experienced officers to assist in the +survey of Kashmir. Lumsden, the D.A.Q.M.G., was one of those +selected for the duty, and I was appointed to officiate for him. So +delighted was I to get my foot on the lowest rung of the staff ladder, +that I cheerfully agreed to the condition my Captain insisted upon, +that I should perform my regimental duties in addition to the staff +work. Things went merrily with me for a short time, when most +unexpectedly my hopes of some day becoming Quartermaster-General +of the Army in India were dashed to the ground by the Governor-General +refusing to confirm my appointment, because I had not passed +the prescribed examination in Hindustani. A rule existed requiring a +language test, but it had seldom been enforced, certainly not in the +case of 'acting appointments,' so that this refusal came as a great blow +to me. It had, however, excellent results, for it made me determined +to pass in Hindustani. It was then May, and in July the half-yearly +examination was to be held. I forthwith engaged the best <i><a name="IV11r">munshi</a></i><a href="#IV11"><sup>11</sup></a> at +Peshawar, shut myself up, and studied Indian literature from morning +till night, until I felt pretty confident of success.</p> +<p> +Just before the examination took place, the officer who had stepped<span class="page"><a name="26">[Page 26]</a></span> +into my shoes when I was turned out (Lieutenant Mordaunt Fitz-Gerald, +of my own regiment) was offered an appointment in the Punjab +Frontier Force. He consulted me as to the advisability of accepting it, +and I told him I thought he ought not to do so. I considered this most +disinterested advice, for I had good reason to believe that I should be +re-appointed to the staff, should the appointment again become vacant. +Fortunately for me, Fitz-Gerald followed the usual procedure of those +who delight in consulting their friends. He listened to my advice, and +then decided not to follow it. Accordingly, he joined the Punjab +Frontier Force, whilst I, having passed the examination, went back to +the coveted appointment, and continued in the department, with the +exception of one or two short intervals, until 1878, when I left it +as Quartermaster-General.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Bump of Locality</span> +The autumn of 1856 was a very sickly one at Peshawar; fever was +rife amongst the troops, and in the hope of shaking it off Brigadier +Cotton got permission to take a certain number into camp. It was +September, and the sun was still very hot, so that it was necessary to +begin the daily march long before dawn in order to reach the new +camping ground while it was still tolerably cool. We crossed the Kabul +river at Nowshera, which place was then being made into a station for +troops, and marched about the Yusafzai plain for three weeks. The +chief difficulty was the absence of water, and I had to prospect the +country every afternoon for a sufficient supply, and to determine, with +regard to this <i>sine quâ non</i>, where the camp should be pitched the +next day. On one occasion the best place I could discover was between +two and three miles off the main road. There was no difficulty in +reaching it by day, but I was afraid of some mistake being made when +we had to leave it in the small hours of the morning, few things being +more bewildering than to find one's way in the dark from a camp +pitched in the open country when once the tents have been struck. It +was my duty to lead the column and see that it marched off in the +right direction; knowing how anxious the Brigadier was that the new +ground should be reached while it was cool, and the men be thus saved +from exposure to the sun, I was careful to note my position with regard +to the stars, and to explain to the officer who was in orders to command +the advance guard the direction he must take. When the time came +to start, and the Brigadier was about to order the bugler to sound the +march, I saw that the advance guard was drawn up at right angles to +the way in which we had to proceed. The officer commanding it was +positive he was right, and in this he was supported by Brigadier Cotton +and some of the other officers; I was equally positive that he was +wrong, and that if we marched as he proposed, we should find ourselves +several miles out of our course. The Brigadier settled the question by +saying I was responsible for the troops going in the right direction, and +ordering me to show the way. The country was perfectly bare, there<span class="page"><a name="27">[Page 27]</a></span> +was not a tree or object of any kind to guide me, and the distance +seemed interminable. I heard opinions freely expressed that I was on +the wrong road, and at last, when the Brigadier himself came up to me +and said he thought I must have lost the way, I really began to waver +in my conviction that I was right. At that moment my horse stumbled +into a ditch, which proved to be the boundary of the main road. I was +immensely relieved, the Brigadier was delighted, and from that moment +I think he was satisfied that I had, what is so essential to a Quartermaster-General +in the field, the bump of locality.</p> +<p> +In October the Artillery moved into the practice camp at Chamkanie, +about five miles from Peshawar. It was intended that we should +remain there for a couple of months, but before the end of that time I +had to join the General at Rawal Pindi, where he had gone on a tour +of inspection. Being anxious not to shirk my regimental duty, I did +not leave Chamkanie until the last moment, and had but one day in +which to reach Rawal Pindi, a distance of one hundred miles, which I +accomplished on horseback between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., only stopping +at Attock a short time for refreshment.</p> +<p> +This tour with General Reed ended my staff duties for a time, as +the survey in Kashmir had come to an end and Lumsden rejoined his +appointment before Christmas.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="V">V.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1856</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />Lord Dalhousie's Afghan Policy</span> +<p> +Towards the close of the year 1856, a rumour reached us that the +Amir, Dost Mahomed Khan, was shortly expected to arrive at +Peshawar to meet the Chief Commissioner, Sir John Lawrence, who +had recently been made a K.C.B.</p> +<p> +Before describing the Amir's visit and its results, it seems desirable +that I should briefly explain how and why the visit was brought about, +and then endeavour to show what an important bearing its results had +on the great crisis which occurred so unexpectedly a few months later.</p> +<p> +It will be remembered that the murdered Mackeson was succeeded +as Commissioner of Peshawar by Herbert Edwardes, one of the most +remarkable men that the Indian army has ever produced, and who, as +I have already mentioned, entirely concurred in my father's expressed +opinion as to the great advantage it would be for the Government of +India to enter into more friendly relations with the Ruler of Kabul. +They both held that the constant troubles all along our frontier were +in a great measure due to the Amir's hostility, and that such troubles +would increase rather than diminish unless we could succeed in +establishing an <i>entente cordiale</i> with Dost Mahomed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Treaty with Dost Mahomed</span> +In 1854 Edwardes had a correspondence with the Governor-General<span class="page"><a name="28">[Page 28]</a></span> +on the subject, and on one occasion expressed himself as follows: 'My +own feeling is, that we have much injured Dost Mahomed, and may +very well afford to let by-gones be by-gones. It would contribute much +to the security of this frontier if open relations of goodwill were +established at Kabul. There is a sullenness in our present relations, as +if both parties were brooding over the past, and expecting an opportunity +in the future. This keeps up excitement and unrest, and +prevents our influence and institutions taking root. I should be very +glad to see a new account opened on the basis of an open treaty of +friendship and alliance.'</p> +<p> +Lord Dalhousie was quite in accord with Edwardes. He thought it +very desirable to be on better terms with Kabul, but believed this to be +a result difficult to attain. 'I give you,' he said in a letter to Edwardes, +<i>carte blanche</i>, and if you can only bring about such a result as you +propose, it will be a new feather in your cap.'</p> +<p> +Lord Dalhousie was supported by the British Government in his +opinion as to the desirability of coming to a better understanding with +the Amir. War with Russia was then imminent, and the strained +condition of European politics made it expedient that we should be on +more amicable terms with Afghanistan.</p> +<p> +The Governor-General thus wrote to Edwardes:</p> +<p class="quote"> +'Prospects of a war between Russia and Turkey are watched with +interest by all.... In England they are fidgety regarding this border +beyond all reason, and most anxious for that declared amity and that +formal renewal of friendly relations which you advocate in your letter.'</p> +<p class="quote"> +The balance of Indian opinion, however, was against our making +overtures to Dost Mahomed. John Lawrence, at that time the great +power in the Punjab, was altogether opposed to Edwardes's policy in +this matter. He admitted that it might be wise to renew intercourse +with the Kabul ruler if he first expressed his regret for previous misunderstandings; +but later he wrote to Edwardes:</p> +<p class="quote"> +'I dare say you are right; still, I cannot divest myself of the idea +that it is <i>a mistake</i>, and will end in mixing us up in Afghan politics +and affairs more than is desirable. The strength which a treaty can +give us seems to be a delusion. It will be like the reed on which, if a +man lean, it will break and pierce his hand.'</p> +<p> +John Nicholson, Outram, and James Abbott agreed with Lawrence. +They urged that any advance on our part would be looked upon as an +indication of conscious weakness; and the probability was that an +arrogant, irritated Mussulman ruler would regard an overture as a +proof of our necessity, and would make our necessity his opportunity. +But Lord Dalhousie, while anxious to avoid any communication being +made which could be liable to misconstruction, saw neither objection +nor risk in opening the door to reconciliation, provided no undue +anxiety was displayed on our part. The Governor-General practically<span class="page"><a name="29">[Page 29]</a></span> +left the matter in the hands of Edwardes, who lost no time in trying to +attain the desired object. The greatest forbearance and diplomatic +skill were necessary to bring the negotiations to a satisfactory termination, +but they were concluded at last, most successfully, and to +Edwardes alone is due the credit. It is instructive to read the full +<a name="V1r">record</a><a href="#V1"><sup>1</sup></a> of this tedious and difficult piece of diplomacy, for it serves as +an interesting example of Oriental subtlety and circumlocution, contrasted +with the straightforward dealing of a high-minded Englishman.</p> +<p> +The Amir wrote a letter to the Governor-General couched in most +satisfactory terms, which he forwarded to Peshawar by the hand of his +confidential secretary, and which received, as it deserved, a very +friendly reply. This resulted in Dost Mahomed sending his son and +heir-apparent, Sardar Ghulam Haidar Khan, to Peshawar, and deputing +him to act as his Plenipotentiary in the negotiations. Ghulam Haidar +Khan reached Peshawar in March, 1855, where he was met by the +Chief Commissioner, and on the 30th of that month the treaty was +concluded. 'It guaranteed that we should respect the Amir's possessions +in Afghanistan, and never interfere with them; while the Amir +engaged similarly to respect British territory, and to be the friend of +our friends and the enemy of our enemies.'</p> +<p> +The Governor-General had at first resolved to entrust to Edwardes +the duty of meeting the expected Envoy from Kabul, and orders to that +effect were issued. But Edwardes, more anxious for the success of +the negotiations than for his own honour and glory, wrote to Lord +Dalhousie suggesting that the Government of India should be represented +by the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, and promising to +afford Sir John Lawrence all the assistance in his power. Edwardes +believed that the importance of the treaty would be enhanced in the +eyes of the Afghans by the presence of the higher official; and in this +opinion the Governor-General concurred. On the conclusion of the +treaty, Lord Dalhousie wrote to Edwardes: 'I congratulate you and +myself and all else concerned on this successful issue of the negotiations, +which have now lasted just a year.'</p> +<p> +This treaty of March, 1855, was only preliminary to that for the +ratification of which the Amir came in person to Peshawar the following +year.</p> +<p> +Towards the end of 1855 Dost Mahomed found himaelf in considerable +difficulties, and appealed to us for assistance. A revolt had +occurred at Herat, and a Persian army was preparing to besiege that +fortress; the chiefs and people of Kandahar were disaffected; and the +province of Balkh was threatened with invasion both by the King of +Bokhara and by Turkoman hordes. The Amir looked upon Herat as +an integral part of the Afghan dominions, and was very desirous of re-establishing<span class="page"><a name="30">[Page 30]</a></span> +his authority over that place and preventing its falling into +the hands of the Persians; but he felt himself too weak to have any +hope of success without help from us in men and money. It was, +therefore, Dost Mahomed's interest to convince the British Government +that the Shah had infringed the conditions of an engagement +entered into with us in 1853, under which Persia abandoned all claim +to Herat. The Amir thus hoped to establish a quarrel between +England and Persia for his own benefit, and to secure our assistance +against the latter power. To further this design, Dost Mahomed +offered to come to Peshawar and consult with the British authorities. +Edwardes was in favour of the proposed visit. John Lawrence was +opposed to it, saying he did not think much good would result from such +a meeting, because it could hardly be anticipated that the views of the +Amir and the British Government would coincide, and if Dost Mahomed +should fail to obtain what he wanted, his dissatisfaction would be a +positive evil. The Governor-General admitted the force of these objections, +but in the end considered that they should be set aside if the +Amir was in earnest in desiring a consultation. 'A refusal or an +evasion to comply with his wish,' Lord Dalhousie thought, 'might be +misunderstood, and although a meeting might lead to disappointment +and disagreement, it would, at any rate, put the relations of the British +Government with the Amir, as regards Herat, upon a clear footing.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">War with Persia</span> +While this discussion was going on, the advance of a Persian army for +the purpose of besieging Herat, coupled with the insults offered to the +British flag at Teheran, led to the declaration of war between England +and Persia. The Chief Commissioner was therefore directed to tell the +Amir that he would be paid a periodical subsidy to aid him in carrying +on hostile operations against Persia, subject to certain conditions. On +receiving these instructions, the Chief Commissioner directed Edwardes +to invite the Amir to an interview. Dost Mahomed accepted the +invitation, but before the auspicious meeting could take place Lord +Dalhousie had left India, and Lord Canning reigned in his stead. +Lord Dalhousie resigned on the 29th February, 1856, after having filled +the arduous and responsible position of Governor-General for no less +than eight years, adding year by year fresh lustre to his splendid +reputation.</p> +<p> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +The first day of 1857 witnessed the meeting between the Amir of +Kabul and the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab. The Amir's camp +was pitched at the mouth of the Khyber Pass, and that of the Chief +Commissioner on the plain near Jamrud. Barr's troop of Horse +Artillery formed part of the escort, so I was in the midst of it all. On +the occasion of the Amir's first visit to the English camp, there was a +force present of upwards of 7,000 soldiers, including three regiments of +British Infantry; the troops lined the road for more than a mile, and +it was evident that their strength and soldierly appearance inspired the<span class="page"><a name="31">[Page 31]</a></span> +Amir and his followers with a very salutary feeling of awe and +<a name="V2r">admiration</a>.<a href="#V2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +The result of the conferences between these two great personages was +an agreement confirming the treaty of the year before. In addition, +the Amir bound himself to keep up a certain number of regular troops +for the defence of Afghanistan, so long as the war with Persia continued, +in consideration of a monthly subsidy of Rs. 100,000 and a gift +of 4,000 muskets. He also engaged to communicate to the Government +of India any overtures he might receive from Persia, and he consented +to allow British officers to visit certain parts of his dominions, +either for the purpose of assisting his subjects against Persia, or to +ascertain that the subsidy was properly applied.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Advantage of the Amir's Friendship</span> +I have dwelt at some length on this treaty with Afghanistan, first, +because the policy of which this was the outcome was, as I have already +shown, initiated by my father; and, secondly, because I do not think +it is generally understood how important to us were its results. Not +only did it heal the wounds left open from the first Afghan war, but it +relieved England of a great anxiety at a time when throughout the +length and breadth of India there was distress, revolt, bloodshed, and +bitter distrust of our Native troops. Dost Mahomed loyally held to his +engagements during the troublous days of the Mutiny which so quickly +followed this alliance, when, had he turned against us, we should +assuredly have lost the Punjab; Delhi could never have been taken; +in fact, I do not see how any part of the country north of Bengal could +have been saved. Dost Mahomed's own people could not understand +his attitude. They frequently came to him during the Mutiny, throwing +their turbans at his feet, and praying him as a Mahomedan to seize +that opportunity for destroying the 'infidels.' 'Hear the news from +Delhi,' they urged; 'see the difficulties the Feringhis are in. Why +don't you lead us on to take advantage of their weakness, and win back +<a name="V3r">Peshawar</a>?'<a href="#V3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> +<p> +But I am anticipating, and must return to my narrative.</p> +<p> +The clause of the treaty which interested me personally was that +relating to British officers being allowed to visit Afghanistan, to give +effect to which a Mission was despatched to Kandahar. It consisted +of three officers, the brothers Harry and Peter Lumsden, and Dr. +Bellew, together with two of Edwardes's trusted Native Chiefs. The +selection of Peter Lumsden as a member of this Mission again left the +Deputy Assistant-Quartermaster-Generalship vacant, and I was a +second time appointed to officiate in his absence.</p> +<p> +Shortly afterwards the General of the division (General Reed) started +on his tour of inspection, taking me with him as his staff officer. +Jhelum was the first place we visited. Whether the sepoys had then +any knowledge of what was so soon to happen is doubtful. If they<span class="page"><a name="32">[Page 32]</a></span> +had, there was no evidence that such was the case. Nothing could +have been more proper or respectful than their behaviour; no crimes +were reported, no complaints were made. The British officers, certainly, +had not the slightest idea of the storm that was brewing, for +they spoke in the warmest terms of their men.</p> +<p> +From Jhelum we went to Rawal Pindi. John Lawrence happened +to be in camp there at the time, and looked on at the General's inspection. +At the conclusion of the parade he sent his secretary to ask +me if I would like to be appointed to the Public Works Department. +I respectfully declined the offer, though very grateful for its having +been made. Some of my friends doubted the wisdom of my refusing +a permanent civil appointment; but it meant having to give up soldiering, +which I could not make up my mind to do, and though only +officiating, I was already in the department to which of all others I +wished to belong.</p> +<p> +Nowshera was the last station we visited. It was the beginning of +April, and getting rather hot for parading troops. I there met for the +first time the present Commander-in-Chief in India, General Sir George +White, who was then a subaltern in the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment.</p> +<p> +I recollect the commanding officer of the 55th, the Native Infantry +corps at this station, who had served all his life with clean-looking, +closely-shaven Hindustanis, pointing with a look of contempt, not to +say disgust, to some Sikhs (a certain proportion of whom had been +under recent orders enlisted in regiments of Native Infantry), and +expressing his regret that he could not get them to shave their beards +and cut their hair. 'They quite spoil the look of my regiment,' he +said. In less than two months' time the Hindustanis, of whom the +Colonel was so proud, had broken into open mutiny; the despised +Sikhs were the only men of the regiment who remained faithful; and +the commanding officer, a devoted soldier who lived for his regiment, +and who implored that his men might not have their arms taken away, +as he had 'implicit confidence' in them, and would 'stake his life on +their fidelity,' had blown his brains out because he found that confidence +misplaced.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate5">[plate 5]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/05-bgenjnicholson.jpg" width="350" height="470" alt="Brigadier-General John Nicholson, C.B." border="0" /><br /><br /> + <b>BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN NICHOLSON, C.B.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br /> + a painting by J.R. Dicksee<br /> + in<br /> + possession of the Rev. Canon Seymour.</i></span></p> +<br /><br /> + +<p><span class="rightnote">John Nicholson<br /> +'A Pillar of Strength on the Frontier'</span> +Towards the end of April I was ordered to report on the capabilities +of Cherat (now well known to all who have been stationed at Peshawar) +as a sanatorium for European soldiers. I spent two or three days +surveying the hill and searching for water in the neighbourhood. It +was not safe to remain on the top at night, so I used to return each +evening to the plain below, where my tent was pitched. On one +occasion I was surprised to find a camp had risen up during my absence +quite close to my tent. I discovered that it belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel +John Nicholson, the Deputy-Commissioner, who was on his +tour of inspection, and very soon I received an invitation to dine with<span class="page"><a name="33">[Page 33]</a></span> +him, at which I was greatly pleased. John Nicholson was a name to +conjure with in the Punjab. I had heard it mentioned with an amount +of respect—indeed, awe—which no other name could excite, and I was +all curiosity to see the man whose influence on the frontier was so +great that his word was law to the refractory tribes amongst whom he +lived. He had only lately arrived in Peshawar, having been transferred +from Bannu, a difficult and troublesome district ruled by him as +it had never been ruled before, and where he made such a reputation +for himself that, while he was styled 'a pillar of strength on the +frontier' by Lord Dalhousie, he was looked up to as a god by the +Natives, who loved as much as they feared him. By some of them he +was actually worshipped as a saint; they formed themselves into a sect, +and called themselves 'Nicholseyns.' Nicholson impressed me more +profoundly than any man I had ever met before, or have ever met +since. I have never seen anyone like him. He was the beau-ideal of +a soldier and a gentleman. His appearance was distinguished and +commanding, with a sense of power about him which to my mind was +the result of his having passed so much of his life amongst the wild and +lawless tribesmen, with whom his authority was supreme. Intercourse +with this man amongst men made me more eager than ever to remain +on the frontier, and I was seized with ambition to follow in his footsteps. +Had I never seen Nicholson again, I might have thought that +the feelings with which he inspired me were to some extent the result +of my imagination, excited by the astonishing stories I had heard of +his power and influence; my admiration, however, for him was immeasurably +strengthened when, a few weeks later, I served as his staff +officer, and had opportunities of observing more closely his splendid +soldierly qualities and the workings of his grand, simple mind.</p> + +<p> +It was the end of April when I returned to Peshawar from Cherat, +and rapidly getting hot. On the strength of being a D.A.Q.M.G., I +had moved into a better house than I had hitherto been able to afford, +which I shared with Lieutenant Hovenden of the Engineers. We +were just settling down and making ourselves comfortable for the long +hot weather, when all our plans were upset by the breaking out of the +Mutiny.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /><span class="page"><a name="34">[Page 34]</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="VI">VI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />First Tidings of the Mutiny</span> +The first threatenings of coming trouble were heard in the early part +of 1857. During the months of February, March, and April, rumours +reached us at Peshawar of mysterious <i>chupattis</i> (unleavened cakes) +being sent about the country with the object, it was alleged, of preparing +the Natives for some forthcoming event. There was also an +evident feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction in the minds of the sepoys. +We heard that the 19th Native Infantry at Berhampur, a military +station about 100 miles from Calcutta, had broken open the bells-of-<a name="VI1r">arms</a>,<a href="#VI1"><sup>1</sup></a> +and forcibly taken possession of their muskets and ammunition; +that a sepoy named Mangal <a name="VI2r">Pandy</a>,<a href="#VI2"><sup>2</sup></a> belonging to the 34th Native +Infantry at Barrackpore, had attacked and severely wounded the +Adjutant and Sergeant-Major of his regiment; that it was found necessary +to disband the 19th on the 30th March, and the 34th on the +6th May; that bungalows had been burnt in several stations; and that +the sepoys at the Schools of Musketry had objected to use the cartridges +served out with the new rifles, because, it was asserted, they +were greased with a mixture of cow's fat and lard, the one being as +obnoxious to the prejudices of the Hindu as the other is to those of the +Mussulman.</p> +<p> +It seems strange on looking back that these many warnings should +have passed almost unheeded, and that there should have been no +suspicion amongst the officers serving with Native regiments that discontent +was universal amongst the sepoys, and that a mutiny of the +whole Bengal Army was imminent. But at that time the reliance on +the fidelity of the Native troops was unbounded, and officers believed +implicitly in the contentment and loyalty of their men. Their faith in +them was extraordinary. Even after half the Native army had +mutinied and many officers had been murdered, those belonging to +the remaining regiments could not believe that their own particular +men could be guilty of treachery.</p> +<p> +At Peshawar there was not the slightest suspicion of the extent to +which the evil had spread, and we were quite thunderstruck when, on +the evening of the 11th May, as we were sitting at mess, the telegraph +signaller rushed in breathless with excitement, a telegram in his hand, +which proved to be a message from Delhi 'to all stations in the Punjab,' +conveying the startling intelligence that a very serious outbreak had +occurred at Meerut the previous evening, that some of the troopers +from there had already reached Delhi, that the Native soldiers at the +latter place had joined the mutineers, and that many officers and<span class="page"><a name="35">[Page 35]</a></span> +residents at both stations had been killed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Prompt Action at Peshawar</span> +Lieutenant-Colonel Davidson, commanding the 16th Irregular +Cavalry, who happened to be dining at mess that evening, was the first +to recover from the state of consternation into which we were thrown +by the reading of this telegram. He told us it was of the utmost importance +that the Commissioner and the General should at once be put +in possession of this astounding news, and at the same time impressed +upon us the imperative necessity for keeping it secret.</p> +<p> +Davidson then hurried off to the Commissioner, who with his deputy, +Nicholson, lived within a stone's-throw of the mess. Edwardes drove +at once to the General's house, while Nicholson came to our mess. +He too pointed out to us the importance of preventing the news from +getting about and of keeping it as long as possible from the Native +soldiers.</p> +<p> +We had at Peshawar three regiments of Native Cavalry and five of +Native Infantry, not less than 5,000 men, while the strength of the two +British regiments and the Artillery did not exceed 2,000. This European +force was more than sufficient to cope with the eight Native corps, but +in the event of any general disturbance amongst the Native troops, we +had to calculate on the probability of their being joined by the 50,000 +inhabitants of the city, and, indeed, by the entire population of the +Peshawar valley; not to speak of the tribes all along the border, who +were sure to rise.</p> +<p> +It was an occasion for the gravest anxiety, and the delay of even a +few hours in the sepoys becoming aware of the disastrous occurrences +at Meerut and Delhi meant a great deal to us.</p> +<p> +Fortunately for India, there were good men and true at Peshawar in +those days, when hesitation and irresolution would have been fatal, +and it is worthy of note that they were comparatively young men—Edwardes +was thirty-seven, Nicholson thirty-five; Neville Chamberlain, +the distinguished Commandant of the Punjab Frontier Force (who +was hastily summoned from Kohat, where he happened to be on his +tour of inspection), was thirty-seven; and the Brigadier, Sydney Cotton, +though much older, being sixty-five, was not only exceptionally young for +his years and full of energy and intelligence, but actually much younger +than the average of General officers commanding stations in India.</p> +<p> +At once, on hearing of the Mutiny, Edwardes, acting in unison with +Nicholson, sent to the post-office and laid hands on all Native correspondence; +the letters they thus secured showed but too plainly how +necessary was this precaution. The number of seditious papers seized +was alarmingly great; they were for the most part couched in figurative +and enigmatical language, but it was quite sufficiently clear from them +that every Native regiment in the garrison was more or less implicated +and prepared to join the rebel movement.</p> +<p> +A strong interest attaches to these letters, for they brought to light<span class="page"><a name="36">[Page 36]</a></span> +the true feeling of the Natives towards us at the time, and it was +evident from them that the sepoys had really been made to believe +that we intended to destroy their caste by various unholy devices, of +which the issue of contaminating cartridges was one. The seeds of +disaffection had been sown by agitators, who thought they saw an +opportunity for realizing their hope of overthrowing our rule, maintained +as it was by a mere handful of Europeans in the midst of a vast +population of Asiatics. This feeling of antagonism, only guessed at +before, was plainly revealed in these letters, never intended to meet +the European eye. Some corps did not appear to be quite so guilty as +others, but there could now be no doubt that all were tainted with disloyalty, +and that none of the Hindustani troops could any longer be +trusted.</p> +<p> +In the afternoon of Tuesday, the 12th May, I received a note from +the General commanding the division directing me to present myself +at his house the following morning, which I accordingly did. Besides +General Reed I found there the Brigadier, Sydney Cotton; the Commissioner, +Herbert Edwardes; the Deputy Commissioner, John +Nicholson; Brigadier Neville Chamberlain, and Captain Wright, +Deputy Assistant-Adjutant-General, who, like myself, had been summoned +to record the decisions that might be arrived at.</p> +<p> +This meeting was a most momentous one, and I remember being +greatly impressed with the calm and comprehensive view of the situation +taken by Edwardes and Nicholson. They had already been in +communication with the Chief Commissioner, and had, previous to the +meeting, received a telegram from him approving generally of the +several proposals they contemplated. John Lawrence also informed +them that the authorities at Lahore had decided on disarming the +Native troops at Mian Mir that very morning.</p> +<p> +The problem to be solved was how the Punjab could best be made +secure with the small force of British troops available—all told not +more than 15,000, with 84 guns—against upwards of 65,000 Natives +(of whom 42,000 were Hindustanis), with 62 <a name="VI3r">guns</a>.<a href="#VI3"><sup>3</sup></a> In all stations +Native troops preponderated, and in some there were no European<span class="page"><a name="37">[Page 37]</a></span> +soldiers at all.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Bold Policy</span> +Edwardes and Nicholson gave it as their opinion that the only chance +of keeping the Punjab and the frontier quiet lay in trusting the Chiefs +and people, and in endeavouring to induce them to side with us against +the Hindustanis. They undertook to communicate, regarding the +raising of levies and fresh troops, with their friends and acquaintances +along the border, who had proved such staunch allies in 1848-49, when +we were fighting with the Sikhs. How nobly these loyal men responded +to the demand made upon them, and how splendidly the +frontier and Punjab soldiers whom they brought to our assistance +behaved, will be seen hereafter.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Movable Column</span> +Amongst other matters of importance, it was proposed by those two +able soldier-civilians, Edwardes and Nicholson, that General Reed, as +the senior officer in the Punjab, should join the Chief Commissioner at +Rawal Pindi, leaving Brigadier Cotton in command at Peshawar; that +a Movable Column, composed of reliable troops, should be organized at +some convenient place in the <a name="VI4r">Punjab</a>,<a href="#VI4"><sup>4</sup></a> prepared to move in any direction +where its services might be required; that the Hindustani regiments<span class="page"><a name="38">[Page 38]</a></span> +should be scattered as much as possible, in order to prevent dangerous +combinations; that a detachment of Punjab Infantry from Kohat +should replace the Hindustani sepoys in the fort of Attock, which was +a very important position, as it contained a magazine, and covered the +passage of the Indus; and that a small guard of Pathan levies, under +a tried and trusty frontier Native officer, should be placed in charge of +the Attock ferry.</p> +<p> +All these proposals were cordially and unanimously agreed to by the +military authorities present.</p> +<p> +The question of the command of the Movable Column was then +discussed. It was considered essential that the officer selected should, +in addition to other necessary qualifications, have considerable experience +of the country, and an intimate knowledge of Native soldiers. It was +no ordinary command. On the action of the Movable Column would +depend, to a great extent, the maintenance of peace and order throughout +the Punjab, and it was felt that, at such a crisis, the best man must +be selected, irrespective of seniority. It was a position for which Cotton +and Nicholson would have given much, and for which they were well +qualified, but there was important work for them to do at Peshawar. +Neville Chamberlain was available, and there was a general consensus +of opinion that he should be appointed. It was necessary, however, to +refer the matter to the Chief Commissioner, with a request that he +would submit it for the orders of the Commander-in-Chief. This course +was adopted, and in a few hours a reply was received from General +Anson nominating Chamberlain to the command. My anxiety as to +the Commander-in-Chief's decision was very considerable; for Brigadier +Chamberlain, to my infinite delight and astonishment, had offered, in +the event of his being appointed, to take me with him as his staff +officer—the most wonderful piece of good fortune that could have come +to me; my readers must imagine my feelings, for it is impossible for +me to describe them. My most sanguine hopes seemed about to be +more than realized; for though the serious aspect of affairs seemed to +promise the chance of active service, I little thought that I should be +lucky enough to be employed as the staff officer of such a distinguished +soldier as Neville Chamberlain.</p> +<p> +When the meeting was over I was ordered to take the several +messages, which Wright and I had written out, to the telegraph office, +and see them despatched myself; as they disclosed more or less the<span class="page"><a name="39">[Page 39]</a></span> +measures that had been decided upon, it was necessary to avoid any +chance of their falling into the hands of Native clerks. One of the +<a name="VI5r">messages</a><a href="#VI5"><sup>5</sup></a> contained a summary of the proceedings of the council, and +was addressed to the commanding officers of all stations in the Punjab, +with the view of imparting confidence, and letting them know what +steps were being taken for the protection of the British residents +throughout the province. This duty having been carried out, I returned +home in a not unpleasant frame of mind, for though the crisis was a +grave one, the outlook gloomy, and the end doubtful, the excitement +was great. There were stirring times in store for us, when every man's +powers would be tested, and the hopefulness of youth inclined me to +look only on the bright side of the situation.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Annoying Occurrence</span> +My equanimity was somewhat disturbed later in the day by an +occurrence which caused me a good deal of annoyance at the time, +though it soon passed away. Nicholson came to my house and told me +that the proceedings at the meeting that morning had in some unaccountable +manner become known; and he added, much to my +disgust, that it was thought I might perhaps have been guilty of the +indiscretion of divulging them. I was very angry, for I had appreciated +as much as anyone the immense importance of keeping the decisions +arrived at perfectly secret; and I could not help showing something of +the indignation I felt at its having been thought possible that I could +betray the confidence reposed in me. I denied most positively having +done so; upon which Nicholson suggested that we should proceed +together to the telegraph office and see whether the information could +have leaked out from there. The signaller was a mere boy, and +Nicholson's imposing presence and austere manner were quite too much +for him; he was completely cowed, and, after a few hesitating denials, +he admitted having satisfied the curiosity of a friend who had inquired<span class="page"><a name="40">[Page 40]</a></span> +of him how the authorities intended to deal with the crisis. This was +enough, and I was cleared. The result to me of this unpleasant +incident was a delightful increase of intimacy with the man for whom +above all others I had the greatest admiration and most profound +respect. As if to make up for his momentary injustice, Nicholson was +kinder to me than ever, and I felt I had gained in him a firm and +constant friend. So ended that eventful day.</p> +<p> +At that time it was the custom for a staff officer, who had charge of +any Government property, to have a guard of Native soldiers in charge +of his house. That night it happened that my guard was furnished by +the 64th Native Infantry, a regiment with a particularly bad reputation, +and which had, in order to give effect to the measures proposed at the +morning's meeting, been ordered to leave Peshawar and proceed to the +outposts. The intercepted letters showed that this regiment was on +the point of mutinying, and I could not help feeling, as I lay down on +my bed, which, as usual in the hot weather, was placed in the verandah +for the sake of coolness, how completely I was at the mercy of the +sentry who walked up and down within a few feet of me. Fortunately, +he was not aware that his regiment was suspected, and could not know +the reason for the sudden order to march, or my career might have +been ended then and there.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">I Leave Peshawar</span> +Within a week from that time I had started for Rawal Pindi to be +ready to join the Movable Column, which was to be formed at +Wazirabad as soon as the troops could be got together. I took with +me only just enough kit for a hot-weather march, and left everything +standing in my house just as it was, little thinking that I should never +return to it or be quartered in Peshawar again.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="VII">VII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />First Symptoms of Disaffection</span> +Before proceeding with the account of my experiences with the Movable +Column, and the subsequent operations for the suppression of the +rebellion, in which I was fortunate enough to take part, it will, I think, +be advisable, for the better understanding of the whole situation, to +devote a little time to the consideration of the progress of events from +the first appearance of symptoms of disaffection in Lower Bengal, to the +crisis I have just been describing, when Peshawar became involved in +the general disturbance.</p> +<p> +The substitution of a new rifle for the old musket with which the +sepoys had hitherto been armed entailed a different kind of drill; and +in order that this drill should be speedily learned by the whole Native +army, depots were formed at convenient places for the instruction of<span class="page"><a name="41">[Page 41]</a></span> +selected men from every corps, who, on becoming proficient, were to +return and instruct their own regiments. One of these depots was at +Dum-Dum, and as early as the 24th January General Hearsay, commanding +the Presidency division, reported to Head-Quarters that he +perceived an 'unpleasant feeling' amongst the Native soldiers learning +the new drill, caused by a belief instilled into them 'by designing +persons, most likely Brahmins,' that they were to be forced to embrace +Christianity, and that for the furtherance of this object the new ball-cartridges +received from the arsenal at Fort William were greased with +the fat of pigs and cows, with the intention of violating the religious +prejudices and destroying the caste of those who would have to bite +them.</p> +<p> +A little later various acts of incendiarism took place at other stations +in the command, and Hearsay became more than ever convinced that +there was grave dissatisfaction amongst the troops. He therefore +ordered a Court of Inquiry to be held to enable him to ascertain the +real cause of the ill-feeling which so evidently existed.</p> +<p> +In the General's opinion, the statements recorded in the proceedings +of this Court clearly established the fact, that the Native officers and +sepoys were undoubtedly imbued with the belief that an unholy +mixture of cow's fat and lard had been used in the manufacture of the +new cartridge, and he recommended that the rifle ammunition should +in future be made up with the same description of paper that had always +been used for the musket-cartridge, which, he conceived, would put an +end to their suspicions and uneasiness.</p> +<p> +The General, however, was told in reply that it was impossible to +use the old paper for the new cartridge, as the bore of the rifle being +much smaller than that of the musket, thinner paper was indispensable; +and he was directed to inform the sepoys that the new paper, though +tougher and less bulky, was made of exactly the same material as the +old. With respect to the lubricating mixture, he was to announce that +the Government had authorized the preparation of a grease, composed +of wax and oil, which was to be made up and applied to the cartridges +by the men themselves. These orders were carefully explained to the +Native troops, but without any good result. Their religious objection +to the new cartridge was not removed, and they frankly acknowledged +their fears.</p> +<p> +On the 6th February an officer of the 34th Native Infantry at +Barrackpore was informed by a sepoy of his company that the four +Native regiments at that station, fearing that they would be forced to +destroy their caste and become Christians, had determined to rise +against their officers, and when they had plundered and burned their +bungalows, to proceed to Calcutta and try to seize Fort William, or, if +that proved beyond their powers, to take possession of the treasury.</p> +<p> +This circumstance was reported to Government by General Hearsay<span class="page"><a name="42">[Page 42]</a></span> +on the 11th February. In the same letter he said, 'We have at +Barrackpore been living upon a mine ready for explosion,' and he +reported a story which had reached him from Dum-Dum of a sepoy, on +his way to cook his food with his <i><a name="VII1r">lota</a></i><a href="#VII1"><sup>1</sup></a> full of water, meeting a low-caste +man belonging to the arsenal where the Enfield cartridges were +being manufactured. This man, it was said, asked the sepoy to allow +him to drink from his <i>lota</i>. The sepoy, a Brahmin, refused, saying: +'I have scoured my <i>lota</i>; you will defile it by your touch.' The low-caste +man replied: 'You think much of your caste, but wait a little: +the <i>Sahib-<a name="VII2r">logue</a></i><a href="#VII2"><sup>2</sup></a> will make you bite cartridges soaked in cow's fat, and +then where will your caste be?' The sepoy no doubt believed the man, +and told his comrades what was about to happen, and the report +rapidly spread to other stations.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Outbreak at Berhampur</span> +Early in March several of the Hindu sepoys belonging to the Dum-Dum +School of Musketry expressed their unwillingness to bite the new +cartridge, and the Commandant proposed that the drill should be altered +so as to admit of the cartridge being torn instead of bitten. Hearsay +supported the proposal, remarking that the new mode of loading need +not be made to appear as a concession to agitation, but as part of the +drill for the new weapon. Events, however, moved so quickly that, +before sanction could be received to this suggestion, the troops at Berhampur +had broken into open mutiny. They refused to receive their +ammunition, on the ground of its being polluted, even after it was +explained to them that they were not being given the new cartridges, +but those which had been made up in the regiment a year before. That +night they broke open the bells-of-arms, and carried off their muskets.</p> +<p> +The Government then became aware that prompt action was necessary. +They decided that such open mutiny could not be excused on the +grounds of religious scruples, and ordered the regiment to be disbanded. +As Berhampur was somewhat isolated, and some distance from +European troops, it was arranged that the disbandment should take +place at the Head-Quarters of the Presidency division, and the 19th +Native Infantry was accordingly ordered to march to Barrackpore.</p> +<p> +The revolt of this regiment brought forcibly before Lord Canning and +his advisers the perilous position of Lower Bengal, owing to the paucity +of European troops. Well may the authorities have been startled, for +between Calcutta and Meerut, a distance of 900 miles, there were only +four regiments of British infantry and a few scattered Artillerymen, +numbering in all less than 5,000, while the Native troops amounted to +upwards of 55,000. One of the four Infantry regiments was at Fort +William; but as only a portion of it could be spared for the disbandment<span class="page"><a name="43">[Page 43]</a></span> +of the 19th, a special steamer was despatched to Rangoon to bring +over the 84th Foot. This regiment reached Calcutta on the 20th March, +and on the 31st the disbandment of the mutinous Native Infantry +regiment was carried out. The men were paid up and escorted across +the river Hughly, whence they were allowed to proceed to their homes. +They behaved in the most orderly manner on the march from Berhampur +and throughout the proceedings, and as they left the parade-ground +they cheered General Hearsay, and wished him a long life, +apparently well pleased at being let off so easily.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Mangal Pandy</span> +At Barrackpore itself an outbreak had occurred two days before in +the 34th Native Infantry. As I have already related, the sepoy, Mangal +Pandy, shot at the sergeant-<a name="VII3r">major</a>.<a href="#VII3"><sup>3</sup></a> The Adjutant, on hearing what +had happened, galloped to the parade-ground. As he neared the +quarter-guard he was fired at, and his horse shot by the mutineer, who +then badly wounded him with a sword as he was trying to disentangle +himself from the fallen animal. The General now appeared on the +scene, and, instantly grasping the position of affairs, rode straight at +Mangal Pandy, who stood at bay with his musket loaded, ready to +receive him. There was a shot, the whistle of a bullet, and a man fell +to the ground—but not the General; it was the fanatic sepoy himself, +who at the last moment had discharged the contents of his musket into +his own breast! The wretched man had been worked up to a pitch of +madness by the sepoys of his regiment, who stood by while he attacked +the Adjutant, and would have allowed him to kill their Commander, +but they were too great cowards to back him up openly. Mangal +Pandy was not dead. He was taken to the hospital, and eventually was +tried by a Court-Martial composed of Native officers, sentenced to death, +and hanged in the presence of all the troops at Barrackpore. The +Native officer in command of the quarter-guard met the same fate, and +the regiment was then disbanded.</p> +<p> +The orders for the disbandment of the 19th and 34th Native Infantry +were directed to be read to every Native corps in the service, and it was +hoped that the quick retribution which had overtaken these regiments +would check the spirit of mutiny throughout the army. For a time +this hope appeared to be justified. Satisfactory reports were received +from different parts of Bengal, and anything like a serious or general +outbreak was certainly not contemplated by the authorities. General +Hearsay reported to Government that he had directed the European +troops, temporarily located at Barrackpore, to return to their respective +cantonments, as he did not think it probable that he would require +their presence again. About the same time Sir John Lawrence, after +visiting the Musketry School at Sialkot, wrote hopefully to the +Governor-General of the aspect of affairs in the Punjab. Lord Canning<span class="page"><a name="44">[Page 44]</a></span> +and his advisers, owing to these favourable reports, were on the point +of sending the 84th Foot back to Burma, when news reached them +from Upper India of the calamitous occurrences at Meerut and Delhi.</p> +<p> +The Meerut division was commanded by Major-General Hewitt, an +officer of fifty years' service, and the station of Meerut by Brigadier +Archdale Wilson, Commandant of the Bengal Artillery. The garrison +consisted of the 6th Dragoon Guards, a troop of Horse Artillery, a +battery of Field Artillery, a company of Foot Artillery, the 1st Battalion +60th Rifles, and three Native corps—the 3rd Light Cavalry, and +the 11th and 20th Native Infantry.</p> +<p> +Towards the end of April incendiary fires began to take place, and +the Native soldiers evinced more or less disrespect in their manner +towards their officers. These signs of disaffection were followed by the +refusal of some of the troopers of the 3rd Light Cavalry to receive their +cartridges, although the commanding officer carefully explained to them +that they were not the new cartridges, but the very same they had +always used, and that according to the new drill they were not required +to bite them when loading their carbines.</p> +<p> +A Court of Inquiry was held to investigate the matter, composed +entirely of Native officers, three of whom belonged to the offending +regiment. The verdict of the Court was that no adequate cause could +be assigned for the disobedience of orders in refusing to receive and use +the cartridges that were served out. 'The only conclusion the Court +can arrive at in regard to this point is that a report seems to have got +abroad which in some vague form attaches suspicion of impurity to the +materials used for making these cartridges, but the Court are +unanimously of opinion that there is nothing whatever objectionable +in the cartridges of the 3rd Regiment Light Cavalry, and that they may +be freely received and used as heretofore without in the slightest degree +affecting any religious scruple of either a Hindu or Mussulman, and if +any pretence contrary to that is urged, that it must be false.' This +opinion, it must be remembered, was the opinion of Natives, not +Europeans, and was given only sixteen days before the outbreak +occurred at Meerut.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Court-Martial at Meerut</span> +After carefully reviewing the evidence brought before the Court, and +considering the opinion expressed by the Native officers who composed +it, the Commander-in-Chief decided to try the eighty-five men who had +refused to receive the cartridges by a General Court-Martial composed +entirely of their own countrymen. The Court was formed of six +Mahomedans and nine Hindus, six Native officers being brought over +from Delhi for the purpose.</p> +<p> +The prisoners were tried on the 8th May, found guilty, and sentenced +to imprisonment with hard labour for ten years.</p> +<p> +The following morning there was a parade of the whole of the Meerut +garrison, and the finding and sentence of the Court were read to the<span class="page"><a name="45">[Page 45]</a></span> +men. The eighty-five troopers were then stripped of their uniform and +fetters were fastened on their ankles. As each culprit was marched +forward, he called on his comrades to rescue him, but no response came +from the ranks; and when the ceremony was finished the prisoners +were marched down the line and escorted to the gaol. In his report of +the parade to Army Head-Quarters, General Hewitt stated that 'the +majority of the prisoners seemed to feel acutely the degradation to +which their folly and insubordination had brought them. The remainder +of the troops are behaving steady and soldier-like.'</p> +<p> +The action of the Meerut authorities in putting the prisoners in irons +on the parade-ground, in the presence of their regiment, before being +made over to the civil power, met with the disapproval of the Commander-in-Chief +and the Governor-General. The former expressed his +regret at the unusual procedure. The latter was more pronounced, and +thus expressed himself: 'The riveting of the men's fetters on parade, +occupying, as it did, several hours, in the presence of many who were +already ill-disposed and many who believed in the cartridge fable, must +have stung the brigade to the quick. The consigning the eighty-five +prisoners after such a ceremony to gaol with no other than a Native +guard over them was folly that is inconceivable.'</p> +<p> +The procedure was no doubt unusual, and it certainly was most imprudent, +under the circumstances, to trust the gaol to a Native guard. +I think also, considering the number of the prisoners, and the length +of time necessary for riveting the fetters, that it was not judicious to +subject the troops to such a severe and protracted trial of their nerves +and patience; but, before acquiescing in Lord Canning's sweeping condemnation, +it should be considered that the object of the punishment +was to produce a deterrent effect on those who were likely to follow the +bad example that had been set them, and as the offence of the troopers +had been public and ostentatious, General Hewitt no doubt thought it +right to make the punishment as marked and public as possible.</p> +<p> +The next day was Sunday, and outwardly the cantonment of Meerut +had assumed its usual appearance of Sabbath calm; but there was an +undercurrent of unrest—there was considerable commotion in the Native +bazaars, which were unusually crowded, and had not the European +officers been blinded by over-confidence in their men, signs might have +been perceived amongst the Native soldiers of preparation for some +untoward event.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Mutiny at Meerut</span> +It was late in the day before the storm burst. The Chaplain of +Meerut tells us that he was about to start with his wife for evening +service, when the Native nurse warned them of coming danger, beseeching +her mistress to remain indoors, and, on being asked to explain, +saying there would be a fight with the sepoys. The idea seemed +incredible, and the Chaplain would have paid no attention to the +warning had not his wife been greatly alarmed. At her earnest request<span class="page"><a name="46">[Page 46]</a></span> +he took his two children with them in the carriage, instead of leaving +them in the house with the <i>ayah</i>, as had been intended. It was soon +apparent that the <i>ayah</i> had not spoken without reason, for before the +church was reached sounds of musketry were heard and columns of +smoke were seen rising above the quarter occupied by the Native troops. +As the Chaplain arrived at the church enclosure, the buglers of the 60th +Rifles, who were drawn up ready to enter the church, sounded the +'alarm' and the 'assembly.' The parade was dismissed, and as the +British soldiers rushed to the barracks for their arms and ammunition, +the congregation rapidly dispersed, some to their homes, others to seek +safety in the nearest quarter-guard.</p> +<p> +It was the custom before the Mutiny for our soldiers to attend Divine +Service unarmed, save with their side-arms. The Native soldiers were +aware of this, and they no doubt calculated on the 60th Rifles being +safe and almost defenceless inside the church as soon as the bells ceased +tolling. What they were not aware of was the fact that, owing to the +lengthening days and the increasing heat, the evening church parade +had been ordered half an hour later than on the previous Sunday. The +mutineers therefore showed their hand half an hour too soon, and as +they galloped down the 60th Rifles lines they came upon the men fully +armed and rapidly falling in. Being thus disappointed in their hope of +surprising the white soldiers, the 3rd Cavalry proceeded without a +moment's delay to the gaol, broke into the cells, and released their +eighty-five comrades and all the other prisoners, about 1,200 in number.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Work of Destruction</span> +While this was going on, the two Native Infantry regiments +assembled on their respective parade-grounds in wild excitement, discharging +their muskets at random, and setting fire to their own huts. +The British officers, hearing the tumult, hastened to their lines and did +their best to restore order, but in vain. The sepoys had gone too far, +and were absolutely deaf to threats and entreaties. They did not +attack their own officers, but warned them to get away, telling them +the Company's '<i><a name="VII4r">raj</a></i>'<a href="#VII4"><sup>4</sup></a> was at an end. Their clemency, however, did +not extend to officers of other regiments.</p> +<p> +Colonel Finnis, who had served forty years with the sepoys, and +firmly believed in their loyalty, was the first victim; he fell riddled +with bullets from a volley fired by the 20th, while exhorting the men +of his own regiment (the 11th) to be true to their salt. The work of +destruction then began in earnest, in which the population from the +bazaars and the neighbouring villages eagerly joined, for (as the Commissioner +reported) they were armed and ready for the onslaught before +the sepoys commenced the attack, plainly showing how perfectly they +were aware of what was about to happen. They poured forth in +thousands from every direction, and in a surprisingly short time almost +every bungalow belonging to a British officer serving with Native troops<span class="page"><a name="47">[Page 47]</a></span> +was gutted and burnt. Besides Colonel Finnis, seven officers, three +officers' wives, two children, and every stray European man, woman and +child in the outskirts of the cantonments were massacred.</p> +<p> +It was now time for the sepoys to think of themselves. They had +thrown off all allegiance to the <i><a name="VII5r">Sarkar</a></i>;<a href="#VII5"><sup>5</sup></a> they had been guilty of +murder, robbery, and incendiarism, and they knew that retribution +must speedily overtake them if they remained at Meerut; they therefore +lost no time in making their escape towards Delhi. They had +had ample opportunity for consultation with the Native officers from +that station, who had come to Meerut as members of the Court-Martial +on the men of the 3rd Light Cavalry, and they knew perfectly well +that the troops at Delhi were prepared to help them to seize the +magazine and resuscitate the old Moghul dynasty. 'To Delhi! To +Delhi!' was their cry, and off they went, leaving naught behind them +in their lines but the smouldering fires of their officers' houses and the +lifeless bodies of their English victims.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Want of Energy</span> +But it will be asked, Where were the British troops? Where indeed? +On the alarm being given, the British troops got under arms 'in an +incredibly short time,' but there was unaccountable delay in marching +them to the spot where their help was so greatly needed. The +Carabineers occupied barracks within a few hundred yards of the Native +Infantry lines, the 60th Rifles were only about a mile and a half away, +and the Artillery lay just beyond the 60th. The Brigadier (Wilson) +despatched one company of the Rifles to guard the treasury, another he +left to protect the barracks, and with the remainder, accompanied by +the Carabineers and Artillery, he leisurely proceeded towards the +Native Infantry lines. It was almost dark when he arrived, but there +was light enough to discern, from the ruined houses and the dead +bodies of the murdered officers lying about, in what a merciless spirit +the revolt had been perpetrated. A few shots were fired from behind +the burning huts, but not a single living being was visible, except two or +three Native troopers who were dimly perceptible in the distance +coming from the direction of the gaol, and it was evident that the +sepoys as a body had vanished. But whither? A lengthened discussion +took place as to what was the best course to pursue, which only +resulted in the troops being marched back to their own end of the +cantonment and bivouacking on the mall for the night. The General +and Brigadier, misled by the tumult in the city, which they could +distinctly hear, came to the conclusion that the sepoys had congregated +within its walls and might shortly be expected to attack that part of the +station where the European residents chiefly lived. It was not discovered +till the next morning that all three Native regiments had made +for Delhi.</p> +<p> +It is easy to be wise after the event, but one cannot but feel that<span class="page"><a name="48">[Page 48]</a></span> +there was unaccountable, if not culpable, want of energy displayed by +the Meerut authorities on this disastrous occasion. The officer in command +was afterwards severely censured for not acting with sufficient +promptitude on first hearing of the outbreak; for not trying to find out +where the mutineers had gone; and for not endeavouring to overtake +them before they reached Delhi. The Government of India finally +signified their disapproval by removing General Hewitt from his command.</p> +<p> +Wilson, the Brigadier, like everyone else at Meerut, appears to have +been completely taken by surprise. But why this should have been +the case, after the warning that had been given by the mutinous conduct +of the 3rd Cavalry, and why no steps should have been taken +after the exasperating parade on the 9th to guard against a possible, +if not probable, outbreak, is difficult to understand; and can only be +accounted for by that blind faith in the Native soldier, and disbelief in +his intention or ability to revolt, which led to such unfortunate results +all over India.</p> +<p> +The following story will exemplify how completely the authorities at +Meerut were blinded by this misplaced confidence. On the afternoon +of the 9th the British officers of the 3rd Light Cavalry went to the gaol +to pay up the prisoners belonging to their regiment. When Lieutenant +Hugh <a name="VII6r">Gough</a>,<a href="#VII6"><sup>6</sup></a> who was one of these officers, returned to his house, a +Hindu Native officer, belonging to the troop Gough was temporarily +commanding, told him that the men had determined to rescue their +comrades, and that the Native guard over the gaol had promised to +help them. Gough went at once to his commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel +Carmichael Smyth, and reported what he had heard, but the +Colonel pooh-poohed the idea as ridiculous, and told Gough he must +not give credence to anything so monstrous.</p> +<p> +Later in the day Gough met Brigadier Wilson and told him of the +warning which had been given to him, without, however, producing +any impression; the information was received with the same contemptuous +disbelief displayed by Colonel Carmichael Smyth.</p> +<p> +The following day (Sunday), late in the afternoon, the same Native +officer, attended by two troopers, galloped to Gough's house, shouting +to him that the <i><a name="VII7r">hala</a></i><a href="#VII7"><sup>7</sup></a> had begun, and that the Native Infantry were +firing on their officers. Gough mounted his horse, and, accompanied +by the three Cavalry soldiers, proceeded as quickly as possible to the +Infantry parade-ground, where he arrived just as the wild scene of +excitement and confusion I have before described was at its height. +The sepoys, some in uniform, some in their own Native clothes, were +rushing about in the maddest disorder, yelling, shouting, and dancing +as if possessed, while the flames from the burning huts shed a lurid<span class="page"><a name="49">[Page 49]</a></span> +light on the demoniacal proceedings.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Hugh Gough's Experiences</span> +When Gough's party appeared in sight, the sepoys called to the three +troopers to get out of the way, as they wanted to shoot the <i>sahib</i>. No +notice being taken of this warning, they fired straight at the whole +party, but without hitting anyone. Gough, seeing things had gone too +far for him to do any good, rode off with his little escort to his own +lines, where he found the men busy saddling their horses, and helping +themselves to ammunition from the regimental magazine, which they +had broken open. He endeavoured in vain to allay the excitement; +one or two shots were fired at him by recruits, but no determined attempt +was made to take his life, and at last the Native officers combined to +force him away, saying they could no longer answer for his safety.</p> +<p> +It was then all but dark. Gough rode off towards the European +lines, still accompanied by his trusty Native escort, and on his way +came upon an enormous crowd of people from the bazaar, armed with +swords, sticks, and anything they could get hold of, who tried to stop +him. Through these he charged, closely followed by the Native officer +and two troopers, who did not leave him until he was within sight of +the Artillery mess. Then they pulled up, and said they could go no +further. Gough did all he could to persuade them to remain with him, +but to no purpose. They told him it was impossible for them to +separate themselves from their friends and relations, and making the +officer they had so carefully protected a respectful salaam, they rode off +to join their mutinous comrades. Gough never heard of them again, +though he tried hard to trace what had become of the men who proved +themselves such 'friends in need.'</p> +<p> +However much the authorities at Meerut deserved to be censured for +their dilatoriness in dealing with the revolt in the first instance, and their +lack of energy in not trying to discover in what direction the mutineers +had gone, I doubt whether anything would have been gained by following +them up, or whether it would have been possible to overtake them +before they reached Delhi. Only a very few European Cavalry were +available for pursuit, for the Carabineers, having lately arrived in India, +were composed mainly of recruits still in the riding-school, and their +horses for the most part were quite unbroken. These few, with the six +Horse Artillery guns, might have been despatched; but the mutineers +had a considerable start, the Cavalry could not have been overtaken, +and as soon as the Infantry became aware that they were being +followed, they would have scattered themselves over the country, the +features of which were familiar to them, and, favoured by the darkness, +could have defied pursuit. Delhi is forty miles from Meerut, and it +would not have been possible for the 60th Rifles, marching in the +terrible heat of the month of May, to have reached that place before +the next evening (the 11th), and, as was afterwards ascertained, the +work of murder and devastation there began on the morning of that<span class="page"><a name="50">[Page 50]</a></span> +day. The three Native Infantry regiments and the battery of Artillery +stationed at Delhi were prepared to join the insurgent troopers from +Meerut directly they arrived. The magazine, with its vast stores of +war material, was in the hands of the King, and the 150,000 inhabitants +of the city were ready to assist in the massacre of the white men and +women, and the destruction of their property.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Nothing Could Arrest the Mutiny</span> +After careful consideration of all the circumstances of the revolt at +Meerut, I have come to the conclusion that it would have been futile +to have sent the small body of mounted troops available in pursuit of +the mutineers on the night of the 10th May, and that, considering the +state of feeling throughout the Native Army, no action, however +prompt, on the part of the Meerut authorities could have arrested the +Mutiny. The sepoys had determined to throw off their allegiance to +the British Government, and the when and the how were merely +questions of time and opportunity.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="VIII">VIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />General Anson</span> +While the events I have recounted were taking place, the Commander-in-Chief +and the Head-Quarters staff were on their way up country +inspecting the troops at the various stations <i>en route</i> to Simla, at which +place it had been arranged that the summer of 1857 was to be spent. +The Commander-in-Chief in India at that time was General the Hon. +George Anson, an officer of forty-three years' service, but without +much Indian experience, having been only four years in the country. +He was an able, intelligent man, an excellent judge of character, a +great authority on whist and on horses, and he was well known in +London society, which was somewhat surprised when he accepted an +appointment in India—the command of the Meerut division. He did +not, however, remain long in that position, for he was soon given the +command of the Madras Army, and a year and a half later became +Commander-in-Chief in India. General Anson was present at Waterloo +as an Ensign, but had seen no service afterwards, and until he arrived +in India had held no high appointment.</p> +<p> +When the Commander-in-Chief left Calcutta the previous autumn, +all was apparently quiet in the Native army. He visited the principal +military stations, amongst others Meerut and Delhi, and although +reports of an uneasy feeling amongst the Native troops in the Presidency +division had reached him from time to time, it was not until he +arrived at Umballa, about the middle of March, that these reports were +confirmed by personal communication with the sepoys attending the +School of Musketry which had been formed at that station.</p> +<p> +On the occasion of the Commander-in-Chief's inspection of the School,<span class="page"><a name="51">[Page 51]</a></span> +he learnt from the men of the various regiments under instruction how +strongly opposed they were to using a cartridge which they believed to +be injurious to their caste. Anson listened attentively to all the sepoys +had to say, and then explained to them in a manly, sensible speech, +that the old cartridge was not suited to the rifle about to be introduced. +A new cartridge had, therefore, to be made; but they must not listen +to any foolish rumour as to its being designed to destroy their caste. +He assured them, 'on the honour of a soldier like themselves,' that it +had never been, and never could be, the policy of the British Government +to coerce the religious feeling of either the military or the civil +population of India, or to interfere in any way with their caste or +customs. He told the Native officers to do all in their power to allay +the men's unfounded fears, and called upon them to prove themselves +worthy of the high character they had hitherto maintained; he concluded +by warning all ranks that the Government were determined not +to yield to insubordination, which would be visited with the severest +punishment.</p> +<p> +The demeanour of the sepoys was most respectful, and when the +parade was over they expressed their high sense of the Commander-in-Chief's +goodness. They declared that he had removed their own +objections, but that the story was universally believed by their countrymen +and relations, and if they were to use the cartridge they must +become social outcasts.</p> +<p> +General Anson, feeling that the doubts and anxieties of the men with +regard to the use of the new cartridges were by no means imaginary, +suspended their issue until a special report had been prepared as to the +composition of the paper in which they were <a name="VIII1r">wrapped</a>.<a href="#VIII1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +Having thus done all that he could at the time to allay any feeling<span class="page"><a name="52">[Page 52]</a></span> +of uneasiness, and hoping that the news of the disbandment of the +19th Native Infantry would check the spirit of insubordination, General +Anson continued his journey to Simla, that beautiful place in the +Himalayas, 7,000 feet above the sea, which has since become the seat +of the Government of India and Army Head-Quarters during the hot +weather months.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The News Reaches Simla</span> +The Commander-in-Chief had been at Simla rather more than a +month, when, on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 12th May, an Aide-de-camp +galloped in from Umballa (the Head-Quarters station of the +Sirhind division), distant eighty miles, bringing with him a copy of the +telegraphic message which had been despatched from Delhi the previous +day to 'all stations in the Punjab,' and which had caused such consternation +at Peshawar on the evening of the 11th May.</p> +<p> +Sir Henry Barnard, commanding the Sirhind division, desired the +Aide-de-camp (his own son) to inform the Commander-in-Chief that +the temper of the three Native regiments at Umballa was more than +doubtful, and that it seemed advisable that the three regiments of +British Infantry stationed in the hills near Simla should be ordered at +once to Umballa. So urgent did this seem to Barnard, that, in anticipation +of sanction from the Commander-in-Chief, he told his son to +warn the 75th Foot as he passed through Kasauli to be prepared for an +immediate move.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Anson Loses No Time</span> +General Anson at once saw the necessity for taking prompt action. +That same afternoon he despatched an Aide-de-camp to Kasauli to +order the 75th to proceed without delay to Umballa, and the 1st Bengal +Fusiliers at Dagshai to follow the 75th as soon as carriage could be +collected; also to warn the 2nd Bengal Fusiliers at Subathu to be ready +to move. Expresses were sent at the same [time] to Ferozepore and Jullundur +directing that a European guard should be placed in charge of the +magazine at the former place, and a detachment of European Infantry +thrown into the fort of Philour from the latter. The confidence reposed +in the Native army before the Mutiny was so great that these +two important magazines, like almost all the arsenals and magazines +in India, were guarded by Native soldiers, and subsequent events +proved that, but for General Anson's timely precautions, the mutineers +must have obtained possession of the magazines at Ferozepore and +<a name="VIII2r">Philour</a>.<a href="#VIII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +Anson had not long to wait before he received confirmation of the<span class="page"><a name="53">[Page 53]</a></span> +alarming news brought by General Barnard's son. The very next +afternoon a letter arrived from Meerut giving an account of the outbreak +on the 10th, and a few particulars of what had occurred at Delhi. +The Commander-in-Chief immediately decided on proceeding to +Umballa, to superintend personally the organization of the force +which, as he rightly judged, would have to be sent to Delhi. There +was no hesitation on General Anson's part, or delay in issuing the +necessary <a name="VIII3r">orders</a>.<a href="#VIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> The 2nd Bengal Fusiliers were directed to march +to Umballa, and an Artillery officer was sent express to Philour with +instructions for a third-class siege-train to be got ready, and for reserve +Artillery and Infantry ammunition to be despatched to Umballa. +Orders were also issued for the Nasiri battalion, stationed at Jutog, +near Simla, and for the company of Native Artillery at Kangra and +<a name="VIII4r">Nurpur</a><a href="#VIII4"><sup>4</sup></a> to march with all expedition to Philour, for the purpose of +accompanying the siege-train; and for the Sirmur battalion of Gurkhas +at Dehra Dun, and the Sappers and Miners at Rurki, to proceed to +Meerut.</p> +<p> +Having thus pressed forward the measures for the suppression of the +revolt which to him seemed most urgent, General Anson left Simla +early on the 14th May, within forty-eight hours of the receipt of the +first news of the outbreak, and reached Umballa the following morning. +His last act at Simla was to draft a circular which he hoped would have +the effect of allaying excitement in the Native army.</p> +<p> +The report which Sir Henry Barnard had to make to the Chief on +his arrival at Umballa was not reassuring. The troops at that station +consisted of Her Majesty's 9th Lancers, two troops of Horse Artillery, +the 4th Bengal Light Cavalry, and two regiments of Native Infantry. +The 75th Foot and 1st Bengal Fusiliers had just marched in with only +thirty and seventy rounds of ammunition per man, respectively, and +(from want of carriage) without tents or baggage. The Commissariat +and Medical Departments were totally unprepared to meet the requirements +of a force suddenly ordered to take the field; there were no +doolies for the sick; supplies were difficult to collect, for the bazaars +were partially deserted; there was a scarcity of contractors, and no<span class="page"><a name="54">[Page 54]</a></span> +ammunition was available nearer than Philour, eighty miles off.</p> +<p> +At Delhi all the Europeans who had not escaped had been massacred, +and the city had been taken possession of by the Native garrison and +the mutinous troops from Meerut in the name of the old King.</p> +<p> +At Meerut the European troops were entrenching themselves; the +surrounding district was in the most complete disorder, and the civil +courts powerless.</p> +<p> +At Umballa and Jullundur, although the presence of European +troops had hitherto kept the Native regiments from open mutiny, it +was evident that they were not in the least to be depended upon.</p> +<p> +At Ferozepore an aggravated revolt had occurred, and at Lahore it +had been found necessary to disarm all the Native troops.</p> +<p> +From below Meerut there was no intelligence whatever, but it +seemed more than probable that the spirit of rebellion had broken out +in many stations, and later this was known to be the case.</p> +<p> +To add to the Commander-in-Chief's anxieties, it was reported that +the Nasiri battalion at Jutog had got out of hand for a time and refused +to march to Philour, while a detachment of the same corps at Kasauli +plundered the treasury, rendering it necessary to send back 100 men of +the 75th Foot to reinforce the depot at that place, where a large number +of European soldiers' families were collected.</p> +<p> +The behaviour of the Gurkhas gave rise to a panic at Simla, which, +however, did not last long. Lord William <a name="VIII5r">Hay</a>,<a href="#VIII5"><sup>5</sup></a> who was Deputy-Commissioner +at the time, induced most of the ladies, with their +children, to seek a temporary asylum with the Raja of <a name="VIII6r">Kiunthal</a>.<a href="#VIII6"><sup>6</sup></a> +Hay himself managed to keep Simla quiet, and the men of the Nasiri +battalion coming to their senses, order was restored throughout the +hills. The money taken from the Kasauli treasury was nearly all +voluntarily given up, and before the year was out the battalion did us +good service.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Long List of Troubles</span> +It was a long list of troubles that was placed before the Commander-in-Chief. +Disturbing as they all were, each requiring prompt and +special action, there was one amongst them which stood out in bold +relief—the situation at Delhi; and to wrest that stronghold from the +hands of the mutineers was, General Anson conceived, his most pressing +obligation. But could it be done with the means at his disposal? He +thought not; and in this opinion he was supported by the senior officers +at Umballa, with whom the question was anxiously discussed at a +conference held at Sir Henry Barnard's house on the 16th <a name="VIII7r">May</a>.<a href="#VIII7"><sup>7</sup></a> It +was nevertheless determined to push on to Delhi, and General Hewitt<span class="page"><a name="55">[Page 55]</a></span> +was asked what force he could spare from Meerut to co-operate with +the Umballa column. He was warned that time was an object, and +that the 23rd May was the date on which his troops would probably be +required to start. All details were carefully considered. The first +difficulty to be overcome was the want of carriage. No organized +system of transport—one of the most essential requirements of an +efficient army—existed, and, owing to the restlessness and uncertainty +which prevailed throughout the country, the civil authorities were +unable to collect carts and camels with the usual <a name="VIII8r">rapidity</a>.<a href="#VIII8"><sup>8</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">John Lawrence</span> +That afternoon General Anson received a letter from Sir John +Lawrence urging the importance of an immediate advance on Delhi, +and giving an outline of the measures he proposed to adopt in the +Punjab. He asked the Commander-in-Chief to give a general sanction +to the arrangements, and concluded with these words: "I consider +this to be the greatest crisis which has ever occurred in India. Our +European force is so small that, unless effectively handled in the outset, +and brought to bear, it will prove unequal to the emergency. But +with vigour and promptitude, under the blessing of God, it will prove +irresistible."</p> +<p> +Anson naturally hesitated to advance with an inefficient and only +partially equipped force against a strongly-fortified city with an immense +armed population, defended by many thousand desperate mutineers, +and in his reply (dated the 17th May) he put the case plainly before Sir +John Lawrence. He pointed out that the Europeans were without +tents; that there were no guns at Umballa or Meerut heavier than six +or nine pounders with which to batter down the walls of Delhi; that +the required amount of carriage could not be provided in less than +sixteen or twenty days; and that the three Native corps at Umballa +could not be depended upon. He asked Sir John whether he considered +'it would be prudent to risk the small European force we have here in +an enterprise against Delhi,' and he wrote: 'My own view of the state +of things now is, by carefully collecting our resources, having got rid of +the bad materials which we cannot trust, and having supplied their +places with others of a better sort, it would not be very long before we +could proceed, without a chance of failure, in whatever direction we +might please.' Adding, 'this is now the opinion of all here whom I +have consulted—the Major-General and Brigadier, the Adjutant-General, +Quartermaster-General and Commissary-General.' Anson +concluded his letter with the following words: 'It would give me +great satisfaction to have your views upon the present crisis, for I would<span class="page"><a name="56">[Page 56]</a></span> +trust to them more than to my experience.'</p> +<p> +John Lawrence, who was straining every nerve to check the Mutiny +and prevent a general rising of the population, was impatient at the +idea of delay, and lost no time in giving Anson his opinion. He +telegraphed it briefly on the 20th, and the following day he wrote to +the effect that he knew Delhi well, having been stationed there for +nearly thirteen years, and it seemed incredible to him that mutineers +could hold and defend it; his belief was 'that, with good management +on the part of the civil officers, it would open its gates on the approach +of our troops.' He admitted that 'on military principles, in the present +state of affairs, it may not be expedient to advance on Delhi until the +Meerut force is prepared to act.' But he protested against European +soldiers being 'cooped up in their cantonments, tamely awaiting the +progress of events.' He went on to say: 'Pray only reflect on the +whole history of India. Where have we failed when we acted vigorously? +Where have we succeeded when guided by timid counsels? +Clive with 1,200 men fought at Plassy, in opposition to the advice of +his leading officers, beat 40,000 men, and conquered Bengal.'</p> +<p> +That Sir John Lawrence greatly under-estimated the difficulties +which Anson had to overcome we now know. Delhi did not open its +gates on our approach, but for more than three months defied all our +efforts to capture it. And in his eagerness to get the Commander-in-Chief +to think as he did, the resolute Chief Commissioner forgot that +Clive—not with 1,200 men, but with 3,000 disciplined troops—had to +deal in the open field with an enemy little better than a rabble; +whereas Anson had to attack a strong fortress, amply supplied with +stores and ammunition, possessing a powerful armament, and held by +soldiers who were not only well trained and equipped, but were fighting +for their lives, and animated by religious fanaticism.</p> +<p> +Still, there can be no doubt that John Lawrence's views as to the +necessity for Delhi being taken at all hazards were correct. The +Governor-General held the same opinion, and strongly urged it upon +Anson, who loyally responded, and during the short time he remained +at Umballa strenuously exerted himself to equip the troops destined for +the arduous task.</p> +<p> +While preparing for his advance on the Moghul capital, Anson did +not neglect to provide, as far as lay in his power, for the safety of +Umballa. The soldiers' wives and children were sent to Kasauli; a +place of refuge was made for the non-combatants at the church, round +which an entrenchment was thrown; a garrison, about 500 strong, was +formed of the sick and weakly men of the several European regiments, +assisted by some of the Patiala troops; and as an additional security +half the Native corps were sent into the district, and the other half with +the column to Delhi.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Phulkian Family</span> +John Lawrence had strongly advocated the policy of trusting the<span class="page"><a name="57">[Page 57]</a></span> +Maharaja of Patiala and the Rajas of Jhind and Nabha. The attitude +of these Chiefs was of extreme importance, for if they had not been +well disposed towards us, our communication with the Punjab would +have been imperilled. There was therefore much anxiety at Umballa +as to the course Patiala, Jhind, and Nabha (the three principal members +of the great Phulkian family) would elect to take. Douglas <a name="VIII9r">Forsyth</a>,<a href="#VIII9"><sup>9</sup></a> +Deputy-Commissioner of Umballa, who was a personal friend of the +Maharaja of Patiala, at once sought an interview with him. He was +beginning to explain to the Maharaja the difficulties of the situation, +when he was interrupted by His Highness, who said he was aware of +all that had happened; on which Forsyth asked if it was true that +emissaries from the King of Delhi had come to Patiala. The Maharaja +pointed to some men seated at a little distance, saying, 'There they +are.' Forsyth then asked for a word in private. As soon as they were +alone, he addressed the Maharaja thus: 'Maharaja <i>sahib</i>, answer +me one question: Are you for us, or against us?' The Maharaja's +reply was very hearty: 'As long as I live I am yours, but you know I +have enemies in my own country; some of my relations are against +me—my brother for one. What do you want done?' Forsyth then +asked the Maharaja to send some of his troops towards Kurnal to keep +open the Grand Trunk Road. The Maharaja agreed on the understanding +that Europeans should soon be sent to support them—a very +necessary condition, for he knew that his men could only be trusted so +long as there was no doubt of our ultimate success.</p> +<p> +Patiala was true to his word, and throughout the Mutiny the Phulkian +Chiefs remained perfectly loyal, and performed the important service +of keeping open communication between Delhi and the <a name="VIII10r">Punjab</a>.<a href="#VIII10"><sup>10</sup></a></p> +<p> +On the 19th May General Anson was cheered by hearing from John +Lawrence that the Corps of Guides and four trusty Punjab regiments +were proceeding by forced marches to join him. On the 21st he +received a message from the Governor-General informing him that +European troops were coming from Madras, Bombay, and Ceylon. He +also heard of the arrival of the siege-train at Umballa, and he had the +satisfaction of telegraphing to the Chief Commissioner that the first +detachment of the column destined for Delhi had started.</p> +<p> +On the 23rd the Commander-in-Chief communicated his plan of +operations to General Hewitt. It was as follows: Two brigades were +to advance from Umballa, commanded by Brigadier Hallifax of the +75th Foot, and Colonel Jones of the 60th Rifles; and one brigade from +Meerut, under the command of Brigadier Archdale Wilson. The two +former were to be concentrated at Kurnal by the 30th May, and were +then to advance, under General Anson, so as to arrive opposite Baghput +on the 5th June, at which place they were to be joined by the Meerut<span class="page"><a name="58">[Page 58]</a></span> +brigade, and the united force was then to proceed to Delhi.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Death of General Anson</span> +All his arrangements being now completed, Anson left Umballa on +the 24th May, and reached Kurnal the following morning. On the 26th +he was struck down by cholera, and in a few hours succumbed to that +fatal disease. His last words expressed a hope that his country would +do him justice, and it is grievous to feel that, in estimating his work +and the difficulties he had to encounter, full justice has not been done +him. Anson has been undeservedly blamed for vacillation and want +of promptitude. He was told to 'make short work of Delhi,' but before +Delhi could be taken more men had perished than his whole force at +that time amounted to. The advice to march upon Delhi was sound, +but had it been rashly followed disaster would have been the inevitable +result. Had the Commander-in-Chief been goaded into advancing +without spare ammunition and siege Artillery, or with an insufficient +force, he must have been annihilated by the overwhelming masses of +the mutineers—those mutineers, who, we shall see later, stoutly +opposed Barnard's greatly augmented force at Badli-ki-Serai, would +almost certainly have repulsed, if not destroyed, a smaller body of +troops.</p> +<p> +On the death of General Anson the command of the Field Force +devolved on Major-General Sir Henry Barnard.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="IX">IX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +I will now continue my story from the time I left Peshawar to join +the Movable Column.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">John Lawrence's Wise Measures</span> +On the 18th May Brigadier Chamberlain and I arrived at Rawal +Pindi, where we joined the Chief Commissioner, who had got thus far +on his way to his summer residence in the Murree Hills when tidings +of the disaster reached him. One of Sir John Lawrence's first acts +after talking over matters with Chamberlain was to summon Edwardes +from Peshawar, for he wished to consult with him personally about the +question of raising levies and enlisting more frontier men, the only one +of Edwardes's and Nicholson's proposals regarding which the Chief +Commissioner had any doubt; it appeared to him a somewhat risky +step to take, and he desired to give the matter very careful consideration +before coming to any decision. I remember being greatly struck +with the weight given by Lawrence to Edwardes's opinion. He called +him his Councillor, he eagerly sought his advice, and he evidently +placed the utmost reliance on his judgment.</p> +<p> +During the six days that we remained at Rawal Pindi waiting for the +Movable Column to be assembled, I spent the greater part of my time<span class="page"><a name="59">[Page 59]</a></span> +in the Chief Commissioner's office, drafting or copying confidential +letters and telegrams. I thus learned everything that was happening +in the Punjab, and became aware of the magnitude of the crisis through +which we were passing. This enabled me to appreciate the tremendous +efforts required to cope with the danger, and to understand that the +fate of Delhi and the lives of our countrymen and countrywomen in +Upper India depended upon the action taken by the authorities in the +Punjab. I realized that Sir John Lawrence thought of every detail, +and how correct was his judgment as to which of his subordinates +could, or could not, be trusted. The many European women and +children scattered over the province caused him the greatest anxiety, +and he wisely determined to collect them as much as possible at hill +stations and the larger centres, where they would be under the protection +of British troops; for this reason he ordered the families of the +European soldiers at Sialkot (who were being withdrawn to join the +Movable Column) to be sent to Lahore. But, notwithstanding all that +had occurred, and was daily occurring, to demonstrate how universal +was the spirit of disaffection throughout the Native Army, Brigadier +Frederick Brind, who commanded at Sialkot, could not be brought to +believe that the regiments serving under his command would ever +prove disloyal, and he strongly objected to carry out an order which he +denounced as 'showing a want of confidence in the sepoys.' John +Lawrence, however, stood firm. Brind was ordered to despatch the +soldiers' families without delay, and advised to urge the civilians and +military officers to send away their families at the same time. A few +of the ladies and children were sent off, but some were allowed to +remain until the troops mutinied, when the Brigadier was one of the +first to pay the penalty of his misplaced confidence, being shot down by +one of his own orderlies.</p> +<p> +We had not been long at Rawal Pindi before we heard that the uneasiness +at Peshawar was hourly increasing, and that the detachment +of the 55th Native <a name="IX1r">Infantry</a><a href="#IX1"><sup>1</sup></a> at Nowshera had mutinied and broken +open the magazine. The military force in the Peshawar valley had +been considerably weakened by the withdrawal of the 27th Foot +and Corps of Guides; it was evident that disaffection was rapidly +spreading, and what was still more alarming was the ominously restless +feelings amongst the principal tribes on the frontier. Nicholson +encountered considerable difficulty in raising local levies, and there was +a general unwillingness to enlist. Our disasters in Kabul in 1841-42 +had not been forgotten; our cause was considered desperate, and even +Nicholson could not persuade men to join it. It was clear that this +state of affairs must not be allowed to continue, and that some decisive +measures must quickly be taken, or there would be a general rising<span class="page"><a name="60">[Page 60]</a></span> +along the frontier.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Disarmament at Peshawar</span> +Matters seemed to be drawing to a head, when it was wisely determined +to disarm the Native regiments at Peshawar without delay. +This conclusion was come to at midnight on the 21st May, when the +news of the unfortunate occurrences at Nowshera reached Edwardes, +who had returned that morning from Rawal Pindi. He and Nicholson +felt that no time was to be lost, for if the sepoys heard that the regiment +at Nowshera had mutinied, it would be too late to attempt to +disarm them. Going forthwith to the Brigadier's house, they communicated +their views to Sydney Cotton, who thoroughly appreciated +the urgency of the case, and, acting with the most praiseworthy +decision, summoned the commanding officers of all the Native regiments +to be at his house at daybreak.</p> +<p> +When they were assembled, the Brigadier carefully explained to the +officers how matters stood. He pointed out to them that their regiments +were known to be on the verge of mutiny, and that they must +be disarmed forthwith, ending by expressing his great regret at having +to take so serious a step.</p> +<p> +The officers were quite aghast. They were persistent and almost insubordinate +in expressing their conviction that the measure was wholly +uncalled-for, that the sepoys were thoroughly loyal, and that, notwithstanding +what had occurred in other places, they had perfect confidence +in their men.</p> +<p> +The Brigadier, who knew the officers well, felt that every allowance +should be made for them, called upon as they were to disarm the men +with whom they had been so long associated, and in whom they still +implicitly believed. But although he regarded the officers' remonstrances +as natural and excusable, Cotton never wavered in his decision, +for he was experienced enough to see that the evil was widespread and +deep-seated, and that any display of confidence or attempt at conciliation +in dealing with the disaffected regiments would be worse than +useless.</p> +<p> +The parade, which was ordered for 7 a.m., was conducted with great +judgment. The European troops were skilfully disposed so as to render +resistance useless, and four out of the five regular Native regiments +were called upon to lay down their arms. The fifth regiment—the +21st Native <a name="IX2r">Infantry</a><a href="#IX2"><sup>2</sup></a>—was exempted from this indignity, partly +because it had shown no active symptoms of disaffection, was well +commanded and had good officers, and partly because it would have +been extremely difficult to carry on the military duties of the station +without some Native Infantry.</p> +<p> +The two regiments of Irregular Cavalry were also spared the disgrace +of being disarmed. It was hoped that the stake the Native officers and<span class="page"><a name="61">[Page 61]</a></span> +men had in the service (their horses and arms being their own property) +would prevent them from taking an active part in the Mutiny, and it +was believed that the British officers who served with them, and who +for the most part were carefully selected, had sufficient influence +over their men to keep them straight. This hope proved to be not +altogether without foundation, for of the eighteen regiments of Irregular +Cavalry which existed in May, 1857, eight are still borne on the strength +of the Bengal Army; while of the ten regiments of Regular Cavalry +and seventy-four of Infantry, none of the former, and only eleven of +the latter, now remain.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Salutary Effect in the Valley</span> +How immediate and salutary were the effects of the disarmament on +the inhabitants of the Peshawar valley will be seen by the following +account which Edwardes gave of it. 'As we rode down to the disarming +a very few Chiefs and yeomen of the country attended us; and +I remember judging from their faces that they came to see which way +the tide would turn. As we rode back friends were as thick as summer +flies, and levies began from that moment to come in.'</p> +<p> +The Subadar-Major of the 51st—one of the four regiments disarmed—had +a few days before written to the men of the 64th, who were +divided amongst the outposts, calling upon them to return to Peshawar +in time to join in the revolt fixed for the 22nd May. The letter ran; +'In whatever way you can manage it, come into Peshawar on the 21st +instant. Thoroughly understand that point! In fact, eat there and +drink here.' The rapidity with which the disarmament had been +carried through spoilt the Subadar-Major's little game; he had, however, +gone too far to draw back, and on the night of the 22nd he +deserted, taking with him 250 men of the regiment. His hopes were a +second time doomed to disappointment. However welcome 250 +muskets might have been to the Afridis, 250 unarmed sepoys were no +prize; and as our neighbours in the hills had evidently come to the +conclusion that our <i>raj</i> was not in such a desperate state as they +had imagined, and that their best policy was to side with us, they +caught the deserters, with the assistance of the district police, and made +them over to the authorities. The men were all tried by Court-Martial, +and the Subadar-Major was hanged in the presence of the whole +garrison.</p> +<p> +On the 23rd May, the day after the disarmament, news was received +at Peshawar that the 55th Native Infantry had mutinied at Mardan, +and that the 10th Irregular Cavalry, which was divided between +Nowshera and Mardan, had turned against us. A force was at once +despatched to restore order, and Nicholson accompanied it as political +officer. No sooner did the mutineers, on the morning of the 25th, catch +sight of the approaching column than they broke out of the fort and +fled towards the Swat hills. Nicholson pursued with his levies and +mounted police, and before night 120 fugitives were killed and as many<span class="page"><a name="62">[Page 62]</a></span> +more made prisoners. The remainder found no welcome among the +hill tribes, and eventually became wanderers over the country until they +died or were killed. Poor Spottiswoode, the Colonel, committed suicide +shortly before the Peshawar troops reached Mardan.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="X">X.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +While I was employed in the Chief Commissioner's office at Rawal +Pindi it became known that the Mutineers intended to make their +stand at Delhi, and immediately urgent demands came from the Head-Quarters +of the army for troops to be sent from the Punjab. Sir John +Lawrence exerted himself to the uttermost, even to the extent of +denuding his own province to a somewhat dangerous degree, and the +Guides and 1st Punjab Infantry, which had been told off for the +Movable Column, were ordered instead to proceed to Delhi.</p> +<p> +The Guides, a corps second to none in Her Majesty's Indian Army, +was commanded by Captain <a name="X1r">Daly</a>,<a href="#X1"><sup>1</sup></a> and consisted of three troops of +Cavalry and six companies of Infantry. The regiment had got as far +as Attock, when it received the order to proceed to Delhi, and pushed +on at once by double marches. The 4th Sikhs, under Captain Rothney, +and the 1st Punjab Infantry, under Major <a name="X2r">Coke</a>,<a href="#X2"><sup>2</sup></a> followed in quick +succession, and later on the following troops belonging to the Punjab +Frontier Force were despatched towards Delhi: a squadron of the 1st +Punjab Cavalry, under Lieutenant John Watson (my companion in +Kashmir); a squadron of the 2nd Punjab Cavalry, under Lieutenant +Charles <a name="X3r">Nicholson</a><a href="#X3"><sup>3</sup></a> (John Nicholson's brother); a squadron of the +5th Punjab Cavalry, under Lieutenant Younghusband; and the 2nd +and 4th Punjab Infantry, commanded respectively by Captains +G. <a name="X4r">Green</a><a href="#X4"><sup>4</sup></a> and A. <a name="X5r">Wilde</a>.<a href="#X5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Neville Chamberlain's Presence of Mind</span> +We (Brigadier Chamberlain and I) remained at Rawal Pindi until +the 24th May to give our servants and horses time to reach Wazirabad, +and then started on a mail-cart for the latter place, which we reached on +the 27th. Lieutenant James <a name="X6r">Walker</a>,<a href="#X6"><sup>6</sup></a> of the Bombay Engineers, +accompanied us as the Brigadier's orderly officer.</p> +<p> +The Grand Trunk Road, which runs in a direct line from Calcutta to<span class="page"><a name="63">[Page 63]</a></span> +Peshawar, was then in course of construction through the Punjab, and +in places was in rather an elementary condition. The drivers of the +mail-carts sent along their half-wild and entirely unbroken ponies at +racing speed, regardless alike of obstacles and consequences. With an +enterprising coachman the usual pace was about twelve miles an hour, +including stoppages. As we were recklessly flying along, the Brigadier, +who was sitting in front, perceived that one of the reins had become +unbuckled, and warned Walker and me to look out for an upset. Had +the coachman not discovered the state of his tackle all might have been +well, for the ponies needed no guiding along the well-known road. +Unfortunately, however, he became aware of what had happened, lost +his head, and pulled the reins; the animals dashed off the road, there +was a crash, and we found ourselves on the ground, scattered in +different directions. No great damage was done, and in a few minutes +we had righted the cart, re-harnessed the ponies, and were rushing along +as before.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Intercepted Message</span> +In order that the authorities at Rawal Pindi might be able to communicate +with the Movable Column while on the march and away from +telegraph stations, which were few and far between in 1857, a signaller +accompanied us, and travelled with his instruments on a second mail-cart, +and wherever we halted for the day he attached his wire to the +main line. He had just completed the attachment on our arrival at +Wazirabad, when I observed that the instrument was working, and on +drawing the signaller's attention to it, he read off a message which was +at that moment being transmitted to the Chief Commissioner, informing +him of the death of the Commander-in-Chief at Kurnal the previous +day. This sad news did not directly affect the Movable Column, +as it had been organized by, and was under the orders of, the +Punjab Government, which for the time being had become responsible +for the military, as well as the civil, administration in the north of +India.</p> +<p> +The column had marched into Wazirabad the day before we arrived. +It consisted of Major Dawes' troop of European Horse Artillery, a +European battery of Field Artillery, commanded by Captain <a name="X7r">Bourchier</a>,<a href="#X7"><sup>7</sup></a> +and Her Majesty's 52nd Light Infantry, commanded by Colonel George +Campbell. In addition, and with a view to reducing the Native +garrison of Sialkot, a wing of the 9th Bengal Light Cavalry and the +35th Native Infantry were attached to the column.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Command of the Column</span> +My first duty at Wazirabad was to call upon the senior officer, +Colonel Campbell, and inform him that Brigadier Chamberlain had +come to take over command of the Movable Column. I found the +Colonel lying on his bed trying to make himself as comfortable as it +was possible with the thermometer at 117° Fahrenheit. We had not<span class="page"><a name="64">[Page 64]</a></span> +met before, and he certainly received me in a very off-hand manner. +He never moved from his recumbent position, and on my delivering +my message, he told me he was not aware that the title of Brigadier +carried military rank with it; that he understood Brigadier Chamberlain +was only a Lieutenant-Colonel, whereas he held the rank of Colonel in +Her Majesty's army; and that, under these circumstances, he must +decline to acknowledge Brigadier Chamberlain as his senior officer. I +replied that I would give his message to the Brigadier, and took my +leave.</p> +<p> +When Chamberlain heard what had occurred, he desired me to return +to Campbell and explain that he had no wish to dispute the question of +relative seniority, and that in assuming command of the column he +was only carrying out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief in India. +Campbell, who technically speaking had the right on his side, was not +to be appeased, and requested me to inform the Brigadier of his +determination not to serve under an officer whom he considered to be +his junior.</p> +<p> +This was not a pleasant beginning to our duties with the column, and +Chamberlain thought that we had better take our departure and leave +Campbell in command until the question could be settled by superior +authority. Campbell was accordingly asked to march the troops to +Lahore, to which place we continued our journey by mail-cart.</p> +<p> +At the same time a reference was made to Sir John Lawrence and +General Reed, which resulted in the decision that, under the peculiar +circumstances of the case, it was essential that an officer of Indian +experience should be in command of the column, and that Campbell, +having only been a very short time in the country, did not fulfil this +condition; but Campbell was told that, if he objected to serve under +Chamberlain, he could remain at Lahore with the Head-Quarters of +his regiment. Campbell, who at heart was really a very nice fellow +and an excellent officer, would not be separated from the 52nd, and +agreed to serve under the Brigadier, reserving to himself the right of +protesting when the new Commander-in-Chief should arrive in India.</p> +<p> +There was probably another reason for Campbell not wishing to +serve under Chamberlain besides that of being senior to him in the +army, in the fact that the Brigadier was a servant of 'John Company,' +while Campbell belonged to the 'Queen's Service.' From the time of +the establishment of a local army there had existed an absurd and +unfortunate jealousy between the officers of the Queen's and Company's +services, and one of the best results of the Mutiny was its gradual +disappearance. This ill-feeling influenced not only fellow-countrymen, +but relations, even brothers, if they belonged to the different services, +and was distinctly prejudicial to the interests of the Government. It +is difficult to understand how so puerile a sentiment could have been so +long indulged in by officers who no doubt considered themselves sensible<span class="page"><a name="65">[Page 65]</a></span> +<a name="X8r">Englishmen</a>.<a href="#X8"><sup>8</sup></a></p> +<p> +On the 31st May we arrived at Lahore, where we found everyone in +a state of considerable excitement. Lahore was and is the great centre +of the Punjab, and to it non-combatants and English ladies with their +children were hurrying from all the outlying districts. In the city +itself there was a mixed population of nearly 100,000, chiefly Sikhs and +Mahomedans, many of the former old soldiers who had served in the +Khalsa Army. The fort, which was within the walls of the city, was +garrisoned by half a regiment of sepoys, one company of European +Infantry, and a few European Artillerymen. Mian Mir, five miles off, +was the Head-Quarters of the Lahore division; it was a long, straggling +cantonment, laid out for a much larger force than it has ever been +found necessary to place there, with the European Infantry at one end +and the European Artillery at the other, separated by Native troops. +This arrangement (which existed in almost every station in India) is +another proof of the implicit confidence placed in the Native army—a +confidence in mercenary soldiers of alien races which seems all the +more surprising when we call to mind the warnings that for nearly a +hundred years had been repeatedly given of the possibility of disaffection +existing amongst Native troops.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Robert Montgomery</span> +There were four Native regiments at Mian Mir, one of Cavalry and +three of Infantry, while the European portion of the garrison consisted +of one weak Infantry regiment, two troops of Horse Artillery, and four +companies of Foot Artillery. This force was commanded by Brigadier +Corbett, of the Bengal Army; he had been nearly forty years in the +service, was mentally and physically vigorous, and had no fear of +responsibility. Robert <a name="X9r">Montgomery</a><a href="#X9"><sup>9</sup></a> was then chief civil officer at +Lahore. He was of a most gentle and benevolent nature, with a +rubicund countenance and a short, somewhat portly figure, which +characteristics led to his being irreverently called 'Pickwick,' and +probably if he had lived in less momentous times he would never have +been credited with the great qualities which the crisis in the Punjab +proved him to possess.</p> +<p> +On receipt of the telegraphic news of the outbreaks at Meerut and +Delhi, Montgomery felt that immediate action was necessary. He at +once set to work to discover the temper of the Native troops at Mian +Mir, and soon ascertained that they were disaffected to the core, and +were only waiting to hear from their friends in the south to break into +open mutiny. He thoroughly understood the Native character, and<span class="page"><a name="66">[Page 66]</a></span> +realized the danger to the whole province of there being anything in +the shape of a serious disturbance at its capital; so after consulting his +various officials, Montgomery decided to suggest to the Brigadier the +advisability of disarming the sepoys, or, if that were considered too +strong a measure, of taking their ammunition from them. Corbett met +him quite half-way; he also saw that the danger was imminent, and that +prompt action was necessary, but he not unnaturally shrank from +taking the extreme step of disarming men whose loyalty had never until +then been doubted—a step, moreover, which he knew would be keenly +resented by all the regimental officers—he therefore at first only agreed +to deprive the sepoys of their ammunition; later in the day, however, +after thinking the matter over, he came to the conclusion that it would +be better to adopt Montgomery's bolder proposal, and he informed him +accordingly that he would 'go the whole hog.'</p> +<p> +I do not think that Corbett's action on this occasion has been sufficiently +appreciated. That he decided rightly there can be no doubt, +but very few officers holding commands in India at that time would +have accepted such responsibility. His knowledge as to what had +happened at Meerut and Delhi was based on one or two meagre +telegrams, and the information Montgomery gave him as to the +treacherous intentions of the sepoys at Mian Mir had been obtained by +means of a spy, who, it was quite possible, might have been actuated +by interested motives.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Disarmament at Mian Mir</span> +Having made up his mind what should be done, Corbett had the good +sense to understand that success depended on its being done quickly, +and on the Native troops being kept absolutely in the dark as to what +was about to take place. A general parade was ordered for the next +morning, the 13th May, and it was wisely determined not to put +off a ball which was being given that evening to the officers of +the 81st Foot. The secret was confided to very few, and the great +majority of those who were taking part in the entertainment were +ignorant of the reason for a parade having been ordered the following +morning—an unusual proceeding which caused a certain amount of +grumbling.</p> +<p> +When the sepoys were drawn up, it was explained to them in their +own language that they were about to be deprived of their arms, in +order to put temptation out of their reach, and save them from the +disgrace of being led away by the evil example of other corps. Whilst +they were being thus addressed, the Horse Artillery and 81st Foot took +up a second line immediately in rear of the Native regiments, the guns +being quietly loaded with grape during the manœuvre. The regiments +were then directed to change front to the rear, when they found themselves +face to face with the British troops. The order was given to the +sepoys to 'pile arms'; one of the regiments hesitated, but only for a +moment; resistance was hopeless, and the word of command was<span class="page"><a name="67">[Page 67]</a></span> +sullenly obeyed.</p> +<p> +The same morning the fort of Lahore was secured. Three companies +of the 81st marched into it at daylight, relieved the sepoys of their +guards, and ordered them to lay down their arms. Another company +of the same regiment travelled through the night in carriages to +Umritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs, and occupied the fortress of +Govindgarh. Montgomery had been very anxious about these two +strongholds, and it was a great satisfaction to him to know that they +were at length safely guarded by British bayonets.</p> +<p> +Although, as I have said, we found Lahore in a state of considerable +excitement, it was satisfactory to see how fully the situation had been +grasped, and how everything that was possible had been done to +maintain order, and show the people of the Punjab that we were +prepared to hold our own. Montgomery's foresight and decision, and +Corbett's hearty and willing co-operation, checked, if not altogether +stopped, what, under less energetic management, would assuredly have +resulted in very grievous trouble. Excitement was inevitable. There +was a general stir throughout the province. Lahore was crowded with +the families of European soldiers, and with ladies who had come there +from various parts of the Punjab, all in terrible anxiety as to what +might be the ultimate fate of their husbands and relatives; some of +whom were with Native regiments, whose loyalty was more than +doubtful; some with the Movable Column, the destination of which +was uncertain; while others were already on their way to join the army +hurrying to Delhi.</p> +<p> +The difficulty with Campbell having been settled, Chamberlain +assumed the command of the Movable Column, the advent of which on +the 2nd June was hailed with delight by all the Europeans at Lahore. +A regiment of British Infantry and two batteries of Artillery afforded +a much needed support to the handful of British soldiers keeping guard +over the great capital of the Punjab, and gave confidence to the Sikhs +and others disposed to be loyal, but who were doubtful as to the wisdom +of siding with us.</p> +<p> +The disturbing element was the Native troops which accompanied +the column. They had not shown openly that they contemplated +mutiny, but we knew that they were not to be trusted, and were only +watching for an opportunity to break out and escape to Delhi with +their arms</p> +<p> +I was living with the Brigadier in a house only a few minutes' walk +from the garden where the Native regiments were encamped, and the +spies we were employing to watch them had orders to come to me +whenever anything suspicious should occur. During the night of the +8th June one of these men awoke me with the news that the 35th +Native Infantry intended to revolt at daybreak, and that some of them +had already loaded their muskets. I awoke the Brigadier, who directed<span class="page"><a name="68">[Page 68]</a></span> +me to go at once to the British officers of the regiment, tell them what +we had heard, and that he would be with them shortly. As soon as +the Brigadier arrived the men were ordered to fall in, and on their +arms being examined two of them were found to have been loaded. +The sepoys to whom the muskets belonged were made prisoners, and I +was ordered to see them lodged in the police-station.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Drum-Head Court-Martial</span> +Chamberlain determined to lose no time in dealing with the case, +and although Drum-Head Courts-Martial were then supposed to be +obsolete, he decided to revive, for this occasion, that very useful means +of disposing, in time of war, of grave cases of crime.</p> +<p> +The Brigadier thought it desirable that the Court-Martial should be +composed of Native, rather than British, officers, as being likely to be +looked upon by the prisoners as a more impartial tribunal, under the +peculiar circumstances in which we were placed. This was made +possible by the arrival of the 1st Punjab Infantry—Coke's Rifles—a +grand regiment under a grand Commander. Raised in 1849, composed +chiefly of Sikhs and Pathans, and possessing Native officers of +undoubted loyalty, the 1st Punjab Infantry had taken part in almost +every frontier expedition during the previous eight years. Its history +was a glorious record of faithful and devoted service, such as can only +be rendered by brave men led by officers in whom they believe and +<a name="X10r">trust</a>.<a href="#X10"><sup>10</sup></a> The Subadar-Major of the corps was a man called Mir Jaffir, +a most gallant Afghan soldier, who entered the British service during +the first Afghan war, and distinguished himself greatly in all the subsequent +frontier fights. This Native officer was made president of the +Court-Martial. The prisoners were found guilty of mutiny, and +sentenced to death. Chamberlain decided that they should be blown +away from guns, in the presence of their own comrades, as being the +most awe-inspiring means of carrying the sentence into <a name="X11r">effect</a>.<a href="#X11"><sup>11</sup></a> A +parade was at once ordered. The troops were drawn up so as to form +three sides of a square; on the fourth side were two guns. As the +prisoners were being brought to the parade, one of them asked me if +they were going to be blown from guns. I said, 'Yes.' He made no +further remark, and they both walked steadily on until they reached +the guns, to which they were bound, when one of them requested that +some rupees he had on his person might be saved for his relations. +The Brigadier answered: 'It is too late!' The word of command was +given; the guns went off simultaneously, and the two mutineers were<span class="page"><a name="69">[Page 69]</a></span> +launched into eternity.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Swift Retribution</span> +It was a terrible sight, and one likely to haunt the beholder for +many a long day; but that was what was intended. I carefully +watched the sepoys' faces to see how it affected them. They were +evidently startled at the swift retribution which had overtaken their +guilty comrades, but looked more crest-fallen than shocked or horrified, +and we soon learnt that their determination to mutiny, and make the +best of their way to Delhi, was in nowise changed by the scene they +had witnessed.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XI">XI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +For a few days after our arrival at Lahore nothing could be settled as +to the further movements of the column. It was wanted in all parts +of the Punjab: Ferozeporo, Multan, Jhelum, Sialkot, Umritsar, +Jullundur, Philour, Ludhiana—all these places were more or less +disturbed, and all were clamorous for help.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Ferozepore</span> +At Ferozepore the Native <a name="XI1r">regiments</a><a href="#XI1"><sup>1</sup></a> broke out on the 13th May, +when they made a daring, but unsuccessful effort to seize the arsenal, +situated inside the fort and the largest in Upper India. Had that +fallen into the hands of the rebels, Delhi could not have been captured +without very considerable delay, for the besieging force depended +mainly upon Ferozepore for the supply of munitions of war. The +fort had been allowed to fall into bad repair, and the mutineers had no +difficulty in forcing their way inside; there, fortunately, they were +checked by the wall which surrounded the arsenal, and this obstacle, +insignificant as it was, enabled the guard to hold its own. Originally +this guard consisted entirely of Native soldiers, but, as I have already +recorded, after the outbreak at Meerut, Europeans had been told off +for the charge of this important post; so strong, however, here as elsewhere, +was the belief in the loyalty of the sepoys, and so great was +the reluctance to do anything which might hurt their feelings, that the +Native guard was not withdrawn. This same guard, when the attack +took place, did its best to assist the assailants, and even prepared +scaling-ladders to enable the latter to gain access to the magazine +enclosure. The Europeans, however, were equal to the emergency; +they overpowered and disarmed their treacherous companions, and +then succeeded in beating off and dispersing the attacking party.</p> +<p> +Being foiled in this attempt, the mutineers returned to the cantonment, +set fire to the church and other buildings, and then started for +Delhi. Ferozepore had a large European garrison, a regiment of +Infantry, a battery of Field Artillery, and a company of Foot Artillery,<span class="page"><a name="70">[Page 70]</a></span> +and was supposed to be able to look after itself, although affairs had +been greatly mismanaged.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Crawford Chamberlain at Multan</span> +Multan had next to be considered. Matters at that station were +very unsettled, and indeed were causing the authorities grave anxiety, +but Multan was more fortunate than many places, in being in the +hands of an unusually able, experienced officer, Major Crawford +Chamberlain. Consequently, the Commander-in-Chief and Chief +Commissioner agreed, while fully appreciating the great value of +Multan, that the presence of British troops was less urgently needed +there than elsewhere, and it was decided they could not be spared +from the Punjab for its protection.</p> +<p> +The garrison at Multan consisted of a troop of Native Horse +Artillery, two regiments of Native Infantry, and the 1st Irregular +Cavalry, composed entirely of Hindustanis from the neighbourhood of +Delhi; while in the old Sikh fort there were about fifty European +Artillerymen, in charge of a small magazine. The station was +nominally commanded by an officer who had been thirty-four years in +the army, and had great experience amongst Natives; but he had +fallen into such a bad state of health, that he was quite unfit to deal +with the crisis which had now arrived. The command, therefore, was +practically exercised by Chamberlain. Next to Delhi and Lahore, +Multan was the most important place in Upper India, as our communication +with the sea and southern India depended on its +preservation.</p> +<p> +To Chamberlain's own personality and extraordinary influence over +the men of the 1st Irregular Cavalry must be attributed his success. +His relations with them were of a patriarchal nature, and perfect +mutual confidence existed. He knew his hold over them was strong, +and he determined to trust them. But in doing so he had really no +alternative—had they not remained faithful, Multan must have been +lost to us. One of his first acts was to call a meeting at his house of +the Native officers of the Artillery, Infantry, and his own regiment, to +discuss the situation. Taking for granted the absolute loyalty of these +officers, he suggested that a written bond should be given, in which +the seniors of each corps should guarantee the fidelity of their men. +The officers of his regiment rose <i>en masse</i>, and placing their signet-rings +on the table, said: '<i>Kabúl sir-o-chasm'</i> ('Agreed to on our +lives'). The Artillery Subadar declared that his men had no scruples, +and would fire in whichever direction they were required; while the +Infantry Native officers pleaded that they had no power over their +men, and could give no guarantee. Thus, Chamberlain ascertained +that the Cavalry were loyal, the Artillery doubtful, and the Infantry +were only biding their time to mutiny.</p> +<p> +Night after night sepoys, disguised beyond all recognition, attempted +to tamper with the Irregular Cavalry. The Wurdi-<a name="XI2r">Major</a>,<a href="#XI2"><sup>2</sup></a> a particularly<span class="page"><a name="71">[Page 71]</a></span> +fine, handsome <i><a name="XI3r">Ranagar</a></i>,<a href="#XI3"><sup>3</sup></a> begged Chamberlain to hide himself in +his house, that he might hear for himself the open proposals to +mutiny, massacre, and rebellion that were made to him; and the promises +that, if they succeeded in their designs, he (the Wurdi-Major) +should be placed upon the <i><a name="XI4r">gaddi</a></i><a href="#XI4"><sup>4</sup></a> of Multan for his reward. Chamberlain +declined to put himself in such a position, fearing he might not +be able to restrain himself.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Chamberlain's Masterly Conduct</span> +Matters now came to a climax. A Mahomedan Subadar of one of +the Native Infantry regiments laid a plot to murder Chamberlain and +his family. The plot was discovered and frustrated by Chamberlain's +own men, but it became apparent that the only remedy for the fast +increasing evil was to disarm the two Native Infantry regiments. +How was this to be accomplished with no Europeans save a few +gunners anywhere near? Sir John Lawrence was most pressing that +the step should be taken at once; he knew the danger of delay; at the +same time, he thoroughly appreciated the difficulty of the task which +he was urging Chamberlain to undertake, and he readily responded to +the latter's request for a regiment of Punjab Infantry to be sent to him. +The 2nd Punjab Infantry was, therefore, despatched from Dera Ghazi +Khan, and at the same time the 1st Punjab Cavalry arrived from <a name="XI5r">Asni</a>,<a href="#XI5"><sup>5</sup></a> +under Major <a name="XI6r">Hughes</a>,<a href="#XI6"><sup>6</sup></a> who, hearing of Chamberlain's troubles, had +marched to Multan without waiting for orders from superior authority. +The evening of the day on which these troops reached Multan, the +British officers of the several regiments were directed to assemble at +the Deputy-Commissioner's house, when Chamberlain told them of the +communication he had received from Sir John Lawrence, adding that, +having reliable information that the Native Infantry were about to +mutiny, he had settled to disarm them the next morning.</p> +<p> +It was midnight before the meeting broke up. At 4 a.m. the Horse<span class="page"><a name="72">[Page 72]</a></span> +Artillery troop and the two Native Infantry regiments were ordered to +march as if to an ordinary parade. When they had gone about a +quarter of a mile they were halted, and the Punjab troops moved +quietly between them and their lines, thus cutting them off from their +spare ammunition; at the same time the European Artillerymen took +their places with the guns of the Horse Artillery troop, and a carefully +selected body of Sikhs belonging to the 1st Punjab Cavalry, under +Lieutenant John Watson, was told off to advance on the troop and +cut down the gunners if they refused to assist the Europeans to work +the guns.</p> +<p> +Chamberlain then rode up to the Native Infantry regiments, and +after explaining to them the reason for their being disarmed, he gave +the word of command, 'Pile arms!' Thereupon a sepoy of the 62nd +shouted: 'Don't give up your arms; fight for them!' Lieutenant +Thomson, the Adjutant of the regiment, instantly seized him by the +throat and threw him to the ground. The order was repeated, and, +wonderful to relate, obeyed. The Native Infantry regiments were then +marched back to their lines, while the Punjab troops and Chamberlain's +Irregulars remained on the ground until the arms had been carted off +to the fort.</p> +<p> +It was a most critical time, and enough credit has never been given +to Chamberlain. Considering the honours which were bestowed on others +who took more or less conspicuous parts in the Mutiny, he was very +insufficiently rewarded for this timely act of heroism. Had he not shown +such undaunted courage and coolness, or had there been the smallest +hesitation, Multan would certainly have gone. Chamberlain managed +an extremely difficult business in a most masterly manner. His personal +influence insured his own regiment continuing loyal throughout +the Mutiny, and it has now the honour of being the 1st Regiment of +Bengal Cavalry, and the distinction of wearing a different uniform from +every other regiment in the service, being allowed to retain the bright +yellow which the troopers wore when they were first raised by Colonel +James Skinner, and in which they performed such loyal <a name="XI7r">service</a>.<a href="#XI7"><sup>7</sup></a></p> +<p> +At Jhelum and Sialkot it was decided that, as the Native troops had +been considerably reduced in numbers, the danger was not so great as +to require the presence of the Movable Column.</p> +<p> +Umritsar had been made safe for the time, but it was a place the +importance of which could not be over-estimated, and it was thought<span class="page"><a name="73">[Page 73]</a></span> +that keeping a strong column in its vicinity for a few days would +materially strengthen our position there. Moreover, Umritsar lay in +the direct route to Jullundur, where the military authorities had +proved themselves quite unfitted to deal with the emergency. It was +decided, therefore, that Umritsar should be our objective in the first +instance. We marched from Lahore on the 10th June, and reached +Umritsar the following morning.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Nicholson Succeeds <br />N. Chamberlain</span> +News of a severe fight at Badli-ki-Serai had been received, which +increased our anxiety to push on to Delhi, for we feared the place +might be taken before we could get there. But to our mortification it +was decided that the column could not be spared just then even for +Delhi, as there was still work for it in the Punjab. To add to our disappointment, +we had to give up our trusted Commander; for a few +hours after our arrival at Umritsar a telegram came to Neville Chamberlain +offering him the Adjutant-Generalship of the Army in succession +to Colonel Chester, who had been killed at Badli-ki-Serai. He accepted +the offer, and I made certain I should go with him. My chagrin, therefore, +can easily be understood when he told me that I must remain with +the column, as it would be unfair to his successor to take away the staff +officer. We were now all anxiety to learn who that successor should +be, and it was a satisfaction to hear that John Nicholson was the man.</p> +<p> +Chamberlain left for Delhi on the 13th; but Nicholson could not join +for a few days, and as troops were much needed at Jullundur, it was +arranged that the column should move on to that place, under the +temporary command of Campbell, and there await the arrival of the +new Brigadier.</p> +<p> +On my going to Campbell for orders, he informed me that he was no +longer the senior officer with the column, as a Colonel Denniss, junior +to him regimentally, but his senior in army rank, had just rejoined the +52nd. Accordingly I reported myself to Denniss, who, though an +officer of many years' service, had never before held a command, not +even that of a regiment; and, poor man! was considerably taken aback +when he heard that he must be in charge of the column for some +days. He practically left everything to me—a somewhat trying position +for almost the youngest officer in the force. It was under these +circumstances I found what an able man Colonel Campbell really was. +He correctly gauged Denniss's fitness, or rather unfitness, for the command, +and appreciating the awkwardness of my position, advised me so +wisely that I had no difficulty in carrying on the work.</p> +<p> +We reached Jullundur on the 20th, Nicholson taking over command +the same day. He had been given the rank of Brigadier-General, +which removed all grounds for objection on the part of Campbell, and +the two soon learnt to appreciate each other, and became fast friends.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Irresolution at Jullundur</span> +Jullundur was in a state of the greatest confusion. The Native +troops, consisting of a regiment of Light Cavalry and two regiments of<span class="page"><a name="74">[Page 74]</a></span> +Native Infantry, began to show signs of disaffection soon after the outbreak +at Meerut, and from that time until the 7th June, when they +broke into open mutiny, incendiary fires were almost of daily occurrence. +The want of resolution displayed in dealing with the crisis at Jullundur +was one of the regrettable episodes of the Mutiny. The European +garrison consisted of Her Majesty's 8th Foot and a troop of Horse +Artillery. The military authorities had almost a whole month's warning +of the mutinous intentions of the Native troops, but though they had +before them the example of the prompt and successful measures +adopted at Lahore and Peshawar, they failed to take any steps to prevent +the outbreak.</p> +<p> +The Brigadier (Johnstone) was on leave at the commencement of the +Mutiny, and during his absence the treasure was placed in charge of a +European guard, in accordance with instructions from Sir John Lawrence. +This measure was reversed as soon as the Brigadier rejoined, +for fear of showing distrust of the sepoys, and another wise order of +the watchful Chief Commissioner—to disarm the Native troops—was +never carried out. The Commissioner, Major Edward Lake, one of +Henry Lawrence's most capable assistants, had also repeatedly urged +upon Johnstone the advisability of depriving the sepoys of their arms, +but his advice remained unheeded. When the inevitable revolt took +place European soldiers were allowed to be passive spectators while +property was being destroyed, and sepoys to disappear in the darkness +of the night carrying with them their muskets and all the treasure and +plunder they could lay their hands on.</p> +<p> +A futile attempt at pursuit was made the following morning, but, as +will be seen, this was carried out in so half-hearted a manner, that the +mutineers were able to get safely across the Sutlej with their loot, notwithstanding +that the passage of this broad river had to be made by +means of a ferry, where only very few boats were available. Having +reached Philour, the British troops were ordered to push on to Delhi, +and as Jullundur was thus left without protection, Lake gladly +accepted the offer of the Raja of Kapurthala to garrison it with his +own troops.</p> +<p> +There was no doubt as to the loyalty of the Raja himself, and his +sincere desire to help us; but the mismanagement of affairs at +Jullundur had done much to lower our prestige in the eyes of his +people, and there was no mistaking the offensive demeanour of his +troops. They evidently thought that British soldiers had gone never +to return, and they swaggered about in swash-buckler fashion, as only +Natives who think they have the upper hand can swagger.</p> +<p> +It was clearly Lake's policy to keep on good terms with the Kapurthala +people. His position was much strengthened by the arrival of +our column; but we were birds of passage, and might be off at any +moment, so in order to pay a compliment to the officers and principal<span class="page"><a name="75">[Page 75]</a></span> +men with the Kapurthala troops, Lake asked Nicholson to meet them +at his house. Nicholson consented, and a durbar was arranged. I was +present on the occasion, and was witness of rather a curious scene, +illustrative alike of Nicholson and Native character.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">General <br />Mehtab Sing</span> +At the close of the ceremony Mehtab Sing, a general officer in the +Kapurthala Army, took his leave, and, as the senior in rank at the +durbar, was walking out of the room first, when I observed Nicholson +stalk to the door, put himself in front of Mehtab Sing and, waving him +back with an authoritative air, prevent him from leaving the room. +The rest of the company then passed out, and when they had gone, +Nicholson said to Lake: 'Do you see that General Mehtab Sing has +his shoes <a name="XI8r">on</a>?'<a href="#XI8"><sup>8</sup></a> Lake replied that he had noticed the fact, but tried to +excuse it. Nicholson, however, speaking in Hindustani, said: 'There +is no possible excuse for such an act of gross impertinence. Mehtab +Sing knows perfectly well that he would not venture to step on his own +father's carpet save barefooted, and he has only committed this breach +of etiquette to-day because he thinks we are not in a position to resent +the insult, and that he can treat us as he would not have dared to do a +month ago.' Mehtab Sing looked extremely foolish, and stammered +some kind of apology; but Nicholson was not to be appeased, and continued: +'If I were the last Englishman left in Jullundur, you' +(addressing Mehtab Sing) 'should not come into my room with your +shoes on;' then, politely turning to Lake, he added, 'I hope the Commissioner +will now allow me to order you to take your shoes off and +carry them out in your own hands, so that your followers may witness +your discomfiture.' Mehtab Sing, completely cowed, meekly did as he +was told.</p> +<p> +Although in the kindness of his heart Lake had at first endeavoured +to smooth matters over, he knew Natives well, and he readily admitted +the wisdom of Nicholson's action. Indeed, Nicholson's uncompromising +bearing on this occasion proved a great help to Lake, for it had +the best possible effect upon the Kapurthala people; their manner at +once changed, all disrespect vanished, and there was no more swaggering +about as if they considered themselves masters of the situation.</p> +<p> +Five or six years after this occurrence I was one of a pig-sticking +party at Kapurthala, given by the Raja in honour of the Commander-in-Chief, +Sir Hugh <a name="XI9r">Rose</a>.<a href="#XI9"><sup>9</sup></a> When riding home in the evening I found +myself close to the elephant on which our host and the Chief were +sitting. The conversation happening to turn on the events of the +Mutiny, I asked what had become of General Mehtab Sing. The +Raja, pointing to an elephant a little distance off on which two Native +gentlemen were riding, said, 'There he is.' I recognized the General,<span class="page"><a name="76">[Page 76]</a></span> +and making him a salaam, which he politely returned, I said to him, +'I have not had the pleasure of meeting you since those hot days in +June, 1857, when I was at Jullundur.' The Raja then asked me if I +knew Nicholson. On my telling him I had been his staff officer, and +with him at the durbar at Lake <i>Sahib's</i> house, the Raja laughed +heartily, and said, 'Oh! then you saw Mehtab Sing made to walk out +of the room with his shoes in his hand? We often chaff him about +that little affair, and tell him that he richly deserved the treatment he +received from the great Nicholson <i>Sahib</i>.'</p> +<p> +Sir Hugh Rose was greatly interested in the story, which he made +me repeat to him as soon as we got back to camp, and he was as much +struck as I was with this spontaneous testimony of a leading Native to +the wisdom of Nicholson's procedure.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Nicholson's Soldierly Instincts</span> +On taking over command, Nicholson's first care was to establish an +effective system of intelligence, by means of which he was kept +informed of what was going on in the neighbouring districts; and, +fully recognizing the necessity for rapid movement in the event of any +sudden emergency, he organized a part of his force into a small flying +column, the infantry portion of which was to be carried in <i><a name="XI10r">ekkas</a></i>.<a href="#XI10"><sup>10</sup></a> I +was greatly impressed by Nicholson's knowledge of military affairs. +He seemed always to know exactly what to do and the best way to do +it. This was the more remarkable because, though a soldier by profession, +his training had been chiefly that of a civilian—a civilian of +the frontier, however, where his soldierly instincts had been fostered in +his dealing with a lawless and unruly people, and where he had +received a training which was now to stand him in good stead. +Nicholson was a born Commander, and this was felt by every officer +and man with the column before he had been amongst them many +days.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">More Disarmaments</span> +The Native troops with the column had given no trouble since we +left Lahore. We were travelling in the direction they desired to go, +which accounted for their remaining quiet; but Nicholson, realizing +the danger of having them in our midst, and the probability of their +refusing to turn away from Delhi in the event of our having to retrace +our steps, resolved to disarm the 35th. The civil authorities in the +district urged that the same course should be adopted with the 33rd, a +Native Infantry regiment at Hoshiarpur, about twenty-seven miles +from Jullundur, which it had been decided should join the column. +The Native soldiers with the column already exceeded the Europeans +in number, and as the addition of another regiment would make the +odds against us very serious, it was arranged to disarm the 35th before +the 33rd joined us.</p> +<p> +We left Jullundur on the 24th June, and that afternoon, accompanied +by the Deputy-Commissioner of the district, I rode to Philour<span class="page"><a name="77">[Page 77]</a></span> +to choose a place for the disarming parade. The next morning we +started early, the Europeans heading the column, and when they +reached the ground we had selected they took up a position on the +right of the road, the two batteries in the centre and the 52nd in wings +on either flank. The guns were unlimbered and prepared for action. +On the left of the road was a <a name="XI11r">serai</a>,<a href="#XI11"><sup>11</sup></a> behind which the officer commanding +the 35th was told to take his regiment, and, as he cleared it, +to wheel to the right, thus bringing his men in column of companies +facing the line of Europeans. This manœuvre being accomplished, I +was ordered to tell the commanding officer that the regiment was to be +disarmed, and that the men were to pile arms and take off their belts. +The sepoys and their British officers were equally taken aback; the +latter had received no information of what was going to happen, while +the former had cherished the hope that they would be able to cross the +Sutlej, and thence slip off with their arms to Delhi.</p> +<p> +I thought I could discover relief in the British officers' faces, certainly +in that of Major Younghusband, the Commandant, and when I gave +him the General's order, he murmured, 'Thank God!' He had been +with the 35th for thirty-three years; he had served with it at the siege +of Bhurtpore, throughout the first Afghan war, and in Sale's defence of +Jalalabad; he had been proud of his old corps, but knowing probably +that his men could no longer be trusted, he rejoiced to feel that they +were not to be given the opportunity for further disgracing <a name="XI12r">themselves</a>.<a href="#XI12"><sup>12</sup></a> +The sepoys obeyed the command without a word, and in a few minutes +their muskets and belts were all packed in carts and taken off to the +fort.</p> +<p> +As the ceremony was completed, the 33rd arrived and was dealt with +in a similar manner; but the British officers of this regiment did not +take things so quietly—they still believed in their men, and the +Colonel, Sandeman, trusted them to any extent. He had been with +the regiment for more than two-and-thirty years, and had commanded +it throughout the Sutlej campaign. On hearing the General's order, he +exclaimed: 'What! disarm my regiment? I will answer with my +life for the loyalty of every man!' On my repeating the order the +poor old fellow burst into tears. His son, the late Sir Robert Sandeman, +who was an Ensign in the regiment at the time, told me afterwards +how terribly his father felt the disgrace inflicted upon the +regiment of which he was so proud.</p> +<p> +It was known that the wing of the 9th Light Cavalry was in communication +with the mutineers at Delhi, and that the men were only +waiting their opportunity; so they would also certainly have been disarmed +at this time, but for the idea that such a measure might have a<span class="page"><a name="78">[Page 78]</a></span> +bad effect on the other wing, which still remained at Sialkot. The +turn of this regiment, however, came a few days later.</p> +<p> +Up till this time we all hoped that Delhi was our destination, but, +greatly to our surprise and disappointment, orders came that morning +directing the column to return to Umritsar; the state of the Punjab +was causing considerable anxiety, as there were several stations at +which Native corps still remained in possession of their arms.</p> +<p> +The same afternoon I was in the Philour fort with Nicholson, when +the telegraph-signaller gave him a copy of a message from Sir Henry +Barnard to the authorities in the Punjab, begging that all Artillery +officers not doing regimental duty might be sent to Delhi, where their +services were urgently required. I at once felt that this message +applied to me. I had been longing to find myself at Delhi, and lived +in perpetual dread of its being captured before I could get there; now +at last my hopes seemed about to be realized in a legitimate manner, +but, on the other hand, I did not like the idea of leaving Nicholson—the +more closely I was associated with him the more I was attracted +by him—and I am always proud to remember that he did not wish to +part with me. He agreed, however, that my first duty was to my +regiment, and only stipulated that before leaving him I should find +someone to take my place, as he did not know a single officer with the +column. This I was able to arrange, and that evening Nicholson and +I dined <i>tête-à-tête</i>. At dawn the next morning I left by mail-cart for +Delhi, my only kit being a small bundle of bedding, saddle and bridle, +my servants having orders to follow with my horses, tents, and other +belongings.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XII">XII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />George Ricketts at Ludhiana</span> +The mail-cart rattled across the bridge of boats, and in less than an +hour I found myself at Ludhiana, at the house of George <a name="XII1r">Ricketts</a>,<a href="#XII1"><sup>1</sup></a> +the Deputy Commissioner. Ricketts's bungalow was a resting-place +for everyone passing through <i>en route</i> to Delhi. In one room I +found Lieutenant Williams of the 4th Sikhs, who had been dangerously +wounded three weeks before, while assisting Ricketts to prevent the +Jullundur mutineers from crossing the Sutlej.</p> +<p> +While I was eating my breakfast, Ricketts sat down by my side and +recounted a stirring tale of all that had happened at Philour and +Ludhiana consequent on the rising of the Native regiments at Jullundur. +The mutineers had made, in the first instance, for Philour, a small +cantonment, but important from the fact of its containing a fair-sized<span class="page"><a name="79">[Page 79]</a></span> +magazine, and from its situation, commanding the passage of the +Sutlej. It was garrisoned by the 3rd Native Infantry, which furnished +the sole guard over the magazine—a danger which, as I have mentioned, +had fortunately been recognized by the Commander-in-Chief when he +first heard of the outbreak at Meerut. The men of the 3rd remained +quiet, and even did good service in helping to drag the guns of the +siege-train across the river, and in guarding the treasury, until the +mutineers from Jullundur arrived on the 8th June. They then gave +their British officers warning to leave them, saying they did not mean +to injure them or their property, but they had determined they would +no longer serve the <i>Sirkar</i>. Twelve British officers (there could not +have been more), confronted by 3,000 sepoys, felt themselves powerless, +and retired to the fort.</p> +<p> +Ricketts had with him at that time an assistant named <a name="XII2r">Thornton</a>,<a href="#XII2"><sup>2</sup></a> +who had gone to Philour to lodge some money in the treasury. This +officer had started to ride back to Ludhiana, when he suddenly became +aware of what had happened, and how perilous was the position. Had +he consulted his own safety, he would have returned and taken refuge +in the fort, instead of which he galloped on, having to pass close by the +mutineers, until he reached the bridge of boats, which, with admirable +coolness and presence of mind, he cut behind him, then, hurrying on, +he informed Ricketts of what had taken place; and that the rebels might +shortly be expected to attempt the passage of the river. Fortunately +the 4th Sikhs from Abbottabad had that very morning marched into +Ludhiana, and Ricketts hoped, with their assistance, to hold the sepoys +in check until the arrival of the British troops, which he believed must +have been despatched from Jullundur in pursuit of the mutineers.</p> +<p> +The garrison of Ludhiana consisted of a detachment of the 3rd Native +Infantry, guarding the fort, in which was stored a large amount of +powder. The detachment was commanded by Lieutenant Yorke, who, +on hearing Thornton's story, went at once to the fort. He was much +liked by his men, who received him quite civilly, but told him they +knew that their regiment had joined the rebels from Jullundur, and +that they themselves could no longer obey his orders. Ricketts then +understood that he had but the 4th Sikhs and a small party of troops +belonging to the Raja of Nabha to depend upon. There were only two +officers with the 4th Sikhs—Captain Rothney, in command, and +Lieutenant Williams, the Adjutant. Taking three companies of the +regiment under Williams, and two guns of the Nabha Artillery, one +dragged by camels, the other by horses, Ricketts started off towards +the bridge of boats. Galloping on alone, he found that the gap in the +bridge made by Thornton had not been repaired, which proved that the +rebels had not crossed by that passage, at all events. He widened the<span class="page"><a name="80">[Page 80]</a></span> +gap by cutting adrift some more boats, and then had himself ferried +across the river, in order to ascertain the exact state of affairs at +Philour. He learnt that no tidings had been received of any British +troops having been sent from Jullundur in pursuit of the mutineers, +who, having failed to get across the bridge, owing to Thornton's timely +action, had gone to a ferry reported to be three miles up the river.</p> +<p> +Ricketts recrossed the river as quickly as he could, and joined +Williams. It was then getting dark, but, hoping they might still be in +time to check the rebels, they pushed on in the direction of the ferry, +which proved to be nearer six than three miles away. The ground was +rough and broken, as is always the case on the banks of Indian rivers, +swollen as they often are by torrents from the hills, which leave behind +boulders and debris of all kinds. They made but little way; one of +the gun-camels fell lame, the guides disappeared, and they began to +despair of reaching the ferry in time, when suddenly there was a +challenge and they know they were too late. The sepoys had succeeded +in crossing the river and were bivouacking immediately in front of them.</p> +<p> +It was not a pleasant position, but it had to be made the best of; +and both the civilian and the soldier agreed that their only chance was +to fight. Williams opened fire with his Infantry, and Ricketts took +command of the guns. At the first discharge the horses bolted with +the limber, and never appeared again; almost at the same moment +Williams fell, shot through the body. Ricketts continued the fight +until his ammunition was completely expended, when he was reluctantly +obliged to retire to a village in the neighbourhood, but not until he had +killed, as he afterwards discovered, about fifty of the enemy.</p> +<p> +Ricketts returned to Ludhiana early the next morning, and later in +the day the mutineers passed through the city. They released some +500 prisoners who were in the gaol, and helped themselves to what +food they wanted, but they did not enter the cantonment or the fort. +The gallant little attempt to close the passage of the Sutlej was entirely +frustrated, owing to the inconceivable want of energy displayed by the +so-called 'pursuing force'; had it pushed on, the rebels must have been +caught in the act of crossing the river, when Ricketts's small party +might have afforded considerable help. The Europeans from Jullundur +reached Philour before dark on the 8th; they heard the firing of +Ricketts's guns, but no attempt was made by the officer in command +to ascertain the cause, and they came leisurely on to Ludhiana the +following day.</p> +<p> +Having listened with the greatest interest to Ricketts's story, and +refreshed the inner man, I resumed my journey, and reached Umballa +late in the afternoon of the 27th, not sorry to get under shelter, for the +monsoon, which had been threatening for some days past, burst with +great fury as I was leaving Ludhiana.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Pushing on to Delhi</span> +On driving to the dâk-bungalow I found it crowded with officers,<span class="page"><a name="81">[Page 81]</a></span> +some of whom had been waiting there for days for an opportunity to +go on to Delhi; they laughed at me when I expressed my intention of +proceeding at once, and told me that the seats on the mail-carts had to +be engaged several days in advance, and that I might make up my +mind to stay where I was for some time to come. I was not at all +prepared for this, and I determined to get on by hook or by crook; as +a preliminary measure, I made friends with the postmaster, from +whose office the mail-carts started. From him I learnt that my only +chance was to call upon the Deputy-Commissioner, by whose orders +the seats were distributed. I took the postmaster's advice, and thus +became acquainted with Douglas Forsyth, who in later years made a +name for himself by his energetic attempts to establish commercial +relations with Yarkand and Kashgar. Forsyth confirmed what I had +already heard, but told me that an extra cart was to be despatched that +night, laden with small-arm ammunition, on which I could, if I liked, +get a seat, adding: 'Your kit must be of the smallest, as there will be +no room for anything inside the cart.'</p> +<p> +I returned to the dâk-bungalow, overjoyed at my success, to find +myself quite an important personage, with everyone my friend, like +the boy at school who is the lucky recipient of a hamper from home. +'Take me with you!' was the cry on all sides. Only two others +besides the driver and myself could possibly go, and then only by +carrying our kits in our laps. It was finally arranged that Captain +Law and Lieutenant Packe should be my companions. Packe was +lamed for life by a shot through his ankle before we had been forty-eight +hours at Delhi, and Law was killed on the 23rd July, having +greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry and coolness under fire +during the short time he served with the force.</p> +<p> +We got to Kurnal soon after daybreak on the 28th. It was occupied +by a few of the Raja of Jhind's troops, a Commissariat officer, and one +or two civilians, who were trying to keep the country quiet and collect +supplies. Before noon we passed through Panipat, where there was a +strong force of Patiala and Jhind troops, and early in the afternoon we +reached Alipur. Here our driver pulled up, declaring he would go no +further. A few days before there had been a sharp fight on the road +between Alipur and Delhi, not far from Badli-ki-Serai, where the +battle of the 8th June had taken place, and as the enemy were +constantly on the road threatening the rear of the besieging force, the +driver did not consider it safe to go on. We could not, however, stop +at Alipur, so after some consultation we settled to take the mail-cart +ponies and ride on to camp. We could hear the boom of guns at +intervals, and as we neared Delhi we came across several dead bodies +of the enemy. It is a curious fact that most of these bodies were +exactly like mummies; there was nothing disagreeable about them.</p> +<p> +Why this should have been the case I cannot say, but I often wished<span class="page"><a name="82">[Page 82]</a></span> +during the remainder of the campaign that the atmospheric influences, +which, I presume, had produced this effect, could assert themselves +more frequently.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">In the Camp before Delhi</span> +We stopped for a short time to look at the position occupied by the +enemy at Badli-ki-Serai; but none of us were in the mood to enjoy +sight-seeing. We had never been to Delhi before, and had but the +vaguest notion where the Ridge (the position our force was holding) +was, or how the city was situated with regard to our camp. The +sound of heavy firing became louder and louder, and we knew that +fighting must be going on. The driver had solemnly warned us of the +risk we were running in continuing our journey, and when we came to +the point where the Grand Trunk Road bifurcates, one branch going +direct to the city and the other through the cantonment, we halted for +a few minutes to discuss which we should take. Fortunately for us, +we settled to follow that which led to the cantonment, and, as it was +then getting dark, we pushed on as fast as our tired ponies could go. +The relief to us when we found ourselves safe inside our own piquets +may be imagined. My father's old staff-officer, Henry Norman, who +was then Assistant-Adjutant-General at Head-Quarters, kindly asked +me to share his tent until I could make other arrangements. He had +no bed to offer me, but I required none, as I was thoroughly tired out, +and all I wanted was a spot on which to throw myself down. A good +night's rest quite set me up. I awoke early, scarcely able to believe in +my good fortune. I was actually at Delhi, and the city was still in the +possession of the mutineers.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XIII">XIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +Before entering on the narrative of what came under my own +observation during the three months I was at Delhi, I will relate what +took place after Sir Henry Barnard succeeded General Anson in +command on the 26th May, and how the little British force maintained +itself against almost overwhelming odds during the first three weeks +of that memorable siege.</p> +<p> +Barnard had served as Chief of the Staff in the Crimea, and had +held various staff appointments in England; but he was an utter +stranger to India, having only arrived in the country a few weeks +before. He fully realized the difficulties of the position to which he +had so unexpectedly succeeded, for he was aware how unjustly Anson +was being judged by those who, knowing nothing of war, imagined he +could have started to attack Delhi with scarcely more preparation than +would have been necessary for a morning's parade. The officers of the +column were complete strangers to him, and he to them, and he was<span class="page"><a name="83">[Page 83]</a></span> +ignorant of the characteristics and capabilities of the Native portion of +his troops. It must, therefore, have been with an anxious heart that +he took over the command.</p> +<p> +One of Barnard's first acts was to get rid of the unreliable element +which Anson had brought away from Umballa. The Infantry he sent +to Rohtuk, where it shortly afterwards mutinied, and the Cavalry to +Meerut. That these troops should have been allowed to retain their +weapons is one of the mysteries of the Mutiny. For more than two +months their insubordination had been apparent, incendiarism had +occurred which had been clearly traced to them, and they had even +gone so far as to fire at their officers; both John Lawrence and Robert +Montgomery had pressed upon the Commander-in-Chief the advisability +of disarming them; but General Anson, influenced by the regimental +officers, who could not believe in the disaffection of their men, had not +grasped the necessity for this precautionary measure. The European +soldiers with the column, however, did not conceal their mistrust of +these sepoys, and Barnard acted wisely in sending them away; but it +was extraordinary that they should have been allowed to keep their +arms.</p> +<p> +On the 5th June Barnard reached Alipur, within ten miles of Delhi, +where he decided to await the arrival of the siege-train and the troops +from Meerut.</p> +<p> +The Meerut brigade, under Brigadier Wilson, had started on the +27th May. It consisted of two squadrons of the Carabineers, <a name="XIII1r">Tombs</a>'s<a href="#XIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> +troop of Horse Artillery, Scott's Field Battery and two 18-pounder +guns, a wing of the 1st Battalion 60th Rifles, a few Native Sappers +and Miners, and a detachment of Irregular Horse.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The First Victory</span> +Early on the 30th the village of Ghazi-u-din-nagar (now known as +Ghaziabad) close to the Hindun river, and about eleven miles from +Delhi, was reached. Thence it was intended to make a reconnaissance +towards Delhi, but about four o'clock in the afternoon a vedette +reported that the enemy were approaching in strength. A very careless +look-out had been kept, for almost simultaneously with the report a +round shot came tumbling into camp. The troops fell in as quickly as +possible, and the Artillery came into action. The Rifles crossed the +Hindun suspension bridge, and, under cover of our guns, attacked the +enemy, who were strongly posted in a village. From this position +they were speedily dislodged, and the victory was complete. Seven +hundred British soldiers defeated seven times their number, capturing +five guns and a large quantity of ammunition and stores. Our loss +was one officer and ten men killed, and one officer and eighteen men +wounded.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate6">[plate 6]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/06-mgensirhtombs.jpg" width="350" height="445" alt="Major-General Sir Harry Tombs, V.C., G.C.B." border="0" /><br /><br /> + <b>PORTRAIT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR HARRY TOMBS, V.C., G.C.B.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a Photograph by Messrs. Grillet and Co.</i></span> +</p> +<br /><br /> + +<p> +The following day (Sunday) the enemy reappeared about noon, but<span class="page"><a name="84">[Page 84]</a></span> +after two hours' fighting they were again routed, and on our troops +occupying their position, they could be seen in full retreat towards +Delhi. The rebels succeeded in taking their guns with them, for our +men, prostrated by the intense heat and parched with thirst, were quite +unable to pursue. We had one officer and eleven men killed, and two +officers and ten men wounded. Among the latter was an ensign of the +60th Rifles, a boy named Napier, a most gallant young fellow, full of +life and spirit, who had won the love as well as the admiration of his +men. He was hit in the leg, and the moment he was brought into +camp it had to be amputated. When the operation was over, Napier +was heard to murmur, 'I shall never lead the Rifles again! I shall +never lead the Rifles again!' His wound he thought little of. What +grieved him was the idea of having to give up his career as a soldier, +and to leave the regiment he was so proud of. Napier was taken to +Meerut, where he died a few days <a name="XIII2r">afterwards</a>.<a href="#XIII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +On the 1st June Wilson's force was strengthened by the Sirmur +battalion of <a name="XIII3r">Gurkhas</a>,<a href="#XIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> a regiment which later covered itself with glory, +and gained an undying name by its gallantry during the siege of Delhi.</p> +<p> +On the 7th June Wilson's brigade crossed the Jumna at Baghput, +and at Alipur it joined Barnard's force, the men of which loudly +cheered their Meerut comrades as they marched into camp with the +captured guns. The siege-train had arrived the previous day, and +Barnard was now ready for an advance. His force consisted of about +600 Cavalry and 2,400 Infantry, with 22 field-guns. There were +besides 150 European Artillerymen, chiefly recruits, with the siege-train, +which comprised eight 18-pounders, four 8-inch and twelve +5½ inch mortars. The guns, if not exactly obsolete, were quite unsuited +for the work that had to be done, but they were the best procurable. +George Campbell, in his 'Memoirs of my Indian Career,' +thus describes the siege-train as he saw it passing through Kurnal: 'I +could not help thinking that it looked a very trumpery affair with +which to bombard and take a great fortified city;' and he expressed his +'strong belief that Delhi would never be taken by that battery.'</p> +<p> +Barnard heard that the enemy intended to oppose his march to +Delhi, and in order to ascertain their exact position he sent Lieutenant +Hodson (who had previously done good service for the Commander-in-Chief +by opening communication with Meerut) to reconnoitre the road. +Hodson reported that the rebels were in force at Badli-ki-Serai a little +more than halfway between Alipur and Delhi. Orders were accordingly +issued for an advance at midnight on the 7th June.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Enthusiasm Amongst the Troops</span> +When it became known that a battle was imminent, there was great +enthusiasm amongst the troops, who were burning to avenge the +massacres of Meerut and Delhi. The sick in hospital declared they<span class="page"><a name="85">[Page 85]</a></span> +would remain there no longer, and many, quite unfit to walk, insisted +on accompanying the attacking column, imploring their comrades not +to mention that they were ill, for fear they should not be allowed to +take part in the <a name="XIII4r">fight</a>.<a href="#XIII4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +The mutineers had selected an admirable position on both sides of +the main road. To their right was a serai and a walled village capable +of holding large numbers of Infantry, and protected by an impassable +swamp. To their left, on some rising ground, a sand-bag battery for +four heavy guns and an 8-inch mortar had been constructed. On both +sides the ground was swampy and intersected by water-cuts, and about +a mile to the enemy's left, and nearly parallel to the road, ran the +Western Jumna Canal.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Barnard's Success at <br />Badli-ki-Serai</span> +At the hour named, Brigadier Hope <a name="XIII5r">Grant</a>,<a href="#XIII5"><sup>5</sup></a> commanding the +Cavalry, started with ten Horse Artillery guns, three squadrons of the +9th Lancers, and fifty Jhind horsemen under Lieutenant Hodson, with +the object of turning the enemy's left flank. Shortly afterwards the +main body marched along the road until the lights in the enemy's +camp became visible. Colonel Showers, who had succeeded Hallifax +in the command of the 1st <a name="XIII6r">Brigade</a>,<a href="#XIII6"><sup>6</sup></a> moved off to the right of the road, +and Colonel Graves, who had taken Jones's place with the 2nd <a name="XIII7r">Brigade</a>,<a href="#XIII7"><sup>7</sup></a> +to the left. The heavy guns remained on the road with a battery of +Field Artillery on either flank. Just as day broke our guns advanced, +but before they were in position the fight began by a cannonade from +the rebel Artillery, which caused us severe loss. To this destructive +fire no adequate reply could be made; our guns were too few and of +too small calibre. To add to our difficulties, the Native bullock-drivers +of our heavy guns went off with their cattle, and one of the waggons +blew up. At this critical moment Barnard ordered Showers to charge +the enemy's guns, a service which was performed with heroic gallantry +by Her Majesty's 75th Foot, who carried the position at the point of +the bayonet, with a loss of 19 officers and men killed and 43 wounded. +Then, supported by the 1st Fusiliers, the same regiment dashed across +the road and burst open the gates of the serai. A desperate fight +ensued, but the sepoys were no match for British bayonets, and they +now learnt that their misdeeds were not to be allowed to go unpunished. +Graves's brigade, having passed round the <i><a name="XIII8r">jhil</a></i>,<a href="#XIII8"><sup>8</sup></a> appeared on the +enemy's right rear, while Grant with his Cavalry and Horse Artillery +threatened their left. The defeat was complete, and the rebels retreated +hastily towards Delhi, leaving their guns on the ground.</p> +<p> +Although the men were much exhausted, Barnard determined to<span class="page"><a name="86">[Page 86]</a></span> +push on, for he feared that if he delayed the rebels might rally, and +occupy another strong position.</p> +<p> +From the cross-roads just beyond Badli-ki-Serai could be seen the +Ridge on which the British force was to hold its own for more than +three months during the heat of an Indian summer, and under the rain +of an Indian monsoon. At this point two columns were formed, Barnard +taking command of the one, which proceeded to the left towards +the cantonment, and Wilson of the other, which moved along the city +road. Wilson's column fought its way through gardens and enclosures +until it reached the western extremity of the Ridge. Barnard, as he +came under the fire of the enemy's guns, made a flank movement to +the left, and then, wheeling to his right, swept along the Ridge from +the Flagstaff Tower to Hindu Rao's house, where the two columns +united, the rebels flying before them.</p> +<p> +Barnard had achieved a great success and with comparatively small +loss, considering the formidable position occupied by the enemy, their +great strength in Artillery, and their superiority in numbers.</p> +<p> +Our casualties were 51 killed and 131 wounded. Among the former +was Colonel Chester, the Adjutant-General of the Army. Of the troops +opposed to us it was reckoned that 1,000 never returned to Delhi; +thirteen guns were captured, two of them being 24-pounders.</p> +<p> +I have frequently wandered over the Ridge since 1857, and thought +how wonderfully we were aided by finding a ready-made position—not +only a coign of vantage for attack, but a rampart of defence, as <a name="XIII9r">Forrest</a><a href="#XIII9"><sup>9</sup></a> +describes it. This Ridge, rising sixty feet above the city, covered the +main line of communication to the Punjab, upon the retention of which +our very existence as a force depended. Its left rested on the Jumna, +unfordable from the time the snow on the higher ranges begins to melt +until the rainy season is over, and of sufficient width to prevent our +being enfiladed by field-guns; although, on the immediate right, bazaars, +buildings, and garden-walls afforded cover to the enemy, the enclosed +nature of the ground was so far advantageous that it embarrassed and +impeded them in their attempts to organize an attack in force upon +our flank or rear; and a further protection was afforded by the +Najafgarh <i>jhil</i>, which during the rains submerges a vast area of land.</p> +<p> +The distance of the Ridge from the city walls varied considerably. +On our right, where the memorial monument now stands, it was about +1,200 yards, at the Flagstaff Tower about a mile and a half, and at the +end near the river nearly two miles and a half. This rendered our left +comparatively safe, and it was behind the Ridge in this direction that +the main part of our camp was pitched. The Flagstaff Tower in the +centre was the general rendezvous for the non-combatants, and for +those of the sick and wounded who were able to move about, as they<span class="page"><a name="87">[Page 87]</a></span> +could assemble there and hear the news from the front without much +risk of injury from the enemy's fire.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Flagstaff Tower</span> +The Flagstaff Tower is interesting from the fact that it was here the +residents from the cantonment of Delhi assembled to make a stand, +on hearing that the rebels from Meerut were murdering the British +officers on duty within the city, that the three Native regiments and +battery of Field Artillery had joined the mutineers, and that at any +moment they themselves might expect to be attacked. The tower was +150 feet high, with a low parapet running round the top, approached +by a narrow winding staircase. Here the men of the party proposed +to await the attack. The ladies, who behaved with the utmost coolness +and presence of mind, were, with the wives and children of the few +European non-commissioned officers, placed for their greater safety on +the stairs, where they were all but suffocated by the stifling heat in +such a confined space. The little party on the roof consisted of some +twenty British officers, the same number of half-caste buglers and +drummers, and half a dozen European soldiers. Not a drop of water, +not a particle of food, was to be had. No help appeared to be coming +from Meerut, in the direction of which place many a longing and +expectant glance had been cast during the anxious hours of that +miserable 11th May. Constant and heavy firing was heard from the +city and suburbs, and the Cavalry were reported to be advancing on +the cantonment.</p> +<p> +Before evening the weary watchers realized that their position was +untenable, and that their only possible chance of escaping the fate +which had befallen the officers within the city (whose dead bodies had +been inhumanly sent in a cart to the Tower) lay in flight. Shortly +before dark the move was made, the women and children were crowded +into the few vehicles available, and accompanied by the men, some on +foot and some on horseback, they got away by the road leading +towards Umballa. They were only just in time, for before the last of +the party were out of sight of the cantonment, crowds of Natives +poured into it, burning, plundering, and destroying everything they +could find.</p> +<p> +Amongst the fugitives from Delhi was Captain Tytler, of the 38th +Native Infantry, who, after a variety of vicissitudes, reached Umballa +safely with his wife and children. When Anson's force was being +formed for the advance on Delhi, Tytler was placed in charge of the +military treasure chest, and through some unaccountable negligence +Mrs. Tytler was allowed to accompany him. I believe that, when +Mrs. Tytler's presence became known to the authorities, she would have +been sent out of camp to some safe place, but at that time she was not +in a fit state to travel, and on the 21st June, a few days after the force +took up its position under a heavy cannonade, she gave birth to a son in +the waggon in which she was accommodated. The infant, who was<span class="page"><a name="88">[Page 88]</a></span> +christened Stanley Delhi Force, seems to have been looked upon by +the soldiery with quite a superstitious feeling, for the father tells us +that soon after its birth he overheard a soldier say; 'Now we shall get +our reinforcements; this camp was formed to avenge the blood of +innocents, and the first reinforcement sent to us is a new-born infant.' +Reinforcements did actually arrive the next day.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Position on the Ridge</span> +It was on the afternoon of the 8th June that the British force was +placed in position on the Ridge. The main piquet was established at +Hindu Rao's house, a large stone building, in former days the country +residence of some Mahratta Chief. About one hundred and eighty +yards further to the left was the observatory, near which our heavy +gun battery was erected. Beyond the observatory was an old Pathan +mosque, in which was placed an Infantry piquet with two field-guns. +Still further to the left came the Flagstaff Tower, held by a party of +Infantry with two more field-guns. At the extreme right of the +Ridge, overlooking the trunk road, there was a strong piquet with a +heavy battery.</p> +<p> +This was the weak point of our defence. To the right, and somewhat +to the rear, was the suburb of Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market), a succession +of houses and walled gardens, from which the rebels constantly +threatened our flank. To protect this part of the position as much as +possible, a battery of three 18-pounders and an Infantry piquet was +placed on what was known as the General's Mound, with a Cavalry +piquet and two Horse Artillery guns immediately below. In front of +the Ridge the ground was covered with old buildings, enclosures, and +clumps of trees, which afforded only too perfect shelter to the enemy +when making their sorties.</p> +<p> +As described by the Commanding Engineer, 'the eastern face of +Delhi rests on the Jumna, and at the season of the year during which +our operations were carried on, the stream may be described as washing +the face of the walls. The river front was therefore inaccessible +to the besieging force, while at the same time the mutineers +and the inhabitants of the city could communicate freely across the +river by means of the bridge of boats and ferries. This rendered it +impossible for us to invest Delhi, even if there had been a sufficient +number of troops for the purpose. We were only able, indeed, to +direct our attack against a small portion of the city wall, while throughout +the siege the enemy could freely communicate with, and procure +supplies from, the surrounding country.</p> +<p> +'On the river front the defences consisted of an irregular wall with +occasional bastions and towers, and about one half of the length of this +face was occupied by the palace of the King of Delhi and its outwork, +the old Moghul fort of Selimgarh.</p> +<p> +'The remaining defences consisted of a succession of bastioned +fronts, the connecting curtains being very long, and the outworks<span class="page"><a name="89">[Page 89]</a></span> +limited to one crown-work at the Ajmir gate, and Martello towers +mounting a single gun, at the points where additional flanking fire to +that given by the bastions themselves was <a name="XIII10r">required</a>.'<a href="#XIII10"><sup>10</sup></a></p> +<p> +The above description will give some idea of the strength of the +great city which the British force had come to capture. For more than +two months, however, our energies were devoted not to capturing the +city, but to defending ourselves, having to be ever on the watch to +guard our communication with the Punjab, and to repel the enemy's +almost daily sorties.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Defences of Delhi</span> +The defences of Delhi, which remain almost unaltered up to the +present day, were modernized forms of the ancient works that existed +when the city fell before Lord Lake's army in 1803. These works had +been strengthened and improved some years before the Mutiny by +Lieutenant Robert <a name="XIII11r">Napier</a>.<a href="#XIII11"><sup>11</sup></a> How thoroughly and effectually that +talented and distinguished Engineer performed the duty entrusted to +him, we who had to attack Delhi could testify to our cost.</p> +<p> +Barnard was not left long in doubt as to the intentions of the rebels, +who, the very afternoon on which he occupied the Ridge, attacked +Hindu Rao's house, where the Sirmur battalion, two companies of the +60th Rifles, and two of Scott's guns had been placed. The enemy +were driven off before dark. The following day they began to cannonade +from the city walls, and in the afternoon repeated their attack.</p> +<p> +That same morning a welcome reinforcement reached camp, the +famous Corps of Guides having arrived as fresh as if they had returned +from an ordinary field day, instead of having come off a march of +nearly 600 miles, accomplished in the incredibly short time of twenty-two +days, at the most trying season of the year. The General, having +inspected them, said a few words of encouragement to the men, who +begged their gallant Commandant to say how proud they were to +belong to the Delhi Force. Their usefulness was proved that same +afternoon, when, in support of the piquets, they engaged the enemy in<span class="page"><a name="90">[Page 90]</a></span> +a hand-to-hand contest, and drove them back to the city.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Quintin Battye</span> +It was close up to the walls that Quintin Battye, the dashing Commander +of the Guides Cavalry, received his mortal wound. He was +the brightest and cheeriest of companions, and although only a subaltern +of eight years' service, he was a great loss. I spent a few hours +with him on my way to Delhi, and I remember how his handsome face +glowed when he talked of the opportunities for distinguishing themselves +in store for the Guides. Proud of his regiment, and beloved by +his men, who, grand fellows themselves, were captivated by his many +soldierly qualities, he had every prospect before him of a splendid +career, but he was destined to fall in his first fight. He was curiously +fond of quotations, and the last words he uttered were '<i>Dulce et +decorum est pro patriâ mori</i>.'</p> +<p> +While our Infantry and Field Artillery were busily engaged with the +enemy, the few heavy guns we had were put in position on the Ridge. +Great things were hoped from them, but it was soon found that they +were not powerful enough to silence the enemy's fire, and that our +small supply of ammunition was being rapidly <a name="XIII12r">expended</a>.<a href="#XIII12"><sup>12</sup></a> The rebels' +guns were superior in number and some in calibre to ours, and were +well served by the Native Artillerymen whom we had been at such +pains to teach. Barnard discovered, too, that his deficiencies in men +and <i>matériel</i> prevented regular approaches being made. There were +only 150 Native Sappers and Miners with our force, and Infantry +could not be spared for working parties.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Gallant Little Gurkhas</span> +On the 10th June another determined attack was made on Hindu +Rao's house, which was repulsed by the Sirmur battalion of Gurkhas +under its distinguished Commandant, Major <a name="XIII13r">Reid</a>.<a href="#XIII13"><sup>13</sup></a> The mutineers +quite hoped that the Gurkhas would join them, and as they were +advancing they called out: 'We are not firing; we want to speak to +you; we want you to join us.' The little Gurkhas replied, 'Oh yes; +we are coming,' on which they advanced to within twenty paces of +the rebels, and, firing a well-directed volley, killed nearly thirty +of them.</p> +<p> +The next day the insurgents made a third attack, and were again +repulsed with considerable loss. They knew that Hindu Rao's house +was the key of our position, and throughout the siege they made the +most desperate attempts to capture it. But Barnard had entrusted +this post of danger to the Gurkhas, and all efforts to dislodge them were +unavailing. At first Reid had at his command only his own battalion +and two companies of the 60th Rifles; but on the arrival of the Guides +their Infantry were also placed at his disposal, and whenever he<span class="page"><a name="91">[Page 91]</a></span> +sounded the alarm he was reinforced by two more companies of the 60th. +Hindu Rao's house was within easy range of nearly all the enemy's +heavy guns, and was riddled through and through with shot and shell. +Reid never quitted the Ridge save to attack the enemy, and never once +visited the camp until carried into it severely wounded on the day of the +final assault. Hindu Rao's house was the little Gurkhas' hospital as +well as their barrack, for their sick and wounded begged to be left with +their comrades instead of being taken to <a name="XIII14r">camp</a>.<a href="#XIII14"><sup>14</sup></a></p> +<p> +Failing in their attempts on the centre of the position, the mutineers +soon after daylight on the 12th, having concealed themselves in the +ravines adjoining Metcalfe House, attacked the Flagstaff Tower, the +piquet of which was composed of two Horse Artillery guns and two +companies of the 75th Foot, under the command of Captains Dunbar +and Knox. A heavy fog and thick mist rolling up from the low +ground near the Jumna completely enveloped the Ridge and the left +front of our position, hiding everything in the immediate vicinity. +The piquet was on the point of being relieved by a detachment of the +2nd Bengal Fusiliers, when a large body of the enemy, who had crept +up unobserved, made a rush at the Flagstaff Tower, and as nearly as +possible captured the guns. The piquet was hardly pressed, Knox and +several men were killed, and but for the timely arrival of two companies +of the 60th, the rebels would have gained the day.</p> +<p> +This engagement was scarcely over, when masses of insurgents +advanced from the Sabzi Mandi upon Hindu Rao's house, and into the +gardens on the right flank of the camp, threatening the Mound piquet. +Reserves were called up, these attacks, in their turn, were repulsed and +the rebels were pursued for some distance. It was most fortunate that +both attacks did not take place simultaneously, as was the obvious +intention of the enemy, for our strength would not have been sufficient +to repel them both at the same moment.</p> +<p> +In order to prevent the mutineers from coming to such close quarters +again, a piquet was placed in Metcalfe's House, and the Mound to the +rear of the ridge facing the Sabzi Mandi was strengthened. These +precautions ought to, and would, have been taken before, but for the +want of men. Our soldiers were scarcely ever off duty, and this fresh +demand made it impossible at times to provide a daily relief for the +several piquets.</p> +<p> +Our resources in siege guns and ammunition were so limited, daily +sorties, disease, and heat were making such ravages amongst our small +force, there was so little hope of receiving any considerable reinforcements, +and it appeared to be of such paramount importance to capture +Delhi without further delay, that Barnard agreed to a proposal for<span class="page"><a name="92">[Page 92]</a></span> +taking it by a <i>coup de main</i>.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Proposed Assault</span> +The particular details of the project and disposition of the troops +were worked out by three young officers of Engineers, under the +direct orders of the General, and were kept a profound secret; even the +Commanding Engineer was not made acquainted with them. Secrecy +was, of course, of vital importance, but that the officers who ought to +have been chiefly concerned were kept in ignorance of the scheme, +shows there was little of that confidence so essential to success existing +between the Commander and those who were in the position of his +principal advisers. Practically the whole force was to be engaged, +divided into three columns—one to enter by the Kashmir gate, the +second by the Lahore gate, and the third was to attempt an escalade. +The three columns, if they succeeded in effecting an entrance, were to +work their way to the centre of the city, and there unite.</p> +<p> +It was intended that these columns should move off from camp so as +to arrive at the walls just before daybreak; accordingly, at one o'clock +on the morning of the 13th June the troops were suddenly paraded and +ammunition served out, and then for the first time the Commanders of +the three columns and the staff were made acquainted with the +General's intentions. It so happened that the 75th Foot, which had +followed the enemy into the grounds of Metcalfe House after the +repulse on the Flagstaff Tower the previous morning, had through +some oversight never been recalled; their absence was only discovered +when the order was given for the regiment to turn out, and a considerable +time was wasted in sending for it and bringing it back to camp. +Day was breaking when this regiment received its ammunition, and all +hope of an unperceived advance to the walls had to be given up. The +troops were therefore dismissed, and allowed to turn in, having been +uselessly disturbed from their much-needed rest.</p> +<p> +The failure to give effect to the young Engineer officers' plan may be +looked upon as a merciful dispensation of Providence, which saved us +from what would almost certainly have been an irreparable disaster. +When we think of the hard fighting encountered when the assault did +take place under much more favourable circumstances, and how the +columns at the end of that day were only just able to get inside the +city, those who had practical knowledge of the siege can judge what +chance there would have been of these smaller columns accomplishing +their object, even if they had been able to take the enemy by surprise.</p> +<p> +The 13th and 14th passed in comparative quiet; but early on the +15th a strong force advanced from Delhi against the Metcalfe House +piquet, with the object of turning our left flank, but it was driven back +with considerable loss.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Hard Fighting</span> +On the 17th we were attacked from almost every direction—a +manœuvre intended to prevent our observing a battery which was +being constructed close to an <a name="XIII15r">Idgah</a>,<a href="#XIII15"><sup>15</sup></a> situated on a hill to our right,<span class="page"><a name="93">[Page 93]</a></span> +from which to enfilade our position on the Ridge. As it was very important +to prevent the completion of this battery, Barnard ordered it to +be attacked by two small columns, one commanded by Tombs, of the +Bengal Horse Artillery, the other by Reid. Tombs, with 400 of the 60th +Rifles and 1st Bengal Fusiliers, 30 of the Guides Cavalry, 20 Sappers +and Miners, and his own troop of Horse Artillery, moved towards the +enemy's left, while Reid, with four companies of the 60th and some of +his own Gurkhas, advanced through Kishenganj against their right. +Tombs drove the rebels through a succession of gardens till they +reached the Idgah, where they made an obstinate but unavailing resistance. +The gates of the mosque were blown open, and thirty-nine +of its defenders were killed. Tombs himself was slightly wounded, +and had two horses killed, making five which had been shot under this +gallant soldier since the commencement of the campaign. Reid's +attack was equally successful. He completely destroyed the battery, +and inflicted heavy loss on the enemy.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Besiegers Besieged</span> +The next day but one the rebels issued from the city in great force, +and threatened nearly every part of our position. The fighting was +severe throughout the afternoon, the piquets having again and again to +be reinforced. Towards evening, while nearly all the Infantry were +thus engaged, a large party of the insurgents, passing unperceived +through the suburbs and gardens on our right, reappeared about a mile +and a half to our rear. Very few troops were left in camp, and all +Hope Grant, who was in command at the time, could collect was four +or five squadrons of Cavalry and twelve guns. He found the enemy +in a strong position, against which his light guns could make but little +impression, while their Artillery and well-placed Infantry did us considerable +damage. Tombs's troop especially suffered, and at one time +his guns were in imminent danger of being captured. Just at this +moment some of the Guides Cavalry rode up. 'Daly, if you do not +charge,' called out Tombs, 'my guns are taken.' Daly spurred into +the bushes, followed by about a dozen of his gallant Guides. He +returned with a bullet through his shoulder, but the momentary diversion +saved the <a name="XIII16r">guns</a>.<a href="#XIII16"><sup>16</sup></a></p> +<p> +As long as it was light the steady fire of the Artillery and the dashing +charges of the Cavalry kept the rebels in check; but in the dusk of the +evening their superior numbers told: they very nearly succeeded in turning +our flank, and for some time the guns were again in great jeopardy; +the 9th Lancers and Guides, bent on saving them at all hazards, +charged the enemy; but, with a ditch and houses on each side, their +action was paralyzed, and their loss severe. All was now in confusion, +the disorder increasing as night advanced, when a small body of +Infantry (about 300 of the 60th Rifles) came up, dashed forward, and,<span class="page"><a name="94">[Page 94]</a></span> +cutting a lane through the rebels, rescued the <a name="XIII17r">guns</a>.<a href="#XIII17"><sup>17</sup></a></p> +<p> +Our loss in this affair amounted to 3 officers and 17 men killed, and +7 officers and 70 men wounded. Among the latter was Hope Grant, +who had his horse shot under him in a charge, and was saved by the +devotion of two men of his own regiment (the 9th Lancers) and a +Mahomedan sowar of the 4th Irregular Cavalry.</p> +<p> +It was nearly midnight before the troops returned to camp. The +enemy had been frustrated in their attempt to force our rear, but they +had not been driven back; we had, indeed, been only just able to hold +our own. The result of the day added considerably to the anxiety of +the Commander. He saw that the rebels had discovered our weak +point, and that if they managed to establish themselves in our rear, our +communication with the Punjab would be cut off, our small force would +be invested, and without supplies and reinforcements it would be impossible +to maintain our position against the daily increasing strength +of the insurgents. Great was the despondency in camp when the +result of the day's fighting was known; but the fine spirit which +animated the force throughout the siege soon asserted itself, and our +men cheerfully looked forward to the next encounter with the enemy.</p> +<p> +At daybreak Grant was again upon the ground, but found it +abandoned. Many dead men and horses were lying about, and a +9-pounder gun, left by the enemy, was brought into camp.</p> +<p> +The troops had scarcely got back, hoping for a little rest, when the +enemy again resumed their attack on the rear, and opened fire at so +short a distance that their shot came right through the camp. But on +this occasion they made no stand, and retreated as soon as our troops +showed themselves.</p> +<p> +In order to strengthen our position in rear a battery of two +18-pounders was constructed, supported by Cavalry and Infantry +piquets, and most of the bridges over the drain from the Najafgarh +<i>jhil</i> were destroyed.</p> +<p> +For two days after the events I have just described the hard-worked +little body of troops had comparative rest, but our spies informed us +that the enemy were being largely reinforced, and that we might +expect to be hotly attacked on the 23rd.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Centenary of Plassy</span> +For some time an idea had been prevalent amongst the Natives that +the English <i>raj</i> was not destined to survive its hundredth year, and +that the centenary of Clive's victory on the field of Plassy on the 23rd +June, 1757, would see its downfall. This idea was strengthened in the +Native mind by the fact that the 23rd June, 1857, was a date propitious +alike for Hindus and Mahomedans; the Jattsa, a Hindu religious +festival, was to take place on that day, and there was also to be a new +moon, which the Mahomedans looked upon as a lucky omen; the<span class="page"><a name="95">[Page 95]</a></span> +astrologers, therefore, declared that the stars in their courses would +fight for the mutineers. If, however, prophecies and omens alike +appeared to favour the rebels, fortune was not altogether unkind to us, +for on the 22nd a reinforcement reached Rhai, twenty-two miles from +Delhi, consisting of six Horse Artillery guns, a small party of British +Infantry, a squadron of the 2nd Punjab Cavalry, and the Head-Quarters +of the 4th Sikhs, numbering in all about 850 men.</p> +<p> +A staff officer was sent at once to Rhai to hurry on the force and +tell them how urgently their assistance was required in camp; this +appeal was responded to with the utmost alacrity, and early the next +evening the welcome reinforcement made its appearance.</p> +<p> +It had scarcely arrived before the Artillery on the city walls opened +fire, while guns, which had been brought into the suburbs, enfiladed +our right and concentrated a heavy fire on Hindu Rao's house which +the few guns we had in position were quite unable to silence. The +rebel Infantry occupied Kishenganj and Sabzi Mandi in force, and +threatened to advance on the Mound battery, while a constant +musketry fire was maintained upon the Ridge. Reid reported that the +mutineers made a desperate attack at about twelve o'clock, and that no +men could have fought better; they charged the Rifles, the Guides, +and the Gurkhas again and again. The cannonade raged fast and +furious, and at one time it seemed as though the day must be lost. +Thousands were brought against a mere handful of men; but Reid +knew the importance of his position, and was determined at all +hazards to hold it until reinforcements <a name="XIII18r">arrived</a>.<a href="#XIII18"><sup>18</sup></a></p> +<p> +The mutineers were checked, but not driven off. The first attempt +from the Mound battery failed to repulse them, and Colonel Welchman, +who was in command, was dangerously wounded. Every +available man in camp had been engaged, and as a last resource the +2nd Fusiliers and the 4th Sikhs, who had just arrived from Rhai, +were sent to the front. Showers was placed in command, and shortly +before the day closed he succeeded in forcing the enemy to retire. So +the anniversary of Plassy saw us, though hardly pressed, undefeated, +and the enemy's hopes unfulfilled. They lost over 1,000 men. Our +casualties were 1 officer and 38 men killed, and 3 officers and 118 men +wounded. The heat all the while was terrific, and several of our men +were knocked over by the sun.</p> +<p> +The lesson taught us by this severe fighting was the importance of +occupying the Sabzi Mandi, and thus preventing the enemy from +approaching too close to the camp and enfilading the Ridge. This +entailed more constant duty upon our already overworked soldiers, but +Barnard felt that it would not do to run the risk of another such struggle.</p> +<p> +A piquet of 180 Europeans was accordingly placed in the Sabzi Mandi,<span class="page"><a name="96">[Page 96]</a></span> +part in a serai on one side of the Grand Trunk Road, and the rest in +a Hindu temple on the opposite side. These posts were connected by +a line of breastworks with the Hindu Rao piquets, and added considerably +to the strength of our position.</p> +<p> +After the 23rd there were real or threatened attacks daily; but we +were left fairly undisturbed until the 27th June, when the Metcalfe +and Sabzi Mandi piquets were assaulted, and also the batteries on the +Ridge. These attempts were defeated without any very great loss, +only 13 of our men being killed, and 1 officer and 48 men wounded.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XIV">XIV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +I will now continue my story from the 29th June, the morning after +my arrival in camp, when I awoke full of excitement, and so eager to +hear all my old friend Norman could tell me, that I am afraid he must +have been considerably bored with my questions.</p> +<p> +It is impossible for me to describe my pleasure at finding myself a +member of a force which had already gained imperishable fame. I +longed to meet and know the men whose names were in everyone's +mouth. The hero of the day was Harry Tombs, of the Bengal Horse +Artillery, an unusually handsome man and a thorough soldier. His +gallantry in the attack on the Idgah, and wherever he had been +engaged, was the general talk of the camp. I had always heard of +Tombs as one of the best officers in the regiment, and it was with +feelings of respectful admiration that I made his acquaintance a few +days later.</p> +<p> +Jemmy <a name="XIV1r">Hills</a>,<a href="#XIV1"><sup>1</sup></a> one of the subalterns in Tombs's troop, was an old +Addiscombe friend of mine; he delighted in talking of his Commander, +in dilating on his merits as a soldier and his skill in handling each arm +of the service. As a cool, bold leader of men Tombs was unsurpassed: +no fire, however hot, and no crisis, however unexpected, could take +him by surprise; he grasped the situation in a moment, and issued his +orders without hesitation, inspiring all ranks with confidence in his +power and capacity. He was somewhat of a martinet, and was more +feared than liked by his men until they realized what a grand leader +he was, when they gave him their entire confidence, and were ready to +follow him anywhere and everywhere.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate7">[plate 7]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/07-lgsirjhills-johnes.jpg" width="335" height="470" alt="Lieutenant-General Sir James Hills-Johnes, V.C., G.C.B." border="0" /><br /><br /> + <b>LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR JAMES HILLS-JOHNES, V.C., G.C.B.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a Photograph by Messrs. Bourne and Shepherd</i></span></p> +<br /><br /> + +<p> +Another very distinguished officer of my regiment, whom I now met +for the first time, and for whom I ever afterwards entertained the +warmest regard, was Edwin <a name="XIV2r">Johnson</a>,<a href="#XIV2"><sup>2</sup></a> Assistant-Adjutant-General of +the Bengal Artillery, in which capacity he had accompanied Brigadier<span class="page"><a name="97">[Page 97]</a></span> +Wilson from Meerut. He had a peculiarly bright intellect—somewhat +caustic, but always clever and amusing. He was a delightful +companion, and invariably gained the confidence of those with whom +he worked.</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">A New Appointment</span> +Johnson was the first person on whom I called to report my arrival +and to find out with which troop or battery I was to do duty. He told +me that the Quartermaster-General wished to keep me in his department. +So, after visiting General <a name="XIV3r">Chamberlain</a>,<a href="#XIV3"><sup>3</sup></a> who I knew would be +anxious to hear all that had been going on in the Movable Column +since his departure, I made my way to Colonel Becher, whom I found +suffering from the severe wound he had received a few days before, +and asked him what was to be my fate. He replied that the question +had been raised of appointing an officer to help the Assistant-Adjutant-General +of the Delhi Field Force, who found it impossible to carry on +the daily increasing work single-handed, and that Chamberlain had +thought of me for this post. Had Chamberlain's wish been carried +out my career might have been quite changed, but while he was +discussing the question with Sir Henry Barnard, Donald Stewart +unexpectedly arrived in camp.</p> +<p> +<a name="Stewart">I</a> was waiting outside Sir Henry Barnard's tent, anxious to hear +what decision had been come to, when two men rode up, both looking +greatly fatigued and half starved; one of them being Stewart. He +told me they had had a most adventurous ride; but before waiting to +hear his <a name="XIV4r">story</a>,<a href="#XIV4"><sup>4</sup></a> I asked Norman to suggest Stewart for the new +appointment—a case of one word for Stewart and two for myself, I am +afraid, for I had set my heart on returning to the Quartermaster-General's +department. And so it was settled, to our mutual satisfaction, +Stewart becoming the D.A.A.G. of the Delhi Field Force, and I +the D.A.Q.M.G. with the Artillery.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate8">[plate 8]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/08-fmsirdmstewart.jpg" width="345" height="470" alt="FIELD-MARSHAL SIR DONALD MARTIN STEWART, BART., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., C.I.E." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>FIELD-MARSHAL SIR DONALD MARTIN STEWART, BART.,<br /> G.C.B., G.C.S.I., C.I.E.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a photograph by Messrs. Elliot and Fry.</i></span></p> +<br /><br /> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XV">XV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +That my readers may better understand our position at the time I +joined the Delhi Field Force, I might, I think, quote with advantage +from a <a name="XV1r">letter</a><a href="#XV1"><sup>1</sup></a> written the very day of my arrival by General Barnard +to Sir John Lawrence, in which he describes the difficulties of the +situation, hitherto met by the troops with the most determined courage +and endurance, but to which no end could be seen. When he took +over the command, he wrote, he was expected to be able to silence at<span class="page"><a name="98">[Page 98]</a></span> +once the fire from the Mori and Kashmir bastions, and then to bring +his heavy guns into play on the walls and open a way into the city, +after which, it was supposed, all would be plain sailing. But this +programme, so plausible in theory, was absolutely impossible to put +into practice. In spite of every effort on our part, not a single one of +the enemy's guns was silenced; they had four to our one, while the +distance from the Ridge to the city walls was too great to allow of our +comparatively light guns making any impression on them. Under +these circumstances the only thing to be done was to construct batteries +nearer to the city, but before these could be begun, entrenching tools, +sandbags, and other necessary materials, of which the Engineers were +almost entirely destitute, had to be collected. The troops were being +worn out by constant sanguinary combats, and the attacks to which +they were exposed required every soul in camp to repel them. It was +never certain where the enemy intended to strike, and it was only by +the most constant vigilance that their intentions could be ascertained, +and the men were being incessantly withdrawn during the scorching +heat of the day from one place to another. General Barnard concluded +as follows: 'You may ask why we engage in these constant combats. +The reason simply is that when attacked we must defend ourselves, +and that to secure our camp, our hospitals, our stores, etc., every living +being has to be employed. The whole thing is too gigantic for the force +brought against it.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Reinforcements Begin to Arrive</span> +Soon after Barnard wrote these lines reinforcements began to arrive, +and our position was gradually improved. By the 3rd July the following +troops had reached Delhi: four Horse Artillery guns (two British +and two Native), a detachment of European Foot Artillery, the Head-Quarters +of Her Majesty's 8th and 61st Foot, one squadron of the +5th Punjab Cavalry, the 1st Punjab Infantry, and some newly-raised +Sikh Sappers and Artillery. The strength of the force was thus increased +to nearly 6,600 men of all arms. The enemy's reinforcements, +however, were out of all proportion to ours—mutineers from Jullundur, +Nasirabad, Nimach, Kotah, Gwalior, Jhansi, and Rohilkand arrived +about this time. Those from Rohilkand crossed by the bridge of boats +and entered the city by the Calcutta gate; we could distinctly see +them from the Ridge, marching in perfect formation, with their bands +playing and colours flying. Indeed, throughout the siege the enemy's +numbers were constantly being increased, while they had a practically +unlimited number of guns, and the well-stocked magazine furnished +them with an inexhaustible supply of ammunition.</p> +<p> +I found myself under fire for the first time on the 30th June, when +an attack was made on the Sabzi Mandi piquet and Hindu Rao's house. +Eight of our men were killed and thirty wounded; amongst the latter +were Yorke and Packe, both attached to the 4th Sikhs. It appeared +certain that these two officers were wounded by the Hindustanis of<span class="page"><a name="99">[Page 99]</a></span> +their own regiment; Packe, who was shot through the ankle, being so +close up to the breastwork that it was scarcely possible for the bullet +which hit him to have come from the front. Consequently all the +Hindustanis in the 4th Sikhs were disarmed and turned out of camp, +as it was manifestly undesirable to have any but the most loyal soldiers +in our ranks.</p> + +<p> +In the afternoon of the same day I was ordered to accompany a +column under Brigadier Showers, sent on reconnoitring duty towards +the Idgah, where we heard that the enemy were again constructing a +battery. It had not been commenced, but the intention to build one +was evident, for we found a number of entrenching tools, and a quantity +of sandbags.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Assault Again Proposed</span> +The question of attempting to take the city by a <i>coup de main</i> was +now again discussed. It was urged that our numbers, already small, +were being daily reduced by casualties and sickness; that the want of +proper equipment rendered it impossible to undertake regular siege +operations; and that a rising in the Punjab was imminent. The chances +of success were certainly more favourable than they were on the +13th June. The force to be employed was stronger; all concerned—the +staff, commanders, and troops—were fully apprised of what was +intended, and of the part they would have to play; above all, the +details of the scheme, which was drawn up on much the same lines +as the former one, were carefully worked out by Lieutenant Alex. +<a name="XV2r">Taylor</a>,<a href="#XV2"><sup>2</sup></a> who had recently come into camp, and was acting temporarily +as Commanding Engineer.</p> +<p> +Of the supreme importance of regaining possession of Delhi there +can be no doubt whatever. But nevertheless the undertaking would, +at that time, have been a most desperate one, and only to be justified +by the critical position in which we were placed. In spite of the late +reinforcements, we were a mere handful compared with the thousands +within the walls. Success, therefore, depended on the completeness of +the surprise; and, as we could make no movement without its being +perceived by the enemy, surprise was impossible. Another strong +reason against assaulting at that time was the doubtful attitude of some +of the Hindustani Cavalry still with us; the whole of the effective +troops, too, would have to be employed, and the sick and wounded—a +large number—left to the mercy of the Native followers.</p> +<p> +General Barnard carefully weighed all the arguments for and against +the proposal, and at last reluctantly consented to the attack being +made, but the discovery of a conspiracy amongst the Natives in camp +caused it to be countermanded—a great disappointment to many, and +there was much cavilling and discontent on the part of some, who +could not have sufficiently appreciated the difficulties and risks of the<span class="page"><a name="100">[Page 100]</a></span> +undertaking, or the disastrous consequences of a repulse.</p> +<p> +On the morning of the day on which it had been arranged that the +assault should be made, the staff at Delhi received a most valuable +addition in the person of Lieutenant-Colonel Baird-Smith, of the Bengal +Engineers. Summoned from Rurki to take the place of the Chief +Engineer, whose health had broken down, Baird-Smith was within +sixty miles of Delhi on the 2nd July, when news of the intended movement +reached him. He started at once, and arrived in camp early on +the 3rd, but only to find that the assault had been postponed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Attack on Alipur</span> +On the afternoon of the 3rd July the enemy came out in force (5,000 +or 6,000 strong with several guns), and occupied the suburbs to our right. +The troops were turned out, but instead of attacking us and returning +to the city as usual when it became dark, the rebels moved off in the +direction of Alipur, where we had an outpost, which was held by +Younghusband's squadron of the 5th Punjab Cavalry. They reached +Alipur about midnight, and had they attacked the serai at once with +Infantry, Younghusband and his men could hardly have escaped, but +fortunately they opened upon it with Artillery. This gave the sowars +time to mount and fall back on Rhai, the next post, ten miles to the +rear, which was garrisoned by the friendly troops of the Jhind Raja. +The sound of the guns being heard in camp, a column under the command +of Major Coke was got ready to pursue should the insurgents +push up the Trunk Road, or to cut them off should they try to make +their way back to the city. Besides his own corps (the 1st Punjab +Infantry), Coke was given a wing of the 61st Foot, six Horse and six +Field Artillery guns, one squadron of the Carabineers, one squadron of +the 9th Lancers, and the Guides Cavalry; in all about 800 Infantry, +300 Cavalry, and 12 guns, and I was sent with him as staff officer.</p> +<p> +It was generally believed that the enemy were on the look-out for +treasure coming from the Punjab, which was known to be under the +charge of a Native guard, and we quite expected to have a long chase +after them; we were, therefore, surprised to see them, as day broke, +crossing our front on their way back to Delhi.</p> +<p> +The rebels were moving on fairly high ground, but between us and +them was a swamp rendered almost impassable by recent heavy rain. +It extended a considerable distance on either side, and as there was no +other way of getting at the rapidly retreating foe, it had to be crossed. +Our Artillery opened fire, and Coke advanced with the Cavalry and +Infantry. The swamp proved to be very difficult; in it men and +horses floundered hopelessly, and before we were clear the enemy had +got away with their guns; they were obliged, however, to leave behind +all the plunder taken from Alipur, and a considerable quantity of ammunition. +My share of the loot was a nice-looking, white, country-bred +pony, which I found tied to a tree. I promptly annexed it, glad to +save my own horse, and I congratulated myself on having made a<span class="page"><a name="101">[Page 101]</a></span> +most useful addition to my small stud. It did not, however, remain +long in my possession, for a few days afterwards it was claimed by its +rightful owner, Lieutenant Younghusband.</p> +<p> +The heat was great, and as the soldiers were much distressed, having +been under arms for ten hours, Coke halted the Infantry portion on +the banks of the Western Jumna Canal instead of returning direct to +camp. While we were enjoying a much-needed rest we were unexpectedly +attacked by some fresh troops (including about 800 Cavalry) +which had hurried out from the city. I was startled from a sound +sleep by heavy firing, and saw the enemy advancing within a few +hundred yards of our halting-place. Coke formed his Infantry along +the bank of the canal, and sent a mounted officer to recall the Cavalry +and Artillery. The enemy came on very boldly at first, but the steady +fire of our Infantry kept them at bay, and when the guns arrived we +had no difficulty in driving them off. They left 80 dead on the field; +we had on our side 3 killed and 23 wounded, besides losing several +British soldiers from sunstroke.</p> +<p> +Major Coke was much grieved by the loss in this engagement of a +Native friend of his, a Chief of the Kohat border, by name Mir Mubarak +Shah. He was a grand specimen of a frontier <a name="XV3r">Khan</a>,<a href="#XV3"><sup>3</sup></a> and on hearing +that the 1st Punjab Infantry was ordered to Delhi expressed his determination +to accompany it. He got together a troop of eighty of his +own followers, and leaving Kohat on the 1st June, overtook Coke at +Kurnal on the 27th, a distance of nearly 600 miles. A day or two +afterwards Coke's men were approached by the Hindustanis of the +2nd Punjab Cavalry, and some Native officers of the 9th Irregulars, +who tried to induce them to join in the rebellion. Advances were made +in the first instance to Mir Mubarak Shah and Mir Jaffir, the Subadar-Major +of the 1st Punjab Infantry, who at once informed Coke of what +was going on. As soon as the regiment reached Delhi the matter was +investigated, and the Native officers who had endeavoured to tamper +with the men were identified, tried, and executed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Death of General Barnard</span> +About noon on the 5th July we heard the woeful tidings that General +Barnard was seized with cholera. The army had never been free from +that terrible scourge since the Commander-in-Chief fell a victim to it +on the 26th May, and now it had attacked his successor, who was +carried off after a few hours' illness. The feeling of sadness amongst +the troops at the loss of their General was universal. Throughout the +six trying weeks he had been in command of the force he had never +spared himself. At work from morning till night in and about the +trenches, he personally attended to every detail, and had won the +respect and regard of all in camp.</p> +<p> +Few Commanders were ever placed in a more difficult position than<span class="page"><a name="102">[Page 102]</a></span> +Barnard. He arrived at Umballa when the Native troops, to whose +characteristics and peculiarities (as I have already remarked) he was a +complete stranger, were thoroughly disaffected, and within a week of his +taking over the command of the Sirhind division the Mutiny broke out. +Without any previous knowledge of Indian warfare, he found himself +in front of Delhi with a force altogether too weak to effect the object +for which it was intended and without any of the appliances to ensure +success; while those who did not realize the extreme risk involved +never ceased clamouring at a delay which was unavoidable, and urging +the General to undertake a task which was impossible.</p> +<p> +Barnard has been blamed, and not unjustly, for mistrusting his +own judgment and for depending upon others for advice about matters +on which an experienced Commander ought to have been the best able +to decide. But every allowance must be made for the position he was +so unexpectedly called upon to fill and the peculiar nature of his surroundings. +Failing health, too, probably weakened the self-reliance +which a man who had satisfactorily performed the duties of Chief of +the Staff in the Crimea must at one time have possessed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">General Reed Assumes Command</span> +On the death of Sir Henry Barnard, General Reed assumed command. +He had joined the force on the morning of the action of Badli-ki-Serai, +but though senior to Barnard, he was too much knocked up +by the intense heat of the long journey from Peshawar to take part in +the action, and he had allowed Barnard to continue in command.</p> +<p> +For the next few days we had a comparatively quiet time, of which +advantage was taken to render our position more secure towards the +rear. The secrecy and rapidity with which the enemy had made their +way to Alipur warned the authorities how easily our communication +with the Punjab might be cut off. Baird-Smith saw the necessity for +remedying this, and, acting on his advice, Reed had all the bridges +over the Western Jumna Canal destroyed for several miles, except one +required for our own use. The Phulchudder aqueduct, which carried +the canal water into the city, and along which horsemen could pass to +the rear of our camp, was blown up, as was also the Bussye bridge +over the drain from the Najafgarh <i>jhil</i>, about eight miles from camp.</p> +<p> +We were not left long in peace, for on the morning of the 9th July +the enemy moved out of the city in great force, and for several hours +kept up an incessant cannonade on our front and right flank.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Two V.C.'s</span> +The piquet below the General's Mound happened to be held this day +by two guns of Tombs's troop, commanded by Second Lieutenant +James Hills, and by thirty men of the Carabineers under Lieutenant +Stillman. A little beyond, and to the right of this piquet, a Native +officer's party of the 9th Irregular Cavalry had been placed to watch +the Trunk Road. These men were still supposed to be loyal; the +regiment to which they belonged had a good reputation, and as +Christie's Horse had done excellent service in Afghanistan, where<span class="page"><a name="103">[Page 103]</a></span> +Neville and Crawford Chamberlain had served with it as subalterns. +It was, therefore, believed at the Mound piquet that ample warning +would be given of any enemy coming from the direction of the Trunk +Road, so that the approach of some horsemen dressed like the men of +the 9th Irregulars attracted little notice.</p> +<p> +Stillman and Hills were breakfasting together, when a sowar from +the Native officers' party rode up and reported that a body of the +enemy's Cavalry were in sight. Hills told the man to gallop to Head-Quarters +with the report, and to warn Tombs as he passed his tent. +Hills and Stillman then mounted their men, neither of them having +the remotest idea that the news of the enemy's advance had been purposely +delayed until there was not time to turn out the troops. They +imagined that the sowar was acting in good faith and had given them +sufficient notice, and while Hills moved his guns towards the position +from which he could command the Trunk Road, Stillman proceeded to +the top of the Mound in order to get a better view of the ground over +which the enemy were said to be advancing. The troop of the Carabineers +was thus left by itself to receive the first rush of the rebel +Cavalry; it was composed of young soldiers, some of them quite +untrained, who turned and broke.</p> +<p> +The moment Hills saw the enemy he shouted, 'Action front!' and, +in the hope of giving his men time to load and fire a round of grape, he +gallantly charged the head of the column single-handed, cut down the +leading man, struck the second, and then was then ridden down himself. +It had been raining heavily, so Hills wore his cloak; which +probably saved his life, for it was cut through in many places, as were +his jacket and even his shirt.</p> +<p> +As soon as the body of the enemy had passed on, Hills, extricating +himself from his horse, got up and searched for his sword, which he +had lost in the mêlée. He had just found it when he was attacked by +three men, two of whom were mounted; he fired at and wounded the +first man; then caught the lance of the second in his left hand, and +ran him through the body with his sword. The first assailant coming +on again, Hills cut him down, upon which he was attacked by the +third man on foot, who succeeded in wrenching his sword from him. +Hills fell in the struggle, and must have been killed, if Tombs, who +had been duly warned by the sowar, and had hurried out to the piquet, +had not come to the rescue and saved his plucky subaltern's <a name="XV4r">life</a>.<a href="#XV4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +Notwithstanding Hills's gallant attempt to stop the sowars, his men +had not time to fire a single round before they were upon them. Their +object, however, was not to capture these two guns, but to induce the +Native Horse Artillery to join them, and galloping past the piquet, they +made straight for the troop, and called upon the men to bring away<span class="page"><a name="104">[Page 104]</a></span> +their guns. The Native Artillerymen behaved admirably: they not +only refused to respond to the call, but they begged the men of the +European troop, which was unlimbered close by, to fire through them +on the mutineers.</p> +<p> +Knowing nothing of what was happening, I was standing by my tent, +watching my horses, which had just arrived from Philour, as they +crossed the bridge over the canal cut which ran at the rear of our +camp, when the enemy's Cavalry galloped over the bridge, and for a +few moments my animals seemed in considerable danger; the sowars, +however, having lost more than one-third of their number, and having +failed in their attempt to get hold of the Native Horse Artillery guns, +were bent upon securing their retreat rather than upon plunder. My +servants gave a wonderful account of the many perils they had encountered—somewhat +exaggerated, I dare say—but they had done me +a real good service, having marched 200 miles through a very disturbed +country, and arriving with animals and baggage in good order. Indeed, +throughout the Mutiny my servants behaved admirably. The <i>khidmatgar</i> +(table attendant) never failed to bring me my food under the +hottest fire, and the <i>saices</i> (grooms) were always present with the +horses whenever they were required, apparently quite indifferent to the +risks they often ran. Moreover, they became imbued with such a +warlike spirit that, when I was invalided in April, 1858, four of them +enlisted in a regiment of Bengal Cavalry. The <i>khidmatgar</i> died soon +after the Mutiny, but two of his brothers were afterwards in my +service; one, who was with me during the Lushai expedition and the +whole of the Afghan war, never left me for more than twenty years, +and we parted with mutual regret at Bombay on board the P. and O. +steamer in which I took my final departure from India in April, 1893.</p> +<p> +Mine was not a solitary instance; not only the officers' servants, but +the followers belonging to European regiments, such as cook-boys, +<i>saices</i> and <i>bhisties</i> (water-carriers), as a rule, behaved in the most +praiseworthy manner, faithful and brave to a degree. So much was +this the case, that when the troopers of the 9th Lancers were called +upon to name the man they considered most worthy of the Victoria +Cross, an honour which Sir Colin Campbell purposed to confer upon +the regiment to mark his appreciation of the gallantry displayed by all +ranks during the campaign, they unanimously chose the head <i>bhistie</i>! +Considering the peculiar position we were in at the time, it is somewhat +remarkable that the conduct of the Native servants should have +been so generally satisfactory. It speaks as well, I think, for the +masters as the servants, and proves (what I have sometimes heard +denied) that Native servants are, as a rule, kindly and considerately +treated by their European masters.</p> +<p> +To return to my story. The cannonade from within and without the +city continued unceasing, and the enemy had again to be driven out of<span class="page"><a name="105">[Page 105]</a></span> +the near suburbs. This duty was entrusted to General Chamberlain, +whom I accompanied as one of his staff officers. His column consisted +of about 800 Infantry and six guns, a few more men joining us as we +passed the Ridge. This was the first occasion on which I had +witnessed fighting in gardens and walled enclosures, and I realized +how difficult it was to dislodge men who knew how to take advantage +of the cover thus afforded. Our soldiers, as usual, fought well against +very heavy odds, and before we were able to force the enemy back into +the city we had lost 1 officer and 40 men killed, and 8 officers and 163 +men wounded, besides 11 poor fellows missing: every one of whom +must have been murdered. The enemy had nearly 500 men killed, and +considerably more than that number wounded.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Treachery in Camp</span> +The result of the day's experience was so far satisfactory that it +determined General Reed to get rid of all the Hindustani soldiers still +remaining in camp. It was clear that the Native officers' party near +the Mound piquet had been treacherous; none of them were ever seen +again, and it was generally believed that they had joined the enemy in +their dash through the camp. The other Native soldiers did not +hesitate to denounce their Hindustani comrades as traitors; the latter +were consequently all sent away, except a few men of the 4th Irregular +Cavalry who were deprived of their horses and employed solely as +orderlies. It was also thought advisable to take the guns from the +Native troop of Horse Artillery. A few of the younger men belonging +to it deserted, but the older soldiers continued faithful, and did good +work in the breaching batteries.</p> +<p> +There was a short lull after our fight on the 9th—a sure sign that the +enemy's loss was heavier than they had calculated upon. When the +mutineers received reinforcements we were certain to be attacked +within a few hours, but if no fresh troops arrived on the scene we could +generally depend upon a day or two's respite.</p> +<p> +Our next fight was on the 14th July. The rebels came out on that +morning in great numbers, attacking Hindu Rao's house and the Sabzi +Mandi piquets, and supported by a continuous fire of Artillery from the +walls. For some hours we remained on the defensive, but as the +enemy's numbers increased, and we were greatly harassed by their fire, +a column was formed to dislodge them. It was of about the usual +strength, viz., 800 Infantry and six Horse Artillery guns, with the +addition of a few of the Guides Cavalry and of Hodson's newly-raised +Horse. The command was given to Brigadier Showers, and I was sent +as his staff officer; Reid joined in at the foot of the Ridge with all the +men that could be spared, and Brigadier-General Chamberlain also +accompanied the column.</p> +<p> +We moved on under a very heavy fire until we reached an enclosure +the wall of which was lined with the enemy. The troops stopped short, +when Chamberlain, seeing that they hesitated, called upon them to<span class="page"><a name="106">[Page 106]</a></span> +follow him, and gave them a splendid example by jumping his horse +over the wall. The men did follow him, and Chamberlain got a ball in +his shoulder.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Fighting Close Up to the City Walls</span> +We had great difficulty in driving the enemy back; they contested +every inch of the ground, the many serais and walled gardens affording +them admirable cover; but our troops were not to be withstood; +position after position was carried until we found ourselves in sight of +the Lahore gate and close up to the walls of the city. In our eagerness +to drive the enemy back we had, however, come too far. It was impossible +to remain where we were. Musketry from the walls and grape +from the heavy guns mounted on the Mori and other bastions committed +terrible havoc. Men were falling on all sides, but the getting +back was hazardous to the last degree. Numerous as the enemy were, +they had not the courage to stand against us as long as we advanced, +but the first sign of retreat was the signal for them to leave their shelter +and press us the whole way to camp.</p> +<p> +When the retirement commenced I was with the two advanced guns +in action on the Grand Trunk Road. The subaltern in charge was +severely wounded, and almost at the same moment one of his sergeants, +a smart, handsome fellow, fell, shot through the leg. Seeing some +men carrying him into a hut at the side of the road, I shouted: 'Don't +put him there; he will be left behind; get a doolie for him, or put him +on the limber.' But what with the incessant fire from the enemy's +guns, the bursting of shells, the crashing of shot through the branches +of the trees, and all the din and hubbub of battle, I could not have +been heard, for the poor fellow with another wounded man was left in +the hut, and both were murdered by the mutineers. So many of the +men with the two guns were <i>hors de combat</i>, and the horses were so +unsteady (several of them being wounded), that there was great +difficulty in limbering up, and I was helping the drivers to keep the +horses quiet, when I suddenly felt a tremendous blow on my back which +made me faint and sick, and I was afraid I should not be able to +remain on my horse. The powerless feeling, however, passed off, and +I managed to stick on until I got back to camp. I had been hit close +to the spine by a bullet, and the wound would probably have been fatal +but for the fact that a leather pouch for caps, which I usually wore in +front near my pistol, had somehow slipped round to the back; the bullet +passed through this before entering my body, and was thus prevented +from penetrating very deep.</p> +<p> +The enemy followed us closely right up to our piquets, and but for +the steadiness of the retirement our casualties must have been even +more numerous than they were. As it was, they amounted to 15 men +killed, 16 officers and 177 men wounded, and 2 men missing.</p> +<p> +The enemy's loss was estimated at 1,000. For hours they were seen<span class="page"><a name="107">[Page 107]</a></span> +carrying the dead in carts back to the city.</p> +<p> +My wound, though comparatively slight, kept me on the sick-list for +a fortnight, and for more than a month I could not mount a horse or +put on a sword-belt. I was lucky in that my tent was pitched close to +that of John Campbell Brown, one of the medical officers attached to +the Artillery. He had served during the first Afghan war, with Sale's +force, at Jalalabad, and throughout both the campaigns in the Punjab, +and had made a great reputation for himself as an army surgeon. He +looked after me while I was laid up, and I could not have been in +better hands.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sufferings of the Sick and Wounded</span> +The Delhi Force was fortunate in its medical officers. Some of the +best in the army were attached to it, and all that was possible to be +done for the sick and wounded under the circumstances was done. +But the poor fellows had a bad time of it. A few of the worst cases +were accommodated in the two or three houses in the cantonment that +had escaped destruction, but the great majority had to put up with +such shelter from the burning heat and drenching rain as an ordinary +soldiers' tent could provide. Those who could bear the journey and +were not likely to be fit for duty for some time were sent away to +Meerut and Umballa; but even with the relief thus afforded, the hospitals +throughout the siege were terribly overcrowded. Anæsthetics +were freely used, but antiseptics were practically unknown, consequently +many of the severely wounded died, and few amputation +cases survived.</p> +<p> +A great aggravation to the misery and discomfort in hospital was the +plague of flies. Delhi is at all times noted for having more than its +share of these drawbacks to life in the East, but during the siege they +were a perfect pest, and for the short time I was laid up I fully +realized the suffering which our sick and wounded soldiers had to +endure. At night the inside of my tent was black with flies. At the +first ray of light or the smallest shake to the ropes, they were all astir, +and for the rest of the day there was no peace; it was even difficult to +eat without swallowing one or more of the loathsome insects. I had to +brush them away with one hand while I put the food into my mouth +with the other, and more than once I had to rush from the table, a +fly having eluded all my efforts to prevent his going down my throat.</p> +<p> +As soon as I could get about a little, but before I was able to perform +my legitimate work, I was employed in helping to look after the conservancy +of the camp and its surroundings—an extremely disagreeable +but most important duty, for an Indian army must always have a +large following, for which sanitary arrangements are a difficulty. Then, +large convoys of camels and bullock-carts arrived daily with supplies +and stores, and a considerable number of transport animals had to be +kept in readiness to follow up the enemy with a suitably sized force, +whenever we could drive them out of the city. Without any shelter,<span class="page"><a name="108">[Page 108]</a></span> +and often with insufficient food, deaths amongst the animals were +of constant occurrence, and, unless their carcases could at once be +removed, the stench became intolerable. Every expedient was resorted +to to get rid of this nuisance. Some of the carcases were dragged to a +distance from camp, some were buried, and some were burnt, but, notwithstanding +all our efforts, many remained to be gradually devoured +by the jackals which prowled about the camp, and by the innumerable +birds of prey which instinct had brought to Delhi from the +remotest parts of <a name="XV5r">India</a>.<a href="#XV5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">General Reed's Health Fails</span> +At a time when the powers of each individual were taxed to the +uttermost, the strain on the Commander of the force was terribly +severe. Mind and body were incessantly at work. Twice in the short +space of six weeks had the officer holding this responsible position +succumbed, and now a third was on the point of breaking down. +Major-General Reed's health, never very strong, completely failed, and +on the 17th July, only twelve days after succeeding Sir Henry Barnard, +he had to give up the command and leave the camp on sick +certificate.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XVI">XVI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />Archdale Wilson Assumes Command</span> +General Reed was succeeded by Brigadier Archdale Wilson, the +officer who commanded the Meerut column at the beginning of the +campaign, and who was so successful in the fights on the Hindun. +Though a soldier of moderate capacity, Wilson was quite the best of +the senior officers present, three of whom were superseded by his +selection. Two of these, Congreve, Acting-Adjutant-General of Queen's +troops, and Graves, who had been Brigadier at Delhi when the Mutiny +broke out, left the camp on being passed over; the third, Longfield, +took Wilson's place as Brigadier.</p> +<p> +Wilson's succession to the command gave great relief to the troops +on account of the systematic manner in which he arranged for the +various duties, and the order and method he introduced. The comparative +rest to the troops, as well as the sanitary improvements he +effected, did a good deal for the health of the force. Wilson also took +advantage of the reinforcements we had received to strengthen our +position. As far as possible he put a stop to the practice of following +up the enemy close to the city walls when they were driven off after +an attack (a practice which had cost us many valuable lives), contenting +himself with preventing the rebels from remaining in the immediate +vicinity of our advanced posts.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Enemy Baffled in the Sabzi Mandi</span> +The day after Reed's departure another sharp and prolonged attack<span class="page"><a name="109">[Page 109]</a></span> +was made upon the Ridge batteries and Sabzi Mandi piquets, and in +the afternoon a column was sent to drive the enemy away. It consisted +of four Horse Artillery guns, 750 Infantry, and the Guides +Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, of the 60th Rifles, commanded +the column, and, having gained experience from the lesson we had +received on the 14th, he took care not to approach too near to the city +walls, but cleared the Sabzi Mandi, and took up a good position, where +he remained for some little time. This unusual procedure seemed to +disconcert the enemy, most of whom returned to the city, while those +who remained to fight did not come to such close quarters as on previous +occasions. Nevertheless, we had 1 officer and 12 men killed, +3 officers and 66 men wounded, and 2 men were missing.</p> +<p> +The four following days passed without any serious attack being +made, but an unfortunate accident occurred about this time to a cousin +of mine, Captain Greensill, of the 24th Foot. He was attached to the +Engineer department, and was ordered to undertake some reconnoitring +duty after dark. On nearing the enemy's position he halted his +escort, in order not to attract attention, and proceeded alone to examine +the ground. The signal which he had arranged to give on his return +was apparently misunderstood, for as he approached the escort fired; +he was mortally wounded, and died in great agony the next morning.</p> +<p> +The last severe contest took place in the Sabzi Mandi on the 18th, +for by this time the Engineers' incessant labour had resulted in the +clearing away of the old serais and walled gardens for some distance +round the posts held by our piquets in that suburb. The 'Sammy +House' piquet, to the right front of Hindu Rao's house, was greatly +strengthened, and cover was provided for the men occupying it—a +very necessary measure, exposed as the piquet was to the guns on the +Burn and Mori bastions, and within grape range of the latter, while +the enemy's Infantry were enabled to creep close up to it unperceived.</p> +<p> +The improvements we had made in this part of our position were, +no doubt, carefully watched and noted by the rebels, who, finding that +all attempts to dislodge us on the right ended in their own discomfiture, +determined to try whether our left was not more vulnerable +than they had found it in the earlier days of the siege. Accordingly +early on the 23rd they sallied forth from the Kashmir gate, and, occupying +Ludlow Castle and its neighbourhood, shelled Metcalfe House, +the stable piquet, and the mosque piquet on the Ridge. As all attempts +to silence the enemy's guns with our Artillery proved unavailing, and +it was feared that if not dislodged they would establish a battery at +Ludlow Castle, a small column under Brigadier Showers moved out by +a cutting through the Ridge on our left, its object being (in conjunction +with the Metcalfe House piquets) to turn the enemy's right and +capture their guns.</p> +<p> +The troops detailed for this duty consisted of six Horse Artillery<span class="page"><a name="110">[Page 110]</a></span> +guns, 400 British Infantry, 360 of the 1st Punjab Infantry, and a party +of the Guides Cavalry, in addition to 250 men detached from the +Metcalfe House piquets. The advance of the column up the road leading +towards the Kashmir gate appeared to be unnoticed until it arrived +close to the enemy, who then opened with grape. Our troops pressed +on, and in their eagerness to capture the guns, which were being withdrawn, +got too near the city walls. Here Showers was wounded, and +the command devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, of the 60th, who +skilfully conducted the retirement. Our loss was 1 officer and 11 men +killed, 5 officers and 34 men wounded. Captain Law, one of my two +companions on the mail-cart from Umballa, was the officer killed.</p> +<p> +The enemy were fairly quiet between the 23rd and 31st July, on +which date they moved out of the city in considerable strength, with +the intention of making a temporary bridge across the cut in the +swampy ground I have before described, and so threatening our rear. +A column under Coke was sent to the other side of the cut to intercept +the enemy should they succeed in getting across; this column was +joined at Alipur by the Kumaon battalion (composed of Gurkhas and +hill-men), about 400 strong, which had just arrived from the Punjab +as escort to a large store of ammunition. The services of these troops +were, however, not required, for the rain, which had been coming down +in torrents for some hours, had caused such a rush of water that the +bridge was carried away before it was completed. The enemy then +retired towards the city. On reaching the suburbs they were reinforced +by a large body of Infantry, and a most determined attack +was made on the right of our position. This occurred about sunset, +and all night the roar of musketry and artillery was kept up without a +moment's cessation.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Efforts to Exterminate the Feringhis</span> +The next day was the anniversary of a great Mahomedan festival, +when it was the custom for the King to pray and make sacrifice at the +Idgah, in commemoration of Abraham's intended offering up of +<a name="XVI1r">Ishmail</a>.<a href="#XVI1"><sup>1</sup></a> On this particular occasion, however, the sacrifices were to +be dispensed with in deference to Hindu <a name="XVI2r">prejudices</a>,<a href="#XVI2"><sup>2</sup></a> and in their stead +a tremendous united effort was to be made by Hindus and Mussulmans +to exterminate the Feringhis. All the morning of the 1st August +mosques and Hindu temples were crowded with worshippers offering +up prayers for the success of the great attempt, and in the afternoon +the rebels, mad with excitement and fanaticism, issued in countless +numbers from the city gates, and, shouting the Moslem battle-cry, +advanced and threw themselves on our defences. They were driven +back by our deadly volleys, but only for a moment; they quickly reformed +and made a fresh attack, to be stopped again by our steady,<span class="page"><a name="111">[Page 111]</a></span> +uncompromising fire. Time after time they rallied and hurled themselves +against our breastworks. All that night and well on into the +next day the fight continued, and it was past noon before the devoted +fanatics became convinced that their gods had deserted them, that +victory was not for them, and that no effort, however heroic on their +part, could drive us from the Ridge. The enemy's loss was heavy, +ours trifling, for our men were admirably steady, well protected by +breastworks, and never allowed to show themselves except when the +assailants came close up. We had only 1 officer and 9 men killed and +36 men wounded.</p> +<p> +The officer was Lieutenant Eaton Travers, of the 1st Punjab +Infantry. He had been seven years with the regiment, and had been +present with it in nearly all the many frontier fights in which it had been +engaged. He was a bright, happy fellow, and a great friend of mine. +As Major Coke, his commanding officer, published in regimental +orders: 'This gallant soldier and true-hearted gentleman was beloved +and respected by the officers and men of the regiment. His loss is an +irreparable one.'</p> +<p> +The enemy were much depressed by the failure of the Bakhra Id +attack, from which they had expected great things. They began to +despair of being able to drive us from our position on the Ridge, which +for seven weeks had been so hotly contested. They heard that +Nicholson with his Movable Column was hastening to our assistance, +and they felt that, unless they could gain some signal victory before +reinforcements reached us, we should take our place as the besiegers, +instead of being, as hitherto, the besieged. Disaffection within the +city walls was on the increase; only the semblance of authority +remained to the old and well-nigh impotent King, while some of his +sons, recognizing their perilous position, endeavoured to open negotiations +with us. Many of the sepoys were reported to be going off to +their homes, sick and weary of a struggle the hopelessness of which +they had begun to realize.</p> +<p> +Our work, however, was far from being finished. Notwithstanding +losses from death and desertion, the enemy still outnumbered us by +about eight or nine to one.</p> +<p> +All this time our communication with the Punjab was maintained, +and we regularly received letters and newspapers from England by +the northern route; but for several weeks we had had no news from +the south. Rumours of disasters occasionally reached us, but it was +not until the second week in July that we heard of the fight at Agra, +the retirement of our troops, and the flight of all the residents into +the fort.</p> +<p> +These scraps of intelligence, for they were mere scraps, written often +in Greek character, some screwed into a quill, some sewn between the +double soles of a man's shoe, and some twisted up in the messenger's<span class="page"><a name="112">[Page 112]</a></span> +hair, were eagerly looked for, and as eagerly deciphered when they +came. It was cheering to learn that Allahabad was safe, that Lucknow +was still holding out, that troops from Madras, Ceylon, and the +Mauritius had reached Calcutta, and that Lord Elgin, taking a statesmanlike +view of the situation, had diverted to <a name="XVI3r">India</a><a href="#XVI3"><sup>3</sup></a> the force intended +for the China expedition, and we fondly hoped that some of the six +British regiments reported by one messenger to have arrived at Cawnpore +would be sent to the assistance of the Delhi Force.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Letter from General Havelock</span> +Strangely enough, we knew nothing of the death of Sir Henry Lawrence +or General Wheeler, and had not even heard for certain that +Cawnpore had fallen and that Lucknow was besieged, while there were +constant reports that Wheeler was marching up the Trunk Road. +Being most anxious to get some authentic intelligence, <a name="XVI4r">Norman</a><a href="#XVI4"><sup>4</sup></a> on +the 15th July wrote a letter in French addressed to General Wheeler at +Cawnpore, or whoever might be in command between that place and +Delhi, giving an account of our position at Delhi, and expressing a +hope that troops would soon march to our assistance. The letter was +entrusted to two sepoys of the Guides, who carried out their difficult +task most faithfully, and on the 3rd August returned with the following +reply from General Havelock, addressed to Major-General Reed:</p> + +<p class="right"> +'Cawnpore, left bank of the Ganges, <br /> +'<i>25th July, 1857. </i></p><br /><br /> +<p class="quote1"> +'MY DEAR GENERAL,</p> + +<p class="quote"> + 'Yesterday I saw Captain Norman's letter of the 15th instant +from Delhi, addressed to Sir Hugh Wheeler. That gallant officer and +the whole of his force were destroyed on the 27th June by a base act of +treachery. Sir Henry Somerset is Commander-in-Chief in India and +Sir Patrick Grant in Bengal. Under the orders of the supreme +Government I have been sent to retrieve affairs here. I have specific +instructions from which I cannot depart. I have sent a duplicate of +your letter to Sir P. Grant. In truth, though most anxious to march +on Delhi, I have peremptory orders to relieve Lucknow. I have, +thank God, been very successful. I defeated the enemy at Futtehpore<span class="page"><a name="113">[Page 113]</a></span> +on the 12th, and Pandu Naddi on the 15th, and this place, which I recaptured +on the 16th. On each occasion I took all the guns. Immense +reinforcements are coming from England and China. Sir Patrick +Grant will soon be in the field himself. Lucknow holds out. Agra is +free for the present. I am sorry to hear you are not quite well. I beg +that you will let me hear from you continually.'</p> +<p> +Two days afterwards another letter was received; this time from +Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser-Tytler, A.Q.M.G., with Havelock's force. +It was addressed to Captain Earle, A.Q.M.G., Meerut, and ran as +follows:</p> +<p class="right"> +'Cawnpore, <i>July 27th</i>. </p><br /><br /> +<p class="quote"> +'General Havelock has crossed the river to relieve Lucknow, which +will be effected four days hence. He has a strong force with him, and +he has already thrashed the Nana and completely dispersed his force. +We shall probably march to Delhi with four or five thousand +Europeans and a heavy Artillery, in number, not in weight. The +China force is in Calcutta, 5,000 men. More troops expected immediately. +We shall soon be with you.'</p> +<p> +These sanguine expectations were never fulfilled! Instead of Lucknow +being relieved in four days, it was nearly four months before that +result was achieved, and instead of troops from Cawnpore coming to +help us at Delhi, the troops from Delhi formed the chief part of the +force which relieved Lucknow.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">News of Henry Lawrence's Death</span> +While we were rejoicing at the prospect of being reinforced by a large +number of British soldiers, a gloom was cast over the whole camp by +the rumour that Sir Henry Lawrence was dead. As the first British +Ruler of the Punjab, Henry Lawrence was known by reputation to, and +respected by, every man belonging to the Delhi Force, and all realized +what a serious loss his death would be to the beleaguered garrison of +Lucknow. Much time, however, was not given us for lamentation, for +at the end of the first week in August another attempt was made to +drive us from the Metcalfe House piquets. Guns were again brought +out through the Kashmir gate, and posted at Ludlow Castle and the +Kudsiabagh; at the same time a number of Infantry skirmishers kept +up an almost constant fire from the jungle in front of our position. +The losses at the piquets themselves were not heavy, good cover having +been provided; but the communications between the piquets and our +main position were much exposed and extremely hazardous for the +reliefs. It was felt that the enemy could not be allowed to remain in +such close proximity to our outposts, and Showers (who had recovered +from his slight wound) was again ordered to drive them off, for which +purpose he was given a strong body of Infantry, composed of Europeans, +Sikhs, and Gurkhas, a troop of Horse Artillery, a squadron of the 9th<span class="page"><a name="114">[Page 114]</a></span> +Lancers, and the Guides Cavalry. The result was a very brilliant little +affair. The orders on this occasion were to 'move up silently and take +the guns at Ludlow Castle.' The small column proceeded in the +deepest silence, and the first sound heard at dawn on the 12th August +was the challenge of the enemy's sentry, '<i>Ho come dar?</i>' (Who comes +there?). A bullet in his body was the reply. A volley of musketry +followed, and effectually awoke the sleeping foe, who succeeded in +letting off two of their guns as our men rushed on the battery. An +Irish soldier, named Reegan, springing forward, prevented the discharge +of the third gun. He bayoneted the gunner in the act of applying the +port-fire, and was himself severely wounded. The rebel Artillerymen +stood to their guns splendidly, and fought till they were all killed. The +enemy's loss was severe; some 250 men were killed, and four guns +were captured. On our side 1 officer and 19 men were killed, 7 officers +and 85 men wounded, and 5 men missing. Amongst the wounded was +the gallant Commander of the column, and that fine soldier, Major +John Coke, the Commandant of the 1st Punjab Infantry. The return +to camp was a stirring sight: the captured guns were brought home in +triumph, pushed along by the soldiers, all madly cheering, and the +horses ridden by men carrying their muskets with bayonets fixed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Arrival of the Movable Column</span> +The following morning the Punjab Movable Column arrived. +Nicholson had preceded it by a few days, and from him I heard all +about his fight with the Sialkot mutineers at Trimmu Ghat and the +various marches and counter-marches which he had made since I left +him at Philour.</p> +<p> +The column was a most welcome addition to our force. It now +consisted of the 52nd Light Infantry, a wing of the 61st Foot, a Field +Battery, a wing of the 1st Baluch Regiment, and the 2nd Punjab +Infantry, beside 200 newly-raised Multani Cavalry and 400 military +police. This brought up our effective force to about 8,000 rank and +file of all <a name="XVI5r">arms</a>.<a href="#XVI5"><sup>5</sup></a> A more powerful siege-train than we had hitherto +possessed was on its way from Ferozepore, and three companies of the +8th Foot, detachments of Artillery and the 60th Rifles, the 4th Punjab +Infantry, and about 100 recruits for the 4th Sikhs were also marching +towards Delhi. In addition, a small contingent from Kashmir and a +few of the Jhind Raja's troops were shortly expected, after the arrival +of which nothing in the shape of reinforcements could be looked for +from the north.</p> +<p> +Nor could we hope for any help from the south, for no definite news +had been received from Havelock since his letter of the 25th of July, +and rumours had reached us that, finding it impossible to force his way +to Lucknow, he had been obliged to retire upon Cawnpore. It was felt, +therefore, that if Delhi were to be taken at all, it must be taken<span class="page"><a name="115">[Page 115]</a></span> +quickly, before our augmented numbers should be again diminished by +sickness and casualties.</p> +<p> +The enemy knew our position as well as we did, and appreciating +the great value the siege-train would be to us, they decided on making +a supreme effort to intercept it. A few days before they had been +foiled by Hodson in an attempt to cut off our communication with the +Punjab, and were determined to ensure success on this occasion by +employing a really formidable force. This force left Delhi on the +24th August, and proceeded in the direction of the Najafgarh <i>jhil</i>.</p> +<p> +At daybreak the following morning Nicholson started with sixteen +Horse Artillery guns, 1,600 Infantry and 450 Cavalry, his orders being +to overtake the enemy and bring them to action. I hoped to have +been of the party, but Nicholson's request to have me as his staff +officer was refused, as I had not been taken off the sick-list, though I +considered my wound was practically healed.</p> +<p> +It proved a most difficult march. The rain fell in torrents, and the +roads were mere quagmires. In the first nine miles two swamps had +to be got through, on crossing which Nicholson heard that the +insurgents were at Najafgarh, twelve miles further off. He determined +to push on, and at 4 p.m. he found them occupying a strong +position about a mile and three-quarters in length. In front was an +old serai which was held in force with four guns, and on either side +and in rear of the serai was a village equally strongly held; while +running round the enemy's right and rear was a huge drainage cut, +swollen by the heavy rain. This cut, or nulla, was crossed by a +bridge immediately behind the rebels' position. Nicholson advanced +from a side-road, which brought him on their right with the nulla +flowing between him and them. Even at the ford the water was +breast-high, and it was with much difficulty and not without a good +deal of delay that our troops crossed under a heavy fire from the serai. +It was getting late, and Nicholson had only time to make a hasty +reconnaissance. He decided to attack the serai, drive out the +mutineers, and then, changing front to the left, to sweep down their +line and get possession of the bridge.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate9">[plate 9]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/09-najafgarh-600.jpg" width="600" height="379" alt="SKETCH TO ILLUSTRATE THE ENGAGEMENT AT NAJAFGARH IN AUGUST, 1857." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>SKETCH TO ILLUSTRATE THE ENGAGEMENT AT NAJAFGARH IN AUGUST, 1857.</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<p><span class="rightnote">The 61st Foot at Najafgarh</span> +As the Infantry were about to advance, Nicholson thus addressed +them: 'Men of the 61st, remember what Sir Colin Campbell said at +Chilianwala, and you have heard that he said the same to his gallant +Highland Brigade at the Alma. I have the same request to make of +you and the men of the 1st Bengal Fusiliers. Hold your fire until +within twenty or thirty yards, then fire and charge, and the serai is +yours.' Our brave soldiers followed these directions to the letter, and, +under cover of Artillery fire, carried the serai. Front was then +changed to the left as had been arranged, and the line swept along the +enemy's defences, the rebels flying before them over the bridge. They +confessed to a loss of more than 800 men, and they left in our hands<span class="page"><a name="116">[Page 116]</a></span> +thirteen field-pieces and a large quantity of ammunition, besides all +their camp equipage, stores, camels, and horses. Our casualties were +2 officers and 23 men killed, and 3 officers and 68 men wounded—two +of the officers mortally, the third dangerously.</p> +<p> +The enemy in the city, imagining from the size of the force sent +with Nicholson that we could not have many troops left in camp, +attacked us in great strength on the following morning (26th), but +were beaten off with a loss on our side of only 8 killed and +13 wounded.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XVII">XVII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +By the 6th September all the reinforcements that could be expected, +including the siege train (consisting of thirty-two pieces of ordnance +with ample ammunition) had arrived in camp, and the time had now +come when it was necessary for Wilson to determine whether Delhi +was to be assaulted, or whether the attempt must be given up. Long +exposure to sun and rain began to tell terribly on the troops; sickness +increased to an alarming extent, and on the 31st August there were +2,368 men in hospital—a number which, six days later, had risen to +2,977.</p> +<p> +Norman, on whose figures implicit reliance can be placed, states +that on this date the total number of effective rank and file of all +arms, Artillery, Engineers, Cavalry, and Infantry, including gun-Lascars, +Native drivers, newly-raised Sikh Pioneers, and recruits for +the Punjab regiments, was 8,748.</p> +<p> +The strength of the British troops was 3,217, composed of +580 Artillery, 443 Cavalry, and 2,294 Infantry. The Infantry corps +were mere skeletons, the strongest being only 409 effective rank and +file. The 52nd, which had arrived three weeks before with 600 healthy +men, had already dwindled to 242 fit for duty.</p> +<p> +The above numbers are exclusive of the Kashmir Contingent of +2,200 men and four guns, which had by this time reached Delhi; and +several hundred men of the Jhind troops (previously most usefully +employed in keeping open our communication with Kurnal) were, at +the Raja's particular request, brought in to share in the glory of the +capture of Delhi, the Raja himself accompanying them.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Wilson's Difficulties</span> +No one was more alive than the Commander of the Delhi Field +Force to the fact that no further aid could be expected, and no one +realized more keenly than he did that the strength of the little army +at his disposal was diminishing day by day. But Wilson had never +been sanguine as to the possibility of capturing Delhi without aid from +the south. In a letter to Baird-Smith dated the 20th August, he discussed<span class="page"><a name="117">[Page 117]</a></span> +at length his reasons for not being in a position to 'hold out +any hope of being able to take the place until supported by the force +from below.' He now was aware that no troops could be expected +from the south, and Sir John Lawrence plainly told him that he had +sent him the last man he could spare from the Punjab. On the 29th +August Lawrence wrote to Wilson: 'There seem to be very strong +reasons for assaulting as soon as practicable. Every day's delay is +fraught with danger. Every day disaffection and mutiny spread. +Every day adds to the danger of the Native Princes taking part +against us.' But Wilson did not find it easy to make up his mind to +assault. He was ill. Responsibility and anxiety had told upon him. +He had grown nervous and hesitating, and the longer it was delayed +the more difficult the task appeared to him.</p> + +<p> +Fortunately for the continuance of our rule in India, Wilson had +about him men who understood, as he was unable to do, the impossibility +of our remaining any longer as we were. They knew that +Delhi must either be taken or the army before it withdrawn. The +man to whom the Commander first looked for counsel under these +conditions—Baird-Smith, of the Bengal Engineers—proved himself +worthy of the high and responsible position in which he was placed. +He too was ill. Naturally of a delicate constitution, the climate and +exposure had told upon him severely, and the diseases from which he +was suffering were aggravated by a wound he had received soon after +his arrival in camp. He fully appreciated the tremendous risks which +an assault involved, but, in his opinion, they were less than were those +of delay. Whether convinced or not by his Chief Engineer's arguments, +Wilson accepted his advice and directed him to prepare a plan +of attack.</p> +<p> +Baird-Smith was strongly supported by Nicholson, Chamberlain, +Daly, Norman, and Alex. Taylor. They were one and all in communication +with the authorities in the Punjab, and they knew that if +'Delhi were not taken, and that speedily, there would be a struggle +not only for European dominion, but even for European existence +within the Punjab <a name="XVII1r">itself</a>.'<a href="#XVII1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +Our position in that province was, indeed, most critical. An +attempted conspiracy of Mahomedan tribes in the Murree Hills, and +an insurrection in the Gogaira district, had occurred. Both these +affairs were simply attempts to throw off the British yoke, made in the +belief that our last hour was come. The feeling that prompted them +was not confined to the Mahomedans; amongst all classes and races in +the Punjab a spirit of restlessness was on the increase; even the most +loyally disposed were speculating on the chances of our being able to +hold our own, and doubting the advisability of adhering to our cause.<span class="page"><a name="118">[Page 118]</a></span> +On the part of the Sikhs of the <a name="XVII2r">Manjha</a><a href="#XVII2"><sup>2</sup></a> there was an unwillingness to +enlist, and no good recruits of this class could be obtained until after +Delhi had fallen.</p> +<p> +It was under these critical circumstances that a council of war was +convened to decide definitely whether the assault should take place +or not.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Nicholson's Resolve</span> +Nicholson was not a man of many intimacies, but as his staff officer +I had been fortunate enough to gain his friendship. I was constantly +with him, and on this occasion I was sitting in his tent before he set +out to attend the council. He had been talking to me in confidential +terms of personal matters, and ended by telling me of his intention +to take a very unusual step should the council fail to arrive at any +fixed determination regarding the assault. 'Delhi must be taken,' he +said, 'and it is absolutely essential that this should be done at once; +and if Wilson hesitates longer, I intend to propose at to-day's meeting +that he should be superseded.' I was greatly startled, and ventured to +remark that, as Chamberlain was <i>hors de combat</i> from his wound, +Wilson's removal would leave him, Nicholson, senior officer with the +force. He smiled as he answered: 'I have not overlooked that fact. +I shall make it perfectly clear that, under the circumstances, I could +not possibly accept the command myself, and I shall propose that it be +given to Campbell, of the 52nd; I am prepared to serve under him for +the time being, so no one can ever accuse me of being influenced by +personal motives.'</p> +<p> +Happily, Nicholson was not called upon to take so unusual a step. +I walked with him to the Head-Quarters camp, waited in great excitement +until the council of war was over, and, when Nicholson issued +from the General's tent, learnt, to my intense relief, that Wilson had +agreed to the assault.</p> +<p> +That Nicholson would have carried out his intention if the council +had come to a different conclusion I have not the slightest doubt, and +I quite believe that his masterful spirit would have effected its purpose +and borne down all opposition. Whether his action would have been +right or wrong is another question, and one on which there is always +sure to be great difference of opinion. At the time it seemed to me that +he was right. The circumstances were so exceptional—Wilson would +have proved himself so manifestly unfit to cope with them had he +decided on further delay—and the consequences of such delay would +have been so calamitous and far-reaching, that even now, after many +years have passed, and after having often thought over Nicholson's +intended action and discussed the subject with other men, I have not +changed my opinion.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Arrangements for the Assault</span> +In anticipation of an attack on Delhi, preparations had been commenced<span class="page"><a name="119">[Page 119]</a></span> +early in September, one of the first of these being to form a +trench to the left of the 'Sammy House,' at the end of which a battery +was constructed for four 9-pounders and two 24-pounder howitzers. +The object of this battery was to prevent sorties from the Lahore or +Kabul gates passing round the city wall to annoy our breaching batteries, +and also to assist in keeping down the fire from the Mori <a name="XVII3r">bastion</a>.<a href="#XVII3"><sup>3</sup></a> +This battery, moreover, led the enemy to believe that we should attack +them from our right, whereas it had been resolved to push the main +attack from our left, where we could approach nearer to the walls under +cover, and where our flank was completely protected by the river. +The Engineers had also employed themselves in getting ready 10,000 +fascines, as many gabions, and 100,000 sand-bags, besides field-magazines, +scaling-ladders, and spare platforms.</p> +<p> +On the 7th September Wilson issued an order informing the force +that arrangements for the assault would be commenced at once. He +dwelt upon the hardships and fatigue which had been cheerfully borne +by officers and men, and expressed his hope that they would be rewarded +for their past labours, 'and for a cheerful endurance of still +greater fatigue and exposure.' He reminded the troops of the reasons +for the deadly struggle in which they were engaged, and he called upon +all ranks to co-operate heart and soul in the arduous work now before +them.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Construction of Breaching Batteries</span> +Ground was broken that evening. Unfortunately Baird-Smith was +not able to personally superintend the construction of the breaching +batteries, but he had in his second-in-command, Alex. Taylor, a +thoroughly practical Engineer, who not only knew how to work himself, +but how to get work out of others. Ever alert and cheerful, he +was trusted and looked up to by all his subordinates, and was of all +others the very man to be placed in charge of such a difficult and +dangerous duty.</p> +<p> +The first battery, known as No. 1, was traced out in two parts, about +700 yards from the Mori bastion, which the right half, with its five +18-pounders and one 8-inch howitzer, was intended to silence; while +the left half, with its four 24-pounders, was to hold the Kashmir +bastion in check.</p> +<p> +All night the Engineers worked at the battery, but although before +day broke it was nearly finished and armed, it was not ready to open +fire until close on sunrise. The enemy did not fail to take advantage +of this chance. They poured in round after round of shot and grape, +causing many casualties. Their fire slackened as our guns were gradually +able to make themselves felt, and by the afternoon it was silenced. +Nothing remained of the Mori bastion but a heap of ruins. No. 1 +battery was commanded by Major James <a name="XVII4r">Brind</a>,<a href="#XVII4"><sup>4</sup></a> the bravest of the<span class="page"><a name="120">[Page 120]</a></span> +brave. It was said of him that he 'never slept'; and Reid (of 'Hindu +Rao' fame) wrote of him: 'On all occasions the exertions of this +noble officer were indefatigable. He was always to be found where his +presence was most required; and the example he set to officers and +men was beyond all praise.'</p> +<p> +No. 2 battery was next taken in hand. This was erected in front of +Ludlow Castle, and about 500 yards from the Kashmir gate. Like +No. 1, it was formed in two parts, the right half being intended for +seven heavy howitzers and two 18-pounders, and the left for nine +24-pounders, commanded respectively by Majors Kaye and Campbell. +All these guns were intended to breach the Kashmir bastion, where +the main assault was to be made.</p> +<p> +Up till this time the enemy had imagined that the attack would be +delivered from our right, and they were quite taken by surprise when, +on the evening of the 8th September, we occupied Ludlow Castle.</p> +<p> +Baird-Smith showed his grasp of the situation in attacking from our +left, notwithstanding the greater distance of this part of our position +from the city wall. No counter-attack could be made on that flank, +and the comparatively open ground between the Kashmir and Mori +bastions would assist us in protecting the assaulting columns.</p> +<p> +As soon as the enemy discovered their mistake, they did their utmost +to prevent our batteries being constructed; but the Engineers were not +to be deterred. By the morning of the 11th No. 2 battery was completed, +armed, and unmasked, and No. 3 and No. 4 batteries were +marked out in the Kudsiabagh. No. 3, commanded by Major Scott, +was constructed for six 18-pounders, and twelve 5½ inch mortars under +Captain Blunt. Norman in his narrative says: 'The establishment of +Major Scott's battery within 180 yards of the wall, to arm which heavy +guns had to be dragged from the rear under a constant fire of musketry, +was an operation that could rarely have been equalled in war.' During +the first night of its construction 89 men were killed and wounded; but +with rare courage the workmen continued their task. They were +merely unarmed pioneers; and with that passive bravery so characteristic +of Natives, as man after man was knocked over, they would stop +a moment, weep a little over a fallen friend, place his body in a row +along with the rest, and then work on as <a name="XVII5r">before</a>.<a href="#XVII5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p> +No. 4 battery, armed with ten heavy mortars, and commanded by +Major Tombs, was placed under the shelter of an old building, about +half-way between No. 2 and No. 3 <a name="XVII6r">batteries</a>.<a href="#XVII6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +I was posted to the left half of No. 2 battery, and had charge of the<span class="page"><a name="121">[Page 121]</a></span> +two right guns. At eight o'clock on the morning of the 11th September +we opened fire on the Kashmir bastion and the adjoining curtain, +and as the shots told and the stones flew into the air and rattled down, +a loud cheer burst from the Artillerymen and some of the men of the +Carabineers and 9th Lancers who had volunteered to work in the +batteries. The enemy had got our range with wonderful accuracy, and +immediately on the screen in front of the right gun being removed, a +round shot came through the embrasure, knocking two or three of us +over. On regaining my feet, I found that the young Horse Artilleryman +who was serving the vent while I was laying the gun had had his +right arm taken off.</p> +<p> +In the evening of the same day, when, wearied with hard work and +exhausted by the great heat, we were taking a short rest, trusting to the +shelter of the battery for protection, a shower of grape came into us, +severely wounding our commander, Campbell, whose place was taken +by Edwin Johnson. We never left the battery until the day of the +assault—the 14th—except to go by turns into Ludlow Castle for our +meals. Night and day the overwhelming fire was continued, and the +incessant boom and roar of guns and mortars, with the ceaseless rain +of shot and shell on the city, warned the mutineers that their punishment +was at hand. We were not, however, allowed to have it all our +own way. Unable to fire a gun from any of the three bastions we were +breaching, the enemy brought guns into the open and enfiladed our +batteries. They sent rockets from their martello towers, and they +maintained a perfect storm of musketry from their advanced trench +and from the city walls. No part of the attack was left unsearched by +their fire, and though three months' incessant practice had made our +men skilful in using any cover they had, our losses were numerous, +327 officers and men being killed and wounded between the 7th and +14th September.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Nicholson Expresses his Satisfaction</span> +On the evening of the 13th September Nicholson came to see whether +we gunners had done our work thoroughly enough to warrant the +assault being made the next morning. He was evidently satisfied, for +when he entered our battery he said: 'I must shake hands with you +fellows; you have done your best to make my work easy to-morrow.'</p> +<p> +Nicholson was accompanied by Taylor, who had to make certain that +the breaches were practicable, and for this purpose he detailed four +subaltern officers of Engineers to go to the walls as soon as it was dark, +and report upon the condition they were in. Greathed and Home +were told off for the Water bastion breach, and Medley and <a name="XVII7r">Lang</a><a href="#XVII7"><sup>7</sup></a> for +that of the Kashmir bastion. Lang asked to be allowed to go while it +was yet daylight; Taylor agreed, and with an escort of four men of +the 60th Rifles he crept to the edge of the cover in the Kudsiabagh, +and then, running up the glacis, sat on top of the counterscarp for<span class="page"><a name="122">[Page 122]</a></span> +a few seconds studying the ditch and the two breaches. On his return +Lang reported the breaches to be practicable; as, however, it was +desirable to ascertain whether ladders would be necessary, he was sent +again after dark, in company with Medley. They took a ladder and a +measuring-rod with them, and were escorted by an officer and twenty-four +riflemen, of whom all but six were left under cover in the Kudsiabagh. +Lang slipped into the ditch, which he found to be sixteen feet +deep. Medley handed him the ladder and rod, and followed him with +two riflemen, the other four remaining on the crest of the glacis to +cover their retreat. With the help of the ladder they ascended the +berm and measured the height of the wall. Two minutes more, and +they would have reached the top of the breach, but, quiet as they had +been, their movements had attracted attention, and several of the +enemy were heard running towards the breach. The whole party reascended +as rapidly as possible, and, throwing themselves on the grass, +waited in breathless silence, hoping the sepoys would go away, and that +they might be able to make another attempt to reach the top of the +breach. The rebels, however, gave no signs of retiring, and as all needful +information had been obtained, they determined to run for it. A volley +was fired at the party as they dashed across the open, but no one was hit.</p> +<p> +Greathed and Home had been equally successful, and by midnight +Baird-Smith was able to report to General Wilson that both breaches +were practicable.</p> +<p> +Baird-Smith urged the importance of attacking without delay. He +pointed out the impossibility of continuing the high pressure at which +nearly every <a name="XVII8r">man</a><a href="#XVII8"><sup>8</sup></a> in the force had been working during the past few days; +that the tension was becoming too severe to last; and that every hour<span class="page"><a name="123">[Page 123]</a></span> +that passed without assaulting was a loss to us and a gain to the enemy.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Orders for the Assault Issued</span> +Before Wilson and Baird-Smith separated, orders had been issued +for the attack to be made at daybreak the next morning, the 14th.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Composition of the Attacking Columns</span> +It was arranged that there were to be four assaulting columns and +one reserve column.</p> +<p> +The first, second and third columns, which were to operate on our +left, were under the command of Brigadier-General Nicholson, who +personally led No. 1 column. It consisted of:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="No. 1 column." border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="40%"> MEN.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + Her Majesty's 75th Foot <br /> + 1st Bengal Fusiliers<br /> + 2nd Punjab Infantry</td> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + 300<br /> + 250<br /> + 450<br /> + ——–</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top">Total </td> + <td class="main" valign="top">1,000</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p> +and was meant to storm the breach near the Kashmir bastion.</p> +<p class="quote1"> +[Note: I am indebted to the kindness of Mrs. Barter, the widow of my gallant +friend and comrade. General Richard Barter, C.B., who served throughout +the Mutiny with the 75th Foot, first as Adjutant and afterwards as Captain, for +the above 'Daily State' and for the following extract from that officer's diary:</p> +<p class="quote1"> +'In the evening the order was published for the storming of Delhi a little +before daybreak the next morning, September 14, and we each of us looked +carefully to the reloading of our pistols, filling of flasks, and getting as good +protection as possible for our heads, which would be exposed so much going +up the ladders. I wound two puggris or turbans round my old forage cap, +with the last letter from the hills [Mrs. Barter was then at Kasauli, in the +Himalayas] in the top, and committed myself to the care of Providence. +There was not much sleep that night in our camp. I dropped off now and +then, but never for long, and whenever I woke I could see that there was a +light in more than one of the officers' tents, and talking was going on in a low +tone amongst the men, the snapping of a lock or springing of a ramrod sounding +far in the still air, telling of preparation for the coming strife. A +little after midnight we fell in as quietly as possible, and by the light of a +lantern the orders for the assault were then read to the men. They were to +the following purport: Any officer or man who might be wounded was to be +left where he fell; no one was to step from the ranks to help him, as there +were no men to spare. If the assault were successful he would be taken away +in the doolies, or litters, and carried to the rear, or wherever he could best +receive medical assistance. If we failed, wounded and sound should be +prepared to bear the worst. There was to be no plundering, but all prize +taken was to be put into a common stock for fair division after all was over. +No prisoners were to be made, as we had no one to guard them, and care was to +be taken that no women or children were injured. To this the men answered +at once, by "No fear, sir." The officers now pledged their honours on their +swords to abide by these orders, and the men then promised to follow their +example. At this moment, just as the regiment was about to march off, +Father Bertrand came up in his vestments, and, addressing the Colonel, begged +for permission to bless the regiment, saying: "We may differ some of us in +matters of religion, but the blessing of an old man and a clergyman can do +nothing but good." The Colonel at once assented, and Father Bertrand, +lifting his hands to Heaven, blessed the regiment in a most impressive +manner, offering up at the same time a prayer for our success and for mercy +on the souls of those soon to die.']</p> +<p> +No. 2 column, under Brigadier Jones, of Her Majesty's 61st Foot,<span class="page"><a name="124">[Page 124]</a></span> +consisted of:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="No. 2 column" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="40%"> MEN.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + Her Majesty's 8th Foot<br /> + 2nd Bengal Fusiliers<br /> + 4th Sikhs</td> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + 250<br /> + 250<br /> + 350<br /> + —–</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top">Total </td> + <td class="main" valign="top"> 850</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p> +and was intended for the storming of the breach near the Water +bastion.</p> +<p> +No. 3 column, under Colonel Campbell, of Her Majesty's 52nd Light +Infantry, consisted of:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="No. 3 column" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="40%"> MEN.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + Her Majesty's 52nd Light Infantry<br /> + Kumaon Battalion<br /> + 1st Punjab Infantry</td> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + 200<br /> + 250<br /> + 500<br /> + —–</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top">Total </td> + <td class="main" valign="top"> 950</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p> +and was told off to enter the Kashmir gate after it had been blown in.</p> +<p> +No. 4 column was to operate on our right. It was commanded by +Major Reid, of the Sirmur battalion, and was composed of that +regiment, the Guides Infantry, and such men from the piquets (European +and Native) as could be spared. Its strength was 860 men, +besides 1,200 of the Kashmir Contingent, and its orders were to attack +the suburbs of Kisenganj and Paharipur, and support the main attack +by effecting an entrance at the Kabul gate..</p> +<p> +The Reserve column, under Brigadier Longfield, Her Majesty's +8th Foot, was told to await the result of the attack, and afford assistance +wherever required. It consisted of:.</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Reserve column" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="main" valign="top" width="40%"> MEN.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + Her Majesty's 61st Foot<br /> + 4th Punjab Infantry<br /> + Wing Baluch battalion</td> + <td class="main" valign="top"> + 250<br /> + 450<br /> + 300<br /> + ——–</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main" valign="top">Total </td> + <td class="main" valign="top">1,000</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p> +with 300 of the Jhind Contingent..</p> +<p> +There were besides 200 of the 60th Rifles, who were to cover the +advance of Nicholson's columns, and join the reserve as soon as the +assaults had been carried out..</p> +<p> +In order to provide these five columns, in all hardly 5,000 strong, the +services of every man who could bear arms had to be put into requisition. +Piquets were weakened to a dangerous extent, and many of the +sick and wounded who ought to have been in hospital were utilized for +the protection of the camp..</p> + + +<p class="center"> +DAILY STATE<br /> +OF <br /> +H.M.'S 75TH REGIMENT<br /> +——–——–</p> + +<p class="rindent"> +Camp Delhi, 13th September, 1857.</p> +<table width="80%" align="center" summary="DAILY STATE OF H.M.'S 75TH REGIMENT" border="1"> +<tr> + <td class="note" width="20%"> </td> + <td class="note" width="20%">Sergeants.</td> + <td class="note" width="20%">Drummers.</td> + <td class="note" width="20%">Rank and File.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note">Fit to turn out <br /> + On duty</td> + <td class="note"> 1<br /> + 29</td> + <td class="note"> 5<br /> + 6</td> + <td class="note"> 37<br /> + 361 </td> +</tr> +</table> + +<table width="80%" align="center" summary="signatures" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note" width="40%"><br /> + <br /> + True copy,<br /> +(Sd.) R. BARTER, Lieut.-Adj.,<br /> +75th Regiment.] +</td> + <td class="note" width="25%"> </td> + <td class="note" width="30%"> +(Sd.) E. COURTENAY,<br /> +Sergt.-Major,<br /> +75th Regt. +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="125">[Page 125]</a></span><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XVIII">XVIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />Delhi Stormed</span> +<p> +It was intended, as I have before said, that the assault should be +delivered at break of day, but many of the men belonging to the regiments +of the storming force had been on piquet all night, and it took +some time for them to rejoin their respective corps. A further delay +was caused by our having to destroy the partial repairs to the breaches +which the enemy had succeeded in effecting during the night, notwithstanding +the steady fire we had kept up.</p> +<p> +While we were thus engaged, the Infantry were ordered to lie down +under cover. Standing on the crenellated wall which separated +Ludlow Castle from the road, I saw Nicholson at the head of his +column, and wondered what was passing through his mind. Was he +thinking of the future, or of the wonderful part he had played during +the past four months? At Peshawar he had been Edwardes's right +hand. At the head of the Movable Column he had been mainly +instrumental in keeping the Punjab quiet, and at Delhi everyone felt +that during the short time he had been with us he was our guiding +star, and that but for his presence in the camp the assault which he +was about to lead would probably never have come off. He was +truly 'a tower of strength.' Any feeling of reluctance to serve under +a Captain of the Company's army, which had at first been felt by +some, had been completely overcome by his wonderful personality. +Each man in the force, from the General in command to the last-joined +private soldier, recognized that the man whom the wild people on the +frontier had deified—the man of whom a little time before Edwardes +had said to Lord Canning, 'You may rely upon this, that if ever there +is a desperate deed to be done in India, John Nicholson is the man to +do it'—was one who had proved himself beyond all doubt capable of +grappling with the crisis through which we were passing—one to follow +to the death. Faith in the Commander who had claimed and been +given the post of honour was unbounded, and every man was prepared +'to do or die' for him.</p> +<p> +The sun had risen high in the heavens, when the breaching guns +suddenly ceased, and each soldier felt he had but a brief moment in +which to brace himself for the coming conflict. Nicholson gave the +signal. The 60th Rifles with a loud cheer dashed to the front in +skirmishing order, while at the same moment the heads of the first +and second columns appeared from the Kudsiabagh and moved steadily +towards the breaches.</p> +<p> +No sooner were the front ranks seen by the rebels than a storm of +bullets met them from every side, and officers and men fell thick on +the crest of the glacis. Then, for a few seconds, amidst a blaze of +musketry, the soldiers stood at the edge of the ditch, for only one or<span class="page"><a name="126">[Page 126]</a></span> +two of the ladders had come up, the rest having been dropped by their +killed or wounded carriers. Dark figures crowded on the breach, hurling +stones upon our men and daring them to come on. More ladders +were brought up, they were thrown into the ditch, and our men, leaping +into it, raised them against the escarp on the other side. Nicholson, +at the head of a part of his column, was the first to ascend the breach +in the curtain. The remainder of his troops diverged a little to the +right to escalade the breach in the Kashmir bastion. Here Lieutenants +Barter and Fitzgerald, of the 75th Foot, were the first to mount, and +here the latter fell mortally wounded. The breaches were quickly +filled with dead and dying, but the rebels were hurled back, and the +ramparts which had so long resisted us were our own.</p> +<p> +The breach at the Water bastion was carried by No. 2 column. No +sooner was its head seen emerging from the cover of the old Custom-house +than it was met by a terrible discharge of musketry. Both the +Engineer officers (Greathed and Hovenden) who were leading it fell +severely wounded, and of the thirty-nine men who carried the ladders +twenty-nine were killed or wounded in as many seconds. The ladders +were immediately seized by their comrades, who, after one or two vain +attempts, succeeded in placing them against the escarp. Then, amidst +a shower of stones and bullets, the soldiers ascended, rushed the breach, +and, slaying all before them, drove the rebels from the walls.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Scene at the Kashmir Gate</span> +No. 3 column had in the meanwhile advanced towards the Kashmir +gate and halted. Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, with eight Sappers +and Miners and a bugler of the 52nd Foot, went forward to blow the +gate open. The enemy were apparently so astounded at the audacity +of this proceeding that for a minute or two they offered but slight +resistance. They soon, however, discovered how small the party was +and the object for which it had come, and forthwith opened a deadly +fire upon the gallant little band from the top of the gateway, from the +city wall, and through the open wicket.</p> +<p> +The bridge over the ditch in front of the gateway had been destroyed, +and it was with some difficulty that the single beam which remained +could be crossed. Home with the men carrying the powder-bags got +over first. As the bags were being attached to the gate, Sergeant +Carmichael was killed and Havildar Madhoo wounded; the rest then +slipped into the ditch to allow the firing party which had come up +under Salkeld to carry out its share of the duty.</p> +<p> +While endeavouring to fire the charge, Salkeld, being shot through +the leg and arm, handed the slow-match to Corporal Burgess, who fell +mortally wounded, but not until he had successfully performed his task.</p> +<p> +As soon as the explosion had taken place, Bugler Hawthorne sounded +the regimental call of the 52nd. Meeting with no response, he sounded +twice again. The noise of firing and shouting was so great that neither +the sound of the bugle nor that of the explosion reached the column,<span class="page"><a name="127">[Page 127]</a></span> +but Campbell, after allowing the firing party what he thought was +sufficient time, gave the order to advance. Captain Crosse, of the 52nd, +was the first to reach the gate, followed closely by Corporal Taylor of +his own company, and Captain Synge of the same regiment, who was +Campbell's Brigade-Major. In single file along the narrow plank they +crossed the ditch in which lay the shattered remnant of the gallant little +band; they crept through the wicket, which was the only part blown +in, and found the interior of the gateway blocked by an 18-pounder +gun, under which were lying the scorched bodies of two or three sepoys, +who had evidently been killed by the explosion. The rest of the column +followed as rapidly as the precarious crossing would admit, and when +Campbell got inside he found himself face to face with both Nicholson's +and Jones's columns, which, after mounting the three breaches, poured +in a mingled crowd into the open space between the Kashmir gate and +the church.</p> +<p> +No. 4 column advanced from the Sabzi Mandi towards Kisenganj +and Paharipur. Reid, the commander, was unfortunately wounded +early in the day. Several other officers were either killed or wounded, +and for a little time a certain amount of confusion existed owing to +some misconception as to whether the command of the column should +be exercised by the senior officer with the regular troops, or by the +political officer with the Kashmir Contingent. The fighting was very +severe. The enemy were in great numbers, and strongly posted on the +banks of the canal—indeed, at one time there appeared to be a likelihood +of their breaking into our weakly-guarded camp or turning the +flank of our storming parties. The guns at Hindu Rao's house, however, +prevented such a catastrophe by pouring shrapnel into the ranks +of the rebels; and just at the critical moment Hope Grant brought up +the Cavalry brigade, which had been covering the assaulting columns. +The Horse Artillery dashed to the front and opened fire upon the +enemy. From the gardens and houses of Kisenganj, only two or three +hundred yards off, the mutineers poured a deadly fire of musketry on +our men, and from the bastion near the Lahore gate showers of grape +caused serious losses amongst them. Owing to the nature of the +ground the Cavalry could not charge. Had they retired the guns would +have been captured, and had the guns been withdrawn the position +would have been lost. For two hours the troopers drawn up in battle +array sat motionless, while their ranks were being cruelly raked. Not +a man wavered. Hope Grant and four of his staff had their horses +killed under them; two of them were wounded, and Hope Grant himself +was hit by a spent shot. In Tombs's troop of Horse Artillery +alone, 25 men out of 50 were wounded, and 17 horses either killed or +wounded. The 9th Lancers had 38 casualties amongst the men, and +lost 71 horses. 'Nothing daunted,' wrote Hope Grant, 'those gallant +soldiers held their trying position with patient endurance; and on my<span class="page"><a name="128">[Page 128]</a></span> +praising them for their good behaviour, they declared their readiness to +stand the fire as long as I chose. The behaviour of the Native Cavalry,' +he added, 'was also admirable. Nothing could be steadier; nothing +could be more soldierlike than their bearing.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Bold Front by Artillery and Cavalry</span> +The bold front shown by the Horse Artillery and Cavalry enabled +No. 4 column to retire in an orderly manner behind Hindu Rao's house, +and also assisted the Kashmir Contingent in its retreat from the Idgah, +where it was defeated with the loss of four guns. The repulse of this +column added considerably to our difficulties by freeing many hundreds +to take part in the fight which was being fiercely carried on within the +city.</p> +<p> +Meanwhile the three assaulting columns had made good their lodgment +on the walls. The guns in the Kashmir and Water bastions had +been turned so as to allow of their being used against the foe, and preparations +were made for the next move.</p> +<p> +Nicholson's orders were to push his way to the Ajmir gate, by the +road running inside the city wall, and to clear the ramparts and bastions +as he went. Jones was to make for the Kabul gate, and Campbell for +the Jama Masjid.</p> +<p> +These three columns reformed inside the Kashmir gate, from which +point the first and second practically became one. Nicholson, being +accidentally separated from his own column for a short time, pushed +on with Campbell's past the church, in the direction of the Jama +Masjid, while the amalgamated column under Jones's leadership took +the rampart route past the Kabul gate (on the top of which Jones had +planted a British flag), capturing as they advanced all the guns they +found on the ramparts, and receiving no check until the Burn bastion +was reached by some of the more adventurous spirits. Here the enemy, +taking heart at seeing but a small number of opponents, made a stand. +They brought up a gun, and, occupying all the buildings on the south +side of the rampart with Infantry, they poured forth such a heavy fire +that a retirement to the Kabul gate had to be effected.</p> +<p> +It was at this point that Nicholson rejoined his own column. His +haughty spirit could not brook the idea of a retirement; however slight +the check might be, he knew that it would restore to the rebels the +confidence of which our hitherto successful advance had deprived them, +and, believing that there was nothing that brave men could not achieve, +he determined to make a fresh attempt to seize the Burn bastion.</p> +<p> +The lane which was again to be traversed was about 200 yards long, +with the city wall and rampart on the right, and on the left flat-roofed +houses with parapets, affording convenient shelter for the enemy's +sharp-shooters.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Nicholson Wounded</span> +As the troops advanced up this lane the mutineers opened upon them +a heavy and destructive fire. Again and again they were checked, and +again and again they reformed and advanced. It was in this lane that<span class="page"><a name="129">[Page 129]</a></span> +Major Jacob, the gallant Commander of the 1st Bengal Fusiliers, fell, +mortally wounded. His men wanted to carry him to the rear, but he +would not allow them to remain behind for him, and refused their help, +urging them to press forward against the foe. The officers, leading far +ahead of their men, were shot down one after the other, and the men, +seeing them fall, began to waver. Nicholson, on this, sprang forward, +and called upon the soldiers to follow him. He was instantly shot +through the chest.</p> +<p> +A second retirement to the Kabul gate was now inevitable, and +there all that was left of the first and second columns remained for +the night.</p> +<p> +Campbell's column, guided by Sir Theophilus Metcalfe, who from his +intimate acquaintance with the city as Magistrate and Collector of +Delhi was able to conduct it by the route least exposed to the enemy's +fire, forced its way to the vicinity of the Jama Masjid, where it +remained for half an hour, hoping that the other columns would come +to its assistance. They, however, as has been shown, had more than +enough to do elsewhere, and Campbell (who was wounded), seeing no +chance of being reinforced, and having no Artillery or powder-bags with +which to blow in the gates of the Jama Masjid, fell back leisurely and +in order on the church, where he touched what was left of the Reserve +column, which had gradually been broken up to meet the demands of +the assaulting force, until the 4th Punjab Infantry alone remained to +represent it.</p> +<p> +While what I have just described was taking place, I myself was +with General Wilson. Edwin Johnson and I, being no longer required +with the breaching batteries, had been ordered to return to our staff +duties, and we accordingly joined the General at Ludlow Castle, where +he arrived shortly before the assaulting columns moved from the cover +of the Kudsiabagh.</p> +<p> +Wilson watched the assault from the top of the house, and when he +was satisfied that it had proved successful, he rode through the Kashmir +gate to the church, where he remained for the rest of the day.</p> +<p> +He was ill and tired out, and as the day wore on and he received +discouraging reports, he became more and more anxious and depressed. +He heard of Reid's failure, and of Reid himself having been severely +wounded; then came the disastrous news that Nicholson had fallen, +and a report (happily false) that Hope Grant and Tombs were both +killed. All this greatly agitated and distressed the General, until at +last he began seriously to consider the advisability of leaving the city +and falling back on the Ridge.</p> +<p> +I was ordered to go and find out the truth of these reports, and to +ascertain exactly what had happened to No. 4 column and the Cavalry +on our right.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Last I Saw of Nicholson</span> +Just after starting on my errand, while riding through the Kashmir<span class="page"><a name="130">[Page 130]</a></span> +gate, I observed by the side of the road a doolie, without bearers, and +with evidently a wounded man inside. I dismounted to see if I could +be of any use to the occupant, when I found, to my grief and consternation, +that it was John Nicholson, with death written on his face. He +told me that the bearers had put the doolie down and gone off to +plunder; that he was in great pain, and wished to be taken to the +hospital. He was lying on his back, no wound was visible, and but for +the pallor of his face, always colourless, there was no sign of the agony +he must have been enduring. On my expressing a hope that he was +not seriously wounded, he said: 'I am dying; there is no chance for +me.' The sight of that great man lying helpless and on the point of +death was almost more than I could bear. Other men had daily died +around me, friends and comrades had been killed beside me, but I never +felt as I felt then—to lose Nicholson seemed to me at that moment to +lose everything.</p> +<p> +I searched about for the doolie-bearers, who, with other camp-followers, +were busy ransacking the houses and shops in the neighbourhood, +and carrying off everything of the slightest value they could +lay their hands on. Having with difficulty collected four men, I put +them in charge of a sergeant of the 61st Foot. Taking down his name, +I told him who the wounded officer was, and ordered him to go direct +to the field hospital.</p> +<p> +That was the last I saw of Nicholson. I found time to ride several +times to the hospital to inquire after him, but I was never allowed to +see him again.</p> +<p> +Continuing my ride, I soon came up with Hope Grant's brigade. It +had shortly before been relieved from its perilous and unpleasant +position as a target for the enemy by the timely arrival of the Guides +Infantry and a detachment of the Baluch battalion. I was rejoiced to +find Tombs alive and unhurt, and from him and other officers of my +regiment I learnt the tremendous peppering they had undergone. +Hodson was also there with his newly-raised regiment, some officers +of the 9th Lancers, and Dighton Probyn, Watson, and Younghusband, +of the Punjab Cavalry. Probyn was in great spirits, having fallen +temporarily into the command of his squadron, owing to Charles +Nicholson (John Nicholson's younger brother) having been selected to +take Coke's place with the 1st Punjab Infantry. Probyn retained +his command throughout the campaign, for Charles Nicholson was +wounded that very morning while gallantly leading his regiment. +His right arm was being amputated when his heroic brother was +carried mortally wounded into the same hospital, and laid on the bed +next to him.</p> +<p> +It seemed so important to acquaint the General without delay that +Hope Grant and Tombs were both alive, that the Cavalry had been +relieved from their exposed position, and that there was no need for<span class="page"><a name="131">[Page 131]</a></span> +further anxiety about Reid's column, that I galloped back to the church +as quickly as possible.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Wilson Wavers</span> +The news I was able to give for the moment somewhat cheered the +General, but did not altogether dispel his gloomy forebodings; and the +failure of Campbell's column (which just at that juncture returned to +the church), the hopelessness of Nicholson's condition, and, above all, +the heavy list of casualties he received later, appeared to crush all +spirit and energy out of him. His dejection increased, and he became +more than ever convinced that his wisest course was to withdraw from +the city. He would, I think, have carried out this fatal measure, notwithstanding +that every officer on his staff was utterly opposed to any +retrograde movement, had it not been his good fortune to have beside +him a man sufficiently bold and resolute to stimulate his flagging +energies. Baird-Smith's indomitable courage and determined perseverance +were never more conspicuous than at that critical moment, +when, though suffering intense pain from his wound, and weakened by +a wasting disease, he refused to be put upon the sick-list; and on +Wilson appealing to him for advice as to whether he should or should +not hold on to the position we had gained, the short but decisive answer, +'We <i>must</i> hold on,' was given in such a determined and uncompromising +tone that it put an end to all discussion.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Holding on to the Walls of Delhi</span> +Neville Chamberlain gave similar advice. Although still suffering +from his wound, and only able to move about with difficulty, he had +taken up his position at Hindu Rao's house, from which he exercised, +as far as his physical condition would allow, a general supervision and +control over the events that took place on the right of the Ridge. He +was accompanied by Daly and a very distinguished Native officer of +the Guides, named Khan Sing Rosa, both of whom, like Chamberlain, +were incapacitated by wounds from active duty. From the top of +Hindu Rao's house Chamberlain observed the first successes of the +columns, and their subsequent checks and retirements, and it was +while he was there that he received two notes from General Wilson. +In the first, written after the failure of the attacks on the Jama Masjid +and the Lahore gate, the General asked for the return of the Baluch +battalion, which, at Chamberlain's request, had been sent to reinforce +Reid's column, and in it he expressed the hope that 'we shall be able +to hold what we have got.' In the second note, written at four o'clock +in the afternoon, the General asked whether Chamberlain 'could do +anything from Hindu Rao's house to assist,' adding, 'our numbers are +frightfully reduced, and we have lost so many senior officers that the +men are not under proper control; indeed, I doubt if they could be +got to do anything dashing. I want your advice. If the Hindu +Rao's piquet cannot be moved, I do not think we shall be strong +enough to take the city.' Chamberlain understood General Wilson's +second note to imply that he contemplated withdrawing the troops<span class="page"><a name="132">[Page 132]</a></span> +from the city, and he framed his reply accordingly. In it he urged +the necessity for holding on to the last; he pointed out the advantages +already gained, and the demoralization thereby inflicted upon the +enemy. The dying Nicholson advocated the same course with almost +his latest breath. So angry and excited was he when he was told of +the General's suggestion to retire, that he exclaimed, 'Thank God I +have strength yet to shoot him, if necessary.' There was no resisting +such a consensus of responsible and reliable opinion, and Wilson gave +up all idea of retreating.</p> +<p> +During the afternoon of the 14th, Norman, Johnson, and I, at the +General's desire and for his information, visited every position occupied +by our troops within the city walls. In some places there was great +confusion—men without their officers, and officers without their men—all +without instructions, and not knowing what was going on in their +immediate neighbourhood, the inevitable result of the rapid advance. +We did what we could to remedy matters, and were able to report to +Wilson that our troops were holding the wall from the Water bastion +to the Kabul gate in sufficient strength. But this was all the comfort +we could give him. The fact is, too much had been attempted on that +eventful morning. We should have been satisfied with gaining possession +of the Kashmir and Water bastions, and getting a lodgment +within the city walls. This was as much as three such weak columns +should have tried, or been asked to accomplish. No one who was +present on that occasion, and experienced the difficulty, indeed impossibility, +of keeping soldiers in hand while engaged in fighting along +narrow streets and tortuous lanes, would ever again attempt what was +expected of the assaulting columns.</p> +<p> +While engaged in this duty we (Norman, Johnson and I) were +attacked by a party of the enemy who had been hiding in considerable +numbers in a side-lane watching for a chance. A fight ensued; we +had only a small guard with us, but, fortunately, the firing was heard +by the men of a near piquet, some of whom came to our help. With +their assistance we drove off the sepoys, but in the scrimmage my poor +mare was shot. She was a very useful animal, and her death was a +great loss to me at the time.</p> +<p> +At sunset on the 14th of September only a very small portion of the +walls of Delhi was in our possession. The densely-populated city remained +to be conquered. The magazine, the palace, and the Fort of +Selimgarh, all strongly fortified, were still in the hands of the enemy. +The narrow strip of ground we had gained had been won at severe loss. +Three out of the four officers who commanded the assaulting columns +had been disabled, and 66 officers and 1,104 men had been killed and +wounded.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">'Cheer, Boys, Cheer!'</span> +The night of the 14th was spent by the General and staff in +'Skinner's <a name="XVIII1r">house</a>,'<a href="#XVIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> close to the church. +Rest was badly needed, for<span class="page"><a name="133">[Page 133]</a></span> +almost everyone in the force, officers and men alike, had been hard at +work, night and day, for a week. That night, luckily, we were allowed +to be at peace, for whether it was that the rebels were as tired as we +were, or that they were busy making preparations for further resistance, +they did not disturb us; and when day broke we were all refreshed +and ready to continue the struggle. At one time, indeed, early in the +evening, the enemy appeared from their movements to be preparing to +attack us, but just at that moment the band of the 4th Punjab Infantry +struck up 'Cheer, Boys, Cheer!' upon which the men of the regiment +did cheer, most lustily, and other regiments caught up and continued +the inspiriting hurrahs, which apparently had the effect of disconcerting +the mutineers and keeping them quiet.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XIX">XIX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +On the morning of the 15th the situation was reviewed, and preparations +made for the conquest of the city. Order was restored amongst +the troops, who, as I have shown, had become somewhat demoralized +by the street fighting. Regiments and brigades were got together; +raids were made on all the store shops within reach, and every bottle +of beer and spirits was <a name="XIX1r">broken</a>.<a href="#XIX1"><sup>1</sup></a> Some of the liquor would doubtless +have been of great use in the hospitals, but there was no means of removing +it, and the General wisely determined that it was best to put +temptation out of the men's way. Guns and mortars were placed into +position for shelling the city and palace, and a few houses near, where<span class="page"><a name="134">[Page 134]</a></span> +the enemy's sharpshooters had established themselves, were seized and +occupied. We soon, however, gave up attacking such positions, for we +found that street fighting could not be continued without the loss of +more men than we had to spare, and that the wisest plan would be to +keep the soldiers under cover as much as possible while we sapped +from house to house. A battery commanding Selimgarh and part of +the palace was constructed in the college gardens, and a breach was +made in the wall of the magazine, which was captured the next morning +with but slight loss.</p> +<p> +On the 16th, and again on the 18th, Chamberlain took command of +the troops inside the city while the General rested for a few hours. +He was, as he expressed himself in a note to Chamberlain, 'completely +done.'</p> +<p> +The enemy now began to draw in their line. The suburbs were +evacuated, and riding through the Sabzi Mandi, Kisenganj and +Paharipur, we gazed with wonder at the size and strength of the works +raised against us by the mutineers, in attacking which we had experienced +such heavy loss during the early days of the siege, and from +which No. 4 column had been obliged to retire on the day of the assault.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Capture of the Burn Bastion</span> +The smaller the position that had to be defended, the greater became +the numbers concentrated in our immediate front, and every inch of +our way through the city was stoutly disputed; but the advance, +though slow, was steady, and considering the numbers of the insurgents, +and the use they made at close quarters of their Field Artillery, our +casualties were fewer than could have been expected.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Capture of the Lahore Gate</span> +I had been placed under the orders of Taylor, Baird-Smith's indefatigable +Lieutenant, who directed the advance towards the Lahore +gate. We worked through houses, courtyards, and lanes, until on the +afternoon of the 19th we found ourselves in rear of the Burn bastion, +the attempt to take which on the 14th had cost the life of the gallant +Nicholson and so many other brave men. We had with us fifty +European and fifty Native soldiers, the senior officer of the party being +Captain Gordon, of the 75th Foot. A single door separated us from +the lane which led to the Burn bastion. Lang, of the Engineers, burst +this door open, and out dashed the party. Rushing across the lane +and up the ramp, the guard was completely surprised, and the bastion +was seized without our losing a man.</p> +<p> +Early the next day we were still sapping our way towards the +Lahore gate, when we suddenly found ourselves in a courtyard in which +were huddled together some forty or fifty <i><a name="XIX2r">banias</a></i>,<a href="#XIX2"><sup>2</sup></a> who were evidently +as much in terror of the sepoys as they were of us. The men of our +party nearly made an end of these unfortunates before their officers +could interfere, for to the troops (Native and European alike) every<span class="page"><a name="135">[Page 135]</a></span> +man inside the walls of Delhi was looked upon as a rebel, worthy of +death. These people, however, were unarmed, and it did not require a +very practised eye to see that they were inoffensive. We thought, +however, that a good fright would do them no harm, and might +possibly help us, so for a time we allowed them to believe that they +were looked upon as traitors, but eventually told them their lives +would be spared if they would take us in safety to some place from +which we might observe how the Lahore gate was guarded. After +considerable hesitation and consultation amongst themselves they +agreed to two of their party guiding Lang and me, while the rest remained +as hostages, with the understanding that, if we did not return +within a given time, they would be shot.</p> +<p> +Our trembling guides conducted us through houses, across courtyards, +and along secluded alleys, without our meeting a living creature, +until we found ourselves in an upper room of a house looking out on +the Chandni <a name="XIX3r">Chauk</a>,<a href="#XIX3"><sup>3</sup></a> and within fifty yards of the Lahore gate.</p> +<p> +From the window of this room we could see beneath us the sepoys +lounging about, engaged in cleaning their muskets and other occupations, +while some, in a lazy sort of fashion, were acting as sentries +over the gateway and two guns, one of which pointed in the direction +of the Sabzi Mandi, the other down the lane behind the ramparts +leading to the Burn bastion and Kabul gate. I could see from the +number on their caps that these sepoys belonged to the 5th Native +Infantry.</p> +<p> +Having satisfied ourselves of the feasibility of taking the Lahore +gate in rear, we retraced our steps.</p> +<p> +The two <i>banias</i> behaved well throughout, but were in such a terrible +fright of anything happening to us that they would not allow us to +leave the shelter of one house until they had carefully reconnoitred +the way to the next, and made sure that it was clear of the enemy. This +occasioned so much delay that our friends had almost given us up, and +were on the point of requiring the hostages to pay the penalty for the +supposed treachery of our guides, when we reappeared on the scene.</p> +<p> +We then discussed our next move, and it was decided to repeat the +manœuvre which had been so successful at the Burn bastion. The +troops were brought by the route we had just traversed, and drawn up +behind a gateway next to the house in which we had been concealed. +The gate was burst open, and rushing into the street, we captured the +guns, and killed or put to flight the sepoys whom we had watched +from our upper chamber a short time before, without losing a man +ourselves.</p> +<p> +This was a great achievement, for we were now in possession of the +main entrance to Delhi, and the street of the city leading direct from<span class="page"><a name="136">[Page 136]</a></span> +the Lahore gate to the palace and Jama Masjid. We proceeded up +this street, at first cautiously, but on finding it absolutely empty, and +the houses on either side abandoned, we pushed on until we reached +the Delhi Bank. Here there was firing going on, and round shot +flying about from a couple of guns placed just outside the palace. But +this was evidently an expiring effort. The great Mahomedan mosque +had just been occupied by a column under the command of Major +James Brind; while Ensign <a name="XIX4r">McQueen</a>,<a href="#XIX4"><sup>4</sup></a> of the 4th Punjab Infantry, +with one of his own men had pluckily reconnoitred up to the chief +gateway of the palace, and reported that there were but few men left +in the Moghul fort.</p> +<p> +The honour of storming this last stronghold was appropriately +reserved for the 60th Rifles, the regiment which had been the first to +engage the enemy on the banks of the Hindun, nearly four months +before, and which throughout the siege had so greatly distinguished +itself.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The 60th Rifles Storm the Palace</span> +Home, of the Engineers, the hero of the Kashmir gate exploit, first +advanced with some Sappers and blew in the outer gate. At this, the +last struggle for the capture of Delhi, I wished to be present, so +attached myself for the occasion to a party of the 60th Rifles, under +the command of Ensign Alfred Heathcote. As soon as the smoke of +the explosion cleared away, the 60th, supported by the 4th Punjab +Infantry, sprang through the gateway; but we did not get far, for +there was a second door beyond, chained and barred, which was with +difficulty forced open, when the whole party rushed in. The recesses +in the long passage which led to the palace buildings were crowded +with wounded men, but there was very little opposition, for only a few +fanatics still held out. One of these—a Mahomedan sepoy in the +uniform of a Grenadier of the 37th Native Infantry—stood quietly +about thirty yards up the passage with his musket on his hip. As we +approached he slowly raised his weapon and fired, sending the bullet +through McQueen's helmet. The brave fellow then advanced at the +charge, and was, of course, shot down. So ended the 20th September, +a day I am never likely to forget.</p> +<p> +At sunrise on the 21st a royal salute proclaimed that we were again +masters in Delhi, and that for the second time in the century the great +city had been captured by a British force.</p> +<p> +Later in the day General Wilson established his Head-Quarters in +the Dewan-i-khas (the King's private hall of audience), and, as was in +accordance with the fitness of things, the 60th Rifles and the Sirmur +battalion of <a name="XIX5r">Gurkhas</a><a href="#XIX5"><sup>5</sup></a> were the first troops of Her Majesty's army to +garrison the palace of the Moghuls, in which the traitorous and<span class="page"><a name="137">[Page 137]</a></span> +treacherous massacre of English men, women and children had been +perpetrated.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Hodson Captures the King of Delhi</span> +The importance of securing the principal members of the Royal +Family was pressed upon the General by Chamberlain and Hodson, +who both urged that the victory would be incomplete if the King and +his male relatives were allowed to remain at large. Wilson would not +consent to any force being sent after them, and it was with considerable +reluctance that he agreed to Hodson going on this hazardous duty with +some of his own men only. The last of the Moghul Emperors had +taken refuge in Humayun's tomb, about seven miles from Delhi, +where, on the afternoon of the 21st, he surrendered to Hodson on +receiving a promise from that officer that his own life and the lives of +his favourite wife and her son should be spared. Hodson brought +them all into Delhi and placed them under a European guard in a +house in the Chandni Chauk, thus adding one more to the many +valuable services he had rendered throughout the siege.</p> +<p> +I went with many others the next day to see the King; the old man +looked most wretched, and as he evidently disliked intensely being +stared at by Europeans, I quickly took my departure. On my way +back I was rather startled to see the three lifeless bodies of the King's +two sons and grandson lying exposed on the stone platform in front of +the <i>Kotwali</i>. On enquiry I learnt that Hodson had gone a second +time to Humayun's tomb that morning with the object of capturing +these Princes, and on the way back to Delhi had shot them with his +own hand—an act which, whether necessary or not, has undoubtedly +cast a blot on his reputation. His own explanation of the circumstance +was that he feared they would be rescued by the mob, who +could easily have overpowered his small escort of 100 sowars, and it +certainly would have been a misfortune had these men escaped. At +the time a thirst for revenge on account of the atrocities committed +within the walls of Delhi was so great that the shooting of the Princes +seemed to the excited feelings of the army but an act of justice; and +there were some men, whose opinions were entitled to the greatest +respect, who considered the safety of the British force would have +been endangered by the escape of the representatives of the house of +Taimur, and that for this reason Hodson's act was justified.</p> +<p> +My own feeling on the subject is one of sorrow that such a brilliant +soldier should have laid himself open to so much adverse criticism. +Moreover, I do not think that, under any circumstances, he should +have done the deed himself, or ordered it to be done in that summary +manner, unless there had been evident signs of an attempt at a<span class="page"><a name="138">[Page 138]</a></span> +rescue.</p> +<p> +But it must be understood that there was no breach of faith on +Hodson's part, for he steadily refused to give any promise to the +Princes that their lives should be spared; he did, however, undoubtedly +by this act give colour to the accusations of blood-thirstiness +which his detractors were not slow to make.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Nicholson's Death</span> +The news that we had occupied the palace, and were in complete +possession of the city of Delhi, consoled Nicholson on his deathbed. +From the first there was little hope that this valuable life could be +saved. He was taken into hospital in a fainting condition from +internal hemorrhage, and he endured excruciating agony; but, wrote +General Chamberlain, 'throughout those nine days of suffering he +bore himself nobly; not a lament or sigh ever passed his lips.' His +every thought was given to his country, and to the last he materially +aided the military authorities by his clear-sighted, sound, and reliable +advice. His intellect remained unclouded to the end. With his latest +breath he sent messages of tender farewell to his mother, hoping she +would be patient under his loss, and to his oldest and dearest friend, +Herbert Edwardes. After his death some frontier Chiefs and Native +officers of the Multani Horse were permitted to see him, and I was +told that it was touching beyond expression to see these strong men +shed tears as they looked on all that was left of the leader they so +loved and honoured.</p> + +<p class="center"> +° ° ° ° ° ° °</p> +<p> +Thus ended the great siege of Delhi, and to no one could the tidings +of its fall have brought more intense relief and satisfaction than to the +Chief Commissioner of the Punjab. Although in the first instance Sir +John Lawrence certainly under-estimated the strength of the Delhi +defences and the difficulties with which General Anson had to contend, +he fully realized them later, and even at the risk of imperilling the +safety of his own province by denuding it of troops, he provided the +means for the capture of the rebel stronghold, and consequently the +army of Delhi felt they owed him a deep debt of gratitude.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Gallantry of the Troops</span> +Like Norman when writing his narrative of the siege, I feel I cannot +conclude my brief account of it without paying my small tribute of +praise and admiration to the troops who bore themselves so nobly from +the beginning to the end. Their behaviour throughout was beyond all +praise, their constancy was unwearied, their gallantry most conspicuous; +in thirty-two different fights they were victorious over long +odds, being often exposed to an enemy ten times their number, who, +moreover, had the advantage of ground and superior Artillery; they +fought and worked as if each one felt that on his individual exertions +alone depended the issue of the day; they willingly, nay, cheerfully, +endured such trials as few armies have ever been exposed to for so +long a time. For three months, day after day, and for the greater<span class="page"><a name="139">[Page 139]</a></span> +part of the day, every man had to be constantly under arms, exposed +to a scorching Indian sun, which was almost as destructive as, and +much harder to bear than, the enemy's never-ceasing fire. They saw +their comrades struck down by cholera, sunstroke, and dysentery, +more dispiriting a thousand times than the daily casualties in action. +They beheld their enemies reinforced while their own numbers rapidly +decreased. Yet they never lost heart, and at last, when it became +evident that no hope of further reinforcements could be entertained, +and that if Delhi were to be taken at all it must be taken at once, they +advanced to the assault with as high a courage and as complete a +confidence in the result, as if they were attacking in the first flush and +exultation of troops at the commencement of a campaign, instead of +being the remnant of a force worn out, by twelve long weeks of +privation and suffering, by hope deferred (which truly 'maketh the +heart sick'), and by weary waiting for the help which never came. +Batteries were thrown up within easy range of the walls, than which +a more heroic piece of work was never performed; and finally, these +gallant few, of whom England should in very truth be everlastingly +proud, stormed in the face of day a strong fortress defended by +30,000 desperate men, provided with everything necessary to defy +assault.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Praise from Lord Canning</span> +The list of killed and wounded bears witness to the gallantry of all +arms of the service. The effective force at Delhi never amounted to +10,000 men. Of these 992 were killed and 2,845 wounded, besides +hundreds who died of disease and exposure. Where all behaved nobly, +it is difficult to particularize; but it will not, I hope, be considered +invidious if I specially draw my readers' attention to the four corps +most constantly engaged: the 60th Rifles, the Sirmur battalion of +Gurkhas, the Guides, and the 1st Punjab Infantry. Placed in the very +front of the position, they were incessantly under fire, and their losses +in action testify to the nature of the service they performed. The +60th Rifles left Meerut with 440 of all ranks; a few days before the +assault they received a reinforcement of nearly 200, making a total of +640; their casualties were 389. The Sirmur battalion began with +450 men, and were joined by a draft of 90, making a total of 540; their +loss in killed and wounded amounted to 319. The strength of the +Guides when they joined was 550 Cavalry and Infantry, and their +casualties were 303. The 1st Punjab Infantry arrived in Delhi with +3 British officers and 664 Natives of all ranks. Two of the British +officers were killed, and the third severely wounded, and of the +Natives, 8 <a name="XIX6r">officers</a><a href="#XIX6"><sup>6</sup></a> and 200 men were killed and wounded; while out +of the British officers attached to the regiment during the siege 1 was<span class="page"><a name="140">[Page 140]</a></span> +killed and 4 wounded. Further, it is a great pleasure to me to dwell +on the splendid service done by the Artillery and Engineers. The +former, out of their small number, had 365 killed or disabled, and the +latter two-thirds of their officers and 293 of their men. I cannot more +appropriately conclude this chapter than by quoting the words of Lord +Canning, who, as Governor-General of India, wrote as follows in giving +publication to the Delhi despatches: 'In the name of outraged +humanity, in memory of innocent blood ruthlessly shed, and in acknowledgment +of the first signal vengeance inflicted on the foulest treason, +the Governor-General in Council records his gratitude to Major-General +Wilson and the brave army of Delhi. He does so in the sure conviction +that a like tribute awaits them, not in England only, but wherever +within the limits of civilization the news of their well-earned triumph +shall reach.'</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map1">[map1]</a></span> + +<span class="indent4a" style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #cccccc;">Click Map to enlarge (Use Back button to return to text).</span> +<p class="center"> + <a href="images/map1-delhi-1200.jpg"><img src="images/map1-delhi-600.jpg" width="600" height="900" alt="A Plan to illustrate the Seige of Delhi, 1857." border="0" /></a> + + <br /><br /> +<b>A PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE THE SEIGE OF DELHI, 1857.</b></p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XX">XX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +The fall of Delhi was loudly proclaimed, and the glad tidings spread +like wildfire throughout the length and breadth of India, bringing +intense relief to Europeans everywhere, but more especially to those +in the Punjab, who felt that far too great a strain was being put upon +the loyalty of the people, and that failure at Delhi would probably +mean a rising of the Sikhs and Punjabis. Salutes were fired in honour +of the victory at all the principal stations, but the Native population of<span class="page"><a name="141">[Page 141]</a></span> +the Punjab could not at first be made to believe that the Moghul +capital, with its hordes of defenders, could have been captured by the +small English army they saw marching through their province a few +months before. Even at that time it seemed all too small for the task +before it, and since then they knew it had dwindled down to less than +half its numbers. It was not, indeed, until they had ocular demonstration +of our success, in the shape of the loot which some of the Native +followers belonging to the besieging force took back to their homes, +that they became convinced of the reality of our victory.</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Necessity for Further Action</span> +Sir John Lawrence being painfully alive to the weakness of our +position in the Punjab, as compared to the great strength of the Sikhs, +on hearing the news of the capture of Delhi, begged General Wilson +to send back at once a British regiment as a practical proof that our +triumph was complete, and that he no longer needed so many troops. +But though the city was in our possession, a great deal remained to be +done before a single soldier could be spared. Above all things, it was +necessary to open up communication with Cawnpore and Lucknow, in +order to ascertain exactly the state of affairs in that part of the country. +We had heard of the failure of Havelock's attempts to reach Lucknow, +and of his having been obliged in the end to retire to Cawnpore and +wait for reinforcements, but we had not been able to learn whether +such reinforcements had reached him, or how long the beleaguered +garrison of Lucknow was likely to hold out.</p> +<p> +No time was wasted at Delhi. On the 21st September, the very day +after the palace was occupied, it was decided to despatch a column to +Cawnpore; but, on account of the weakened condition of the whole +force, there was considerable difficulty in detailing the troops for its +composition. The total strength of the <a name="XX1r">corps</a><a href="#XX1"><sup>1</sup></a> eventually selected +amounted to 750 British and 1,900 Native soldiers, with sixteen field-guns.</p> +<p> +No officer of note or high rank being available, the command of the +column should have been given to the senior regimental officer serving +with it, viz., Colonel Hope Grant, of the 9th Lancers; but for some<span class="page"><a name="142">[Page 142]</a></span> +unexplained motive Lieutenant-Colonel Greathed, of the 8th Foot, was +chosen by General Wilson. Captain Bannatyne, of the same regiment, +was appointed his Brigade-Major, and I was sent with the column as +Deputy Assistant-Quartermaster-General. On the fall of Delhi the +whole of the Head-Quarters staff returned to Simla, except Henry +Norman, whose soldierly instincts made him prefer accompanying the +column, in order that he might be ready to join Sir Colin Campbell, the +newly-appointed Commander-in-Chief, who had shortly before arrived +in India.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Departure from Delhi</span> +Nicholson's funeral was taking place as we marched out of Delhi, at +daybreak on the morning of the 24th September. It was a matter of +regret to me that I was unable to pay a last tribute of respect to my +loved and honoured friend and Commander by following his body to +the grave, but I could not leave the column. That march through +Delhi in the early morning light was a gruesome proceeding. Our way +from the Lahore gate by the Chandni Chauk led through a veritable city +of the dead; not a sound was to be heard but the falling of our own +footsteps; not a living creature was to be seen. Dead bodies were +strewn about in all directions, in every attitude that the death-struggle +had caused them to assume, and in every stage of decomposition. We +marched in silence, or involuntarily spoke in whispers, as though fearing +to disturb those ghastly remains of humanity. The sights we +encountered were horrible and sickening to the last degree. Here a +dog gnawed at an uncovered limb; there a vulture, disturbed by our +approach from its loathsome meal, but too completely gorged to fly, +fluttered away to a safer distance. In many instances the positions of +the bodies were appallingly life-like. Some lay with their arms uplifted +as if beckoning, and, indeed, the whole scene was weird and +terrible beyond description. Our horses seemed to feel the horror of it +as much as we did, for they shook and snorted in evident terror. The +atmosphere was unimaginably disgusting, laden as it was with the +most noxious and sickening odours.</p> +<p> +It is impossible to describe the joy of breathing the pure air of the +open country after such a horrible experience; but we had not escaped +untainted. That night we had several cases of cholera, one of the +victims being Captain Wilde, the Commandant of the 4th Punjab +Infantry. He was sent back to Delhi in a hopeless condition, it was +thought, but he recovered, and did excellent work at the head of his +fine regiment during the latter part of the campaign.</p> +<p> +After a march of eleven miles we reached Ghazi-uddin nagar, to find +the place deserted. We halted the next day. The baggage animals +were out of condition after their long rest at Delhi; and it was necessary +to overhaul their loads and get rid of the superfluous kit and +plunder which the followers had brought away with them. We were +accompanied on our march by a few enterprising civilians, who had<span class="page"><a name="143">[Page 143]</a></span> +found their way into Delhi the day after we took possession of the +palace. Amongst them was Alfred <a name="XX2r">Lyall</a>,<a href="#XX2"><sup>2</sup></a> a schoolfellow of mine at +Eton. He was on his way to take up the appointment of Assistant-Magistrate +at Bulandshahr, where he was located when the Mutiny +broke out. As we rode along he gave me a most interesting little +history of his personal experiences during the early days of May, from +the time when the first symptoms of the coming storm were felt, until +that when the surrounding country rose <i>en masse</i>, and he and those +with him had to seek shelter at Meerut. I should like to repeat his +story for the benefit of my readers, but I refrain, as it would lose so +much by my telling; and I hope that some day Sir Alfred Lyall may +be induced to tell his own story in the picturesque and attractive +language which is so well known and so much appreciated by the +reading public.</p> +<p> +Early on the morning of the 28th, Norman, Lyall, and I, marching +with Watson's Cavalry, two or three miles in advance of the column, +arrived at cross-roads, one leading to Bulandshahr, the other to Malagarh, +a fort belonging to a Mahomedan of the name of Walidad Khan, +who, when the British rule was in abeyance, assumed authority over +the district in the name of the Emperor of Delhi. We halted, and, +having put out our piquets, lay down and waited for the dawn. From +information obtained by the civil officers with the column, we suspected +that large numbers of mutineers were collected in the neighbourhood.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Action at Bulandshahr</span> +We were not left long in doubt as to the correctness of our surmisings, +for we were soon rudely awakened by the rattle of shots exchanged +between our vedettes and those of the enemy. Information was sent +back at once to the advance guard and to our Commander, while we +set to work to ascertain the enemy's exact position; this proved to be +at Bulandshahr, and we were within a couple of miles of the main +body.</p> +<p> +As we advanced the rebel Cavalry fell back, and when we got under +fire of their guns, our Horse Artillery came into action; our Infantry +coming up, found the enemy occupying an extremely strong position, +in the gaol and a walled serai at the entrance to the town, their left +being covered by the enclosed gardens and ruined houses of the deserted +civil station, within which they were collected in considerable force. +From these points they were driven by the 75th Foot, who, in a most +dashing manner, captured two 9-pounder guns, while a third was taken +by the Cavalry. The rebels then began to retreat, and were followed +up by a small body of Cavalry, under <a name="XX3r">Drysdale</a>,<a href="#XX3"><sup>3</sup></a> of the 9th Lancers, +with whom were Sarel, of the same regiment, Augustus Anson of the<span class="page"><a name="144">[Page 144]</a></span> +84th Foot, and myself. We soon became entangled in narrow streets, +but at last found ourselves in a gateway leading out of the town, which +was crowded with bullock-carts, flying townspeople, and a number of +the enemy, some on horseback, some on foot. There we had hard +fighting; Sarel was wounded in the act of running a sepoy through +the body, the forefinger of his right hand being taken off by a bullet, +which then passed through his left arm; Anson was surrounded by +mutineers, and performed prodigies of valour, for which he was +rewarded with the Victoria Cross. I was riding a Waziri horse, which +had belonged to John Nicholson, and as it had been a great favourite +of his, I had commissioned a friend to buy him for me at the sale of +Nicholson's effects. He was naturally impetuous, and, being now +greatly excited by the firing and confusion, plunged about a good deal. +He certainly was not a comfortable mount on that day, but all the +same he saved my life. In the midst of the mêlée I observed a sepoy +taking deliberate aim at me, and tried to get at him, but the crowd +between him and me prevented my reaching him. He fired; my +frightened animal reared, and received in his head the bullet which was +intended for <a name="XX4r">me</a>.<a href="#XX4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +The work fell chiefly on the Cavalry and Horse Artillery. Major +Ouvry, who commanded them, must have been a proud man that day, +for they behaved splendidly. Two of Blunt's guns also, under an old +Addiscombe friend of mine named Cracklow, did excellent service. The +9th Lancers, under Drysdale, performed wonders; and the three +squadrons of Punjab Cavalry, under their gallant young leaders, +Probyn, Watson, and Younghusband, and the squadron of Hodson's +Horse, under Hugh Gough, showed of what good stuff they were made. +Our casualties were 6 men killed, 6 officers and 35 men wounded. The +enemy's loss was 300. A large quantity of ammunition and baggage +fell into our hands, including many articles plundered from European +men and women.</p> +<p> +After the fight was over, the column passed through the town, and +our camp was pitched about a mile beyond, on the banks of the Kali +Naddi. The same afternoon Malagarh was reconnoitred, but was +found to be deserted, a satisfactory result of the morning's action, for +the fort, if defended, would have given us some trouble to take. +Walidad Khan evidently hoped to become a power in the district, for +he had begun to make gun-carriages, and we found roughly-cast guns +on the lathes ready for boring out. It was decided that Malagarh +Fort, which was full of articles of every description taken from the +English residents, should be destroyed. Its demolition, however, took +some time to effect, and as we could not move till transport came<span class="page"><a name="145">[Page 145]</a></span> +from Meerut to convey our wounded officers and men back to that +place, the column halted at Bulandshahr for four days.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lieutenant Home's Death</span> +On the afternoon of the 1st October the fort was blown up, and most +unfortunately, while superintending the operation, Lieutenant Home +was <a name="XX5r">killed</a>.<a href="#XX5"><sup>5</sup></a> The mine had been laid and the slow-match lighted, but +the explosion not following as quickly as was expected, Home thought +the match must have gone out, and went forward again to relight it. +At that moment the mine blew up. His death was greatly felt in +camp, happening as it did when all the excitement of battle was over.</p> +<p> +We left Bulandshahr, and said good-bye to Lyall on the 3rd October, +feeling that he was being placed in a position of considerable risk, +thrown as he was on his own resources, with general instructions to +re-establish the authority of the British Government. He was not, +however, molested, and after two or three days he was joined by a +small body of troops from Meerut. During the months that followed +he and his escort had several alarms and some smart skirmishes; for +Rohilkand, a large tract of country to the east of Bulandshahr, was +held by the rebels until the following spring, and Lyall's district was +constantly traversed by bodies of mutinous sepoys.</p> +<p> +On the afternoon of the same day we reached Khurja, a fair-sized +Mahomedan town, from which some of our Cavalry soldiers were +recruited. The first thing that met our eyes on arrival at this place +was a skeleton, ostentatiously placed against the side of a bridge leading +to the encamping-ground; it was headless, and the bones were hacked +and broken. It was pronounced by more than one doctor to be the +skeleton of a European woman. This sight maddened the soldiery, +who demanded vengeance, and at one time it seemed that the town of +Khurja would have to pay the penalty for the supposed crime. The +whole force was greatly excited. At length calmer counsels prevailed. +The people of the town protested their innocence, and expressed their +anxiety to be our humble servants; they were, as a whole, given the +benefit of the doubt, but some soldiers found in the town, belonging to +regiments which had mutinied, were tried, and hanged or acquitted +according to the evidence given.</p> +<p> +Some excitement was caused on reaching camp by the appearance of +a fakir seated under a tree close to where our tents were pitched. The +man was evidently under a vow of silence, which Hindu devotees often +make as a penance for sin, or to earn a title to more than a fair share +of happiness in a future life. On our addressing him, the fakir pointed +to a small wooden platter, making signs for us to examine it. The +platter had been quite recently used for mixing food in, and at first +there seemed to be nothing unusual about it. On closer inspection,<span class="page"><a name="146">[Page 146]</a></span> +however, we discovered that a detachable square of wood had been let +in at the bottom, on removing which a hollow became visible, and in it +lay a small folded paper, that proved to be a note from General Havelock, +written in the Greek character, containing the information that +he was on his way to the relief of the Lucknow garrison, and begging +any Commander into whose hands the communication might fall to +push on as fast as possible to his assistance, as he sorely needed reinforcements, +having few men and no carriage to speak of. This decided +Greathed to proceed with as little delay as might be to Cawnpore.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Knights-Errant</span> +Just before we left Bulandshahr, a spy reported to me that an +English lady was a prisoner in a village some twenty miles off, and +that she was anxious to be rescued. As on cross-examination, however, +the story did not appear to me to be very reliable, I told the man +he must bring me some proof of the presence of the lady in the village. +Accordingly, on the arrival of the column at Khurja, he appeared with +a piece of paper on which was written 'Miss Martindale.' This +necessitated the matter being inquired into, and I obtained the +Brigadier's permission to make a detour to the village in question. I +started off, accompanied by Watson and Probyn, with their two +squadrons of Cavalry. We timed our march so as to reach our destination +just before dawn; the Cavalry surrounded the village, and with +a small escort we three proceeded up the little street to the house where +the guide told us the lady was confined. Not only was the house +empty, but, with the exception of a few sick and bedridden old people, +there was not a soul in the village. There had evidently been a hasty +retreat, which puzzled me greatly, as I had taken every precaution to +ensure secrecy, for I feared that if our intention to rescue the lady +became known she would be carried off. As day broke we searched +the surrounding crops, and found the villagers and some soldiers hidden +amongst them. They one and all denied that there was the slightest +truth in the story, and as it appeared a waste of time to further prosecute +the fruitless search, we were on the point of starting to rejoin our +camp, when there was a cry from our troopers of '<i>Mem sahib hai!</i>' +(Here is the lady), and presently an excessively dusky girl about +sixteen years of age appeared, clad in Native dress. We had some +difficulty in getting the young woman to tell us what had happened; +but on assuring her that no harm should be done to those with whom +she was living, she told us that she was the daughter of a clerk in the +Commissioner's office at Sitapur; that all her family had been killed +when the rising took place at that station, and that she had been +carried off by a sowar to his home. We asked her if she wished to come +away with us. After some hesitation she declined, saying the sowar +had married her (after the Mahomedan fashion), and was kind to her, +and she had no friends and relations to go to. On asking her why she +had sent to let us know she was there, she replied that she thought<span class="page"><a name="147">[Page 147]</a></span> +she would like to join the British force, which she heard was in the +neighbourhood, but on further reflection she had come to the conclusion +it was best for her to remain where she was. After talking to +her for some time, and making quite sure she was not likely to change +her mind, we rode away, leaving her to her sowar, with whom she was +apparently quite <a name="XX6r">content</a>.<a href="#XX6"><sup>6</sup></a> I need hardly say we got unmercifully chaffed +on our return to camp, when the result of our expedition leaked out.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Fight at Aligarh</span> +At Somna, where we halted for the night, we heard that the +Mahomedan insurgents, the prisoners released from gaol, and the rebel +Rajputs of the neighbourhood, were prepared to resist our advance on +Aligarh, and that they expected to be aided by a large number of +mutineers from Delhi. We came in sight of Aligarh shortly before +daybreak on the 5th October. Our advance was stopped by a motley +crowd drawn up before the walls, shouting, blowing horns, beating +drums, and abusing the Feringhis in the choicest Hindustani; but, so +far as we could see, there were no sepoys amongst them. The Horse +Artillery coming up, these valiant defenders quickly fled inside the city +and closed the gates, leaving two guns in our possession. Thinking we +should be sure to attack and take the place, they rushed through it to +the other side, and made for the open country. But we had had +enough of street fighting at Delhi. Our Cavalry and Artillery were +divided into two parties, which moved round the walls, one to the +right and the other to the left, and united in pursuit of the fugitives at +the further side. We followed them for several miles. Some had +concealed themselves in the high crops, and were discovered by the +Cavalry on their return march to camp. Ouvry formed a long line, +and one by one the rebels, starting up as the troopers rode through the +fields, were killed, while our loss was trifling.</p> +<p> +The inhabitants of Aligarh had apparently had a bad time of it +under the rebel rule, for they expressed much joy at the result of the +morning's work, and were eager in their proffers to bring in supplies +for our troops and to otherwise help us.</p> +<p> +Ill as we could afford to weaken our column, it was so necessary to +keep the main line of communication open, and put a stop to the disorder +into which the country had fallen, that it was decided to leave +two companies of Punjabis at Aligarh, as a guard to the young civilian +who was placed in charge of the district.</p> +<p> +Fourteen miles from Aligarh on the road to Cawnpore there lived +two Rajputs, twin brothers, who had taken such a prominent part in +the rebellion that a price had been put on their heads, and for the +future peace of the district it was considered necessary to capture them.<span class="page"><a name="148">[Page 148]</a></span> +In order to surprise them the more completely, it was given out that +the column was to march towards Agra, from which place disquieting +news had been received, while secret orders were issued to proceed +towards Cawnpore. The Cavalry went on in advance, and while it was +still dark, succeeded in surrounding the village of Akrabad, where dwelt +the brothers. In attempting to escape they were both killed, and three +small guns were found in their house loaded and primed, but we had +arrived too suddenly to admit of their being used against us. We discovered +besides a quantity of articles which must have belonged to +European ladies—dresses, books, photographs, and knick-knacks of +every description—which made us feel that the twins had richly +deserved their fate.</p> +<p> +We halted on the 7th, and on the 8th marched across country to +Bryjgarh (a prettily situated village under a fortified hill), our object +being to get nearer to Agra, the reports from which place had been +causing us anxiety, and likewise to put ourselves in a position to intercept +the Rohilkand mutineers, who we were told were on their way to +Lucknow.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Appeals from Agra</span> +No sooner had we got to Bryjgarh than we received information +that the detachment we had left behind at Aligarh was not likely to be +left undisturbed, and at the same time an urgent call for assistance +came from Agra, where a combined attack by insurgents from Gwalior, +Mhow, and Delhi was imminent. Fifty of Hodson's Horse, under a +European officer, and a sufficient number of Infantry to make the +detachment we had left there up to 200, were at once despatched to +Aligarh. It was clear, too, that the appeal from Agra must be responded +to, for it was an important place, the capital of the North-West +Provinces; the troops and residents had been shut up in the fort +for more than three months, and the letters, which followed each other +in quick succession, showed that the authorities were considerably +alarmed. It was felt, therefore, that it was imperative upon us to turn +our steps towards Agra, but it entailed our marching forty-eight miles +out of our way, and having to give up for the time any idea of aiding +Havelock in the relief of Lucknow.</p> +<p> +The column marched at midnight on the 8th October, the Horse +Artillery and Cavalry, which I accompanied, pushing on as fast as +possible. We had done thirty-six miles, when we were advised from +Agra that there was no need for so much haste, as the enemy, having +heard of our approach, were retiring; we accordingly halted, nothing +loath, till the Infantry came up.</p> +<p> +Early the next morning, the 10th October, we reached Agra. Crossing +the Jumna by a bridge of boats, we passed under the walls of the +picturesque old fort built by the Emperor Akbar nearly 300 years +before.</p> +<p> +The European residents who had been prisoners within the walls of<span class="page"><a name="149">[Page 149]</a></span> +the fort for so long streamed out to meet and welcome us, overjoyed +at being free at last. We presented, I am afraid, but a sorry appearance, +as compared to the neatly-dressed ladies and the spick-and-span +troops who greeted us, for one of the fair sex was overheard to remark, +'Was ever such a dirty-looking lot seen?' Our clothes were, indeed, +worn and soiled, and our faces so bronzed that the white soldiers were +hardly to be distinguished from their Native comrades.</p> +<p> +Our questions as to what had become of the enemy, who we had +been informed had disappeared with such unaccountable celerity on +hearing of the advance of the column, were answered by assurances +that there was no need to concern ourselves about them, as they had +fled across the Kari Naddi, a river thirteen miles away, and were in +full retreat towards Gwalior. It was a little difficult to believe in the +complete dispersion of the formidable rebel army, the mere rumoured +approach of which had created such consternation in the minds of the +Agra authorities, and had caused the many urgent messages imploring +us to push on.</p> +<p> +Our doubts, however, were met with the smile of superior knowledge. +We were informed that the rebels had found it impossible to get their +guns across to the Agra side of the stream, and that, feeling themselves +powerless without them to resist our column, they had taken themselves +off with the least possible delay. We were asked with some +indignation, 'Had not the whole country round been scoured by +thoroughly trustworthy men without a trace of the enemy being discovered?' +And we were assured that we might take our much-needed +rest in perfect confidence that we were not likely to be disturbed. We +were further told by those who were responsible for the local Intelligence +Department, and who were repeatedly questioned, that they had +no doubt whatever their information was correct, and that there was +no need to follow up the enemy until our troops were rested and +refreshed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Collapse of the Agra Administration</span> +We were then not aware of what soon became painfully apparent, +that neither the information nor the opinions of the heads of the civil +and military administration at Agra were to be relied upon. That administration +had, indeed, completely collapsed; there was no controlling +authority; the crisis had produced no one in any responsible position +who understood the nature of the convulsion through which we were +passing; and endless discussion had resulted (as must always be the +case) in fatal indecision and timidity.</p> +<p> +We could hardly have been expected to know that the government +of so great a province was in the hands of men who were utterly unfit +to cope with the difficulties of an emergency such as had now arisen, +although in quieter times they had filled their positions with credit to +themselves and advantage to the State.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Taken by Surprise</span> +That this was the case can be proved beyond a doubt, but I do not<span class="page"><a name="150">[Page 150]</a></span> +give it as an excuse for our being caught napping by the enemy, which +we certainly were. We ought, of course, to have reconnoitred the surrounding +country for ourselves, and posted our piquets as usual; and +we ought not to have been induced to neglect these essential military +precautions by the confident assertion of the Agra authorities that the +enemy were nowhere in our neighbourhood.</p> +<p> +The Brigadier gave orders for our camp to be pitched as soon as the +tents should arrive, but he saw no necessity for posting piquets until +the evening. Accordingly, I marked out the camp on the brigade +parade-ground, which had been selected as best suited for the purpose—a +grassy, level, open spot, a mile and a half from the fort. On the +left and rear were the ruined lines of the two Native Infantry regiments +which had been disarmed and sent to their homes, and the charred +remains of the British officers' houses. To the right and front there +was cultivation, and the high crops, almost ready to be reaped, shut out +the view of the country beyond.</p> +<p> +As the tents and baggage could not arrive for some time, I got leave +to go with Norman, Watson, and a few others to breakfast in the fort. +We had scarcely sat down, bent on enjoying such an unusual event as +a meal in ladies' society, when we were startled by the report of a gun, +then another and another. Springing to our feet, there was a general +exclamation of, 'What can it mean? Not the enemy, surely!' But +the enemy it was, as we were soon convinced by our host, who, having +gone to a point from which he could get a view of the surrounding +country, came back in hot haste, to tell us that an action was taking +place.</p> +<p> +We who belonged to the column hurried down the stairs, jumped on +our horses, and galloped out of the fort and along the road in the +direction of the firing. We had got but half-way to camp, when we +were met and almost borne down by an enormous crowd, consisting of +men, women, and children of every shade of colour, animals and +baggage all mixed up in inextricable confusion. On they rushed, +struggling and yelling as if pursued by demons.</p> +<p> +The refugees from the fort, tired of their long imprisonment, had +taken advantage of the security which they thought was assured by the +arrival of the column to visit their deserted homes. Two-thirds of the +150,000 inhabitants of the city had also flocked out to see the troops +who had taken part in the capture of Delhi (the report of which +achievement was still universally disbelieved), to watch our camp being +pitched, and to see what was going on generally. All this varied +crowd, in terror at the first sound of firing, made for the fort and city, +and were met in their flight by the heavy baggage of the column on its +way to camp. Instantly, elephants, camels, led horses, doolie-bearers +carrying the sick and wounded, bullocks yoked to heavily-laden carts, +all becoming panic-stricken, turned round and joined in the stampede.<span class="page"><a name="151">[Page 151]</a></span> +Elephants, as terrified as their <i><a name="XX7r">mahouts</a></i><a href="#XX7"><sup>7</sup></a>, shuffled along, screaming +and trumpeting; drivers twisted the tails of their long-suffering bullocks +with more than usual energy and heartlessness, in the vain hope of +goading them into a gallop; and camels had their nostrils rent asunder +by the men in charge of them, in their unsuccessful endeavours to urge +their phlegmatic animals into something faster than their ordinary +stately pace.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Fight at Agra</span> +Into this surging multitude we rushed, but for a time our progress +was completely checked. Eventually, however, by dint of blows, +threats, and shouts, we managed to force our way through the motley +crowd and reach the scene of action. What a sight was that we came +upon! I seem to see it now as distinctly as I did then. Independent +fights were going on all over the parade-ground. Here, a couple of +Cavalry soldiers were charging each other. There, the game of bayonet +<i>versus</i> sword was being carried on in real earnest. Further on, a +party of the enemy's Cavalry were attacking one of Blunt's guns +(which they succeeded in carrying off a short distance). Just in front, +the 75th Foot (many of the men in their shirt-sleeves) were forming +square to receive a body of the rebel horse. A little to the left of the +75th, Remmington's troop of Horse Artillery and Bourchier's battery +had opened fire from the park without waiting to put on their accoutrements, +while the horses were being hastily harnessed by the Native +drivers and <i>saices</i>. Still further to the left, the 9th Lancers and +Gough's squadron of Hodson's Horse were rapidly saddling and falling +in. On the right the 8th Foot and the 2nd and 4th Punjab Infantry +were busy getting under arms, while beyond, the three squadrons of +Punjab Cavalry, under Probyn and Younghusband, were hurrying to +get on the enemy's flank.</p> +<p> +Watson galloped off to take command of the Punjab Cavalry, and +Norman and I rode in different directions to search for the Brigadier. +While thus employed, I was stopped by a dismounted <i>sowar</i>, who +danced about in front of me, waving his <i><a name="XX8r">pagri</a></i><a href="#XX8"><sup>8</sup></a> before the eyes of my +horse with one hand, and brandishing his sword with the other. I +could not get the frightened animal near enough to use my sword, and +my pistol (a Deane and Adams revolver), with which I tried to shoot +my opponent, refused to go off, so I felt myself pretty well at his +mercy, when, to my relief, I saw him fall, having been run through +the body by a man of the 9th Lancers who had come to my rescue.</p> +<p> +Being unable to find the Brigadier, I attached myself to the next +senior officer, Major Frank Turner, who commanded the Artillery. +Gradually the enemy were beaten off, and the troops formed themselves +up ready for pursuit, or whatever they might be called upon to +do. At this juncture Greathed appeared on the ground.</p> +<p> +With less experienced troops the surprise—and a thorough surprise<span class="page"><a name="152">[Page 152]</a></span> +it was—would in all probability have had serious results. Most of the +men were asleep under the few tents which had already arrived, or +such shelter as could be obtained near at hand, when first one round +shot, then another, came right into their midst from a battery concealed +in the high crops to our right front. At the same time half a +dozen rebels, one of them playing the <i><a name="XX9r">nagàra</a></i>,<a href="#XX9"><sup>9</sup></a> rode quietly up to the +Quarter-Guard of the 9th Lancers and cut down the sentry. Being +dressed, like Probyn's men, in red, they were mistaken for them, and +were thus enabled to get close to the guard. This act was quickly +followed by a general rush of the enemy's Cavalry, which brought +about the series of fights that were going on when we appeared on the +scene. The Commander was not to be found; no one knew who was +the senior officer present; consequently each regiment and battery had +to act according to its own discretion. The troops got ready with incredible +rapidity, and set to work to drive the enemy off the ground. +The Artillery replied to the insurgents' guns; the Infantry did what +they could, but were hampered by the fear of doing more injury to their +friends than their foes, and thus the brunt of the work fell upon the +Cavalry. The 9th Lancers made a succession of brilliant charges. One +troop especially distinguished itself by recovering Blunt's captured +gun; the Captain (French) was killed, and the subaltern (Jones), +covered with wounds, was left on the ground for dead. Watson, +Probyn, and Younghusband, with their three squadrons, cleared our +right flank, capturing two guns and some standards; and Hugh Gough, +with his squadron, performed a similar duty on the left.</p> +<p> +Probyn greatly distinguished himself on this occasion. In one of +the charges he got separated from his men, and was for a time +surrounded by the enemy, two of whom he slew. In another charge +he captured a standard. For these and numerous acts of gallantry +during the Mutiny, he was, to the great delight of his many friends in +the column, awarded the Victoria Cross.</p> +<p> +When Greathed arrived, the order for a general advance was given, +and we were just moving off in pursuit of the rebels, when the 3rd +European Regiment and a battery of Field Artillery under Lieutenant-Colonel +Cotton arrived from the fort. This officer, being senior to +our Brigadier, took command of the force, and untimely delay was +caused while he learnt the details of our position. Having satisfied +himself that the enemy must be followed up, he endorsed Greathed's +order, and off we again started.</p> +<p> +We soon overtook the retreating foe, who every now and then turned +and made an ineffectual stand. At the end of about four miles we +came upon their camp; it covered a considerable space, and must have +taken a long time to transport and pitch—a circumstance which made<span class="page"><a name="153">[Page 153]</a></span> +the ignorance on the part of the Agra authorities as to the close +proximity of the enemy appear even more unaccountable than before.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Exciting Chase</span> +Our Infantry were now pretty well done up; they had been on the +move, with one or two short intervals, for nearly sixty hours, and the +3rd Europeans were not in trim for a long and hot day's work after +such a lengthened period of inactivity in the fort, and clad, as they +were, in thick scarlet uniform. The enemy, however, could not be +allowed to carry off their guns; so, leaving the Infantry to amuse +themselves by making hay in the rebels' camp, we pushed forward +with the Cavalry and Artillery. It was a most exciting chase. +Property of all sorts and descriptions fell into our hands, and before +we reached the Kari Naddi we had captured thirteen guns, some of +them of large calibre, and a great quantity of ammunition. The +enemy's loss on this occasion was not very great, owing to the extraordinary +facility with which Native troops can break up and disappear, +particularly when crops are on the ground.</p> +<p> +While watching a few of the rebel Cavalry making their escape +along the opposite bank of the Kari Naddi, I noticed about a dozen +men belonging to the 2nd and 4th Punjab Infantry quenching their +thirst in the stream. Carried away by excitement, they had managed +to keep up with the pursuit, never thinking of the inevitable trudge +back to Agra, which meant that, by the time they arrived there, they +would have accomplished a march of not less than 70 miles without a +halt, besides having had a severe fight with an enemy greatly superior +in numbers.</p> +<p> +Our casualties were slight: 12 officers and men were killed, +54 wounded, and 2 missing, besides some 20 camp-followers killed and +wounded.</p> +<p> +There is no doubt that the enemy were almost as much taken by surprise +as we were. They knew that we were on our way from Aligarh, +and had arranged (as we afterwards heard) with the people of the city +to destroy the bridge of boats in time to prevent our crossing. But +our movements were sufficiently rapid to prevent their carrying their +intention into effect; and although the insurgents were informed that +we had actually crossed the river they refused to believe the report, +and, it was said, hanged the man who brought it. Their incredulity +was strengthened by the small dimensions of the ground taken up for +our camp, and the few tents which were pitched, and they made up +their minds that these were only being prepared for the troops +belonging to the Agra garrison, and so anticipated an easy victory. +Their astonishment first became known when they were repulsed by +the 75th Foot, and were heard to say to one another, '<i>Arrah bhai! ye +Diliwhale hain!</i>' (I say, brother! these are the fellows from Delhi!).</p> +<p> +We halted at Agra on the 11th, 12th, and 13th October, partly to +rest the men and transport animals, but chiefly on account of the<span class="page"><a name="154">[Page 154]</a></span> +difficulty we had in getting out of the clutches of the North-West +Provinces Government, the local authorities not caring to be left to +their own resources. Our wounded were taken to the fort, and lodged +in the Moti <a name="XX10r">Masjid</a>,<a href="#XX10"><sup>10</sup></a> which exquisite little building had been turned +into a hospital. The men were well taken care of by the ladies, who +seemed to think they could never do enough for the Delhi column.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Taj Mahal</span> +I now for the first time saw the lovely Taj Mahal—that beautiful, +world-famed memorial of a man's devotion to a woman, a husband's +undying love for a dead wife. I will not attempt to describe the +indescribable. Neither words nor pencil could give to the most +imaginative reader the slightest idea of the all-satisfying beauty and +purity of this glorious conception. To those who have not already +seen it, I would say: 'Go to India. The Taj alone is well worth the +journey.'</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXI">XXI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />Infatuation of the Authorities at Agra</span> +<p> +During our three days' halt at Agra we were told the story of all that +had happened before we came, and a sad story it was of incapacity and +neglected opportunity. The Lieutenant-Governor, an able, intelligent +man under ordinary circumstances, had, unfortunately, no firmness of +character, no self-reliance. Instead of acting on his own convictions, +he allowed himself to be entirely led by men about him, who had not +sufficient knowledge of Natives to enable them to grasp how completely +the latter's attitude towards us had been changed by the loss of +our military hold over the <a name="XXI1r">country</a>.<a href="#XXI1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +Deaf to warnings from those who did understand the magnitude of +the danger, the Lieutenant-Governor refused to listen to the Maharaja +Scindia, who, influenced by the wise counsels of his astute and +enlightened minister, Dinkar Rao, told him that the whole Native +army was disloyal, and that the men of his own (the Gwalior) +<a name="XXI2r">Contingent</a><a href="#XXI2"><sup>2</sup></a> were as bad as the rest. The authorities refused to allow +the ladies and children at Gwalior to be sent into Agra for safety; they<span class="page"><a name="155">[Page 155]</a></span> +objected to arrangements being made for accommodating the non-combatants +inside the walls of the fort, because, forsooth, such +precautions would show a want of confidence in the Natives! and the +sanction for supplies being stored in the fort was tardily and +hesitatingly accorded. It was not, indeed, until the mutinous sepoys +from Nimach and Nasirabad were within sixty miles of Agra that +orders were given to put the fort in a state of defence and provision it, +and it was not until they had reached Futtehpore Sikri, twenty-three +miles from Agra, that the women and children were permitted to seek +safety within the <a name="XXI3r">stronghold</a>.<a href="#XXI3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> +<p> +Fortunately, however, notwithstanding the intermittent manner in +which instructions were issued, there was no scarcity of supplies, for, +owing to the foresight and energy of Lieutenant Henry Chalmers, the +executive Commissariat officer, assisted by that prince of contractors, +Lalla Joti Persâd, and ably supported by Mr. Reade, the civilian next +in rank to the Lieutenant-Governor, food was stored in sufficient +quantities, not only for the garrison, but for all the refugees from the +surrounding <a name="XXI4r">districts</a>.<a href="#XXI4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +Mr. Drummond, the magistrate of the district, who had from the +first been the chief opponent of precautionary measures for the +security of the residents, had the audacity to set the Lieutenant-Governor's +order for victualling the fort at defiance. He forbad grain +or provisions being sold to the Commissariat contractor, whose duty it +was to collect supplies, and positively imprisoned one man for +responding to the contractor's demands. It was at this official's +instigation that the Native police force was largely increased, instead +of being done away with altogether, as would have been the sensible +course; and as there was an insufficiency of weapons wherewith to +arm the augmentation, a volunteer corps of Christians, lately raised, +was disbanded, and their arms distributed amongst the Mahomedan +police. So far was this infatuated belief in the loyalty of the Natives +carried that it was proposed to disarm the entire Christian population, +on the pretext that their carrying weapons gave offence to the +Mahomedans! It was only on the urgent remonstrance of some of +the military officers that this preposterous scheme was <a name="XXI5r">abandoned</a>.<a href="#XXI5"><sup>5</sup></a> +The two Native regiments stationed at Agra were not disarmed until +one of the British officers with them had been killed and another +wounded. The gaol, containing 5,000 prisoners, was left in charge of +a Native guard, although the superintendent, having reliable information +that the sepoys intended to mutiny, begged that it might be<span class="page"><a name="156">[Page 156]</a></span> +replaced by European soldiers. The Lieutenant-Governor gave his +consent to this wise precaution, but afterwards not only allowed +himself to be persuaded to let the Native guard remain, but authorized +the removal of the European superintendent, on the plea of his being +an <a name="XXI6r">alarmist</a>.<a href="#XXI6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +On the 4th July Mr. Colvin, the Lieutenant-Governor, whose health +had been very indifferent for some time, was induced, much against +his will, to retire to the fort, and for the time being the management +of affairs passed into the hands of Brigadier Polwhele. There was +little improvement—indecision reigned supreme. Notwithstanding +that the gradual approach of the mutineers from Gwalior and +Nasirabad was well known, no preparations were made, no plan of +action decided upon. Polwhele, who was a brave old soldier, and had +seen a great deal of service, had, indeed, wisely come to the conclusion +that the rebels would never venture to attack a fort like Agra, +and that, if left alone, they would in all probability continue their +march towards Delhi. The available troops numbered less than +1,000 effective men, and Polwhele felt that, by going out to attack the +enemy, there would be a grave risk of the seat of government falling +into the hands of the disaffected police and city people.</p> +<p> +Unfortunately, however, the Brigadier allowed himself to be overruled, +and when the mutineers were reported to have arrived at +Shahganj, four miles from Agra, he gave way to the cry to 'Go out +and do something!' and issued orders for the troops to fall in.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Series of Mishaps</span> +A series of mishaps then occurred. It was one o'clock in the +afternoon of the 5th July before the <a name="XXI7r">column</a><a href="#XXI7"><sup>7</sup></a> was ready to start; the +men in their thick red uniform suffered greatly from the heat and +thirst; the enemy, 9,000 strong, with twelve guns, instead of being at +Shahganj, were found to be strongly entrenched at Sarsia, some +distance farther off. A protracted engagement then took place, and +our troops, having expended all their ammunition, were obliged to +retreat, leaving many dead and a gun on the field.</p> +<p> +Meanwhile the city and cantonment were in a state of uproar. The +first gun was the signal for the guard at the gaol to release the +5,000 prisoners, who, as they appeared in the streets, still wearing +their fetters, caused a perfect panic amongst the respectable inhabitants; +while the evil-disposed made for the cantonment, to +plunder, burn, and murder. Some of the residents who had not +sought shelter in the fort, confident that our troops would gain an easy +victory, on hearing of their defeat hurried with all speed to that place<span class="page"><a name="157">[Page 157]</a></span> +of refuge, and for the most part succeeded in reaching it; but a few +were overtaken and killed by the mob, aided by the trusted police, who +had early in the day broken into open <a name="XXI8r">mutiny</a>.<a href="#XXI8"><sup>8</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Result of Indecision and Incapacity</span> +With one or two exceptions the officials, military and civil alike, +were utterly demoralized by all these disastrous occurrences, the +result of their own imbecility. For two days no one was allowed to +leave the fort or approach from the outside. Within was dire +confusion; without, the mob had it all their own way.</p> +<p> +Early in August a despatch was received from the Governor-General +acknowledging the receipt of the report on the fight of the 5th July, +and directing that Brigadier Polwhele should be removed from the +command of his brigade. On the 9th September Mr. Colvin died; he +never recovered the shock of the Mutiny. As a Lieutenant-Governor +in peace-time he was considered to have shown great ability in the +management of his province, and he was highly respected for his +uprightness of character. One cannot but feel that it was in a great +measure due to his failing health that, when the time of trial came, he +was unable to accept the responsibility of directing affairs himself, or +to act with the promptitude and decision which were demanded from +all those occupying prominent positions in 1857.</p> +<p> +Mr. Reade, the next senior civilian, assumed charge of the government +on Mr. Colvin's death, until orders were received from the +Government of India vesting the supreme authority in a military +officer, and appointing Colonel Hugh Fraser, of the Bengal Engineers, +to be Mr. Colvin's successor with the rank and position of a Chief +Commissioner. Lord Canning was doubtless induced to make this +selection in consequence of the courage and ability Colonel Fraser had +displayed during the Burmese War, and also on account of the sound +advice he had given to the Lieutenant-Governor in the early days of +the outbreak—advice which unfortunately was ignored. Mr. Reade, +who had proved himself worthy of his high position, gave Colonel +Fraser his cordial and unqualified support, but that officer, like his +predecessor, was in bad health, and found it difficult to exercise the +much-needed control. A constant state of panic continued to exist, +and no reliable information could be obtained of what was going on +even in the immediate neighbourhood. The relief afforded by the +news of the fall of Delhi was great, but short-lived, for it was quickly +followed by a report that the whole rebel army had fled from Delhi +and was hastening towards Agra, and that the mutineers from Gwalior +and Central India were advancing to attack the fort. Again all was +confusion. Reports as to the movements of the enemy were never +the same for two days together; at last what appeared to be authentic +intelligence was received: the Gwalior troops were said to be close at<span class="page"><a name="158">[Page 158]</a></span> +hand, and those urgent appeals for assistance which were sent to +Greathed caused us to turn our steps towards Agra.</p> +<p> +Our object having been attained, we were all anxious to depart. The +Chief Commissioner, however, was quite as anxious that we should +remain; firmly believing that the Gwalior troops would reappear, he +suggested that we should follow them up at least as far as Dholpur; +but this proposal Greathed firmly refused to accede to. The orders he +had received were to open up the <a name="XXI9r">country</a><a href="#XXI9"><sup>9</sup></a> between the Jumna and +the Ganges, and he had not forgotten the little note from Havelock +discovered in the fakir's platter.</p> +<p> +At last the column was allowed to leave. The evening before our +departure Norman and I called on the Chief Commissioner to say +good-bye. We found Colonel Fraser greatly depressed, and inclined to +take a most gloomy view of the situation, evidently thinking the +restoration of our rule extremely doubtful. His last words to us were, +'We shall never meet <a name="XXI10r">again</a>.'<a href="#XXI10"><sup>10</sup></a> He looked extremely ill, and his state +of health probably accounted for his gloomy forebodings. We, on the +contrary, were full of health and hope. Having assisted at the +capture of Delhi, the dispersion of the enemy who had attempted to +oppose us on our way through the Doab, and the troops we were +serving with having recently achieved a decisive victory at Agra over a +foe four times their number, we never doubted that success would +attend us in the future as in the past, and we were now only anxious +to join hands with Havelock, and assist in the relief of the sufferers +besieged in Lucknow.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXII">XXII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +On the 14th October we moved camp to the left bank of the Jumna, +where we were joined by a small party of Artillerymen with two +18-pounder guns, and some convalescents belonging to the regiments +with us, who had been left behind at Delhi—300 in all. Our camp +was pitched in a pretty garden called the Rambagh, only a short +distance from Agra, where we gave a picnic to the ladies who had been +so kind to our wounded men—a rough sort of entertainment, as may +be imagined, but much enjoyed by the easily-pleased people who had +been prisoners for so long, to whom the mere getting away from the +fort for a few hours was a relief.</p> +<p> +On the morning of the 15th we commenced our march towards +Mainpuri, a small station seventy miles from Agra, which we reached +on the 18th. While on our way there, Hope Grant, Colonel of the<span class="page"><a name="159">[Page 159]</a></span> +9th Lancers, arrived in camp to take over the command of the column. +He had remained at Delhi when superseded by Greathed, and being +naturally indignant at the treatment he had received, he protested +against it, and succeeded in getting the order appointing Greathed to +the command cancelled.</p> +<p> +Had an officer been specially selected on account of his possessing a +more intimate acquaintance with Native soldiers and a longer experience +of India, Hope Grant would no doubt have accepted the +inevitable. But Greathed did not know as much of the country and +Native troops as Hope Grant did; he had seen no service before he +came to Delhi, and while there had no opportunity of showing that he +possessed any particular qualification for command; he certainly did +not exhibit any while in charge of the column, and everyone in the +force was pleased to welcome Hope Grant as its leader.</p> +<p> +The Raja of Mainpuri, who had openly joined the rebels, fled the +day before we marched in, leaving behind him several guns and a +quantity of powder. We halted on the 20th, blew up his fort and +destroyed the powder. The European part of the station was in ruins, +but a relation of the Raja had been able to prevent the Government +treasury from being plundered, and he made over to us two and a +half lakhs of rupees.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Advantage of Being a Good Horseman</span> +The civilians of the Mainpuri district were amongst the refugees at +Agra, and took advantage of our escort to return to their station. We +had also been joined by some officers whom the mutiny of their +regiments had left without employment; they were a welcome +addition to our Punjab regiments, as the limited number of British +officers attached to these corps had been considerably reduced by the +constantly recurring casualties. One of these officers was a Captain +Carey, whose story, as he told it to me, of his escape from the +massacre at Cawnpore and his subsequent experiences is, I think, +worth repeating.</p> +<p> +In the month of May Carey went into Wheeler's entrenchment +with the rest of the garrison; a few days before the investment, +however, Sir Henry Lawrence sent his Military Secretary, Captain +Fletcher Hayes, to Cawnpore, to report on what course events were +taking at that place, and, if possible, to communicate with Delhi. His +escort was the 2nd Oudh Irregular Cavalry. Hayes had already made +Carey's acquaintance, and, on finding him at Cawnpore, asked him to +accompany him to Delhi, which invitation Carey gladly accepted. +When they got close to Bewar, where the road to Mainpuri branched +off, Hayes, wishing to gain information from the civil authorities as to +the state of the country through which their route to Delhi lay, rode +off to the latter place with Carey, having first ordered the escort to +proceed towards Delhi, and having arranged with the British officers +to catch them up at the end of the next day's march. The following<span class="page"><a name="160">[Page 160]</a></span> +day, as the two friends approached the encamping ground where they +were to overtake the escort, they beheld the regiment marching +steadily along the road in regular formation; there was nothing to +warn them that it had revolted, for as there were only three British +officers with the corps, whose dress was almost the same as the men's, +their absence was not noticed.</p> +<p> +Suddenly, when they had got within two or three hundred yards of +the regiment, the troopers with one accord broke into shouts and yells, +and, brandishing their swords, galloped towards Hayes and Carey, who, +turning their horses, made with all possible speed back towards Mainpuri. +Hayes, who was an indifferent rider, was soon overtaken and +cut to pieces, while Carey, one of the best horsemen in the army, and +beautifully mounted, escaped; the <i>sowars</i> followed him for some distance, +but a wide irrigation cut, which he alone was able to clear, put +an end to the pursuit. Carey reached his destination in safety, and, +with the other Europeans from Mainpuri, sought refuge in the Agra +fort, where he spent the following five months. It was afterwards +ascertained that the three British officers with the escort had been +murdered by the <i>sowars</i> shortly before Hayes and Carey came in sight.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">News from Lucknow</span> +On the 21st October we reached Bewar, the junction of the roads +from Meerut, Agra, Fatehgarh, and Cawnpore, at which point the +Brigadier received a communication from Sir James Outram, written +in Greek character, from the Lucknow Residency, begging that aid +might be sent as soon as possible, as provisions were running <a name="XXII1r">short</a>.<a href="#XXII1"><sup>1</sup></a> +The note was rolled up inside a quill, which the Native messenger had +cunningly concealed in the heart of his thick walking-stick. Outram's +urgent summons determined the Brigadier to push on. So the next +day we made a march of twenty-eight miles to Goorsahaigunj, and on +the 23rd we reached Miran-ki-Serai, close to the ruined Hindu city of +Kanoj.</p> +<p> +The same day I went on as usual with a small escort to reconnoitre, +and had passed through the town, when I was fired upon by a party of<span class="page"><a name="161">[Page 161]</a></span> +the rebels, consisting of some 300 Cavalry, 500 Infantry, and four +guns, who, having heard of the approach of the column, were trying to +get away before it arrived. Their Cavalry and Infantry were on the +opposite bank of a fairly wide stream, called the Kali Naddi, through +which were being dragged some heavy pieces of cannon. I retired a +short distance, and sent back word to the advance guard, which +hastened to my assistance. A few rounds from our Artillery caused the +enemy to abandon their guns, the Infantry dispersed and disappeared, +the Cavalry fled, and we, crossing the stream, had a smart gallop after +them for about four miles over a fine grassy plain. On we flew, +Probyn's and Watson's squadrons leading the way in parallel lines, +about a mile apart. I was with the latter, and we had a running +fight till we reached the Ganges, into which plunged those of the +<i>sowars</i> whom we had not been able to overtake; we reined up, and +saw the unlucky fugitives struggling in the water, men and horses +rolling over each other; they were gradually carried down by the swiftly +running stream, and but a very few reached the opposite bank.</p> +<p> +Our casualties were trifling, only some half-dozen men wounded, +while my horse got a gash on his quarter from a sabre. Watson had +the forefinger of his right hand badly cut in an encounter with a young +<i>sowar</i>; I chaffed him at allowing himself to be nearly cut down by a +mere boy, upon which he laughingly retorted: 'Well, boy or not, he +was bigger than you.'</p> +<p> +It was on this occasion that I first recognized the advantage of +having the carbine slung on the trooper's back while in action, instead +of being carried in the bucket, as is the custom with our British +Cavalry. Several of the enemy's loose horses were going about with +carbines on their saddles, while their dismounted riders were at an +enormous disadvantage in trying to defend themselves from their +mounted adversaries with only their swords. I saw, too, one of +Watson's men saved from a fierce cut across the spine by having his +carbine on his back. More recent experience has quite satisfied me +that this is the only way this weapon should be carried when actual +fighting is going on.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Cawnpore</span> +Three more marches brought us to Cawnpore, where we arrived on +the 26th October.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Heart-rending Scenes</span> +We now for the first time heard the miserable 'story of Cawnpore.' +We were told how, owing to Sir Hugh Wheeler's misplaced belief in +the loyalty of the sepoys, with whom he had served for upwards of +half a century, and to the confiding old soldier's trust in the friendship +of the miscreant Nana, and in the latter's ability to defend him until +succour should arrive, he had neglected to take precautionary measures +for laying in supplies or for fortifying the two exposed barracks which, +for some unaccountable reason, had been chosen as a place of refuge, +instead of the easily defensible and well-stored magazine. Our visit to<span class="page"><a name="162">[Page 162]</a></span> +this scene of suffering and disaster was more harrowing than it is in the +power of words to express; the sights which met our eyes, and the +reflections they gave rise to, were quite maddening, and could not but +increase tenfold the feelings of animosity and desire for vengeance +which the disloyalty and barbarity of the mutineers in other places had +aroused in the hearts of our British soldiers. Tresses of hair, pieces of +ladies' dresses, books crumpled and torn, bits of work and scraps of +music, just as they had been left by the wretched owners on the fatal +morning of the 27th June, when they started for that terrible walk to +the boats provided by the Nana as the bait to induce them to <a name="XXII2r">capitulate</a>.<a href="#XXII2"><sup>2</sup></a> +One could not but picture to one's self the awful suffering those thousand +Christian souls of both sexes and of all ages must have endured +during twenty-one days of misery and anxiety, their numbers hourly +diminished by disease, privation, the terrific rays of a June sun, and +the storm of shot, shell, and bullets which never ceased to be poured +into them. When one looked on the ruined, roofless barracks, with +their hastily constructed parapet and ditch (a mere apology for a +defence), one marvelled how 465 men, not more than half of them +soldiers by profession, could have held out for three long weeks against +the thousands of disciplined troops and hordes of armed retainers whom +the Nana was able to bring to the attack.</p> +<p> +It is impossible to describe the feelings with which we looked on the +Sati-Choura Ghat, where was perpetrated the basest of all the Nana's +base acts of <a name="XXII3r">perfidy</a>;<a href="#XXII3"><sup>3</sup></a> or the intense sadness and indignation which +overpowered us as we followed the road along which 121 women and<span class="page"><a name="163">[Page 163]</a></span> +children (many of them well born and delicately nurtured) wended +their weary way, amidst jeers and insults, to meet the terrible fate +awaiting them. After their husbands and protectors had been slain, +the wretched company of widows and orphans were first taken to the +Savada house, and then to the little Native hut, where they were +doomed to live through two more weeks of intensest misery, until at +length the end came, and the last scene in that long drama of foulest +treachery and unequalled brutality was enacted. Our unfortunate +countrywomen, with their little children, as my readers will remember, +were murdered as the sound of Havelock's avenging guns was heard.</p> +<p> +We found at Cawnpore some men who had fought their way from +Allahabad with Havelock's force, from whom we heard of the difficulties +they had encountered on their way, and the subsequent hardships +the gallant little force had to endure in its attempts to reach +Lucknow. They also told us that Havelock and Outram, with only +3,179 men of all arms, and 14 guns, had succeeded in forcing their +way through that great city with a loss of 700, but only to be themselves +immediately surrounded by the vast multitude of the enemy, +who for three whole months had vainly endeavoured to overpower +the heroic defenders of the Residency.</p> +<p> +At Cawnpore there were very few troops. The Head-Quarters of +the 64th Foot, under Colonel Wilson, and some recovered invalids +belonging to regiments which had gone to Lucknow, had held it for +more than a month, within an entrenchment thrown up on the river +bank to protect the bridge of boats. Just before we arrived four +companies of the 93rd Highlanders had marched in. It was the first +time I had seen a Highland regiment, and I was duly impressed by +their fine physique, and not a little also by their fine dress. They +certainly looked splendid in their bonnets and kilts—a striking contrast +to my war-worn, travel-stained comrades of the Movable Column. An<span class="page"><a name="164">[Page 164]</a></span> +<i>avant courier</i> of the Naval Brigade had also come in, sent on by +Captain William Peel, of H.M.S. <i>Shannon</i>, to arrange for the rest of +the blue-jackets who were about to arrive—the first naval officer, I +imagine, who had ever been sent on duty so far up the country as +Cawnpore.</p> +<p> +Other troops were rapidly being pushed up, and officers who had +been on leave to England were daily arriving, having hurried out to +join their different regiments in various parts of India. Amongst +these was an old friend and brother subaltern of mine, Augustus Otway +Mayne, whom, greatly to my satisfaction, Hope Grant appointed +D.A.Q.M.G. to help me, for there was now more work to be done than +I could well get through.</p> +<p> +The day after our arrival at Cawnpore we heard that the new +Commander-in-Chief, Sir Colin Campbell, was to leave Calcutta that +evening to take command of the force with which he hoped to effect +the relief of the Lucknow garrison, and with this news came an order +to Hope Grant from Sir Colin to get into communication with the +Alambagh, a small garden-house not quite two miles from the city of +Lucknow, built by one of the Begums of the ex-King of Oudh, in +which the sick and wounded, tents and spare stores, had been left +in charge of a small detachment, when Outram and Havelock advanced +towards the Residency on the 25th September.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Start for Lucknow</span> +On the 30th October we left Cawnpore, and crossed the Ganges into +Oudh, taking with us the four companies of the 93rd Highlanders, and +the men belonging to Havelock's force, whom I have mentioned as +having been left behind on account of sickness.</p> +<p> +On the 31st we were at Bani bridge, more than half-way to the +Alambagh, when a telegram reached the Brigadier directing him to +halt until Sir Colin Campbell (who had got as far as Cawnpore) should +arrive.</p> +<p> +Hope Grant did not think the ground we were on well adapted for a +prolonged halt; that afternoon, therefore, I went off with Mayne to +reconnoitre the country for a more suitable place. We fixed upon +an open plain at the village of Bhantira, about three miles nearer +Lucknow. We met with no opposition that day, but the country +people in the neighbourhood had shown marked hostility by killing one +or two soldiers and every camp-follower who had strayed from the +main road; so we were careful to examine Bhantira and all the +neighbouring villages, but were unable to discover the slightest sign of +an enemy.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Exciting Adventure</span> +As the next day's march was such a very short one, we did not +start until 7 a.m., instead of before daybreak as usual. Mayne and I +rode on ahead with a couple of <i>sowars</i>, and reached the site we had +chosen for the camp without meeting a single suspicious-looking +individual. We then sent back the escort to bring up the camp colour-men,<span class="page"><a name="165">[Page 165]</a></span> +and while waiting for them, we entered into conversation with +some passing pilgrims, who told us they were on their way to Benares +to procure holy water from the Ganges. Suddenly a bullet whizzed +over our heads, fired from the direction from which we had just +come. Looking back, to our amazement we saw a crowd of armed +men at a distance of between three and four hundred yards, completely +cutting us off from the column. The whole plain was alive with them. +When they saw they were observed, they advanced towards us, shouting +and firing. Fortunately for us, we had made ourselves perfectly +acquainted with the country the previous day, and instantly realized +that escape by our right (as we faced Lucknow) was impossible, because +of a huge impassable <i>jhil</i>. There was another <i>jhil</i> to our left front, but +at some little distance off, and our only chance seemed to be in riding +hard enough to get round the enemy's flank before they could get +close enough to this <i>jhil</i> to stop us.</p> +<p> +Accordingly, we put spurs to our horses and galloped as fast as they +could carry us to our left; the enemy turned in the same direction, and +made for a village we must pass, and which we could see was already +occupied. The firing got hotter and more uncomfortable as we neared +this village, the walls of which we skirted at our best possible pace. +We cleared the village, and hoped we had distanced the rebels, when +suddenly we came upon a deep <i>nulla</i>. Mayne got safely to the other +side, but my horse stumbled and rolled over with me into the water at +the bottom. In the fall my hand was slightly cut by my sword, which +I had drawn, thinking we might have to fight for our lives; the blood +flowed freely, and made the reins so slippery when I tried to remount, +that it was with considerable difficulty I got into the saddle. The +enemy were already at the edge of the <i>nulla</i>, and preparing to fire, so +there was no time to be lost. I struggled through the water and up the +opposite bank, and ducking my head to avoid the shots, now coming +thick and fast, galloped straight into some high cultivation in which +Mayne had already sought shelter. Finally we succeeded in making +our way to the main body of the force, where we found Hope Grant in +great anxiety about us, as he had heard the firing and knew we were +ahead. The dear old fellow evinced his satisfaction at our safe return +by shaking each of us heartily by the hand, repeating over and over +again in his quick, quaint way, 'Well, my boys, well, my boys, very +glad to have you back! never thought to see you again.' The column +now moved on, and we found ourselves opposed to a vast body of men, +not soldiers, but country people, who in those days were all armed +warriors, and who spent their time chiefly in fighting with each other. +As we approached the crowd turned, opened out, and fled in every +direction, spreading over the plain and concealing themselves in the +long grass. We gave chase and killed many, but a large proportion +escaped. Favoured by the high crops, they disappeared with that<span class="page"><a name="166">[Page 166]</a></span> +marvellous celerity with which Natives can almost instantly become +invisible, leaving in our possession a 9-pounder brass gun. On this +occasion we had thirty killed and wounded.</p> +<p> +We could not at the time understand where the men had sprung +from who so suddenly attacked us; but it afterwards transpired that +some powerful <i><a name="XXII4r">zemindars</a></i><a href="#XXII4"><sup>4</sup></a> in the neighbourhood had collected all the +forces they could get together, and established them after dark in the +very villages we had so carefully examined the previous afternoon and +had found completely deserted, with the intention of falling upon the +column as it passed in the early morning. The unusually late hour +at which the march was made, however, disconcerted their little plan, +and giving up all hope of the force coming that day, they consoled +themselves by trying to get hold of Mayne and myself.</p> +<p> +We halted on the 3rd and 4th November. On the 5th, Hope Grant +sent a force to the Alambagh for the purpose of escorting a long line of +carts and camels laden with provisions and ammunition, which the +Commander-in-Chief was desirous of having near at hand, in case the +relief of the Lucknow garrison should prove a more prolonged operation +than he hoped or anticipated it was likely to be.</p> +<p> +As we neared the Alambagh the enemy's guns opened on us from +our right, while their Cavalry threatened us on both flanks. They were +easily disposed of, and we deposited the stores, receiving in exchange a +number of sick and wounded who were to be sent back to Cawnpore.</p> +<p> +A curious incident happened at the Alambagh. I was employed +inside the enclosure, when all at once I heard a noise and commotion +some little distance off. Getting on to the roof, I looked over the +plain, and saw our troops flying in every direction; there was no +firing, no enemy in sight, but evidently something was wrong; so I +mounted my horse and rode to the scene of confusion, where I found +that the ignominious flight of our troops was caused by infuriated bees +which had been disturbed by an officer of the 9th Lancers thoughtlessly +thrusting a lance into their nest. There were no serious consequences, +but the Highlanders were heard to remark on the unsuitability +of their dress for an encounter with an enemy of that description.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Arrival of Sir Colin Campbell</span> +On the 9th November Sir Colin Campbell joined the column, accompanied +by his Chief of the Staff, Brigadier-General <a name="XXII5r">Mansfield</a>.<a href="#XXII5"><sup>5</sup></a> +</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate10">[plate 10]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/10-ldsclydesandhurst.jpg" width="327" height="470" alt="LORDS CLYDE AND SANDHURST. (SIR COLIN CAMPBELL AND SIR WILLIAM MANSFIELD.)" border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>LORDS CLYDE AND SANDHURST. <br /> +<span style="font-size: 0.8em;">(SIR COLIN CAMPBELL AND SIR WILLIAM MANSFIELD.</span></b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a photograph taken in India.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +The following morning we were surprised to hear that a European +from the Lucknow garrison had arrived in camp. All were keen to see +him, and to hear how it was faring with those who had been shut up +in the Residency for so long; but the new-comer was the bearer of +very important information from Sir James Outram, and to prevent<span class="page"><a name="167">[Page 167]</a></span> +any chance of its getting about, the Commander-in-Chief kept the +messenger, Mr. Kavanagh, a close prisoner in his own tent.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Plans for the Advance</span> +Outram, being anxious that the officer in command of the relieving +force should not follow the same route taken by himself and Havelock, +and wishing to communicate his ideas more at length than was possible +in a note conveyed as usual by a spy, Kavanagh, a clerk in an office in +Lucknow, pluckily volunteered to carry a letter. It was an offer which +appealed to the heart of the 'Bayard of the East,' as Outram has been +appropriately called, and just such an errand as he himself, had he +been in a less responsible position, would have delighted to undertake. +Outram thoroughly understood the risk of the enterprise, and placed it +clearly before the brave volunteer, who, nothing daunted, expressed his +readiness to start at once, and his confidence in being able to reach +the British camp.</p> +<p> +Disguised as a Native, and accompanied by a man of Oudh, on whose +courage and loyalty he was convinced he could rely, Kavanagh left the +Residency after dark on the 9th and got safely across the Gumti. He +and his guide remained in the suburbs mixing with the people until the +streets might be expected to be pretty well empty, when they re-crossed +the river and got safely through the city. They were accosted more +than once on their way, but were saved by the readiness of the Native, +who it had been arranged should answer all inquiries, though Kavanagh, +having been born and bred in the country, could himself speak the +language fluently. On the morning of the 10th they made themselves +known to a piquet of Punjab Cavalry on duty near the Alambagh.</p> +<p> +Outram, profiting by his own experience, wished the relieving +column to be spared having to fight its way through the streets of +Lucknow. This was all the more necessary because the enemy, calculating +on our following the same route as before, had destroyed the +bridge over the canal and made extensive preparations to oppose our +advance in that direction. Outram explained his views most clearly, +and sent with his letter a plan on which the line he proposed we should +take was plainly marked. He recommended that the advance should +be made, by the <a name="XXII6r">Dilkusha</a><a href="#XXII6"><sup>6</sup></a> and <a name="XXII7r">Martinière</a>,<a href="#XXII7"><sup>7</sup></a> and that the canal should +be crossed by the bridge nearest the Gumti. Outram showed his<span class="page"><a name="168">[Page 168]</a></span> +military acumen in suggesting this route, as our right flank would be +covered by the river, and therefore could only be molested by a comparatively +distant fire. Sir Colin, appreciating all the advantages +pointed out, readily accepted and strictly adhered to this plan of +advance, except that, instead of crossing the canal by the bridge, we +forded it a little nearer the river, a wise divergence from Outram's +recommendation, and one which he would assuredly have advised had +he been aware that the canal was fordable at this spot, as it kept us +altogether clear of the streets.</p> +<p> +Outram did not touch in his despatch upon any question but the all-important +one of how the junction between his own and the relieving +forces could best be effected. Many other matters, however, claimed +the earnest consideration of the Commander-in-Chief before he could +proceed. He had to determine what was to be done to secure the +safety of the women and children in the Residency, after the first most +pressing duty of relieving the garrison had been accomplished. Cawnpore +was again in great danger from the Gwalior mutineers, who, +foiled at Agra, and finding that the Maharaja Sindhia would not +espouse their cause, had placed themselves under the orders of the +Rani of Jhansi and Tantia Topi, the vile Mahratta whom the Nana +made use of to carry out the massacre of the Sati-Choura Ghat; led by +this man the rebels were seriously threatening Cawnpore, and it was +necessary to take steps for its security. Then again the city of +Lucknow had to be thought of; its capture and the restoration of +British authority were alike essential, but our Chief knew that he had +neither the time nor the means at his disposal to undertake this important +operation at once. He therefore made up his mind that so +soon as the Residency had been relieved he would withdraw altogether +from Lucknow, and place a force at the Cawnpore side of the city, to +form the nucleus of the army with which he hoped later on to take the +place, and to keep open communication with his Head-Quarters, while +he himself should hurry back to Cawnpore, taking with him all the +non-combatants and the sick and wounded.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><span class="page"><a name="169">[Page 169]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXIII">XXIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />The Commander-in-Chief</span> +<p> +The next morning, the 11th, I had the honour of making the Commander-in-Chief's +acquaintance. The manner of my introduction was +peculiarly unceremonious. I had left my own tent to be repaired at +Cawnpore, and was sharing one with Norman, who was well known to, +and greatly believed in by, His Excellency, whose Brigade-Major he +had been at Peshawar. Before we were out of bed we heard Sir +Colin's voice outside. He had come to speak to Norman about his +plans for the future, and as the conversation seemed likely to be of a +very confidential nature, and it was too dark for him to see me, I asked +Norman to make my presence known. Sir Colin said to Norman +somewhat roughly, 'Who is he?' and on my name being mentioned, +he asked if I were to be trusted. Norman having vouched for my +discretion, the old Chief was apparently satisfied, and then ensued an +intensely interesting discussion on Outram's letter, Kavanagh's description +of the state of affairs in the Residency, and the manner in which +it was best to carry out Outram's recommendations.</p> +<p> +That same afternoon the Commander-in-Chief reviewed the column, +which now amounted to about 600 Cavalry and 3,500 Infantry, with +42 <a name="XXIII1r">guns</a>.<a href="#XXIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> The parade was under the command of Hope Grant, who +had been given the rank of Brigadier-General, and put in executive +command of the whole force.</p> +<p> +Sir Colin spoke a few inspiriting words to each regiment and battery, +being particularly appreciative and complimentary in his remarks to +the Delhi troops, who certainly looked the picture of workmanlike<span class="page"><a name="170">[Page 170]</a></span> +soldiers; and, considering what they had accomplished, there was +nothing invidious in the Chief's singling them out. The Bengal +Artillery came in for a large share of praise; he had a strong liking for +them, having been with them on <a name="XXIII2r">service</a>,<a href="#XXIII2"><sup>2</sup></a> and seen of what good stuff +they were made. He recognized several old acquaintances amongst +the officers, and freely expressed his satisfaction at having such reliable +batteries to help him in the hazardous operation he was about to undertake. +He was careful also to say a few words of commendation to the +four squadrons of Punjab Cavalry, and the two regiments of Punjab +Infantry, the only Native troops, except the Sappers, with the column.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sir Colin's Preparations</span> +That evening orders were issued for a march to the Alambagh the +following morning. It may perhaps seem as if Sir Colin was rather +leisurely in his movements, but he had ascertained that the Lucknow +garrison was in no immediate want of food, as had been reported, and +he was determined to leave nothing undone to ensure the success of +the undertaking. He personally attended to the smallest detail, and +he had to arrange for the transport of the sick and wounded, and the +women and children, shut up in the Residency, numbering in all not +less than fifteen hundred souls.</p> +<p> +Everything being ready, we began our march towards Lucknow, +one and all eager to have a share in the rescue of our suffering +countrywomen and their children from a most perilous position, and +in relieving soldiers who had so long and so nobly performed the most +harassing duty, while they cheerfully endured the greatest privations.</p> +<p> +We had proceeded but a short distance, when the advance guard was +fired upon by some guns in position on our right, near the old fort of +Jalalabad. An extensive swamp protected the enemy's right flank, +while on their left were a number of water-cuts and broken ground. +The Infantry and Artillery wheeled round and attacked the battery in +front, while Hugh Gough pushed on with his squadron of Cavalry to +see if he could find a way through the apparently impassable swamp +to the enemy's right and rear. Bourchier's battery coming up in the +nick of time, the hostile guns were soon silenced, and Gough, having +succeeded in getting through the <i>jhil</i>, made a most plucky charge, in +which he captured two guns and killed a number of the enemy. For +his gallant conduct on this occasion Gough was awarded the Victoria +Cross, the second of two brothers to win this much-coveted distinction.</p> +<p> +The next morning Adrian Hope, who commanded a brigade, was +ordered to seize the Jalalabad fort, but finding it evacuated, he blew up +one of the walls, and so rendered it indefensible.</p> +<p> +On the afternoon of the 13th I accompanied the Commander-in-Chief +in a reconnaissance towards the Charbagh bridge and the left<span class="page"><a name="171">[Page 171]</a></span> +front of the Alambagh, a ruse to deceive the enemy as to the real line +of our advance. When riding along he told me, to my infinite pride +and delight, that I was to have the honour of conducting the force to +the Dilkusha. The first thing I did on returning to camp was to find +a good guide. We had only about five miles to go; but it was +necessary to make sure that the direction taken avoided obstacles +which might impede the passage of the Artillery. I was fortunate in +finding a fairly intelligent Native, who, after a great deal of persuasion, +agreed, for a reward, to take me by a track over which guns could +travel. I never let this man out of my sight, and made him show me +enough of the road to convince me he knew the way and meant fair +dealing.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Alambagh</span> +The Alambagh now proved most useful; all our camp equipage was +packed inside the enclosure, for we took no tents with us, and all our +spare stores were left there. A rough description of semaphore, too, +was constructed on the highest point of the building, by means of +which we were able to communicate with the Residency. It was put +in Orders that the troops were to breakfast early the next morning, +and that they were to take three days' rations in their haversacks; +while sufficient for fourteen days was to be carried by the Commissariat.</p> +<p> +Just before we started on the 14th November we were strengthened +by the arrival of 200 of the Military Train equipped as Cavalry, two +Madras Horse Artillery guns, and another company of Madras +Sappers.</p> +<p> +Captain Moir, of the Bengal Artillery, was placed in charge of the +Alambagh, with a garrison consisting of the 75th Foot, 50 of the +regiment of <a name="XXIII3r">Ferozepore</a>,<a href="#XXIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> and a few Artillerymen. The 75th was the +first regiment to move down from the hills when the news of the outbreak +at Meerut reached Head-Quarters; it had done grand service, had +suffered heavily during the siege of Delhi, and had well earned, and +badly needed, a rest. It was now only 300 strong, and had lost in six +months 9 officers, in action and from disease, besides 12 wounded. +The officers were all friends of mine, and I was very sorry to leave +them behind, particularly Barter, the Adjutant, a jolly, good-hearted +Irishman, and an excellent officer.</p> +<p> +We marched at 9 a.m., keeping to the south of the Alambagh and +the Jalalabad fort. We then struck across the fields to the ground now +occupied by the Native Cavalry lines, and on to the open space upon +which the present race-course is marked out. On reaching this point +the Dilkusha came in sight about a mile in front. As we approached, +a few shots were fired at us; but the enemy rapidly disappeared as the +Cavalry and Horse Artillery, followed by the Infantry of the advance<span class="page"><a name="172">[Page 172]</a></span> +guard, in skirmishing order, passed through an opening which had +been hastily made in the wall of the enclosure.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Dilkusha and Martinière</span> +The gallop across the Dilkusha park was quite a pretty sight: deer, +which had been quietly browsing, bounded away on all sides, +frightened by our approach and the rattle of the guns; while the +routed sepoys flew down the grassy slope leading to the Martinière. +We reined up for a few seconds to look at the view which opened out +before us. In front rose the fluted masonry column of the Martinière, +123 feet high; directly behind, the picturesque building itself, and in +the distance the domes and minarets of the mosques and palaces +within the city of Lucknow; all looked bright and fair in the +morning sun.</p> +<p> +We could see that the Martinière was occupied; a crowd of sepoys +were collected round the building; and as we showed ourselves on +the brow of the hill, a number of round shot came tumbling in +amongst us.</p> +<p> +Remmington's troop of Horse Artillery, Bourchier's battery, and a +heavy howitzer brought up by Captain Hardy, now came into action, +and under cover of their fire the 8th Foot and 1st battalion of +Detachments attacked and drove the enemy out of the Martinière, +while the Cavalry pursued them as far as the canal.</p> +<p> +On this occasion my friend Watson greatly distinguished himself. +Entirely alone he attacked the enemy's Cavalry, and was at once +engaged with its leader and six of the front men; he fought gallantly, +but the unequal contest could not have lasted much longer had not +Probyn, who, with his own and Watson's squadrons, was only about +300 yards off, become aware of his comrade's critical position, and +dashed to his assistance. For this 'and gallantry on many other +occasions,' Hope Grant recommended Watson for the Victoria Cross, +which he duly <a name="XXIII4r">received</a>.<a href="#XXIII4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +By noon on the 14th we had occupied the Dilkusha and Martinière, +and placed our outposts along the right bank of the canal from the +river to the point immediately opposite Banks's house. The left bank +was held in force by the rebels. Early in the afternoon I went with +Hope Grant, accompanied by a small force of Cavalry, to ascertain +whether it would be possible to ford the canal somewhere close to the +river, and we succeeded in finding a place by which the whole force +crossed two days later. Our movements were fortunately not noticed +by the enemy, whose attention was concentrated on the roads leading +direct to the city from the Dilkusha and Martinière, by which they +expected our advance to be made.</p> +<p> +Sir Colin, meanwhile, had fixed his Head-Quarters in the Martinière,<span class="page"><a name="173">[Page 173]</a></span> +on the topmost pinnacle of which he caused a semaphore to be erected +for communication with Outram. From this post of vantage +Kavanagh was able to point out to the Commander-in-Chief the +different objects of most interest to him—the positions taken up by +the enemy; the group of buildings, of which the Chatta <a name="XXIII5r">Manzil</a><a href="#XXIII5"><sup>5</sup></a> was +the most conspicuous, then occupied by the gallant troops led by +Outram and Havelock, who, by overwhelming numbers alone, had +been prevented from carrying their glorious enterprise to a successful +issue; the Residency, where, thanks to Sir Henry Lawrence's foresight +and admirable arrangements, a handful of heroic Britons had +been able to defy the hordes of disciplined soldiers and armed men +who, for nearly three months, day and night, had never ceased to +attack the position; and the Kaisarbagh, that pretentious, garish +palace of the Kings of Oudh, the centre of every kind of evil and +debauchery.</p> +<p> +Later in the day the enemy made a determined attack on our centre, +which was checked by Brigadier Little advancing with the 9th Lancers +and some guns. On a few rounds being fired, they retired from the +immediate neighbourhood of the canal, and in the belief that there +would be no further trouble that day, the Cavalry and Artillery +returned to the Martinière; but the guns were hardly unlimbered +before heavy firing was heard from the direction of Banks's house.</p> +<p> +I galloped off with Mayne to ascertain the cause. Some little +distance from the canal we separated, Mayne going to the left, I to the +right. I found the piquets hotly engaged, and the officer in command +begged me to get him some assistance. I returned to Hope Grant to +report what was going on, but on the way I met the supports coming +up, and presently they were followed by the remainder of Hope's and +Russell's brigades. Russell had, early in the day, with soldierly +instinct, seized two villages a little above the bridge to the north of +Banks's house; this enabled him to bring a fire to bear upon the +enemy as they advanced, and effectually prevented their turning our +left. Hope opened fire with Remmington's troop, Bourchier's battery, +and some of Peel's 24-pounders, and as soon as he found it had taken +effect and the rebels were shaken, he proceeded to push them across +the canal and finally drove them off with considerable loss.</p> +<p> +Hope's and Russell's united action, by which our left flank was +secured, was most timely, for had it been turned, our long line of +camels, laden with ammunition, and the immense string of carts +carrying supplies, would in all probability have been captured. As it +was, the rear guard, under Lieutenant-Colonel <a name="XXIII6r">Ewart</a>,<a href="#XXIII6"><sup>6</sup></a> of the 93rd<span class="page"><a name="174">[Page 174]</a></span> +Highlanders, had a hot time of it; it was frequently attacked, and its +progress was so slow that it was more than twenty-four hours between +the Alambagh and the Dilkusha.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Mayne's Death</span> +At the conclusion of the fight I heard, with great grief, that my poor +friend Mayne had been killed, shot through the breast a few seconds +after he had left me. He was seen to turn his horse, and, after going +a short distance, fall to the ground; when picked up he was quite +dead. This was all I could learn. No one was able to tell me where +his body had been taken, and I looked for it myself all that evening +in vain.</p> +<p> +At daybreak the next morning, accompanied by Arthur Bunny, the +cheery Adjutant of Horse Artillery, I began my search afresh, and at +length we discovered the body inside a doolie under the wall of the +Martinière. As there was no knowing how soon our services might be +required, we decided to bury the poor fellow at once. I chose a spot +close by for his grave, which was dug with the help of some gunners, +and then Bunny and I, aided by two or three brother officers, laid our +friend in it just as he was, in his blue frock-coat and long boots, his +eyeglass in his eye, as he always carried it. The only thing I took +away was his sword, which I eventually made over to his family. It +was a sad little ceremony. Overhanging the grave was a young tree, +upon which I cut the initials 'A.O.M.'—not very deep, for there was +little time: they were quite distinct, however, and remained so long +enough for the grave to be traced by Mayne's friends, who erected the +stone now to be seen.</p> +<p> +The whole of that day (the 15th) was spent in preparing for the +advance. The Dilkusha was turned into a general depot, where the +sick and wounded were placed, also the Ordnance park and stores of +every description. A rough defence was thrown up round the building, +and a garrison was left to protect it, consisting of five Field guns, half +the 9th Lancers, the Military Train, a squadron of Punjab Cavalry, +and the 8th Foot, the whole under the command of Little, the Brigadier +of Cavalry.</p> +<p> +In the afternoon Sir Colin made a feint to the left of our position for +the purpose of diverting the attention of the enemy from the real line +of advance. He massed the Artillery in this direction, and ordered a +constant mortar fire to be kept up during the night on the Begum +palace and the barracks. To further strengthen the belief that operations +would be carried on from our left, some of the piquets on our +right were drawn in; this induced the enemy to make a slight demonstration +in that direction. They crossed the canal, but were speedily +driven back by the Madras Horse Artillery guns. They then opened +fire with a 12-pounder howitzer from the west side of the Gumti, when<span class="page"><a name="175">[Page 175]</a></span> +a really most extraordinary incident happened, which I am not sure I +should have the courage to relate, were it not that Sir Dighton Probyn +and Sir John Watson, who were close by and saw what took place, are +able to vouch for the accuracy of my story.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Tall-talk Story</span> +A shell, fortunately a blind one, from the enemy's howitzer came +into Watson's squadron, which was drawn up under the bank of the +Martinière tank; it struck a trooper's saddle in front, and must have +lifted the man partly out of it, for it passed between his thigh and the +horse, tearing the <a name="XXIII7r">saddle</a><a href="#XXIII7"><sup>7</sup></a> to shreds, and sending one piece of it high +into the air. The horse was knocked down, but not hurt; the man's +thigh was only badly bruised, and he was able to ride again in a few +days. One of Watson's officers, Captain Cosserat, having examined +the man and horse, came up and reported their condition to Watson, +who, of course, was expecting to be told they were both dead, and +added: 'I think we had better not tell this story in England, for no +one would believe it.' I myself was close to the squadron, and distinctly +saw what <a name="XXIII8r">happened</a>.<a href="#XXIII8"><sup>8</sup></a></p> +<p> +All that day (the 15th) I had been very hard at work, and was +greatly looking forward to what I hoped would be a quiet night, when +an Aide-de-camp appeared, who informed me that the Commander-in-Chief +desired my presence at the Martinière.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Ammunition Required</span> +On reporting myself to His Excellency, he told me that he was not +satisfied that a sufficient reserve of small-arm ammunition had been +brought with the force, and that the only chance of getting more in +time was to send back to the Alambagh for it that night, adding that +he could neither afford the time nor spare the troops which would be +required, were the business of fetching the additional supply to be postponed +until the following day. Sir Colin then asked me if I thought I +could find my way back to the Alambagh in the dark. I answered, +'I am sure I can.' I might have hesitated to speak so confidently had +I not taken the precaution of placing the man who had acted as my +guide on the 14th in charge of some Afghan <i><a name="XXIII9r">chuprassies</a></i><a href="#XXIII9"><sup>9</sup></a> attached to +the Quartermaster-General's department, with strict orders not to lose +sight of him. I thought, therefore, I would have him to depend upon<span class="page"><a name="176">[Page 176]</a></span> +if my own memory failed me. The Commander-in-Chief impressed +very strongly upon me the great necessity for caution, and told me I +could take what escort I thought necessary, but that, whatever happened, +I must be back by daybreak, as he had signalled to Outram that +the force would advance on the morrow. Sir Colin desired that the +Ordnance officer, whose fault it was that sufficient ammunition had not +been brought, should go back with me and be left at the Alambagh.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Night March</span> +It was then dusk, and there was no time to be lost. In the first +instance I went to my General, and reporting the orders I had received +from the Commander-in-Chief, consulted him about my escort. Hope +Grant strongly urged my taking with me a troop of the 9th Lancers, +as well as some Native Cavalry, but for a night trip I thought it would +be better to employ Natives only. I knew that my one chance of +success depended on neither being seen nor heard, and Native Cavalry +move more quietly than British, chiefly because their scabbards are of +wood, instead of steel. I felt, too, that if we came across the enemy, +which was not improbable, and got scattered, Natives would run less +risk, and be better able to look after themselves. All this I explained +to the General, but in the kindness of his heart he pressed me to take +the Lancers, telling me he would feel happier about me if I had my +own countrymen with me; but I stuck to my own opinion, and it was +arranged that I was to be accompanied by Younghusband and Hugh +Gough, with their respective squadrons of Native Cavalry. I took +leave of my kind and considerate General, and hurried off first to warn +the two Cavalry officers, then to the Dilkusha to tell Lieutenant Tod +Brown, in charge of the Ordnance depot, that his assistant was to go +with me, and lastly to arrange with the Commissariat officer for camels +upon which to bring back the ammunition.</p> +<p> +It was quite dark before I got to the place where my servants had +collected, and where I expected to find my guide. What was my +horror to hear that he had disappeared! He had made his escape in +the confusion consequent on the enemy's attacks the previous afternoon. +What was to be done now? I was in despair—and became +more and more doubtful of my ability to find the Alambagh in the +dark. By daylight, and with the aid of a compass, which I always +carried about me, I should have had little difficulty, even though the +country we had to get over was intersected by ravines and water-courses, +not to speak of the uncompromising <i>jhil</i> near the Jalalabad +fort. However, go I must. I could not possibly tell the Commander-in-Chief +that I was unable to carry out a duty for which he had +selected me—there was nothing for it but to trust to my own recollection +of the route and hope for the best.</p> +<p> +Everything having been put in train, I returned to the Artillery +bivouac, managed a hasty dinner, mounted a fresh horse, and, about +9 p.m., started off, accompanied by Younghusband, Hugh Gough, the<span class="page"><a name="177">[Page 177]</a></span> +unlucky Ordnance officer, two squadrons of Cavalry, and 150 camels.</p> +<p> +We got on well enough until we reached the broken ground near the +present Native Cavalry lines, when we lost the road, or rather track, +for road there was none. We could see nothing but the lights of the +enemy's piquets at an uncomfortably short distance to our right. I +struck a match, and made out from the compass the right direction; +but that did not help us to clear the ravines, which, in our efforts to +turn or get through them, made our way appear interminable. At +length we found ourselves upon open ground; but, alas! having +edged off too much to our right we were in close proximity to the +enemy's piquets, and could distinctly hear their voices. We halted to +collect the long string of camels, and as soon as they were got in order +started off again. I led the way, every few minutes striking a light to +see how the compass was pointing, and to take an anxious look at my +watch, for I was beginning to fear I should not be able to accomplish +my task by the given time. Our pace was necessarily slow, and our +halts frequent, for the little party had to be carefully kept together.</p> +<p> +At last the Jalalabad fort was reached and passed. I then told +Hugh Gough, whose squadron was in front, that we had better halt, +for we could not be far from the Alambagh, and I was afraid that if we +approached in a body we should be fired upon, in which case the +camel-drivers would assuredly run away, there would be a stampede +amongst the camels, and we might find it difficult to make ourselves +known. I decided it would be best for me to go on alone, and +arranged with Gough that he should remain where he was until I +returned.</p> +<p> +The Alambagh proved to be farther off than I calculated, and I was +beginning to fear I had lost my way, when all at once a great wall +loomed in front of me, and I could just make out the figure of the +sentry pacing up and down. I hailed him, and ordered him to ask the +sergeant of the guard to summon the officer on duty. When the +latter appeared, I explained to him my object in coming, and begged +him to have the ammunition boxes ready for lading by the time I +returned with the camels. I then rode back to where I had left Gough, +and the whole procession proceeded to the Alambagh.</p> +<p> +Already half the night was gone; but beyond the time required for +loading the camels there was no delay; the utmost assistance was +afforded us, and ere long we started on our return journey.</p> +<p> +Day had dawned before we came in sight of the Dilkusha, and by +the time I had made the ammunition over to the Ordnance officer it +was broad daylight. As I rode up to the Martinière I could see old +Sir Colin, only partially dressed, standing on the steps in evident +anxiety at my non-arrival.</p> +<p> +He was delighted when at last I appeared, expressed himself very +pleased to see me, and, having made many kind and complimentary<span class="page"><a name="178">[Page 178]</a></span> +remarks as to the success of the little expedition, he told me to go off +and get something to eat as quickly as possible, for we were to start +directly the men had breakfasted. That was a very happy moment for +me, feeling that I had earned my Chief's approbation and justified his +selection of me. I went off to the Artillery camp, and refreshed the +inner man with a steak cut off a gun bullock which had been killed by +a round shot on the 14th.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Advance on Lucknow</span> +At 8 a.m. the troops moved off. I was ordered to go with the +advance <a name="XXIII10r">guard</a>.<a href="#XXIII10"><sup>10</sup></a> Hope's and Russell's brigades came next, with +Travers's Heavy battery, Peel's Naval Brigade, and Middleton's Field +battery.</p> +<p> +Greathed's brigade (except the 8th Foot left at the Dilkusha), with +Bourchier's battery, remained to guard our left flank until mid-day, +when it was ordered to follow the column and form its rear guard.</p> +<p> +The offer of a Native who volunteered to guide us was accepted, and +Sir Colin, who rode just behind the advance guard, had Kavanagh +with him, whose local knowledge proved very valuable.</p> +<p> +The enemy had been so completely taken in by the previous day's +reconnaissance that they had not the slightest suspicion we should +advance from our right, the result being that we were allowed to cross +the canal without <a name="XXIII11r">opposition</a>.<a href="#XXIII11"><sup>11</sup></a> We kept close along the river bank, our +left being partially concealed by the high grass. About a mile beyond +the canal we turned sharp to the left, and passed through the narrow +street of a small village, coming immediately under fire from some +houses on our right, and from the top of a high wall above and +beyond them, which turned out to be the north-east corner of the +Sikandarbagh.</p> +<p> +The greatest confusion ensued, and for a time there was a complete +block. The Cavalry in advance were checked by a fierce fire poured +directly on them from the front: they were powerless, and the only +thing for them to do was to force their way back, down the confined +lane we had just passed up, which by this time was crammed with<span class="page"><a name="179">[Page 179]</a></span> +Infantry and Artillery, making 'confusion worse confounded.' As soon +as the Cavalry had cleared out, the 53rd lined the bank which ran +along the side of the lane nearest the Sikandarbagh, and by their fire +caused all those of the rebels who had collected outside the walls to +retire within the enclosure. This opened a road for Blunt, who, leading +his guns up the bank with a splendid courage, unlimbered and +opened fire within sixty yards of the building.</p> +<p> +Blunt found himself under a heavy fire from three different directions—on +the right from the Sikandarbagh; on the left and left front from +the barracks, some huts (not twenty yards off), and a serai; and in +front from the mess-house, Kaisarbagh, and other buildings. In these +three directions he pointed his guns, regardless of deadly fire, especially +from the huts on the left.</p> +<p> +It would, however, have been impossible for the advance guard to +have held its ground much longer, so it was with a feeling of the +utmost relief that I beheld Hope's brigade coming up the lane to our +assistance. A company of the 53rd, in the most brilliant manner, +forced the enemy from the position they held on our left front, and +the Highlanders, without a moment's hesitation, climbed on to the +huts—the point, as I have already said, from which the heaviest fire +proceeded; they tore off the roofs, and, leaping into the houses, drove +the enemy before them right through the serai and up to the barracks, +which they seized, and for the remainder of the operations these +barracks were held by the 93rd.</p> +<p> +This action on the part of the Highlanders was as serviceable as it +was heroic, for it silenced the fire most destructive to the attacking +force; but for all that, our position was extremely critical, and +Sir Colin, perceiving the danger, at once decided that no further move +could be attempted until we had gained possession of the Sikandarbagh. +It was, indeed, a formidable-looking place to attack, about +130 yards square, surrounded by a thick brick wall twenty feet high, +carefully loopholed, and flanked at the corners by circular bastions. +There was only one entrance, a gateway on the south side, protected +by a traverse of earth and masonry, over which was a double-storied +guard-room. Close to the north side of the enclosure was a pavilion +with a flat roof prepared for musketry, and from the whole place an +incessant fire was being kept up.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sir Colin Wounded</span> +Sir Colin, in order to get a better view of the position, and thus be +able to decide in what direction the attack could most advantageously +be made, rode up the bank and placed himself close to one of Blunt's +guns. Mansfield and Hope Grant were on either side, and Augustus +Anson and I were directly behind, when I heard the Commander-in-Chief +exclaim, 'I am hit.' Luckily it was only by a spent bullet, +which had passed through a gunner (killing him on the spot) before it +struck Sir Colin on the thigh, causing a severe contusion, but nothing<span class="page"><a name="180">[Page 180]</a></span> +more. It was a moment of acute anxiety until it was ascertained that +no great damage had been done.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Attack on the Sikandarbagh</span> +By this time one of Travers's guns and a howitzer, which with considerable +difficulty had been dragged up the bank, opened fire on the +point selected by Sir Colin for the breach—the south-east corner of the +wall surrounding the <a name="XXIII12r">Sikandarbagh</a>.<a href="#XXIII12"><sup>12</sup></a> Instantly Hardy (Captain of the +battery) was killed and the senior Subaltern wounded: Blunt's charger +was shot, and of the few men under his command 14 Europeans and +6 Gun Lascars were killed or wounded; 20 of the troop-horses were +also knocked <a name="XXIII13r">over</a>.<a href="#XXIII13"><sup>13</sup></a></p> +<p> +While the heavy guns were at work on the breach, Adrian Hope, +with the 53rd, cleared off a body of the enemy who had collected on +our left front, and connected the barracks with the main attack by a +line of skirmishers.</p> +<p> +In less than half an hour an opening three feet square and three feet +from the ground had been made in the wall. It would have been +better had it been larger, but time was precious; Sir Colin would not +wait, and ordered the assault to begin. The Infantry had been lying +down, under such slight cover as was available, impatiently awaiting +for this order. The moment it reached them, up they sprang with one +accord, and with one voice uttered a shout which must have foreshadowed +defeat to the defenders of the Sikandarbagh. The 93rd +under Lieutenant-Colonel Ewart, and the 4th Punjab Infantry under +Lieutenant Paul, led the way, closely followed by the 53rd under +Lieutenant-Colonel <a name="XXIII14r">Gordon</a><a href="#XXIII14"><sup>14</sup></a> of the 93rd Highlanders, and one of the +battalions of Detachments under Major Roger Barnston.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Heroic Deeds</span> +It was a magnificent sight, a sight never to be forgotten—that glorious<span class="page"><a name="181">[Page 181]</a></span> +struggle to be the first to enter the deadly breach, the prize to the +winner of the race being certain death! Highlanders and Sikhs, +Punjabi Mahomedans, <a name="XXIII15r">Dogras</a><a href="#XXIII15"><sup>15</sup></a> and Pathans, all vied with each other +in the generous <a name="XXIII16r">competition</a>.<a href="#XXIII16"><sup>16</sup></a></p> +<p> +A Highlander was the first to reach the goal, and was shot dead as +he jumped into the enclosure; a man of the 4th Punjab Infantry came +next, and met the same fate. Then followed Captain Burroughs and +Lieutenant Cooper, of the 93rd, and immediately behind them their +Colonel (Ewart), Captain Lumsden, of the 30th Bengal <a name="XXIII17r">Infantry</a>,<a href="#XXIII17"><sup>17</sup></a> and +a number of Sikhs and Highlanders as fast as they could scramble +through the opening. A drummer-boy of the 93rd must have been one +of the first to pass that grim boundary between life and death, for when +I got in I found him just inside the breach, lying on his back quite dead—a +pretty, innocent-looking, fair-haired lad, not more than fourteen +years of age.</p> +<p> +The crush now became so great in the men's eagerness to get through +the opening and join the conflict within, that a regular block was the +consequence, which every minute became more hopeless. One party +made for the gateway and another for a barred <a name="XXIII18r">window</a><a href="#XXIII18"><sup>18</sup></a> close by, +determined to force an entrance by them. The traverse having been +rushed by the 4th Punjab Infantry gallantly led by a Dogra <a name="XXIII19r">Subadar</a>,<a href="#XXIII19"><sup>19</sup></a> +a Punjabi Mahomedan of this distinguished corps behaved with the +most conspicuous bravery. The enemy, having been driven out of the +earthwork, made for the gateway, the heavy doors of which were in the +act of being closed, when the Mahomedan (Mukarrab Khan by name) +pushed his left arm, on which he carried a shield, between them, thus +preventing their being shut; on his hand being badly wounded by a +sword-cut, he drew it out, instantly thrusting in the other arm, when +the right hand was all but severed from the <a name="XXIII20r">wrist</a>.<a href="#XXIII20"><sup>20</sup></a> But he gained his +object—the doors could not be closed, and were soon forced open<span class="page"><a name="182">[Page 182]</a></span> +altogether, upon which the 4th Punjab Infantry, the 53rd, 93rd, and +some of the Detachments, swarmed in.</p> +<p> +This devoted action of Mukarrab Khan I myself witnessed, for, with +Augustus Anson, I got in immediately behind the storming party. As +we reached the gateway, Anson was knocked off his horse by a bullet, +which grazed the base of the skull just behind the right ear, and stunned +him for a moment—the next, he was up and mounted again, but was +hardly in the saddle when his horse was shot dead.</p> +<p> +The scene that ensued requires the pen of a Zola to depict. The +rebels, never dreaming that we should stop to attack such a formidable +position, had collected in the Sikandarbagh to the number of upwards +of 2,000, with the intention of falling upon our right flank so soon as +we should become entangled amongst the streets and houses of the +<a name="XXIII21r">Hazratganj</a>.<a href="#XXIII21"><sup>21</sup></a> They were now completely caught in a trap, the only +outlets being by the gateway and the breach, through which our troops +continued to pour. There could therefore be no thought of escape, and +they fought with the desperation of men without hope of mercy, and +determined to sell their lives as dearly as they could. Inch by inch +they were forced back to the pavilion, and into the space between it and +the north wall, where they were all shot or bayoneted. There they lay +in a heap as high as my head, a heaving, surging mass of dead and +dying inextricably entangled. It was a sickening sight, one of those +which even in the excitement of battle and the flush of victory make +one feel strongly what a horrible side there is to war. The wretched +wounded men could not get clear of their dead comrades, however +great their struggles, and those near the top of this ghastly pile of +writhing humanity vented their rage and disappointment on every +British officer who approached by showering upon him abuse of the +grossest description.</p> +<p> +The firing and fighting did not cease altogether for some time after +the main body of the rebels were destroyed. A few got up into the +guard-room above the gateway, and tried to barricade themselves in; +others sought shelter in the bastions, but none escaped the vengeance +of the soldiers. There were some deadly combats between the mutinous +sepoys and the Sikhs. Eventually all the rebels were killed, save three +or four who dropped over the wall on the city side. It is to be hoped +they lived to tell the tale of the dauntless courage which carried everything +before it.</p> +<p> +Considering the tremendous odds which those who first entered +through the breach were exposed to, and the desperate nature of the +fighting, our losses were astonishingly small. The 93rd had 2 officers<span class="page"><a name="183">[Page 183]</a></span> +and 23 men (including the Sergeant-Major) killed, and 7 officers and +61 men wounded.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The 4th Punjab Infantry</span> +The 4th Punjab Infantry went into action with four British officers, +of whom two were killed and one was severely wounded. Sixty-nine +of the Native officers and men were also killed or <a name="XXIII22r">wounded</a>.<a href="#XXIII22"><sup>22</sup></a></p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXIV">XXIV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +The operation which I have tried to describe in the last chapter was +not completed until well on in the afternoon, when the movement +towards the Residency was at once proceeded with. To the left as we +advanced the ground was fairly open (with the exception of quite a +small village) for about 1,100 yards in the direction of the British +Infantry mess-house. To the right also, for about 300 yards, there was +a clear space, then a belt of jungle intersected by huts and small +gardens extending for about 400 yards farther, as far as the Shah +<a name="XXIV1r">Najaf</a>,<a href="#XXIV1"><sup>1</sup></a> a handsome white-domed tomb, surrounded by a court-yard, and +enclosed by high masonry loopholed walls; and beyond the Shah Najaf +rose the Kadam <a name="XXIV2r">Rasul</a>,<a href="#XXIV2"><sup>2</sup></a> another tomb standing on a slight eminence.</p> +<p> +But little opposition was experienced from the village, which was +carried by the Infantry, while the Artillery were brought up to open fire +on the Shah Najaf and Kadam Rasul. The latter was soon occupied +by the 2nd Punjab Infantry, belonging to Greathed's brigade, which +had by this time joined the main body; but the Shah Najaf proved a +harder nut to crack. This building was almost concealed by dense +jungle, and its great strength therefore remained unsuspected until we<span class="page"><a name="184">[Page 184]</a></span> +got quite close up to it.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Henry Norman</span> +Barnston's battalion of Detachments advanced in skirmishing order, +under cover of our guns. One of the shells most unfortunately burst +prematurely, wounding Major Barnston so severely that he died soon +afterwards. Whether it was that the men were depressed by the loss of +their leader, or that they were not prepared for the very damaging fire +which suddenly poured upon them, I know not, but certain it is that +they wavered, and for a few minutes there was a slight panic. The +Commander-in-Chief, with Hope Grant, Mansfield, Adrian Hope, and +their respective staffs, were sitting on their horses anxiously awaiting +the result of the attack, when all at once it became apparent that there +was a retrograde movement on the part of some of the men, who were +emerging from the belt of jungle and hastening towards us. Norman +was the first to grasp the situation. Putting spurs to his horse, he +galloped into their midst, and called on them to pull themselves +together; the men rallied at once, and advanced into the cover from +which they had for the moment retreated. I had many opportunities +for noting Norman's coolness and presence of mind under fire. On this +particular occasion these qualities were most marked, and his action +was most timely.</p> +<p> +More Infantry were brought up, but without avail. The enemy +evidently were determined to prevent the capture of the Shah Najaf. +Fire was now opened upon us from a heavy gun on the other side of +the Gumti (the first shot from which blew up one of the ammunition +waggons belonging to the Naval Brigade), and all the cannon that +were collected at the Kaisarbagh and mess-house were brought to bear +upon us. The musketry fire was incessant, and Peel's men suffered so +severely that one of his guns could not be worked.</p> +<p> +Sir Colin was beginning to get extremely anxious, and no wonder—the +position was most uncomfortable, and the prospect very gloomy. +Three hours since the attack began! The day was rapidly drawing to +a close, and we were no nearer our object; on the contrary, the +opposition became every moment stronger, and the fire more deadly. +A retreat was not to be thought of; indeed, our remaining so long +stationary had been an encouragement to the enemy, and every one +felt that the only chance for the little British army fighting against +30,000 desperate mutineers, with every advantage of position and +intimate knowledge of locality in their favour, was to continue to +advance at all hazards; and this our gallant old Chief decided to do. +Placing himself at the head of the 93rd, he explained to the only too +eager Highlanders the dangerous nature of the service, and called on +them to follow him. There was no mistaking the response; cheer +after cheer rent the air as they listened to the words of the Chief they +knew so well, and believed in so thoroughly, assuring him of their +readiness to follow whithersoever he should lead, do whatever he<span class="page"><a name="185">[Page 185]</a></span> +should direct. They moved off, followed by Peel's guns dragged by +sailors and some of the Madras Fusiliers, the advance of the party +being covered by Middleton's Field battery, which dashed to the front +and opened with grape.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Shah Najaf</span> +Almost instantaneously the narrow path along which we were +proceeding was choked with wounded officers and dead and struggling +horses. It was here that Sir Archibald Alison, Sir Colin's Aide-de-camp, +lost his arm, and his brother (another Aide-de-camp) was +wounded. Adrian Hope's horse was shot dead—indeed, very few +escaped injury, either to themselves or their horses. I was one of the +lucky few. On reaching the wall of the Shah Najaf enclosure, it was +found to be twenty feet high, no entrance could be seen, and there +were no scaling-ladders available, so there was nothing for it but to +endeavour to breach the massive <a name="XXIV3r">wall</a>.<a href="#XXIV3"><sup>3</sup></a> The 24-pounders hammered +away at it for some time, but proved quite unequal to the task; though +only a few yards off, they made no impression whatever, and it seemed +as if the attempt to take the position must be abandoned. Peel was, +therefore, ordered to withdraw his guns under cover of some rockets, +which were discharged into the enclosure, and Hope was directed to +retire as soon as he could collect the killed and wounded.</p> +<p> +Captain Allgood, Sir Colin's trusted Assistant Quartermaster-General, +was the bearer of the order. He and Hope, after consulting together, +determined that before the latter obeyed they would try to discover if +there did not exist an opening in some other part of the walls. +Assisted by a sergeant of the 93rd, they set about their search, and +actually did find a narrow gap, through which they could see that the +enemy, terrified and thrown into confusion by the exploding rockets +falling amongst them, were fast abandoning the building. The two +friends helped each other through the gap, and, followed by some +Highlanders, they proceeded across the now deserted enclosure to +secure the only gateway, which was on the opposite side to that which +we had attacked; and Allgood had the great pleasure of announcing to +the Commander-in-Chief that there was no need to retire, for the +formidable position was in our possession.</p> +<p> +It was getting dark when at length we occupied the Shah Najaf; +some of us got on to the top of the building to take a look round. +There was just light enough to show us a sepoy sauntering unconcernedly +up to the gate, evidently in happy ignorance of what had +happened. He soon discovered that his comrades were no longer +masters of the situation, and, letting his musket fall, he made all +haste to the river, into which he dropped, and swam to the other<span class="page"><a name="186">[Page 186]</a></span> +side.</p> + <p> +Sir Colin and my General took up their quarters in the Shah Najaf, +but only nominally, for after a scratch dinner we all joined the troops, +who bivouacked where they stood.</p> +<p> +The force was disposed in a semicircle, extending from the Shah +Najaf to the barracks. The wounded were placed in the huts near the +Sikandarbagh, where they passed a most comfortless night, for when +the sun set it rapidly got cold, and the hospital arrangements were +necessarily on a very limited scale.</p> +<p> +By this tune I was dead beat, having been for sixty hours continually +in the saddle, except when I lay down for a short nap on the night of +the 14th.</p> +<p> +We were not allowed, however, to have a very long night's rest. +Hours before dawn on the 17th we were roused by the beating of +drums and ringing of bells (an impotent attempt on the part of the +rebel leaders to excite the enthusiasm of their followers), which caused +the troops to prepare for an attack and stand to their arms. But the +enemy were not in a mood to encounter us in the open, small as our +numbers were; they had suffered heavily the day before, and they +must have begun to realize that their strongest positions were inadequate +against British pluck and determination.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The <br />Mess-House</span> +The mess-house was the next point to be carried, but the Commander-in-Chief +thought it would be prudent to make our left quite +secure in the first instance. The duty of occupying the houses and +gardens situated between the barracks and Banks's house was +entrusted to Brigadier Russell. Four <a name="XXIV4r">bungalows</a>,<a href="#XXIV4"><sup>4</sup></a> in which the +officers of the 32nd Foot had lived, were first seized. Russell then +pushed on towards Banks's house, which it was necessary to occupy, as +it commanded the crossing over the canal, by which we communicated +with the Dilkusha, and by which it was thought that the people rescued +from the Residency would have to be brought away. Russell, +avoiding the main road, advanced under cover of his Artillery, and +forced the rebels to vacate this important position, and Banks's house +was held during the remainder of the operations by 50 men of the +2nd Punjab Infantry, under Lieutenant F. <a name="XXIV5r">Keen</a>.<a href="#XXIV5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p> +In the meantime a heavy fire from Peel's guns had been opened on +the mess-house—a double-storied building, situated on slightly rising +ground, surrounded by a ditch 12 feet broad, and beyond that at some +little distance by a loop-holed wall.</p> +<p> +Our losses on the previous day had been very severe, and Sir Colin, +anxious to spare his men as much as possible, decided to batter the<span class="page"><a name="187">[Page 187]</a></span> +place freely with Artillery before permitting it to be attacked. Peel's +guns and Longden's mortars were therefore brought to bear upon it, +and kept up a continual fire until 3 p.m., when the enemy seemed to +think they had had enough, their musketry fire slackened off, and the +Commander-in-Chief, considering the assault might safely be made, +gave the order to advance. The attacking party was commanded by +Brevet-Major <a name="XXIV6r">Wolseley</a>,<a href="#XXIV6"><sup>6</sup></a> of the 90th Light Infantry, and consisted of +a company of his own regiment, a piquet of the 53rd Foot under +Captain Hopkins, and a few men of the 2nd Punjab Infantry under +Captain Powlett, supported by Barnston's Detachments, under Captain +Guise, of the 90th.</p> +<p> +The building and its many outhouses were carried with a rush, and +the enemy, who hastily retreated to the Moti <a name="XXIV7r">Mahal</a>,<a href="#XXIV7"><sup>7</sup></a> were followed +across the road, where our troops were stopped by the high wall which +enclosed that building. Wolseley then sent for some Sappers, who +quickly opened out a space through which they all passed. The Moti +Mahal was hotly defended, but without avail, and ere the sun set the +last position which separated the relieved from the relieving forces was +in our possession.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Planting the Flag</span> +As the party moved off to attack the mess-house, Sir Colin, who, on +his white horse, was interestedly watching the proceedings, ordered +me to procure a regimental colour and place it on one of the turrets of +the building, that Outram might be able to judge how far we had +advanced. I rode off accordingly to the 2nd Punjab Infantry, standing +close by, and requested the Commandant, Captain Green, to let me +have one of his colours. He at once complied, and I galloped with it +to the mess-house. As I entered, I was met by Sir David Baird (one +of Sir Colin's Aides-de-camp), and Captain Hopkins, of the 53rd Foot, +by both of whom I was assisted in getting the flag with its long staff +up the inconveniently narrow staircase, and in planting it on the +turret nearest the Kaisarbagh, which was about 850 yards off. No sooner +did the enemy perceive what we were about, than shot after shot was +aimed at the colour, and in a very few minutes it was knocked over, +falling into the ditch below. I ran down, picked it up, and again +placed it in position, only for it to be once more shot down and hurled +into the ditch, just as Norman and Lennox (who had been sent by +Sir Colin to report what was going on in the interior of the Kaisarbagh) +appeared on the roof. Once more I picked up the colour, and +found that this time the staff had been broken in two. Notwithstanding, +I managed to prop it up a third time on the turret, and it was not +again hit, though the enemy continued to fire at it for some time.</p> +<p> +Outram, unwilling to risk unnecessary loss of men, did not greatly<span class="page"><a name="188">[Page 188]</a></span> +extend his position until he was sure we were close at hand, but he +was not idle. While Sir Colin was slowly working his way towards +him on the 16th, he had gradually occupied such buildings as lay in +the direction of our advance. From the mess-house we could see the +British flag flying on the top of the engine-house, only a short distance +beyond the Moti Mahal, which satisfactory piece of intelligence Norman +went down to report to Sir Colin, who, with his Chief of the Staff, +had just arrived. I followed Norman, and we two made our way to +the western wall of the Pearl Palace enclosure, outside which Outram +and Havelock were standing together. They had run the gauntlet of +the enemy's fire in coming from the engine house; Colonel Robert +Napier and two other officers who accompanied them, having been +wounded, had to be carried back. Some of Lennox's Sappers set to +work, and soon made a hole in the <a name="XXIV8r">wall</a><a href="#XXIV8"><sup>8</sup></a> large enough for these two +distinguished men to pass through.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Memorable Meeting</span> +I had never before met either of them. In Afghanistan Outram had +been a friend of my father, who had often spoken to me about him in +terms of the warmest admiration, and his courage and chivalry were +known and appreciated throughout India. It was therefore with feelings +of the most lively interest that I beheld this man, whose character +I so greatly admired. He was then fifty-four years of age, strong +and broad-shouldered, in no way broken down by the heavy load of +responsibility and anxiety he had had to bear, or the hardships he had +gone through. Havelock, the hero of a hundred fights, on the contrary, +looked ill, worn and depressed, but brightened up a little when Norman +told him he had been made a K.C.B.</p> +<p> +Sir Colin waited to receive these two heroes on the ground sloping +down from the mess-house, and it was there that the meeting between +the three veterans took place. A most impressive and memorable +scene was that meeting, which has been well depicted in the historical +picture by Barker.</p> +<p> +As if to show the rage and disappointment of the enemy at this evidence +of the success of our operations, every gun in the Kaisarbagh was +turned upon us, and it was under a shower of shot and shell that the +interview was held; it did not last long, for it was neither the time +nor the place to discuss plans for the future. All Sir Colin could then +say was that the troops should be removed outside Lucknow as soon +as the women and children had been brought away, and he expressed +his 'thankfulness that the relief of the garrison had been accomplished.'</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate11">[plate 11]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/11-mgensirjoutram.jpg" width="350" height="494" alt="MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JAMES OUTRAM, G.C.B." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JAMES OUTRAM, G.C.B.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a painting by Thomas Brigstocke, R.A.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Residency</span> +Norman and I obtained permission to accompany Outram and Havelock +back to the Residency. It was intensely but painfully interesting +to visit this scene of so many acts of heroism, and of so much suffering +endured with unexampled fortitude. We first went to the posts<span class="page"><a name="189">[Page 189]</a></span> +occupied by Havelock's force in the Chatta Manzil, and in other buildings +which have long since disappeared. At one of these we stopped to +watch the Artillery trying to silence the enemy's guns on the opposite +side of the river. We talked to the men, who were keen to hear news +from the outer world and the story of our advance. It was some little +time before we discovered in one of them the Commander of the +battery, Captain William <a name="XXIV9r">Olpherts</a>,<a href="#XXIV9"><sup>9</sup></a> for in his soiled and torn summer +clothing, his face thin, worn, and begrimed with smoke, it was difficult +to distinguish the officer from his men, and it was under these levelling +circumstances that I had the honour of making the acquaintance +of my distinguished brother officer, whose audacious courage on the +occasion of Havelock's advance over the Charbagh bridge had won the +admiration of everyone in the force, and gained for him the Victoria +Cross.</p> +<p> +We next came to the Bailey-guard; and as we looked at the battered +walls and gateway, not an inch without a mark from a round shot or +bullet, we marvelled that Aitken and Loughman could have managed +to defend it for nearly five months. There was plenty of evidence on +all the surrounding buildings of the dangerous nature of the service +which they and their gallant Native comrades had so admirably performed. +Although we were pressed for time, we could not resist +stopping to speak to some of the Native officers and sepoys, whose +magnificent loyalty throughout the siege was one of the most gratifying +features of the Mutiny.</p> +<p> +At length we came to the Residency itself, where we met a few old +friends and acquaintances, who welcomed us with the most touching +enthusiasm. Mrs. (afterwards Lady) Inglis and the Rev. J.P. Harris +and his wife I had known at Peshawar; there were also Mrs. Fletcher +Hayes, the widow of the poor fellow whose murder by the men of his +own escort near Mainpuri I have related, and Mrs. Case, the widow of +the brave Major of the 32nd, who lost his life at the affair of Chinhut. +Mrs. Inglis showed us the tiny room which she and her children had +shared with Mrs. Case all through the siege; but it was difficult to get +any of them to speak of their miserable experiences, which were too sad +and terrible, and too recent to be talked about, and they naturally preferred +to dwell on their thankfulness for the relief that had come at +last, and to listen to our account of what had happened in other places.</p> +<p> +It was too late then to go round the position; that had to be left for +another day; indeed, it was quite dark when we returned to Head-Quarters, +established by our Chief in the open, his soldierly instincts +prompting him to remain with his troops.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="190">[Page 190]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXV">XXV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> +<p> +The night of the 17th passed off quietly. Before daybreak the next +morning the troops were under arms. Thousands of the enemy had +collected in the Kaisarbagh, and for the protection of the mess-house, +the Tara Koti, about 200 yards to the south-west, was seized and held, +as from this position a flanking fire could be brought to bear upon any +enemy advancing from the Kaisarbagh.</p> +<p> +The most difficult part of Sir Colin's task had yet to be accomplished—the +bringing away of the women and children, and the sick and +wounded, from the Residency—and the question of how this could best +be done was one which caused the Commander-in-Chief much anxious +thought. Many, amongst whom were Outram and Hope Grant, pressed +him to attack the Kaisarbagh and capture the city in the first instance; +but 45 officers and 496 men out of our small force had been killed or +wounded; Sir Colin, therefore, decided that it would be to the last +degree imprudent to attempt such an undertaking with his reduced +numbers, and became more than ever determined to confine his operations +to the relief of the garrison.</p> +<p> +That the Chief was right there can be no room for doubt. This force +was barely strong enough for the service it had to perform. Every man +was on duty day and night; there was no reserve to fall back upon; +and had he listened to these proposals, and allowed himself to be +drawn into complications in the city, it is more than probable that those +he had come to succour would have been sacrificed. The wisdom of his +decision was fully proved by subsequent events, and unreservedly +acknowledged by Hope Grant and others who at the time differed from +him in their ideas of the course which should be adopted.</p> +<p> +From the Dilkusha to the Residency was not less than five miles; +every yard of the way had to be guarded, and the garrison at the +former place was so attenuated that it had to be reinforced by the +withdrawal of part of the 75th Foot from the Alambagh. Fortunately +this could be done without dangerously weakening that post, as it had +been lately strengthened by the arrival of a small body of troops from +Cawnpore.</p> +<p> +It had now to be settled whether the evacuation should be effected +by the route we had ourselves followed, which was circuitous and in +places difficult for the wheeled vehicles necessary for the conveyance +of the sick and wounded, and the women and children; or by the way +past the barracks and Banks's house, which was shorter and had the +advantage of a metalled road throughout. But unless Russell, whose +brigade was in position at the barracks, could make the latter line +secure, it would be too hazardous to adopt, and up to the present the +reports from Russell had not been very promising. He had been +hardly pressed on the 17th, and had sent word that he could make no<span class="page"><a name="191">[Page 191]</a></span> +impression on the enemy without heavy guns. Colonel Biddulph, the +Deputy-Quartermaster-General, was therefore ordered to proceed to the +barracks to ascertain how guns could best be sent to Russell's assistance, +and report to the Commander-in-Chief on the whole situation. +I was told to go with him and bring back the required information.</p> +<p> +We found Russell in a very uncomfortable position, exposed to a hot +fire and closely surrounded by the enemy, who were holding the British +Infantry hospital and other buildings within a few yards of him.</p> +<p> +I remained with Russell while Biddulph reconnoitred the ground +between the barracks, the canal, and the Sikandarbagh. It was found +covered with villages and walled enclosures, but he discovered a path +secure from the enemy's fire, along which he was able to bring to +Russell's assistance a 9-pounder gun, a 24-pounder howitzer, and four +5½ inch mortars. As the 9-pounder was fired, a round shot from one +of the enemy's 18-pounders struck the mud wall immediately in front +of it, scattering great clods of earth, which knocked over Bourchier +and another officer; the round shot then hit Brigadier Russell, just +grazing the back of his neck, actually cutting his watch-chain in two, +and causing partial paralysis of the lower limbs for some days.</p> +<p> +Russell being for the time <i>hors de combat</i>, Biddulph assumed +command, and ordered me to return to Head-Quarters, report what +had happened, and inform Sir Colin that he intended to attack the +hospital and endeavour to drive the enemy out of his immediate +neighbourhood.</p> +<p> +I never saw Biddulph again. I had scarcely delivered my message +to the Chief when heavy firing was heard from the direction of the +barracks, and shortly afterwards a determined attack was made by the +rebels on the piquets placed between the Sikandarbagh and the +barracks, which was repulsed by Remmington's troop of Horse +Artillery, with two companies of Infantry belonging to the 23rd and +53rd Foot, brought up by the Commander-in-Chief himself, who +expressed to Remmington his warm approval of the brilliant manner +in which his troop had come into action.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sir Colin's Wise Decision</span> +Sir Colin now received information that Biddulph was killed, and +that Hale, who succeeded to the command of the brigade, had attacked +and taken the hospital, but had been forced to abandon it, as the +thatched roof had been set on fire by the shells showered upon it by +the enemy, who were keeping our troops constantly on the alert. This +decided Sir Colin to give up the idea of withdrawing the relieved +garrison by Banks's house.</p> +<p> +Early on the following morning, the 19th, I was sent by the +Commander-in-Chief to the Residency with a note for Sir James +Outram, containing the information that arrangements for the withdrawal +were now complete, and that conveyances for the women, +children, sick, and wounded would be sent as soon as they arrived<span class="page"><a name="192">[Page 192]</a></span> +from the Dilkusha.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Robert Napier</span> +When he had read the note Sir James questioned me as to the road, +and asked me particularly if I had noticed the openings made in the +walls of houses and enclosures, and whether I thought they were large +enough for the guns, carts, and carriages to get through. I replied +that I had not observed them very particularly, but I was inclined to +think some of them were certainly rather small. My answer, to my +astonishment, roused the ire of a wounded officer lying on a couch at +the end of the room, for he wrathfully asked me whether I had +measured the openings, and on my saying I had not, he added: 'You +had better wait to give your opinion until you know what you are +talking about; those openings were made by my orders, and I am +quite sure they are the necessary size.' The officer was no other than +Colonel Robert Napier, who, as I have already stated, was badly +wounded on the 17th. I felt myself considerably snubbed, but Sir +James kindly came to the rescue, and explained that I had merely +answered his question and had not offered any opinion of my own: +Colonel Napier, however, was not to be appeased, and I could plainly +see that I had incurred his displeasure, and that he thought me a very +bumptious youngster. I do not know whether the Chief of the <a name="XXV1r">Staff</a><a href="#XXV1"><sup>1</sup></a> +ever heard of it, but it was some satisfaction to me to find afterwards +that I was right in my estimation of the size of those apertures, some +of which had to be enlarged before the guns and carriages could pass +through.</p> +<p> +By sunset that day the women and children had been brought away +and collected in the Sikandarbagh. Not a very agreeable resting-place, +for though the 2,000 dead mutineers had been got out of sight, +they were merely slightly covered over in a ditch which they themselves +had recently dug outside the north wall to strengthen the defences. +The survivors of the siege, however, had become too inured to horrors +of all kinds, and were too thankful for their deliverance from the fate +which for months had constantly threatened them, to be over-sensitive.</p> +<p> +It was a sad little assemblage; all were more or less broken down +and out of health, while many were widows or orphans, having left +their nearest and dearest in the Residency burial-ground. Officers and +men accorded them a respectful welcome, and by their efforts to help +them showed how deeply they felt for their forlorn condition, while +our old Chief had a comfortable tea prepared for them. When night +set in, the road having been carefully reconnoitred beforehand, the +melancholy convoy with its guard of soldiers started for the Dilkusha, +where it arrived in safety, and was warmly received by the officers of +the 9th Lancers and the rest of the garrison, who did all that circumstances<span class="page"><a name="193">[Page 193]</a></span> +would allow to make the ladies and children comfortable.</p> +<p> +During the 20th, 21st, and 22nd, everything that was worth +removing and for which carriage could be provided was brought away. +Such a miscellaneous collection it was—jewels and other valuables +belonging to the ex-royal family, twenty-five lakhs of treasure, stores +of all kinds, including grain, and as many of the 200 guns discovered +in the palace as were considered likely to be of use.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Impressions on Visiting the Residency</span> +The troops were not moved away from the Residency till midnight +on the 22nd, and I had several opportunities before then of going over +the position, to every point of which some thrilling story was attached, +and of renewing acquaintance with many of the garrison whom I had +known before. Amongst them was Sam Lawrence, of the 32nd Foot, +a friend of Peshawar days, who, for his gallant defence of the Redan, +was awarded the Victoria Cross. I was shown Innes's advanced post, +named after McLeod <a name="XXV2r">Innes</a>,<a href="#XXV2"><sup>2</sup></a> a talented Engineer officer, who also +subsequently gained that coveted reward; the Cawnpore battery, where +so many valuable lives had been sacrificed, and the room where Sir +Henry Lawrence received his mortal wound; then I climbed up to the +tower, from which a good view of the city and the posts held by the +enemy could be obtained.</p> +<p> +The more I saw, the more I wondered at what had been achieved by +such a mere handful of men against such vast numbers. It was +specially pleasant to me to listen to the praises bestowed on the officers +of my own regiment, of whom nine were present when the siege commenced, +and only one escaped to the end unwounded, while five were +killed or died of their injuries. Of the other three, one was wounded +three different times, and both the others once.</p> +<p> +All were loud, too, in their praises of the Engineer officers. During +the latter part of the siege the rebels, finding they could not carry the +position by assault, tried hard to undermine the defences; but our +Engineers were ever on the watch, and countermined so successfully +that they were able to frustrate the enemy's designs on almost every +occasion.</p> +<p> +The wonderful manner in which the Hindustani soldiers held their ground, +notwithstanding that they were incessantly taunted by their +mutinous comrades for aiding the Feringhis against their own people, +was also much dilated upon.</p> +<p> +The casualties during the siege were extremely heavy. When it +commenced on the 1st of July, the strength of the garrison was +927 Europeans and 765 Natives. Of the former, 163 were civilians—brave +and useful, but untrained to arms; of the latter, 118 were +pensioners, many of whom were old and decrepit. Up to the arrival +of Outram and Havelock (a period of eighty-seven days), 350 Europeans<span class="page"><a name="194">[Page 194]</a></span> +and 133 natives were either killed or died of wounds and disease. Of +the noble and unselfish conduct of the ladies and soldiers' wives, +everyone spoke in the highest terms and with the warmest appreciation. +They suffered, without a murmur, the most terrible hardships; they +devoted themselves to the sick and wounded in the hospital, and were +ever ready to help in any way that was useful. Two ladies were +killed, and nine died, during the siege.</p> +<p> +The contemplation of the defence of Lucknow, and the realization of +the noble qualities it called forth in the defenders, cannot but excite in +the breast of every British man and woman, as it did in mine, feelings +of pride and admiration. But what impressed me more than even the +glorious defence was the foresight and ability of the man who made that +defence possible.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Henry Lawrence</span> +Henry Lawrence was, apparently, the only European in India who, +from the very first, formed an accurate estimate of the extent of the +danger which threatened our rule in the early part of 1857, and who, +notwithstanding his thorough appreciation of the many good qualities +of Native soldiers, was not misled into a mistaken belief in the absolute +loyalty of the Native army. Fourteen years before Lawrence had +predicted the <a name="XXV3r">Mutiny</a><a href="#XXV3"><sup>3</sup></a> and the course it would take, and when events +shaped themselves as he had foreseen, he gave it as his opinion that +the disaffection would be general and widespread. But while his intimate +knowledge of Native character led him to this conviction, so great +was his influence with Natives—perhaps by reason of that knowledge—that +he was able to delay the actual outbreak at Lucknow until his +measures for the defence of the Residency were completed, and he +persuaded a considerable number of sepoys, not only to continue in their +allegiance, but to share with their European comrades the dangers and +privations of the siege—a priceless service, for without their aid the +defence could not have been made.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate12">[plate 12]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/12-bgensirhlawrence.jpg" width="305" height="470" alt="BRIGADIER-GENERAL SIR HENRY LAWRENCE, K.C.B." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>BRIGADIER-GENERAL SIR HENRY LAWRENCE, K.C.B.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a photograph taken at Lucknow.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lawrence as Statesman and Ruler</span> +In no part of India was there greater need for the services of a<span class="page"><a name="195">[Page 195]</a></span> +strong, enlightened, and sympathetic Ruler and Statesman. Difficult +as were the positions in which many men in authority were placed in +1857, none was more difficult than that in which Henry Lawrence +found himself when he took over the Chief Commissionership of Oudh +in the spring of that year. His colleagues in the administration were +at feud with each other, and by their ignorance of the proper methods +of dealing with the people they had succeeded in alienating all classes.</p> +<p> +While Lawrence was engaged in pouring oil on these troubled waters, +and in earning the gratitude of the people by modifying the previous +year's undue assessment, signs appeared of the disaffection, which had +begun amongst the troops at Barrackpore, having spread to the cantonments +in Oudh. Sir Henry met this new trouble in the same intelligent +and conciliatory spirit as that in which he had dealt with his civil +difficulties. He summoned to a durbar some Native officers who had +displayed a very proper feeling of loyalty by arresting several fanatics +who had tried to tamper with the soldiery, and he liberally rewarded +them, pointing out at the same time in forcible language the disgrace to +a soldier of being faithless to his salt. But while doing everything in +his power to keep the Natives loyal, and with a certain amount of +success, he did not neglect to take every possible precaution.</p> +<p> +When first he heard of the outbreak at Meerut, he telegraphed to +the Governor-General advising him to send for British troops to China +and Ceylon, and to call on the Nepalese to assist; at the same time he +applied to Lord Canning for, and obtained, the rank of Brigadier-General, +which gave him military as well as civil control—a very +necessary measure, for none of the senior military officers in Oudh +were men to be relied upon; indeed, as in so many other places, they +had to be effaced when the troubles began.</p> +<p> +Very early in the day Henry Lawrence commenced his preparations +for the defence of the Residency; he cleared the ground of all cover in +its immediate vicinity, as far as it was possible to do so; he fortified +it, mounted guns, stored ammunition, powder, and firewood; arranged +for a proper supply of water; collected food, which proved sufficient, +not only for the original number of refugees, but for the 3,000 additional +mouths belonging to Outram and Havelock's force; in fact, he +did everything which forethought and ingenuity could suggest to +enable the garrison to hold out in what he foresaw would be a long and +deadly struggle against fearful odds. There was no fort, as there was +at Agra, capable of sheltering every European in Oudh, and strong +enough to defy any number of mutineers, nor was there, as at Cawnpore, +a well-stocked and strongly-fortified magazine to depend upon. +But Henry Lawrence was not cast down by the difficulties which +surrounded him; he was fully alive to the danger, but he recognized +that his best, indeed, his only, chance of delaying the inevitable +rebellion until (as he hoped) assistance might arrive, was to show a<span class="page"><a name="196">[Page 196]</a></span> +bold front.</p> +<p> +On the 27th May Lawrence wrote to Lord Canning as follows: +'Hitherto the country has been kept quiet, and we have played the +Irregulars against the line regiments; but being constituted of exactly the +same material, the taint is fast pervading them, and in a few weeks, if +not days—unless Delhi be in the interim captured—there will be but +one feeling throughout the army, a feeling that our prestige is gone, +and that feeling will be more dangerous than any other. Religion, fear, +hatred, one and all have their influence; but there is still a reverence +for the Company's <i><a name="XXV4r">ikbâl</a></i><a href="#XXV4"><sup>4</sup></a>—when it is gone we shall have few friends +indeed. The tone and talk of many have greatly altered during the +last few days, and we are now asked, almost in terms of insolence, +whether Delhi is captured, or when it will be. It was only just after +the Kabul massacre, and when we hesitated to advance through the +Khyber, that, in my memory, such a tone ever before <a name="XXV5r">prevailed</a>.<a href="#XXV5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p> +Feeling all this so strongly, it is the more remarkable that Henry +Lawrence never lost heart, but struggled bravely on 'to preserve the +soldiery to their duty and the people to their allegiance,' while at the +same time he was, as I have shown, making every conceivable preparation +to meet the outbreak whenever it should come.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lawrence's Friendliness for Natives</span> +There is no doubt that Henry <a name="Lawrence">Lawrence</a> was a very remarkable man; +his friendly feeling for Natives, and his extraordinary insight into their +character, together with his military training and his varied political +experience, peculiarly fitted him to be at the head of a Government at +such a <a name="XXV6r">crisis</a>.<a href="#XXV6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +All this, however, is a digression from my narrative, to which I must +now return.</p> +<p> +While the withdrawal was being effected, Peel's guns distracted the +enemy's attention from the proceedings by keeping up a perpetual and +destructive fire on the Kaisarbagh, thus leading the rebels to believe +that our whole efforts were directed to taking that place. By the evening +of the 22nd three large breaches had been made, and the enemy +naturally expected an assault to take place the next morning. But the +object of that heavy fire had already been accomplished; the women<span class="page"><a name="197">[Page 197]</a></span> +and children, the sick and wounded, were all safe in the Dilkusha; no +one was left in the Residency but the garrison, on duty for the last time +at the posts they had so long and so bravely defended, and they were to +leave at midnight.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Evacuation of the Residency</span> +As the clock struck twelve, in the deepest silence and with the +utmost caution, the gallant little band evacuated the place, and passed +down the long line of posts, first those held by Outram's and Havelock's +men, and then those occupied by the relieving force, until they reached +the Martinière Park. As they moved on, Outram's and Havelock's +troops fell in behind, and were followed by the relieving force, which +brought up the rear. The scheme for this very delicate movement had +been most carefully considered beforehand by General Mansfield, the +clever Chief of the Staff, who clearly explained to all concerned the +parts they had to play, and emphatically impressed upon them that +success depended on his directions being followed to the letter, and on +their being carried out without the slightest noise or confusion.</p> +<p> +Sir Colin Campbell and Hope Grant, surrounded by their respective +staffs, watched the movement from a position in front of the Sikandarbagh, +where a body of Artillery and Infantry were held in readiness +for any emergency. When the time arrived for the advanced piquets +to be drawn in, the enemy seemed to have become suspicious, for they +suddenly opened fire with guns and musketry from the Kaisarbagh, +and for a moment we feared our plans had been discovered. Fortunately, +one of Peel's rocket-carts was still in position beyond the Moti +Mahal, and the celerity with which the officer in charge replied to this +burst of fire apparently convinced the enemy we were holding our +ground, for the firing soon ceased, and we breathed again.</p> +<p> +Mansfield had taken the precaution to have with him an officer from +Hale's brigade, which was on the left rear of our line of posts, that he +might go back and tell his Brigadier when the proper time came for +the latter to move off in concert with the rest of the force; but this +officer had not, apparently, understood that he would have to return in +the dark, and when Mansfield directed him to carry out the duty for +which he had been summoned, he replied that he did not think he +could find his way. Mansfield was very angry, and with reason, for +it was of supreme importance that the retirement should be simultaneous, +and turning to me, he said: 'You have been to Hale's +position: do you think you could find your way there now?' I +answered: 'I think I can.' Upon which he told me to go at once, +and ordered the officer belonging to the brigade to accompany me. I +then asked the General whether he wished me to retire with Hale's +party or return to him. He replied: 'Return to me here, that I may +be sure the order has been received.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Hazardous Duty</span> +I rode off with my companion, and soon found I had undertaken to +perform a far from easy, and rather hazardous, duty. I had only been<span class="page"><a name="198">[Page 198]</a></span> +over the ground twice—going to and returning from the position on +the 18th—and most of the villages then standing had since been +burnt. There was no road, but any number of paths, which seemed +to lead in every direction but the right one; at last, however, we +arrived at our destination, I delivered the order to Colonel Hale, and +set out on my return journey alone. My consternation was great on +reaching the Sikandarbagh, where I had been ordered to report myself +to Mansfield, to find it deserted by the Generals, their staffs, and the +troops; not a creature was to be seen. I then began to understand +what a long time it had taken me to carry out the errand upon which +I had been sent, much longer, no doubt, than Mansfield thought +possible. I could not help feeling that I was not in at all a pleasant +position, for any moment the enemy might discover the force had +departed, and come out in pursuit. As it turned out, however, happily +for me, they remained for some hours in blissful ignorance of our +successful retirement, and, instead of following in our wake, continued +to keep up a heavy fire on the empty Residency and other abandoned +posts. Turning my horse's head in the direction I knew the troops +must have taken, I galloped as fast as he could carry me until I +overtook the rear guard just as it was crossing the canal, along the +right bank of which the greater part of the force had been placed in +position. When I reported myself to Mansfield, he confessed that he +had forgotten all about me, which somewhat surprised me, for I had +frequently noticed how exactly he remembered the particulars of any +order he gave, no matter how long a time it took to execute it.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXVI">XXVI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +The Relief of the Lucknow garrison was now accomplished—a grand +achievement indeed, of which any Commander might well be proud, +carried out as it had been in every particular as originally planned, +thus demonstrating with what care each detail had been thought out, +and how admirably movement after movement had been executed.</p> +<p> +November the 23rd was spent in arranging for the march to +Cawnpore, and in organizing the division which was to be left in +position, under Outram, in and about the Alambagh; it was to be +strong enough to hold its own, and to keep open communication with +Head-Quarters.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map2">[map 2]</a></span> +<p class="center"><span class="left">Click Map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map2lucknow-1200.jpg"><img src="images/map2lucknow-600.jpg" width="600" height="449" alt="THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW, November, 1857" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW, November, 1857</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +My time was chiefly occupied in assisting in the distribution of +transport, and in carrying out Hope Grant's directions as to the order +in which the troops were to march. Round the Dilkusha the scene of +confusion was bewildering in the extreme; women, children, sick and +wounded men, elephants, camels, bullocks and bullock-carts, grass-cutters'<span class="page"><a name="199">[Page 199]</a></span> +ponies, and doolies with their innumerable bearers, all crowded +together. To marshal these incongruous elements and get them +started seemed at first to be an almost hopeless task. At last the +families were got off in two bodies, each under a married officer whose +wife was of the party, and through whom all possible arrangements +for their comfort were to be made, and their place on the line of +march, position in camp, etc., determined.</p> +<p> +In the afternoon the force was gratified by the issue of a General +Order by the Commander-in-Chief thanking the troops for the manner +in which the very difficult and harassing service of the Relief had been +performed. Alluding to the withdrawal, he said it was a model of +discipline and exactitude, the result of which was that the rebels were +completely thrown off their guard, and the retirement had been +successfully carried out in the face of 50,000 of the enemy along a +most inconveniently narrow and tortuous lane—the only line of retreat +open.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Death of General Havelock</span> +The following morning Hope Grant's division marched to the +Alambagh. On arrival there, our transport was sent back for Outram's +division, which joined us the morning after, bringing with it General +Havelock's dead body. He had died the previous day—'a martyr to +duty,' as the Commander-in-Chief expressed it in his General Order. +The brave old soldier, who had served with distinction in four +campaigns before the Mutiny—Burma, Afghanistan, Gwalior, and the +Sutlej—was buried inside the Alambagh enclosure, respected and +honoured by the whole army, but more especially by those who had +shared in his noble efforts to rescue the Lucknow garrison.</p> +<p> +A wash and change of clothes, in which we were now able to +indulge, were much-appreciated luxuries. From the time we had left +the Alambagh every officer and man had been on duty without +cessation, and slept, if they slept at all, on the spot where the close of +day found them fighting.</p> +<p> +It was a rough experience, but, notwithstanding the exposure, hard +work, and a minimum of sleep, there was no great sickness amongst +the troops. The personal interest which every man in the force felt in +the rescue of his countrymen and countrywomen, in addition to the +excitement at all times inseparable from war, was a stimulant which +enabled all ranks to bear up in a marvellous manner against long-continued +privations and hardships—for body and mind are equally +affected by will—and there was no doubt about the will in this instance +to endure anything that was necessary for the speedy achievement of +the object in view. Personally, I was in the best of health, and +though I almost lived on horseback, I never felt inconvenience or +fatigue.</p> +<p> +The 25th and 26th were busy days, spent in allotting camp equipage +and making the necessary arrangements for fitting out Outram's force—4,000<span class="page"><a name="200">[Page 200]</a></span> +strong, with 25 guns and howitzers and 10 mortars.</p> +<p> +At 11 a.m. on the 27th we started on our return march towards +<a name="XXVI1r">Cawnpore</a>.<a href="#XXVI1"><sup>1</sup></a> It was a strange procession. Everything in the shape of +wheeled carriage and laden animals had to keep to the road, which +was narrow, and for the greater part of the way raised, for the country +at that time of the year was partly under water, and <i>jhils</i> were +numerous. Thus, the column was about twelve miles in length, so that +the head had almost reached the end of the march before the rear +could start. Delays were constant and unavoidable, and the time +each day's journey occupied, as well as the mode of conveyance—country +carts innocent of springs—must have been most trying to +delicate women and wounded men. Fortunately there was no rain; +but the sun was still hot in the daytime, causing greater sensitiveness +to the bitter cold at night.</p> +<p> +My place was with the advance guard, as I had to go on ahead to +mark out the camp and have ramps got ready to enable the carts to be +taken off the raised roads. Soon after leaving the Alambagh we heard +the sound of guns from the direction of Cawnpore, and when we +reached Bani bridge (about thirteen miles on, where a small post had +been established) the officer in command told us that there had been +heavy firing all that day and the day before.</p> +<p> +Camp was pitched about two miles further on late in the afternoon; +but my work was not over till midnight, when the rear guard arrived, +for it took all that time to form up the miscellaneous convoy.</p> +<p> +Next morning we made an early start, in order to reach our destination, +if possible, before dark. Having received no information from +Cawnpore for more than ten days, the Commander-in-Chief was +beginning to feel extremely anxious, and the firing we had heard the +previous day had greatly increased his uneasiness, for there seemed +little room for doubt that the Gwalior rebels were making an attack +on that place. The probability that this would happen had been foreseen +by Sir Colin, and was one of his reasons for determining to limit +the operations at Lucknow to the withdrawal of the garrison.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Appeals from Cawnpore</span> +We had not proceeded far, when firing was again heard, and by noon<span class="page"><a name="201">[Page 201]</a></span> +all doubt as to its meaning was ended by a Native who brought a note +marked 'Most urgent,' written in Greek character, and addressed to +'General Sir Colin Campbell, or any officer commanding troops on the +Lucknow road.' This turned out to be a communication from General +Windham, who had been placed in command at Cawnpore when the +Commander-in-Chief left for Lucknow on the 9th of November. It was +dated two days earlier, and told of an attack having been made, that +there had been hard fighting, and that the troops were sorely pressed; +in conclusion Windham earnestly besought the Chief to come to his +assistance with the least possible delay.</p> +<p> +Two other letters followed in quick succession, the last containing +the disappointing and disheartening intelligence that Windham, with +the greater part of his troops, had been driven into the entrenchment, +plainly showing that the city and cantonment were in the possession of +the enemy, and suggesting the possibility of the bridge of boats having +been destroyed.</p> +<p> +Sir Colin, becoming impatient to learn the exact state of the case, +desired me to ride on as fast as I could to the river; and if I found the +bridge broken, to return at once, but if it were still in existence to cross +over, try and see the General, and bring back all the information I +could obtain.</p> +<p> +I took a couple of sowars with me, and on reaching the river I +found, under cover of a hastily-constructed <i>tête-de-pont</i>, a guard of +British soldiers, under Lieutenant Budgen, of the 82nd Foot, whose +delight at seeing me was most effusively expressed. He informed me +that the bridge was still intact, but that it was unlikely it would long +remain so, for Windham was surrounded except on the river side, and +the garrison was 'at its last gasp.'</p> +<p> +I pushed across and got into the entrenchment, which was situated +on the river immediately below the bridge of boats. The confusion +inside was great, and I could hardly force my way through the mass of +men who thronged round my horse, eager to learn when help might be +expected; they were evidently demoralized by the ill-success which had +attended the previous days' operations, and it was not until I reassured +them with the news that the Commander-in-Chief was close at hand +that I managed to get through the crowd and deliver my message to +the General.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">General Windham</span> +The 'hero of the Redan,' whom I now saw for the first time, though +the fame of his achievement had preceded him to India, was a handsome, +cheery-looking man of about forty-eight years of age, who +appeared, in contrast to the excited multitude I had passed, thoroughly +calm and collected; and notwithstanding the bitter disappointment it +must have been to him to be obliged to give up the city and retire with +his wholly inadequate force into the entrenchment, he was not dispirited, +and had all his wits about him. In a few words he told me what had<span class="page"><a name="202">[Page 202]</a></span> +happened, and desired me to explain to the Commander-in-Chief that, +although the city and cantonment had to be abandoned, he was still +holding the enemy in check round the assembly-rooms (which were +situated outside and to the west front of the entrenchment), thus preventing +their approaching the bridge of boats near enough to injure it.</p> +<p> +I was about to start back to Head-Quarters, when suddenly loud +cheers broke from the men, caused by the appearance in their midst of +the Commander-in-Chief himself. After I had left him, Sir Colin +became every minute more impatient and fidgety, and ere long started +off after me, accompanied by Mansfield and some other staff officers. +He was recognized by the soldiers, some of whom had known him in +the Crimea, and they at once surrounded him, giving enthusiastic expression +to their joy at seeing him again.</p> +<p> +The Chief could now judge for himself as to how matters stood, so, +as there was plenty of work in camp for me, I started back to rejoin my +own General. On my way I stopped to speak to Budgen, whom I +found in a most dejected frame of mind. Unfortunately for him, he +had used exactly the same words in describing the situation at Cawnpore +to Sir Colin as he had to me, which roused the old Chief's indignation, +and he flew at the wretched man as he was sometimes apt to +do when greatly put out, rating him soundly, and asking him how +he dared to say of Her Majesty's troops that they were 'at their last +gasp.'</p> +<p> +I found Hope Grant about four miles from the river bank, where the +camp was being pitched. Sir Colin did not return till after dark, when +we were told that the rest of Windham's troops had been driven inside +the entrenchment, which only confirmed what we had suspected, for +flames were seen mounting high into the air from the direction of the +assembly-rooms, which, it now turned out, had been set on fire by the +enemy—an unfortunate occurrence, as in them had been stored the +camp equipage, kits, clothing, etc., belonging to most of the regiments +which had crossed the Ganges into Oudh. But what was more serious +still was the fact that the road was now open for the rebels' heavy +guns, which might be brought to bear upon the bridge of boats at any +moment.</p> +<p> +Owing to the length of the march (thirty-two or thirty-three miles), +some of the carts and the heavy guns did not arrive till daybreak. +Scarcely had the bullocks been unyoked, before the guns were ordered +on to the river bank, where they formed up, and so effectually plied the +enemy with shot and shell that the passage of the river was rendered +comparatively safe for our troops.</p> +<p> +When the men had breakfasted, the order was given to cross over. +Sir Colin accompanied the column as far as the bridge, and then +directed Hope Grant, with the Horse Artillery and most of the Cavalry, +Bourchier's battery and Adrian Hope's brigade, to move to the south-east<span class="page"><a name="203">[Page 203]</a></span> +of the city and take up a position on the open ground which +stretched from the river to the Grand Trunk Road, with the canal between +us and the enemy. By this arrangement communication with +Allahabad, which had been temporarily interrupted, was restored, a +very necessary measure, for until the road was made safe, reinforcements, +which on account of the paucity of transport had to be sent up +in small detachments, could not reach us, nor could the families and +sick soldiers be sent down country.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Passage of the Ganges</span> +The passage of the huge convoy over the bridge of boats, under the +protection of Greathed's brigade, was a most tedious business, occupying +thirty hours, from 3 p.m. on the 29th till about 9 p.m. on the 30th, +when Inglis brought over the rear guard. During its transit the enemy +fired occasionally on the bridge, and tried to destroy it by floating +fire-rafts down the river; fortunately they did not succeed, and the +convoy arrived without accident on the ground set apart for it in the +rear of our camp.</p> +<p> +For the three first days of December I was chiefly employed in +reconnoitring with the Native Cavalry the country to our left and rear, +to make sure that the rebels had no intention of attempting to get round +that flank, and in making arrangements for the despatch of the families, +the sick, and the wounded, to Allahabad <i>en route</i> to Calcutta. We improvised +covers for some of the carts, in which we placed the women +and children and the worst cases amongst the men; but with all our +efforts to render them less unfit for the purpose, these carts remained +but rough and painful conveyances for delicate women and suffering +men to travel in.</p> +<p> +We were not left altogether unmolested by the enemy during these +days. Round shot kept continually falling in our midst, particularly +in the neighbourhood of the Commander-in-Chief's tent, the exact position +of which must have somehow been made known to the rebels, +otherwise they could not have distinguished it from the rest of the +camp, as it was an unpretentious hill tent, such as was then used by +subaltern officers.</p> +<p> +Until the women left camp on the night of the 3rd December, we +were obliged to act on the defensive, and were not able to stop the +enemy's fire completely, though we managed to keep it under control +by occupying the point called Generalganj, and strengthening the +piquets on our right and left flank. On the 4th a second unsuccessful +attempt was made to destroy the bridge of boats by means of fire-rafts, +and on the 5th there were several affairs at the outposts, all of which +ended in the discomfiture of the rebels without any great loss to ourselves; +Lieutenant-Colonel Ewart of the 93rd Highlanders, who lost +his arm on the 1st, and Captain Crutchley of the same regiment, who +was severely wounded, being the only casualties amongst the officers.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="204">[Page 204]</a></span> + <br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXVII">XXVII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857-1858</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />The Fight at Cawnpore</span> +<p> +The time had now arrived to give the Gwalior troops a repetition of +the lesson taught them at Agra on the 10th October. They had had +it all their own way since then; and having proved too strong for +Windham, they misunderstood the Commander-in-Chief remaining for +so long on the defensive, and attributed his inaction to fear of their +superior prowess.</p> +<p> +Sunday, the 6th December, was one of those glorious days in which +the European in northern India revels for a great part of the winter, +clear and cool, with a cloudless sky. I awoke refreshed after a good +night's rest, and in high spirits at the prospect before us of a satisfactory +day's work; for we hoped to drive the enemy from Cawnpore, +and to convince those who had witnessed, if not taken part in, the +horrible brutalities perpetrated there, that England's hour had come at +last.</p> +<p> +The 42nd Highlanders, a battery of Royal Artillery, and detachments +of several different corps, had quite lately been added to the +force, so that the Commander-in-Chief had now at his disposal about +5,000 Infantry, 600 Cavalry, and 35 guns. The Infantry were divided +into four brigades, commanded respectively by Greathed, Adrian Hope, +Inglis, and <a name="XXVII1r">Walpole</a>.<a href="#XXVII1"><sup>1</sup></a> The Cavalry brigade, consisting of the same +regiments which had come with us from Delhi, was commanded by +Brigadier Little, the <a name="XXVII2r">Artillery</a><a href="#XXVII2"><sup>2</sup></a> by Major-General Dupuis, and the +Engineers by Colonel Harness, General Windham being placed in +charge of the entrenchments.</p> +<p> +Opposed to this force there were 25,000 men, with 40 guns, not all +disciplined soldiers, but all adepts in the use of arms, and accustomed +to fighting. They were divided into two distinct bodies, one composed +of the Gwalior Contingent, the Rani of Jhansi's followers, and the +mutinous regiments which had been stationed in Bundelkand, Central +India, and Rajputana, which occupied the right of the enemy's +position, covering their line of retreat by the Kalpi road. The other +consisted of the troops—regular and irregular—which had attached +themselves to the Nana, and held the city and the ground which lay +between it and the Ganges, their line of retreat being along the Grand +Trunk Road to Bithur. Tantia Topi was in command of the whole<span class="page"><a name="205">[Page 205]</a></span> +force, while the Nana remained with his own people on the left flank.</p> +<p> +On the centre and left the enemy were very strongly posted, and +could only be approached through the city and by way of the difficult +broken ground, covered with ruined houses, stretching along the river +bank.</p> +<p> +While the men were eating their breakfasts, and the tents were +being struck, packed, and sent to the rear, Sir Colin carefully explained +his plan of operations to the Commanding officers and the staff; this +plan was, to make a feint on the enemy's left and centre, but to direct +the real attack on their right, hoping thus to be able to dispose of this +portion of Tantia Topi's force, before assistance could be obtained from +any other part of the line.</p> +<p> +With this view Windham was ordered to open with every gun within +the entrenchment at 9 a.m.; while Greathed, supported by Walpole, +threatened the enemy's centre. Exactly at the hour named, the roar +of Windham's Artillery was heard, followed a few minutes later by the +rattle of Greathed's musketry along the bank of the canal. Meanwhile, +Adrian Hope's brigade was drawn up in fighting formation +behind the Cavalry stables on our side of the Trunk Road, and Inglis's +brigade behind the racecourse on the other side. At eleven o'clock the +order was given to advance. The Cavalry and Horse Artillery moved +to the left with instructions to cross the canal by a bridge about two +miles off, and to be ready to fall upon the enemy as they retreated +along the Kalpi road. Walpole's brigade, covered by Smith's Field +battery, crossed the canal by a bridge immediately to the left of +Generalganj, cleared the canal bank, and, by hugging the wall of the +city, effectually prevented reinforcements reaching the enemy's right.</p> +<p> +Peel's and Longden's heavy guns, and Bourchier's and Middleton's +Field batteries, now opened on some brick-kilns and mounds which the +enemy were holding in strength on our side of the canal, and against +which Adrian Hope's and Inglis's brigades advanced in parallel lines, +covered by the 4th Punjab Infantry in skirmishing order</p> +<p> +It was a sight to be remembered, that advance, as we watched it +from our position on horseback, grouped round the Commander-in-Chief. +Before us stretched a fine open grassy plain; to the right the +dark green of the Rifle Brigade battalions revealed where Walpole's +brigade was crossing the canal. Nearer to us, the 53rd Foot, and the +42nd and 93rd Highlanders in their bonnets and kilts, marched as on +parade, although the enemy's guns played upon them and every now +and then a round shot plunged through their ranks or ricocheted over +their heads; on they went without apparently being in the least disconcerted, +and without the slightest confusion.</p> +<p> +As the brick-kilns were neared, the 4th Punjab Infantry, supported +by the 53rd Foot, charged the enemy in grand style, and drove them +across the canal. Here there occurred a slight check. The rebels,<span class="page"><a name="206">[Page 206]</a></span> +having been reinforced, made a stand, and bringing guns to bear upon +the bridge within grape range, they must have done us great damage +but for the timely arrival of Peel and his sailors with a heavy gun. +This put new life into the attacking party; with a loud cheer they +dashed across the bridge, while Peel poured round after round from his +24-pounder on the insurgents with most salutary effect. The enemy +faced about and retired with the utmost celerity, leaving a 9-pounder +gun in our possession.</p> +<p> +The whole of Hope's brigade, followed by Inglis's, now arrived on +the scene and proceeded to cross the canal, some by the bridge, while +others waded through the water. Having got to the other side, both +brigades re-formed, and moved rapidly along the Kalpi road. We (the +Commander-in-Chief, Hope Grant, and their respective staffs) accompanied +this body of troops for about a mile and a half, when the rebels' +camp came in sight. A few rounds were fired into it, and then it was +rushed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Unexpected Visitors</span> +We were evidently unexpected visitors; wounded men were lying +about in all directions, and many sepoys were surprised calmly cooking +their frugal meal of unleavened bread. The tents were found to be +full of property plundered from the city and cantonment of Cawnpore—soldiers' +kits, bedding, clothing, and every description of miscellaneous +articles; but to us the most valuable acquisition was a quantity +of grain and a large number of fine bullocks, of which those best suited +for Ordnance purposes were kept, and the rest were made over to the +Commissariat.</p> +<p> +That portion of the rebel force with which we had been engaged +was now in full retreat, and Sir Colin wished to follow it up at once; +but the Cavalry and Horse Artillery had not arrived, so that considerable +delay occurred; while we were waiting the Chief arranged to send +Mansfield with a small <a name="XXVII3r">force</a><a href="#XXVII3"><sup>3</sup></a> round to the north of Cawnpore, and, by +thus threatening the road along which the Nana's troops must retreat, +compel them to evacuate the city. The 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers +and a detachment of the 38th Foot were to be left to look after the +deserted camp, and Inglis's brigade was to move along the Kalpi road +in support of the Cavalry and Horse Artillery. But where were the +much-needed and anxiously-expected mounted troops? It was not +like them to be out of the way when their services were required; +but it was now nearly two o'clock, they had not appeared, and the +days were very short. What was to be done? The enemy could not +be allowed to carry off their guns and escape punishment. Suddenly +the old Chief announced that he had determined to follow them up +himself with Bourchier's battery and his own escort.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map3">[map 3]</a></span> + + <p class="center"> + <span class="left">Click map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map3cawnpore-1200.jpg"><img src="images/map3cawnpore-600.jpg" width="600" height="422" alt="Engagement before CAWNPORE on the 6th. December 1857." border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>Engagement before CAWNPORE on the 6th. December 1857.</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<p><span class="rightnote">A Long Chase</span> +What a chase we had! We went at a gallop, only pulling up<span class="page"><a name="207">[Page 207]</a></span> +occasionally for the battery to come into action, 'to clear our front and +flanks.' We came up with a goodly number of stragglers, and captured +several guns and carts laden with ammunition. But we were by this +time overtaking large bodies of the rebels, and they were becoming too +numerous for a single battery and a few staff officers to cope with. We +had outstripped the Commander-in-Chief, and Hope Grant decided to +halt, hoping that the missing Cavalry and Horse Artillery might soon +turn up. We had not to wait long. In about a quarter of an hour +they appeared among some trees to our left, even more put out than we +were at their not having been to the front at such a time. Their guide +had made too great a détour, but the sound of our guns showed them +his mistake, and they at once altered their course and pushed on in the +direction of the firing. Sir Colin had also come up, so off we started +again, and never drew rein until we reached the Pandu Naddi, fourteen +miles from Cawnpore. The rout was complete. Finding themselves +pressed, the sepoys scattered over the country, throwing away their +arms and divesting themselves of their uniform, that they might pass +for harmless peasants. Nineteen guns, some of them of large calibre, +were left in our hands. Our victory was particularly satisfactory in +that it was achieved with but slight loss to ourselves, the casualties +being 2 officers and 11 men killed, and 9 officers and 76 men wounded.</p> +<p> +Hope Grant now desired me to hurry back to Cawnpore before it got +too dark, and select the ground for the night's bivouac. As there was +some risk in going alone, Augustus Anson volunteered to accompany +me. We had got about half-way, when we came across the dead body +of Lieutenant Salmond, who had been acting Aide-de-camp to my +General, and must have got separated from us in the pursuit. His +throat was cut, and he had a severe wound on the face. Soon after we +met Inglis's brigade, which, in accordance with my instructions, I +turned back. On reaching the Gwalior Contingent camp, we heard +that an attempt had been made to recapture it, which had been repulsed +by the troops left in charge.</p> +<p> +It was dusk by the time we reached the junction of the Kalpi and +Grand Trunk roads, and we agreed that this would be a good place for +a bivouac, the city being about a mile in front, and Mansfield's column +less than two miles to the left. I marked out the ground, and showed +each corps as it came up the position it was to occupy. When all this +was over I was pretty well tired out and ravenously hungry; but food +there was none, so I had made up my mind to lie down, famished as I +was. Just then I came across some sleeping men, who to my joy +turned out to be Dighton Probyn and the officers of the 2nd Punjab +Cavalry, who were magnanimous enough to forgive the abrupt interruption +to their slumbers, and to supply me with some cold mutton, +bread, and a bottle of beer. Never was man more grateful for a meal, +and never was a meal more thoroughly enjoyed. I lay down beside my<span class="page"><a name="208">[Page 208]</a></span> +friends and was soon fast asleep, in spite of the bitter cold and being +much troubled about my horse; neither for him nor myself was there +a vestige of covering to be found.</p> +<p> +The next morning I was astir by cockcrow. Patrols who had been +sent forward to ascertain the truth of a rumour which had reached the +Commander-in-Chief the previous evening, to the effect that the city +had been evacuated, returned with confirmation of the report; but the +news in other respects was far from satisfactory. Mansfield's movement +had caused the enemy to retire, but they had got away without +loss, and had succeeded in carrying off all their guns; so that only +one half of Tantia Topi's force had really been dealt with; the other +half still remained to be disposed of, and to Hope Grant's great satisfaction +and my delight, the duty of following them up was entrusted +to him.</p> +<p> +His orders were to go to Bithur, as it was thought likely that the +Nana's troops would retire on that place. But as the news was not +very reliable, Hope Grant was told to use his own discretion, and act +according to circumstances.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Unjur Tiwari</span> +For several days I had been trying unsuccessfully to get hold of some +Natives upon whom I could rely to bring me trustworthy information +as to the enemy's movements. It is always of the utmost importance +that a Quartermaster-General on service should have the help of such +men, and I was now more than ever in need of reliable intelligence. In +this emergency I applied to Captain Bruce, the officer in charge of the +Intelligence Department which had been established at Cawnpore for +the purpose of tracing the whereabouts of those rebels who had taken a +prominent part in the atrocities. I was at once supplied with a first-rate +man, Unjur Tiwari by <a name="XXVII4r">name</a>,<a href="#XXVII4"><sup>4</sup></a> who from that moment until I left +India for England in April, 1858, rendered me most valuable service.<span class="page"><a name="209">[Page 209]</a></span> +He was a Brahmin by caste, and belonged to the 1st Native Infantry. +In a few words I explained what I required of him, and he started at +once for Bithur, promising to meet me the next day on the line of +march.</p> +<p> +Early on the afternoon of the 8th we marched out of Cawnpore, and +at sunset Unjur Tiwari, true to his promise, made his appearance at the +point where the road turns off to Bithur. He told me that the Nana +had slept at that place the night before, but hearing of our approach, +had decamped with all his guns and most of his followers, and was now +at a ferry some miles up the river, trying to get across and make his +way to Oudh. We had come thirteen miles, and had as many more to +go before we could get to the ferry, and as there was nothing to be +gained by arriving there in the dark, a halt was ordered for rest and +refreshment. At midnight we started again, and reached Sheorajpur +(three miles from the ferry) at daybreak. Here we left our impedimenta, +and proceeded by a cross-country road. Presently a couple of +mounted men belonging to the enemy, not perceiving who we were, +galloped straight into the escort. On discovering their mistake, they +turned and tried to escape, but in vain; one was killed, the other +captured, and from him we learnt that the rebels were only a short distance +ahead. We pushed on, and soon came in sight of them and of the +river; crowds were collected on the banks, and boats were being +hurriedly laden, some of the guns having already been placed on board. +Our troops were ordered to advance, but the ground along the river bank +was treacherous and very heavy. Notwithstanding, the Artillery +managed to struggle through, and when the batteries had got to within +1,000 yards of the ferry, the enemy appeared suddenly to discover our +presence, and opened upon us with their Artillery. Our batteries galloped +on, and got considerably nearer before they returned the fire; +after a few rounds the rebels broke and fled. The ground was so unfavourable +for pursuit, being full of holes and quicksands, that nearly all +escaped, except a few cut up by the Cavalry. Fifteen guns were +captured, with one single casualty on our side—the General himself—who +was hit on the foot by a spent grape-shot, without, happily, being +much hurt.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Bithur</span> +Hope Grant's successful management of this little expedition considerably +enhanced the high opinion the Commander-in-Chief had +already formed of his ability. He was next ordered to proceed to +Bithur and complete the destruction of that place, which had been +begun by Havelock in July. We found the palace in good order—there<span class="page"><a name="210">[Page 210]</a></span> +was little evidence that it had been visited by an avenging force, and +in one of the rooms which had been occupied by the treacherous Azimula +Khan, I came across a number of letters, some unopened, and +some extremely interesting, to which I shall have to refer later on.</p> +<p> +We left Adrian Hope's brigade at Bithur to search for treasure reported +to have been buried near the palace, and returned to Cawnpore, +where we remained for about ten days, not at all sorry for the rest.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Windham at Cornpore</span> +During this time of comparative idleness, I went over the ground +where the troops under Windham had been engaged for three days, and +heard many comments on the conduct of the operations. All spoke in +high terms of Windham's dash and courage, but as a Commander he +was generally considered to have failed.</p> +<p> +Windham was without doubt placed in an extremely difficult position. +The relief of the garrison at Lucknow was of such paramount +importance that Sir Colin Campbell was obliged to take with him every +available <a name="XXVII5r">man</a>,<a href="#XXVII5"><sup>5</sup></a> and found it necessary to order Windham to send all +reinforcements after him as soon as they arrived, although it was +recognized as probable that Tantia Topi, with the large force then +assembled near Kalpi, would advance on Cawnpore as soon as the +Commander-in-Chief was committed to his difficult undertaking. Windham's +orders were to improve the defences of the entrenchment; to +carefully watch the movements of the Gwalior army; and to make as +much display as possible of the troops at his command by encamping +them in a conspicuous position outside the city; but he was not on any +account to move out to attack, unless compelled to do so in order to +prevent the bombardment of the entrenchment. The safety of this +entrenchment was of great importance, for it contained a number of +guns, quantities of ammunition and other warlike stores, and it covered, +as already shown, the bridge of boats over the Ganges.</p> +<p> +Windham loyally carried out his instructions, but he subsequently +asked for and obtained leave to detain any troops arriving at Cawnpore +after the 14th of November, as he did not feel himself strong enough, with +the force at his disposal, to resist the enemy if attacked. But even after +having received this sanction he twice despatched strong reinforcements +to Lucknow, thus weakening himself considerably in order to give +Sir Colin all possible help.</p> + <p> +Windham eventually had at his disposal about 1,700 Infantry and<span class="page"><a name="211">[Page 211]</a></span> +eight guns, the greater part of which were encamped as directed, outside +the city, close to the junction of the Delhi and Kalpi roads, while +the rest were posted in and around the entrenchment. Meanwhile the +rebels were slowly approaching Cawnpore in detachments, with the +evident intention of surrounding the place. On the 17th two bodies of +troops were pushed on to Shuli and Shirajpur, within fifteen miles of +the city, and a little less than that distance from each other. Windham +thought that if he could manage to surprise either of these, he could +prevent the enemy from concentrating, and he drew up a scheme for +giving effect to this plan, which he submitted for the approval of the +Commander-in-Chief. No reply came, and after waiting a week he gave +up all idea of attempting to surprise the detachments, and determined +to try and arrest the rebels' advance by attacking the main body, still +some distance off. Accordingly he broke up his camp, and marched +six miles along the Kalpi road, on the same day that the Gwalior force +moved some distance nearer to Cawnpore. The next morning, the 25th, +the enemy advanced to Pandu Naddi, within three miles of Windham's +camp.</p> +<p> +Windham now found himself in a very critical position. With only +1,200 <a name="XXVII6r">Infantry</a><a href="#XXVII6"><sup>6</sup></a> and eight light guns, he was opposed to Tantia Topi +with an army of 25,000 men and forty guns. He had to choose +whether he would fight these enormous odds or retire: he decided that +to fight was the least of the two evils, and he was so far successful that +he drove back that portion of the opposing force immediately in his +front, and captured three guns; but being unable to press his advantage +on account of the paucity of men and the total absence of Cavalry, he +had perforce to fall back—a grievous necessity. He was followed the +whole way, insulted and jeered at, by the rebel horsemen. The result +of the day was to give confidence to the wily Mahratta leader; he +pushed on to Cawnpore, and attacked Windham with such vehemence +that by nightfall on the 28th the British troops were driven inside the +entrenchment, having had 315 men killed and wounded, and having +lost all their baggage and camp equipage.</p> +<p> +Windham undoubtedly laid himself open to censure. His defence +was that, had he received the Commander-in-Chief's authority to carry +out his plan for surprising the rebels, he would certainly have broken +up their army, and the disaster could not have occurred. But surely +when he decided that circumstances had so changed since Sir Colin's +orders were given as to justify him in disregarding them, he should +have acted on his own responsibility, and taken such steps as appeared +to him best, instead of applying for sanction to a Commander far from<span class="page"><a name="212">[Page 212]</a></span> +the scene of action, and so entirely ignorant of the conditions under +which the application was made, as to render it impossible for him to +decide whether such sanction should be given. The march which +Windham made towards the enemy on the 24th was quite as grave a +disobedience of orders as would have been the surprise movement he +contemplated on the 17th; but while the former placed him in a most +dangerous position, and one from which it was impossible to deal the +enemy a decisive blow, the latter, if successful, would have deserved, +and doubtless would have received, the highest praise.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXVIII">XXVIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p> +Our stay at Cawnpore was more prolonged than the Commander-in-Chief +intended or wished it to be, but want of transport made it impossible +for us to move until the carts returned which had gone to +Allahabad with the women and children and the sick soldiers. We +were thus delayed until the 23rd December, on which date we commenced +our march towards Fatehgarh.</p> +<p> +At Chobipur, two marches from Cawnpore, where we spent Christmas +Day, we were joined by the troops who had been left behind at Bithur; +they had not succeeded in discovering any considerable quantity of +treasure, some silver vessels of various kinds being the only result of +their labours.</p> +<p> +The Commander-in-Chief's object in moving on Fatehgarh was to +restore order throughout the Doab and open communication between +the Punjab and Bengal.</p> +<p> +A brigade under Brigadier Walpole had been despatched on the 16th, +with orders to clear the country along the left bank of the Jumna up +to Mainpuri, where he was to be joined by Brigadier Seaton with a +strong column from Delhi, and whence the united force was to advance +on Fatehgarh.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1858</span> +We reached Gursahaiganj, where the road turns off to Fatehgarh, +on the 31st, and here the main body of the army halted on New +Year's Day, 1858; but information having been received that 5,000 +rebels under the Nawab of Farakabad had partly destroyed the suspension +bridge over the Kali Naddi, about five miles ahead, and had +then gone off towards Fatehgarh, Adrian Hope's brigade was sent forward +to repair the damage and watch the bridge.</p> +<p> +Early the following morning Sir Colin, with Mansfield and the rest +of his staff, went on to inspect progress, leaving orders for the rest of +the force to follow later in the day. Very soon, however, Hope Grant +received an urgent message from the Chief of the Staff, telling him to +push on the troops with all possible speed, as the enemy had returned,<span class="page"><a name="213">[Page 213]</a></span> +and were now in strength on the other side of the Kali Naddi.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Fight at Khudaganj</span> +We (Sir Hope and his staff) started off with the Horse Artillery and +Cavalry, and found, on reaching the bridge, that the rebels were +occupying the village of Khudaganj, just across the river, and only +about 300 yards off, from which advantageous position they were +pouring a heavy fire on Hope's brigade. Our piquets on the further +side of the stream had been strengthened by a wing of the 53rd Foot, +and a wing of the 93rd Highlanders had been placed in reserve behind +the bridge on the nearer side, the rest of the regiment having been +despatched to watch a ford some distance down the river, while a +battery of Field Artillery had been brought into action in reply to the +enemy's guns. Immediately on the arrival of the main body, three of +Peel's guns, under Vaughan, his First Lieutenant, were pushed across +the bridge to the further side, and getting under shelter of a convenient +building, opened fire on the village, and on a toll-bar directly in its +front, about which the enemy were collected in considerable numbers. +Our Infantry now crossed over, followed by the Cavalry and Horse +Artillery—a tedious operation, as there had not been time to fully repair +the bridge, and in one place planks had only been laid for half its width, +necessitating horses being led, and Infantry passing over in sections. +Moreover, the enemy had got the exact range, and several casualties +occurred at this spot; one round shot alone killed and wounded six +men of the 8th Foot. Vaughan at last succeeded in silencing the gun +which had troubled us most, and preparations were made for an attack +on the village. While we were watching the proceedings, the Interpreter +to the Naval Brigade, Henry Hamilton Maxwell, a brother +officer of mine who had been standing close to me, was very badly +wounded in the leg, and both Sir Colin and Sir Hope were hit by spent +bullets, luckily without being much hurt.</p> +<p> +There was a feeling throughout the army that Sir Colin was inclined +to favour Highlanders unduly; and a rumour got about that the 93rd +were to be allowed the honour of delivering the assault on Khudaganj, +which was highly resented by the 53rd, and they determined that on +this occasion, at any rate, the Highlanders should not have it all their +own way. The 53rd was composed of a remarkably fine set of fellows, +chiefly Irish, and it was Mansfield's own regiment; wishing, therefore, +to do an old comrade a good turn, he had placed Major <a name="XXVIII1r">Payn</a>,<a href="#XXVIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> one of +the senior officers, in command of the piquets. Payn was a fine dashing +soldier, and a great favourite with the men, who calculated on his +backing them up if they upset Sir Colin's little plan. Whether what +happened was with or without Payn's permission, I cannot say, but +we were all waiting near the bridge for the attacking party to form +when suddenly the 'advance' was sounded, then the 'double,' followed<span class="page"><a name="214">[Page 214]</a></span> +by a tremendous cheer, and we saw the 53rd charge the enemy. Sir +Colin was very angry, but the 53rd could not be brought back, and +there was nothing for it but to support them. Hope's and Greathed's +troops were instantly pushed on, and the Cavalry and Horse Artillery +were ordered to mount.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Mêlée</span> +The ground gradually sloped upwards towards Khudaganj, and the +regiments moving up to the attack made a fine picture. The 93rd +followed the impulsive 53rd, while Greathed's brigade took a line to the +left, and as they neared the village the rebels hastily limbered up their +guns and retired. This was an opportunity for mounted troops such as +does not often occur; it was instantly seized by Hope Grant, who rode to +the Cavalry, drawn up behind some sand hills, and gave the word of +command, 'Threes left, trot, march.' The words had hardly left his lips +before we had started in pursuit of the enemy, by this time half a mile +ahead, the 9th Lancers leading the way, followed by Younghusband's, +Gough's, and Probyn's squadrons. When within 300 yards of the +fugitives, the 'charge' was sounded, and in a few seconds we were in +their midst. A regular mêlée ensued, a number of the rebels were +killed, and seven guns captured in less than as many minutes. The +General now formed the Cavalry into a long line, and, placing himself +at the head of his own regiment (the 9th Lancers), followed up the +flying foe. I rode a little to his left with Younghusband's squadron, +and next to him came Tyrrell Ross, the <a name="XXVIII2r">doctor</a>.<a href="#XXVIII2"><sup>2</sup></a> As we galloped along, +Younghusband drew my attention with great pride to the admirable +manner in which his men kept their dressing.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map4">[map 4]</a></span> + + <p class="center"> + <span class="left">Click map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map4khudaganj-1000.jpg"><img src="images/map4khudaganj-400.jpg" width="400" height="704" alt="Plan of the Engagement on the Banks of the KALI NADI at KHUDAGANJ January 2nd. 1858." border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>Plan of the Engagement on the Banks of the KALI NADI at KHUDAGANJ January 2nd. 1858.</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + + +<p> +On the line thundered, overtaking groups of the enemy, who every +now and then turned and fired into us before they could be cut down, +or knelt to receive us on their bayonets before discharging their +muskets. The chase continued for nearly five miles, until daylight +began to fail and we appeared to have got to the end of the fugitives, +when the order was given to wheel to the right and form up on the road. +Before, however, this movement could be carried out, we overtook a +batch of mutineers, who faced about and fired into the squadron at +close quarters. I saw Younghusband fall, but I could not go to his +assistance, as at that moment one of his <i>sowars</i> was in dire peril from +a sepoy who was attacking him with his fixed bayonet, and had I not +helped the man and disposed of his opponent, he must have been<span class="page"><a name="215">[Page 215]</a></span> +killed. The next moment I descried in the distance two sepoys making +off with a standard, which I determined must be captured, so I rode +after the rebels and overtook them, and while wrenching the staff out +of the hands of one of them, whom I cut down, the other put his +musket close to my body and fired; fortunately for me it missed fire, +and I carried off the <a name="XXVIII3r">standard</a>.<a href="#XXVIII3"><sup>3</sup></a><span class="rightnote">Awarded the Victoria Cross</span></p> + +<p> +Tyrrell Ross, attracted by a party of men in the rear of the squadron +bending over the fallen Younghusband, now came up, and, to everyone's +great grief, pronounced the wound to be mortal. From the day that I +had annexed Younghusband's pony at the siege of Delhi we had been +so much together, and had become such fast friends, that it was a great +shock to me to be told that never again would my gallant comrade lead +the men in whom he took such soldierly <a name="XXVIII4r">pride</a>.<a href="#XXVIII4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +When the wounded had been attended to, we returned to camp, +where we found Sir Colin waiting to welcome us, and we received quite +an ovation from our comrades in the Infantry and Artillery. We must +have presented a curious spectacle as we rode back, almost every man +carrying some trophy of the day, for the enemy had abandoned everything +in their flight, and we found the road strewn with laden carts +and palankins, arms, Native clothing, etc. Our losses were surprisingly +small—only 10 men killed, and 30 men and 2 officers wounded.</p> +<p> +The next day the column marched to Fatehgarh, which we found +deserted. The rebels had fled so precipitately that they had left the +bridge over the Ganges intact, and had not attempted to destroy the +valuable gun-carriage factory in the fort, which was then placed in the +charge of Captain H. Legeyt <a name="XXVIII5r">Bruce</a>.<a href="#XXVIII5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Oudh or Rohilkand?</span> +We remained a whole month at Fatehgarh, and loud were the complaints +in camp at the unaccountable delay. It was the general opinion +that we ought to move into Rohilkand, and settle that part of the +country before returning to Lucknow; this view was very strongly held +by Sir Colin Campbell, and those who accused him of "indecision, +dilatoriness, and wasting the best of the cold weather" could not have +known how little he deserved their censure. The truth was, that the +Governor-General and the Commander-in-Chief were not in accord as +to the order in which the several military operations should be taken<span class="page"><a name="216">[Page 216]</a></span> +in hand; the latter urged that Rohilkand should be dealt with first, +and settled before the end of the cold weather; he thought that the +troops would then be the better for a rest, and that Lucknow could very +well wait till the following autumn. Lord Canning opined, on the other +hand (and I entirely agree with him), that, while it was most desirable +that order should be restored in Rohilkand, and indeed throughout the +whole of the North-West Provinces, the possession of Lucknow was of +'far greater value.' 'Every eye,' Lord Canning wrote, 'is upon Oudh +as it was upon Delhi: Oudh is not only the rallying-place of the sepoys, +the place to which they all look, and by the doings in which their own +hopes and prospects rise or fall; but it represents a dynasty; there is a +king of Oudh "seeking his own."' He pointed out that there was an +uneasy feeling amongst the Chiefs of Native States, who were intently +watching our attitude with regard to Lucknow, and that even in 'far-off +Burma' news from Lucknow was anxiously looked for. The +Governor-General laid great stress also upon the advisability of +employing as soon and as close to their own country as possible the +troops from Nepal which, at Sir Henry Lawrence's suggestion, had +been applied for to, and lent us by, the Nepalese Government.</p> +<p> +The visit of Jung Bahadur (the Prime Minister of Nepal) to England +a few years before had opened his eyes to our latent power, and he had +been able to convince his people that time alone was required for us to +recover completely from the blow which had been dealt us by the +Mutiny, and that it was therefore to their advantage to side with us. +Lord Canning wisely judged, however, that it would be highly +imprudent to allow the province immediately adjoining Nepal to +continue in a state of revolt, and he felt that neither Jung Bahadur +nor his Gurkhas would be satisfied unless they were allowed to take an +active part in the campaign.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXIX">XXIX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1858</span> +<p> +Our prolonged stay at Fatehgarh was not altogether without advantage. Such +a large force being concentrated in the neighbourhood secured the +safety of the Doab for the time being, and as Fatehgarh was equally +conveniently situated for an advance, either into Rohilkand or upon +Lucknow, the rebels were kept in a state of uncertainty as to the +direction of our next move.</p> +<p> +At length it was decided that Lucknow was to be our first objective, +and Sir Colin at once communicated with Outram and Napier as to the +best means of conducting the siege. Then, leaving Hope Grant to take +the division across the Ganges, the Chief went to Allahabad, the +temporary Head-Quarters of the supreme Government, to discuss the<span class="page"><a name="217">[Page 217]</a></span> +situation with the Governor-General.</p> +<p> +We marched through Cawnpore, and on the 8th February reached +Unao, where we found encamped the 7th Hussars, a troop of Royal +Horse Artillery, the 38th Foot and the 79th Highlanders.</p> +<p> +Sir Colin on his return from Allahabad on the 10th issued a General +Order detailing the regiments, staff, and Commanders who were to take +part in the 'Siege of <a name="XXIX1r">Lucknow</a>.'<a href="#XXIX1"><sup>1</sup></a> Hope Grant, who had been made a +Major-General for the 'Relief of Lucknow,' was appointed to the +command of the Cavalry division, and I remained with him as +D.A.Q.M.G.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Mianganj</span> +Rumours had been flying about that the Nana was somewhere in the +neighbourhood, but 'Wolf!' had been cried so often with regard to +him, that but little notice was taken of the reports, until my faithful +spy, Unjur Tiwari, brought me intelligence that the miscreant really +was hiding in a small fort about twenty-five miles from our camp. +Hope Grant started off at once, taking with him a compact little force, +and reached the fort early next morning (17th February), just too late +to catch the Nana, who, we were told, had fled precipitately before daybreak. +We blew up the fort, and for the next few days moved by short +marches towards Lucknow, clearing the country as we went of rebels, +small parties of whom we frequently encountered. On the 23rd we +reached Mianganj, a small fortified town on the old Cawnpore and +Lucknow road, where some 2,000 of the enemy had ensconced themselves. +Our advance guard having been fired upon as we approached, +the column was halted and the baggage placed in safety, while Hope +Grant reconnoitred the position in order to see where it could most +advantageously be attacked. We found the town enclosed by a high +loop-holed wall with circular bastions at the four corners and at regular<span class="page"><a name="218">[Page 218]</a></span> +intervals along the sides, the whole being surrounded by a wet ditch, +while the gateways had been strengthened by palisades. Large bodies +of the enemy's Cavalry hovered about our reconnoitring party, only to +retire as we advanced, apparently not liking the look of the 7th +Hussars and 9th Lancers, who formed the General's escort.</p> +<p> +After a careful inspection, Hope Grant decided to breach the north-west +angle of the wall, as from a wood near the Infantry could keep +down the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, and the heavy guns would +be in a measure protected while the walls were being bombarded. A +sufficiently good breach was made in about two hours, and the +53rd Regiment, having been selected for the honour of leading the +assault, was told to hold itself in readiness. Hope Grant then spoke a +few words of encouragement to the men, and their Colonel (English) +replied on their behalf that they might be depended upon to do their +duty. The signal was given; the Horse Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Frank Turner, galloped to within grape range of the town, and +covered by their fire the 53rd marched in steadily until they got +within 100 yards of the walls, when, with a ringing cheer, they dashed +through the water in the ditch and entered the breach. Hopkins, the +plucky Captain of the light company, was the first inside the walls, +followed closely by Augustus Anson and an adventurous Post-Captain +of the Royal Navy, who, being unemployed, came to see what 'a +winter's campaign in India' was <a name="XXIX2r">like</a>.<a href="#XXIX2"><sup>2</sup></a> There was a good deal of +hand-to-hand fighting, and the enemy lost about 500 men, those who +tried to escape being cut down by the Cavalry outside the walls. We +took about the same number of prisoners, but as none of these were +soldiers, and vowed they had been forced to take up arms against us, +the General, as much to their astonishment as to their delight, ordered +them to be set free. Our losses were small.</p> +<p> +Next day we halted while the walls were being destroyed and the +place rendered indefensible. As I was superintending the work of +destruction, the horrors of war were once more brought very forcibly +before me by the appearance of an infirm old man, who besought me +to spare his house, saying: 'Yesterday I was the happy father of five +sons: three of them lie there' (pointing to a group of dead bodies); +'where the other two are, God only knows. I am old and a cripple, and +if my house is burned there is nothing left for me but to die.' Of course +I took care that his house and property were left untouched.</p> +<p> +On the 25th February we marched to Mohan, a picturesquely situated +village on the bank of the Sai Naddi, which stream we crossed the next +day and encamped on a fine grassy plain, there to remain until it +should be time to join the army before Lucknow.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Curious Effect of a Mirage</span> +While we were halting at this place, Watson and I had rather a<span class="page"><a name="219">[Page 219]</a></span> +curious adventure. During a morning's ride my greyhound put up a +<i><a name="XXIX3r">nilghai</a></i><a href="#XXIX3"><sup>3</sup></a> so close to us that Watson, aiming a blow at him with his +sword, gashed his quarter. Off he started, and we after him at full +speed; the chase continued for some miles without our getting much +nearer, when, all at once, we beheld moving towards us from our right +front a body of the enemy's Cavalry. We were in an awkward position; +our horses were very nearly dead beat, and we could hardly hope +to get away if pursued. We pulled up, turned round, and trotted +back, very quietly at first, that our horses might recover their breath +before the enemy got to closer quarters and we should have to ride for +our lives. Every now and then we looked back to see whether they +were gaining upon us, and at last we distinctly saw them open out and +make as if to charge down upon us. We thought our last hour was +come. We bade each other good-bye, agreeing that each must do his +best to escape, and that neither was to wait for the other, when lo! +as suddenly as they had appeared, the horsemen vanished, as though the +ground had opened and swallowed them; there was nothing to be seen +but the open plain, where a second before there had been a crowd of +mounted men. We could hardly believe our eyes, or comprehend at +first that what we had seen was simply a mirage, but so like reality +that anyone must have been deceived. Our relief, on becoming convinced +that we had been scared by a phantom enemy, was considerable; +but the apparition had the good effect of making us realize the folly of +having allowed ourselves to be tempted so far away from our camp +without escort of any kind in an enemy's country, and we determined +not to risk it <a name="XXIX4r">again</a>.<a href="#XXIX4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +While we were occupied in clearing the country to the north of the +Cawnpore-Lucknow road, the main body of the army, with the siege-train, +Engineer park, Naval <a name="XXIX5r">Brigade</a>,<a href="#XXIX5"><sup>5</sup></a> ammunition, and stores of all +kinds, had gradually been collecting at Bhantira, to which place we +were ordered to proceed on the 1st March. We had a troublesome +march across country, and did not reach the Head-Quarters camp until +close on midnight. There was much difficulty in getting the guns +through the muddy nullas and up the steep banks, and but for the +assistance of the elephants the task could hardly have been accomplished. +It was most curious and interesting to see how these sagacious +creatures watched for and seized the moment when their help was +needed to get the guns up the steep inclines; they waited till the +horses dragging the gun could do no more and were coming to a stand-still,<span class="page"><a name="220">[Page 220]</a></span> +when one of them would place his forehead against the muzzle +and shove until the gun was safely landed on the top of the bank.</p> +<p> +We started early on the morning of the 2nd for Lucknow, Hope +Grant taking command of the Cavalry division for the first time.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Dilkusha Revisited</span> +On nearing the Alambagh, we bore to our right past the Jalalabad +fort, where Outram's Engineers were busily engaged in constructing +fascines and gabions for the siege, and preparing spars and empty casks +for bridging the Gumti. As we approached the Mahomedbagh we +came under the fire of some of the enemy's guns placed in a grove of +trees; but no sooner had the Artillery of our advance guard opened fire +than the rebels retired, leaving a gun in our hands. We moved on to +the Dilkusha, which we found unoccupied. The park had been greatly +disfigured since our last visit, most of the finest trees having been cut +down.</p> +<p> +My General was now placed in charge of the piquets, a position +for which he was admirably fitted and in which he delighted. He +rode well, without fatigue to himself or his horse, so that any duty +entailing long hours in the saddle was particularly congenial to him. +I invariably accompanied him in his rounds, and in after-years I often +felt that I owed Hope Grant a debt of gratitude for the practical +lessons he gave me in outpost duty.</p> +<p> +Strong piquets with heavy guns were placed in and around the Dilkusha, +as well as in the Mahomedbagh. The main body of the army +was encamped to the rear of the Dilkusha, its right almost on the +Gumti, while its left stretched for two miles in the direction of the +Alambagh. Hope Grant, wishing to be in a convenient position in +case of an attack, spent the night in the Mahomedbagh piquet, and +Anson, the D.A.A.G., and I kept him company.</p> +<p> +On the 3rd some of the troops left at Bhantira came into camp, and +on the 5th General Franks arrived. His division, together with the +Nepalese Contingent, 9,000 strong, brought the numbers at the Commander-in-Chief's +disposal up to nearly 31,000 men, with 164 <a name="XXIX6r">guns</a>;<a href="#XXIX6"><sup>6</sup></a> +not a man too many for the capture of a city twenty miles in circumference, +defended by 120,000 armed men, who for three months and a +half had worked incessantly at strengthening the defences, which consisted +of three lines, extending lengthwise from the Charbagh bridge to<span class="page"><a name="221">[Page 221]</a></span> +the Gumti, and in depth from the canal to the Kaisarbagh.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Passage of the Gumti</span> +In Napier's carefully prepared plan, which Sir Colin decided to adopt, +it was shown that the attack should be made on the east, as that side +offered the smallest front, it afforded ground for planting our Artillery, +which the west side did not, and it was the shortest approach to the +Kaisarbagh, a place to which the rebels attached the greatest importance; +more than all, we knew the east side, and were little acquainted +with the west. Napier further recommended that the attack should +be accompanied by a flank movement on the north, with the object +of taking in reverse the first and second lines of the enemy's <a name="XXIX7r">defences</a>.<a href="#XXIX7"><sup>7</sup></a> +A division was accordingly sent across the Gumti for this purpose, and +the movement, being entirely successful, materially aided in the capture +of the city. The passage of the river was effected by means of two +pontoon bridges made of empty barrels, and thrown across the stream +a little below the Dilkusha. They were completed by midnight on the +5th March, and before day broke the troops detailed for this service +had crossed over.</p> +<p> +Outram, who, since the 'Relief of Lucknow,' had been maintaining +his high reputation by keeping the enemy in check before the Alambagh, +commanded this division, with Hope Grant as his second in +command. As soon as it was light we moved away from the river to +be out of reach of the Martinière guns, and after marching for about +two miles we came in view of the enemy; the Artillery of the advance +guard got to within a thousand yards and opened fire, upon which the +rebels broke and fled. The Bays pursued them for a short distance, +but with very little result, the ground being intersected with nullas, +and the enemy opening upon them with heavy guns, they had to retire +precipitately, with the loss of their Major, Percy Smith, whose body, +unhappily, had to be abandoned.</p> +<p> +About noon we encamped close to Chinhut, and Hope Grant took +special care that day to see the piquets were well placed, for the rebels +were in great numbers, and we were surrounded by ravines and wooded +enclosures. It was thought by some that he was unnecessarily anxious +and careful, for he rode several times over the ground; but the next +morning proved how right he was to leave nothing to chance.</p> +<p> +While we were at breakfast, information was brought in that the +enemy were advancing in force, and directly afterwards half a dozen +round shot were sent into our camp; the troops fell in, the Infantry<span class="page"><a name="222">[Page 222]</a></span> +moved out, and Hope Grant took the Horse Artillery and Cavalry to +our right flank, where the mutineers were collected in considerable +numbers. In less than an hour we had driven them off, but we were +not allowed to follow them up, as Outram did not wish to get entangled +in the suburbs until heavy guns had arrived. The piquets were +strengthened and pushed forward, affording another opportunity for a +useful lesson in outpost duty.</p> +<p> +All that day and the next I accompanied my General in his reconnaissance +of the enemy's position, as well as of the ground near the +Gumti, in order to determine where the heavy guns could best be +placed, so as effectually to enfilade the enemy's first line of defences +along the bank of the canal. On returning to report progress to +Outram at mid-day on the 8th, we found Sir Colin Campbell and +Mansfield with him, arranging for a joint attack the following day; +after their consultation was over, they all rode with us to see the site +Hope Grant had selected for the battery. It was a slightly elevated +piece of ground about half a mile north of the Kokrel nulla, fairly concealed +by a bend of the river; but before it could be made use of it was +considered necessary to clear the rebels out of the position they were +occupying between the nulla and the iron bridge, the key to which was +the Chakar Kothi, and Outram was directed to attack this point the +next morning.</p> +<p> +At 2 a.m. on the 9th the heavy guns, escorted by the 1st Bengal +Fusiliers, were sent forward to within 600 yards of the enemy. The +troops then moved off in two parties, that on the right being commanded +by Hope Grant. We marched along the Fyzabad road, the +two Rifle Brigade battalions leading the way in skirmishing order, with +the Cavalry well away to the right. The rebels retired as we advanced, +and Walpole, commanding one of our brigades, by wheeling to his left +on reaching the opposite bank of the nulla, was enabled to enfilade +their position. The column was then halted, and I was sent to inform +Outram as to our progress.</p> +<p> +When I had delivered my message, and was about to return, Outram +desired me to stay with him until the capture of the Chakar Kothi +(which he was just about to attempt) should be accomplished, that I +might then convey to Hope Grant his orders as to what further action +would be required of him; meanwhile Outram sent a messenger to tell +my General what he was about to do, in view of his co-operating on +the <a name="XXIX8r">right</a>.<a href="#XXIX8"><sup>8</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Capture of the Chakar Kothi</span> +The Chakar Kothi was attacked and taken, and the enemy, apparently<span class="page"><a name="223">[Page 223]</a></span> +having lost heart, fled precipitately. One of the 1st Bengal +Fusiliers' colours was placed on the top of this three-storied building +by Ensign Jervis to show the Commander-in-Chief that it was in our +possession, and that the time had come for him to attack the first line +of the enemy's defences. We then continued our advance to the river, +where the parties united, and I rejoined Hope Grant.</p> +<p> +It was now only 2 p.m., and there was plenty of time to place the +heavy guns in position before dark. Major Lothian <a name="XXIX9r">Nicholson</a>,<a href="#XXIX9"><sup>9</sup></a> +Outram's Commanding Engineer, was superintending this operation, +when he thought he perceived that the enemy had abandoned their +first line, but he could not be quite sure. It was most necessary to +ascertain for certain whether this was the case, as the Infantry of +Hope's brigade, which had attacked and driven the rebels out of the +Martinière, could be seen preparing to assault the works at the other +side of the river. A discussion ensued as to how this knowledge could +be obtained, and a young subaltern of the 1st Bengal Fusiliers, named +<a name="XXIX10r">Butler</a>,<a href="#XXIX10"><sup>10</sup></a> offered to swim across the Gumti, and, if he found the enemy +had retired, to communicate the fact to Hope's men. This feat was +successfully accomplished by the plucky young volunteer; he found +the enemy had retired, and, on giving the information to Hope, the +brigade advanced, and before nightfall the whole of the enemy's first +line was in our possession—a success which had been achieved with +but slight loss to us, the chief casualty during the day being William +Peel, the gallant Commander of the Naval Brigade, who had been +seriously wounded while in command of a battery near the Dilkusha.</p> +<p> +The next day, the 10th, Outram's camp was moved close up to the +Gumti, and batteries were constructed from which fire could be poured +on the mess-house and the Kaisarbagh. For the protection of these +works, and to prevent an attack in force being made on the main part +of the column, Hope Grant kept moving about with the Horse Artillery +and Cavalry between the river and the Sitapur road, our reconnaissance +extending beyond the old cantonment. We had several little fights, in +one of which a very promising officer named Sandford, who had +succeeded Younghusband in command of the 5th Punjab Cavalry +squadron, was killed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Capture of the Iron Bridge</span> +At daybreak on the morning of the 11th the batteries opened fire on +the enemy's second line of defence; at the same time Outram himself +led a strong body of Infantry along the river with the object of securing +the approaches to the bridges. On reaching the Fyzabad road, about +half a mile from the iron bridge, Outram placed the 1st Bengal Fusiliers +in a mosque, with orders to entrench themselves and hold the post, +while he pushed on to the stone bridge about a mile away. Outram's<span class="page"><a name="224">[Page 224]</a></span> +advance was covered by Hope Grant's Horse Artillery and Cavalry, +but we had to keep at some distance away to the right, in order to +avoid houses and walled enclosures. Soon after crossing the Sitapur +road we heard guns to our left, and proceeding at a smart trot, came up +with Outram just as he was about to attack a large body of the rebels, +who, finding themselves in an awkward position, with the river in their +rear and their retreat by the iron bridge cut off, made but a feeble +resistance before they broke and fled. Some few escaped by the stone +bridge, but the greater number, including the whole of the mutinous +15th Irregular Cavalry, made for the old cantonment. We pursued +with our Cavalry, and very few of them got away. A couple of guns +and a quantity of plunder were left behind by the enemy, who +evidently had not expected us and were quite unprepared for our +attack. Outram pushed on to the stone bridge, but finding he was +losing men from the fire poured upon us by the rebels from the opposite +side of the river, he fell back to the mosque where he had left the +Fusiliers.</p> +<p> +That afternoon, as there was nothing particular for the Cavalry to +do, the General, Anson, and I rode across the river to see how matters +were progressing on the left of the attack. We reached the Head-Quarters +camp just as Sir Colin was about to receive a visit of ceremony +from the Nepalese General, the famous Jung Bahadur. Our old +Chief, in honour of the occasion, had doffed his usual workman-like +costume, and wore General's full-dress uniform, but he was quite +thrown into the shade by the splendour of the Gurkha Prince, who was +most gorgeously attired, with magnificent jewels in his turban, round +his neck, and on his coat.</p> +<p> +I looked at Jung Bahadur with no small interest, for his deeds of +daring had made him conspicuous amongst probably the bravest race +of men in the world, and the fact that a high-born Hindu, such as he +was, should, fifty years ago, have so far risen superior to caste prejudice +as to cross the sea and visit England, proved him to be a man of +unusually strong and independent mind. He was about five feet +eight inches high—tall for a Gurkha—with a well-knit, wiry figure, a +keen, dauntless eye, and a firm, determined mouth—in every respect +a typical, well-bred Nepalese. The interview did not last long, for Sir +Colin disliked ceremonial, and, shortly after the Nepalese Prince had +taken his seat, news was brought in that the assault on the Begum +Kothi had been successfully completed, upon which Sir Colin made the +necessity for attending to business an excuse for taking leave of his +distinguished visitor, and the interview came to an end.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Hodson Mortallly Wounded</span> +I then obtained leave to go to the scene of the recent fight, and, +galloping across the canal by the bridge near Banks's house, soon +found myself at the Begum Kothi. There I was obliged to dismount, +for even on foot it was a difficult matter to scramble over the breach.<span class="page"><a name="225">[Page 225]</a></span> +The place was most formidable, and it was a marvel that it had been +taken with comparatively so little loss on our side. The bodies of a +number of Highlanders and Punjabis were lying about, and a good +many wounded men were being attended to, but our casualties were +nothing in proportion to those of the enemy, 600 or 700 of whom were +buried the next day in the ditch they had themselves dug for their own +protection. A very determined stand had been made by the sepoys +when they found there was no chance of getting away. There were +many tales of hair-breadth escapes and desperate struggles, and on all +sides I hoard laments that Hodson should have been one of those +dangerously, if not mortally, wounded in the strife. Hodson had been +carried to Banks's house, and to the inquiry I made on my way back +to camp, as to his condition, the answer was, 'Little, if any, hope.'</p> +<p> +A great stride in the advance had been made on this day. Outram +had accomplished all that was expected of him, and he was now busy +constructing additional batteries for the bombardment of the Kaisarbagh; +while <a name="XXIX11r">Lugard</a>,<a href="#XXIX11"><sup>11</sup></a> from his newly-acquired position at the Begum +Kothi, was also able to bring fire to bear upon that doomed palace.</p> +<p> +Hodson died the following day (the 12th). As a soldier, I had a very +great admiration, for him, and, in common with the whole army, I +mourned his early <a name="XXIX12r">death</a>.<a href="#XXIX12"><sup>12</sup></a></p> +<p> +On the 13th Lugard's division was relieved by Franks's, and to +Jung Bahadur and his Gurkhas, only too eager for the fray, was +entrusted the conduct of operations along the line of the canal between +Banks's house and the Charbagh bridge. On our side of the river +nothing of importance occurred.</p> +<p> +The capture of the Imambara (a mosque situated between the Begum<span class="page"><a name="226">[Page 226]</a></span> +Kothi and the Kaisarbagh) was accomplished early next morning. The +assault was led by Brasyer's Sikhs and a detachment of the 10th Foot, +supported by the remainder of that regiment and the 90th Light +Infantry. After a short but very severe struggle, the enemy were +forced to retire, and were so closely pursued that the storming party +suddenly found themselves in a building immediately overlooking the +Kaisarbagh.</p> +<p> +It had not been intended to advance that day beyond the Imambara, +but, recognizing the advantage of the position thus gained, and the +demoralized condition of the rebels, Franks wisely determined to follow +up his success. Reinforcements were hurried forward, the troops +holding the Sikandarbagh and the Shah Najaf were ordered to act in +concert, and before nightfall the Kaisarbagh, the mess-house, and the +numerous buildings situated between those places and the Residency, +were in our possession.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Outram's Soldierly Instinct<br /><br /> +A Lost Opportunity</span> +By means of the field telegraph, Outram was kept accurately +informed as to the movements of Franks's division, and he could have +afforded it valuable assistance had he been allowed to cross the Gumti +with his three brigades of Infantry. Outram, with his soldierly +instinct, felt that this was the proper course to pursue; but in reply to +his request to be allowed to push over the river by the iron bridge, he +received from the Commander-in-Chief through Mansfield the unaccountably +strange order that he must not attempt it, if it would +entail his losing 'a single man.' Thus a grand opportunity was lost. +The bridge, no doubt, was strongly held, but with the numerous guns +which Outram could have brought to bear upon its defenders its +passage could have been forced without serious loss; the enemy's +retreat would have been cut off, and Franks's victory would have been +rendered complete, which it certainly was not, owing to Outram's +hands having been so effectually tied.</p> +<p> +Lucknow was practically in our hands on the evening of the 14th +March, but the rebels escaped with comparatively slight punishment, +and the campaign, which should have then come to an end, was +protracted for nearly a year by the fugitives spreading themselves over +Oudh, and occupying forts and other strong positions, from which they +were able to offer resistance to our troops until towards the end of +May, 1859, thus causing the needless loss of thousands of British +<a name="XXIX13r">soldiers</a>.<a href="#XXIX13"><sup>13</sup></a> Sir Colin saw his mistake when too late. The next day +orders were issued for the Cavalry to follow up the mutineers, who +were understood to have fled in a northerly direction. One brigade +under Campbell (the Colonel of the Bays) was directed to proceed to +Sandila, and another, under Hope Grant, towards Sitapur. But the<span class="page"><a name="227">[Page 227]</a></span> +enemy was not seen by either. As usual, they had scattered themselves +over the country and entirely disappeared, and many of the +rebels who still remained in the city seized the opportunity of the +Cavalry being absent to get away.</p> +<p> +Outram's command on the left bank of the Gumti was now broken +up, with the view to his completing the occupation of the city. +Accordingly, on the 16th, he advanced from the Kaisarbagh with +Douglas's <a name="XXIX14r">brigade</a><a href="#XXIX14"><sup>14</sup></a> and Middleton's battery, supported by the 20th +Foot and Brasyer's Sikhs, and occupied in quick succession, and with +but slight resistance, the Residency, the Machi Bhawan, and the great +Imambara, thus taking in reverse the defences which had been thrown +up by the enemy for the protection of the two bridges. As Outram +pushed on, the rebels retreated, some across the stone bridge towards +Fyzabad, and some through the city towards the Musabagh. They +made two attacks to cover their retirement, one on Walpole's piquets, +which enabled a large number (20,000 it was said) to get away in the +Fyzabad direction, and another on the Alambagh, which was much +more serious, for the garrison had been reduced to less than a thousand +men, and the rebels' force was considerable, consisting of Infantry, +Cavalry and Artillery. They attacked with great determination, and +fought for four hours and a half before they were driven off.</p> +<p> +It was not a judicious move on Sir Colin's part to send the Cavalry +miles away from Lucknow just when they could have been so usefully +employed on the outskirts of the city. This was also appreciated when +too late, and both brigades were ordered to return, which they did on +the 17th. Even then the Cavalry were not made full use of, for instead +of both brigades being collected on the Lucknow bank of the river, +which was now the sole line of retreat left open to the enemy (the +bridges being in our possession), one only (Campbell's) was sent there, +Hope Grant being directed to take up his old position on the opposite +side of the Gumti, from which we had the mortification of watching +the rebels streaming into the open country from the Musabagh, without +the smallest attempt being made by Campbell to stop or pursue them. +His brigade had been placed on the enemy's line of retreat on purpose +to intercept them, but he completely failed to do what was expected of +him. We, on our side, could do nothing, for an unfordable river flowed +between us and the escaping <a name="XXIX15r">mutineers</a>.<a href="#XXIX15"><sup>15</sup></a></p> +<p> +There was one more fight in Lucknow. The <a name="XXIX16r">Moulvie</a><a href="#XXIX16"><sup>16</sup></a> of Fyzabad<span class="page"><a name="228">[Page 228]</a></span> +(who from the first was one of the prominent leaders of the rebellion) +had returned at the head of a considerable force, and had placed himself +in a strongly-fortified position in the very centre of the city. It +was not without a severe struggle that he was dislodged by the 93rd +Highlanders and 4th Punjab Infantry under Lugard. The brunt of +the fighting fell upon the last-named regiment, the gallant Commander +(Wilde) of which, and his second in <a name="XXIX17r">command</a>,<a href="#XXIX17"><sup>17</sup></a> were severely wounded. +The Moulvie made his escape, but his followers were pursued, and +many of them were cut up. Thus at last the city was cleared of rebels, +and we were once more masters in Lucknow.</p> +<p> +On the 22nd March Hope Grant was ordered to proceed to Kursi, a +small town about twenty-five miles off between the Sitapur and +Fyzabad roads, reported to be occupied in force by the enemy.</p> +<p> +We started at midnight with a brigade of Infantry, 1,000 Cavalry, +two troops of Horse Artillery, and eight heavy guns and mortars. We +were delayed some hours by the heavy guns and their escort (the 53rd +Foot) taking a wrong turn when leaving the city, which resulted in the +enemy being warned of our approach in time to clear out before we +arrived.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Death of MacDonnell<br /><br /> +Sam Browne</span> +On hearing they had gone, Hope Grant pushed on with the mounted +portion of the force, and we soon came in sight of the enemy in full +retreat. The Cavalry, commanded by Captain <a name="XXIX18r">Browne</a>,<a href="#XXIX18"><sup>18</sup></a> was ordered +to pursue. It consisted of Browne's own regiment (the 2nd Punjab +Cavalry), a squadron of the 1st Punjab Cavalry under Captain Cosserat, +and three Horse Artillery guns. At the end of two miles, Browne +came upon a body of the mutineers formed up on an open plain. The +Cavalry charged through them three times, each time thinning their<span class="page"><a name="229">[Page 229]</a></span> +ranks considerably, but they never wavered, and in the final charge +avenged themselves by killing Macdonnell (the Adjutant of the 2nd +Punjab Cavalry), and mortally wounding Cosserat. I arrived on the +ground with Hope Grant just in time to witness the last charge and +the fall of these two officers, and deplorable as we felt their loss to be, +it was impossible not to admire the gallantry and steadiness of the +sepoys, every one of whom fought to the death.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate13">[plate 13]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/13-gensirsbrowne.jpg" width="330" height="470" alt="GENERAL SIR SAMUEL BROWNE, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.S.I." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>GENERAL SIR SAMUEL BROWNE, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.S.I.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a photograph by Messrs. Elliot and Fry.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> +<p> +As soon as Browne could got his men together, the pursuit of the +enemy was continued; no further opposition was met with, and +fourteen guns fell into our hands.</p> +<p> +On the 24th we retraced our steps, halting for the night at the old +cantonment of Muriao, where we buried poor Macdonnell. On the +25th we crossed the Gumti, and pitched our camp near the Dilkusha.</p> +<p> +Lucknow was now completely in our possession, and our success +had been achieved with remarkably slight loss, a result which was +chiefly due to the scientific manner in which the siege operations had +been carried on under the direction of our talented Chief Engineer, +Robert Napier, ably assisted by Colonel Harness; and also to the good +use which Sir Colin Campbell made of his powerful force of Artillery. +Our casualties during the siege amounted to only 16 British officers, +3 Native officers, and 108 men killed; 51 British officers, 4 Native +officers, and 540 men wounded, while 13 men were unaccounted for.</p> +<p> +The capture of Lucknow, though not of such supreme importance in +its consequences as the taking of Delhi, must have convinced the +rebels that their cause was now hopeless. It is true that Jhansi had +not yet fallen, and that the rest of Oudh, Rohilkand, and the greater +part of Central India remained to be conquered, but there was no very +important city in the hands of the enemy, and the subjugation of the +country was felt to be merely a matter of time. Sir Hugh Rose, after +a brilliant campaign, had arrived before Jhansi, columns of our troops +were traversing the country in every direction, and the British Army +had been so largely increased that, on the 1st of April, 1858, there were +96,000 British soldiers in India, besides a large body of reliable Native +troops, some of whom, although hurriedly raised, had already shown +that they were capable of doing good service—a very different state of +affairs from that which prevailed six months before.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Start for England</span> +For some time I had been feeling the ill effects of exposure to the +climate and hard work, and the doctor, Campbell Browne, had been +urging me to go on the sick-list; that, of course, was out of the question +until Lucknow had fallen. Now, however, I placed myself in +Browne's hands, hoping that a change to the Hills was all that was +needed to set me up; but the doctors insisted on a trip to England. It +was a heavy blow to me to have to leave while there was still work to +be done, but I had less hesitation than I should have had if most of my +own immediate friends had not already gone. Several had been <span class="page"><a name="230">[Page 230]</a></span> +killed, others had left sick or wounded; Watson had gone to Lahore, +busily engaged in raising a regiment of <a name="XXIX19r">Cavalry</a>;<a href="#XXIX19"><sup>19</sup></a> Probyn was on his +way home, invalided; Hugh Gough had gone to the Hills to recover +from his wounds; and Norman and Stewart were about to leave +Lucknow with Army Head-Quarters.</p> +<p> +On the 1st April, the sixth anniversary of my arrival in India, I made +over my office to Wolseley, who succeeded me as Deputy-Assistant-Quartermaster-General +on Hope Grant's staff, and towards the middle +of the month I left Lucknow.</p> +<p> +The Commander-in-Chief was most kind and complimentary when +I took leave of him, and told me that, in consideration of my services, +he would bestow upon me the first permanent vacancy in the Quartermaster-General's +Department, and that he intended to recommend that +I should be given the rank of Brevet-Major so soon as I should be +qualified by becoming a regimental Captain. I was, of course, much +gratified by his appreciative words and kindly manner; but the brevet +seemed a long way off, for I had only been a First Lieutenant for less +than a year, and there were more than a hundred officers in the Bengal +Artillery senior to me in that rank!</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Death of Sir William Peel</span> +I marched to Cawnpore with Army Head-Quarters. Sir William +Peel, who was slowly recovering from his wound, was of the party. +We reached Cawnpore on the 17th, and the next day I said good-bye +to my friends on the Chief's staff. Peel and I dined together on the +19th, when to all appearances he was perfectly well, but on going into +his room the next morning I found he was in a high fever, and had +some suspicious-looking spots about his face. I went off at once in +search of a doctor, and soon returned with one of the surgeons of the +5th Fusiliers, who, to my horror—for I had observed that Peel was +nervous about himself—exclaimed with brutal frankness the moment +he entered the room, 'You have got small-pox.' It was only too true. +On being convinced that this was the case, I went to the chaplain, the +Rev. Thomas Moore, and told him of Peel's condition. Without an +instant's hesitation, he decided the invalid must come to his house to +be taken care of. That afternoon I had the poor fellow carried over, +and there I left him in the kind hands of Mrs. Moore, the <i>padre's</i> wife, +who had, as a special case, been allowed to accompany her husband to +Cawnpore. Peel died on the 27th. On the 4th May I embarked at +Calcutta in the P. and O. steamer <i>Nubia</i>, without, alas! the friend +whose pleasant companionship I had hoped to have enjoyed on the +voyage.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map5">[map 5]</a></span> + + <p class="center"> + <span class="left">Click map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map5lucknowsiege-1200.jpg"><img src="images/map5lucknowsiege-600.jpg" width="600" height="447" alt="THE SEIGE OF LUCKNOW, March, 1858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>THE SEIGE OF LUCKNOW, March, 1858</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="231">[Page 231]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXX">XXX.</a></h2> + +<span class="rightnote"><br />What Brought About the Mutiny?</span> + +<p> +'What brought about the Mutiny?' and 'Is there any chance of a +similar rising occurring again?' are questions which are constantly +being put to me; I will now endeavour to answer them, though it is +not a very easy task—for I feel that my book will be rendered more +interesting and complete to many if I endeavour to give them some +idea of the circumstances which, in my opinion, led to that calamitous +crisis in the history of our rule in India, and then try to show how I +think a repetition of such a disaster may best be guarded against.</p> +<p> +The causes which brought about the Mutiny were so various, and +some of them of such long standing, that it is difficult to point them +out as concisely as I could wish; but I will be as brief as possible.</p> +<p> +During the first years of our supremacy in India, Hindus and +Mahomedans alike were disposed to acquiesce in our rule—the blessings +of rest and peace after a long reign of strife and anarchy were too real +not to be appreciated; but as time went by, a new generation sprang +up by whom past miseries were forgotten, and those who had real +grievances, or those who were causelessly discontented, were all ready +to lay the blame for their real or fancied troubles on their foreign +rulers. Mahomedans looked back to the days of their Empire in +India, but failed to remember how completely, until we broke the +Mahratta power, the Hindus had got the upper hand. Their Moulvies +taught them that it was only lawful for true Mussulmans to submit to +the rule of an infidel if there was no possibility of successful revolt, +and they watched for the chance of again being able to make Islam +supreme. The Hindus had not forgotten that they had ousted the +Mahomedans, and they fancied that the fate of the British <i>raj</i> might +also be at their mercy.</p> +<p> +The late Sir George Campbell, in his interesting memoirs, says: 'The +Mutiny was a sepoy revolt, not a Hindu rebellion.' I do not altogether +agree with him; for, although there was no general rising of the rural +population, the revolt, in my judgment, would never have taken place +had there not been a feeling of discontent and disquiet throughout that +part of the country from which our Hindustani sepoys chiefly came, +and had not certain influential people been thoroughly dissatisfied with +our system of government. This discontent and dissatisfaction were +produced by a policy which, in many instances, the Rulers of India +were powerless to avoid or postpone, forced upon them as it was by the +demands of civilization and the necessity for a more enlightened legislation. +Intriguers took advantage of this state of affairs to further +their own ends. Their plan of action was to alienate the Native army, +and to increase the general feeling of uneasiness and suspicion, by +spreading false reports as to the intentions of the authorities in regard +to the various measures which had been adopted to promote the welfare<span class="page"><a name="232">[Page 232]</a></span> +and prosperity of the masses. It can hardly be questioned that these +measures were right and proper in themselves, but they were on that +account none the less obnoxious to the Brahmin priesthood, or distasteful +to the Natives generally. In some cases also they were +premature, and in others they were not carried out as judiciously as +they might have been, or with sufficient regard to the feelings and +prejudices of the people.</p> +<p> +The prohibition of <i>sati</i> (burning widows on the funeral pyres of +their husbands); the putting a stop to female infanticide; the execution +of Brahmins for capital offences; the efforts of missionaries and +the protection of their converts; the removal of all legal obstacles to +the remarriage of widows; the spread of western and secular education +generally; and, more particularly, the attempt to introduce female +education, were causes of alarm and disgust to the Brahmins, and to +those Hindus of high caste whose social privileges were connected +with the Brahminical religion. Those arbiters of fate, who were until +then all-powerful to control every act of their co-religionists, social, +religious or political, were quick to perceive that their influence was +menaced, and that their sway would in time be wrested from them, +unless they could devise some means for overthrowing our Government. +They knew full well that the groundwork of this influence was +ignorance and superstition, and they stood aghast at what they foresaw +would be the inevitable result of enlightenment and progress. Railways +and telegraphs were specially distasteful to the Brahmins: these +evidences of ability and strength were too tangible to be pooh-poohed +or explained away. Moreover, railways struck a direct blow at the +system of caste, for on them people of every caste, high and low, were +bound to travel together.</p> +<p> +The fears and antagonism of the Brahmins being thus aroused, it +was natural that they should wish to see our rule upset, and they +proceeded to poison the minds of the people with tales of the Government's +determination to force Christianity upon them, and to make +them believe that the continuance of our power meant the destruction +of all they held most sacred.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Religious Fears of the People</span> +Nor was opportunity wanting to confirm, apparently, the truth of +their assertions. In the gaols a system of messing had been established +which interfered with the time-honoured custom of every man +being allowed to provide and cook his own food. This innovation was +most properly introduced as a matter of gaol discipline, and due care +was taken that the food of the Hindu prisoners should be prepared by +cooks of the same or superior caste. Nevertheless, false reports were +disseminated, and the credulous Hindu population was led to believe +that the prisoners' food was in future to be prepared by men of inferior +caste, with the object of defiling and degrading those for whom it was +prepared. The news of what was supposed to have happened in the<span class="page"><a name="233">[Page 233]</a></span> +gaols spread from town to town and from village to village, the belief +gradually gaining ground that the people were about to be forced to +embrace Christianity.</p> +<p> +As the promiscuous messing story did not greatly concern the +Mahomedans, other cries were made use of to create suspicion and +distrust amongst the followers of the Prophet. One of these, which +equally affected the Hindu and Mahomedan, was the alleged unfairness +of what was known in India as the land settlement, under which +system the right and title of each landholder to his property was +examined, and the amount of revenue to be paid by him to the paramount +Power, as owner of the soil, was regulated.</p> +<p> +The rapid acquisition of territory by the East India Company, and +the establishment of its supremacy as the sovereign Power throughout +India, were necessarily effected by military operations; but as peace +and order were established, the system of land revenue, which had +been enforced in an extremely oppressive and corrupt manner under +successive Native Rulers and dynasties, had to be investigated and +revised. With this object in view, surveys were made, and inquiries +instituted into the rights of ownership and occupancy, the result being +that in many cases it was found that families of position and influence +had either appropriated the property of their humbler neighbours, or +evaded an assessment proportionate to the value of their estates. +Although these inquiries were carried out with the best intentions, +they were extremely distasteful to the higher classes, while they failed +to conciliate the masses. The ruling families deeply resented our +endeavours to introduce an equitable determination of rights and +assessment of land revenue. They saw that it would put an end to +the system of pillage and extortion which had been practised from time +immemorial; they felt that their authority was being diminished, and +that they would no longer be permitted to govern their estates in the +same despotic manner as formerly. On the other hand, although the +agricultural population generally benefited materially by our rule, they +could not realize the benevolent intentions of a Government which +tried to elevate their position and improve their prospects. Moreover, +there were no doubt mistakes made in the valuation of land, some of +it being assessed at too high a rate, while the revenue was sometimes +collected in too rigid a manner, sufficient allowance not being made for +the failure of crops. Then the harsh law for the sale of proprietary +rights in land to realize arrears of land-tax was often enforced by careless +revenue authorities in far too summary a manner. The peasantry +of India were, and still are, ignorant and apathetic. Accustomed from +the earliest days to spoliation and oppression, and to a periodical +change of masters, they had some reason to doubt whether the rule +of the Feringhis would be more permanent than that of the Moghuls +or the Mahrattas. Much as a just and tolerant Government would<span class="page"><a name="234">[Page 234]</a></span> +have been to their advantage, they were unable to appreciate it, and if +they had appreciated it, they were too timid and too wanting in +organization to give it their open support. Under these social and +political conditions, the passive attitude of the rural population failed +to counterbalance the active hostility of a large section of the upper +classes, and of their predatory followers, who for centuries had lived +by plunder and civil war.</p> +<p> +Another weighty cause of discontent, chiefly affecting the wealthy +and influential classes, and giving colour to the Brahmins' accusation +that we intended to upset the religion and violate the most cherished +customs of the Hindus, was Lord Dalhousie's strict enforcement of the +doctrine of the lapse of property in the absence of direct or collateral +heirs, and the consequent appropriation of certain Native States, and +the resumption of certain political pensions by the Government of +India. This was condemned by the people of India as grasping, and +as an unjustifiable interference with the institutions of the country, +and undoubtedly made us many <a name="XXX1r">enemies</a>.<a href="#XXX1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Annexation of Oudh</span> +Later on, the annexation of Oudh, which was one of those measures +forced on the Rulers of India in the interests of humanity and good +government, and which could hardly have been longer delayed, created +suspicion and apprehension amongst all the Native States. For more +than sixty years Governor-General after Governor-General had pointed +out the impossibility of a civilized Government tolerating in the midst +of its possessions the misrule, disorder, and debauchery which were +desolating one of the most fertile and thickly-populated districts in +India.</p> +<p> +As early as 1801 Lord Wellesley wrote: 'I am satisfied that no +effectual security can be provided against the ruin of the province of +Oudh until the exclusive management of the civil and military government +of that country shall be transferred to the Company under<span class="page"><a name="235">[Page 235]</a></span> +suitable provisions for the Nawab and his family.'</p> +<p> +In 1831 Lord William Bentinck warned the King of Oudh that, +unless he would consent to rule his territories in accordance with the +principles of good government and the interest of the people, the East +India Company would assume the entire administration of the province, +and would make him a state prisoner.</p> +<p> +In 1847 Lord Hardinge went in person to Lucknow and solemnly +reiterated the warning, giving the King two years to reform his +administration.</p> +<p> +In 1851 Colonel Sleeman, the Resident at Lucknow, whose sympathy +with the Rulers of Native States was thought to be even too great, and +who was the last person to exaggerate the misrule existing in Oudh, +reported to Lord Dalhousie that the state of things had become intolerable, +and that, if our troops were withdrawn from Oudh, the landholders +would in one month's time overrun the province and pillage +Lucknow. It is true Sleeman, with his Native proclivities, did not +contemplate annexation; his advice was to 'assume the administration,' +but not to 'grasp the revenues of the country.' The same mode +of procedure had been advocated by Henry Lawrence six years before +in an article which appeared in the <i>Calcutta Review</i>. His words were: +'Let Oudh be at last governed, not for one man, the King, but for the +King and his people. Let the administration of the country be Native; +let not one rupee come into the Company's coffers.'</p> +<p> +Sleeman was followed in 1854 by Colonel Outram, than whom he +could not have had a more admirable successor, or one less likely to +be unnecessarily hard upon a State which, with all its shortcomings, +had been loyal to us for nearly a century. Colonel Outram, nevertheless, +fully endorsed the views of his predecessor. General Low, the +then Military Member of Council, who twenty years before, when +Resident at Lucknow, had deprecated our assuming even temporarily +the administration of Oudh, thinking our action would be misunderstood +by the people, now also stated his conviction that 'it was the +paramount duty of the British Government to interfere at once for the +protection of the people of Oudh.'</p> +<p> +In summing up the case, Lord Dalhousie laid three possible courses +of action before the authorities in England. The King of Oudh might +be forced to abdicate, his province being incorporated in the British +dominions; or he might be maintained in his royal state as a subsidized +Prince, the actual government being permanently transferred +to the East India Company; or the transfer of the government to the +East India Company might be for a limited period only. The Governor-General +recommended the second course, but the Court of Directors +and Her Majesty's Ministers decided to adopt the first, and requested +Lord Dalhousie to carry out the annexation before he resigned his office.</p> +<p> +This measure, so long deferred and so carefully considered, could<span class="page"><a name="236">[Page 236]</a></span> +hardly, in my opinion, have been avoided by a civilized and civilizing +Government. It was at last adopted with the utmost reluctance, and +only after the experiment of administering a province for the benefit of +the Natives, without annexing it, had been tried in the Punjab and had +signally failed. To use Lord Dalhousie's words, it was amply justified +on the ground that 'the British Government would be guilty in the +sight of God and man if it were any longer to aid in sustaining by its +countenance an administration fraught with suffering to millions.' +But the Natives generally could not understand the necessity for the +measure, or believe in the reasons which influenced us; many of them, +therefore, considered it an unprovoked usurpation, and each Ruler of a +Native State imagined that his turn might come next.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Fulfilment of Malcolm's Prophesy</span> +Thus, the annexation of Oudh in one sense augmented that weakness +in our position as an eastern Power which, so to speak, had its source +in our strength. So long as there was a balance of power between +ourselves and Native States—Mahratta, Rajput, Sikh, or Mahomedan—they +were prevented by their mutual jealousies and religious differences +from combining against us; but when that balance was destroyed +and we became the paramount Power in India, the period of danger to +us began, as was prophesied by the far-seeing Malcolm in the early +days of our first conquests. We had now become objects of suspicion +and dread to all the lesser Powers, who were ready to sink their own +disputes in the consideration of the best means to check the extension +of our rule and overthrow our supremacy; while we, inflated by our +power and satisfied with our apparent security, became more dogmatic +and uncompromising in enforcing principles which, though sound and +just in themselves, were antipathetic to Native ideas and traditions. +By a great many acts and measures we made them feel how completely +our ideas differed from theirs. They preferred their own, and strongly +resented our increasing efforts to impose ours upon them. Even those +amongst the Native Princes who were too enlightened to believe that +we intended to force our religion upon them and change all their +customs, felt that their power was now merely nominal, and that every +substantial attribute of sovereignty would soon disappear if our notions +of progress continued to be enforced.</p> +<p> +At a time when throughout the country there existed these feelings +of dissatisfaction and restless suspicion, it was not to be expected that +the most discontented and unfriendly of the Native Rulers would not +seize the opportunity to work us mischief. The most prominent of +these amongst the Mahomedans were the royal family of Delhi and +the ex-King of Oudh, and, amongst the Hindus, Dundu Pant, better +known by English people as the 'Nana Sahib.'</p> +<p> +All three considered themselves badly treated, and no doubt, from +their point of view, their grievances were not altogether groundless. +The King of Oudh's I have already indicated, and when his province<span class="page"><a name="237">[Page 237]</a></span> +was annexed, he was removed to Calcutta. Having refused the yearly +pension of twelve <a name="XXX2r">lakhs</a><a href="#XXX2"><sup>2</sup></a> of rupees offered to him, and declined to sign +the treaty by which his territory was made over to the British Government, +he sent his mother, his son, and his brother to England to plead +his cause for him.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Delhi Royal Family</span> +The most influential of the three discontented Rulers, or, at all +events, the one whom the rebellious of all castes and religions were +most inclined to put forward as their nominal leader, was the head of +the Delhi royal family, by name Bahadur Shah. He was eighty years +old in 1857, and had been on the throne for twenty years. His particular +grievance lay in the fact of our decision that on his death the +title of King, which we had bestowed on the successors of the Moghul +Emperor, should be abolished, and his family removed from Delhi.</p> +<p> +In the early part of the century Lord Wellesley pointed out the +danger of allowing a Mahomedan Prince, with all the surroundings of +royalty, to remain at the seat of the old Moghul government, but the +question was allowed to remain in abeyance until 1849, when Lord +Dalhousie reconsidered it, and obtained the sanction of the authorities +in England to the removal of the Court from Delhi to a place about +fourteen miles off, where the Kutub tower stands. At the same time +the Heir Apparent was to be told that on his father's death the title of +King of Delhi would cease.</p> +<p> +Lord Dalhousie had been only a short time in India when he took +up this question, and he could not properly have appreciated the estimation +in which the Natives held the King of Delhi, for he wrote in +support of his proposals 'that the Princes of India and its people had +become entirely indifferent to the condition of the King or his position.' +But when the decision of the British Government on the subject +reached India, he had been more than two years in the country, and +although his views as to the desirability of the measure remained unchanged, +the experience he had gained enabled him to gauge more +accurately the feelings of the people, and, with the advice of his Council, +he came to the conclusion that it would be wiser to let affairs remain +<i>in statu quo</i> during Bahadur Shah's lifetime. The royal family were +informed accordingly, and an agreement was drawn up, signed, sealed, +and witnessed, by which the Heir Apparent accepted the conditions to +be imposed upon him on the death of his father, who was to be allowed +to remain in Delhi during his lifetime, with all the paraphernalia of +royalty.</p> +<p> +However satisfactory this arrangement might be to the Government +of India, to every member of the Delhi royal family it must have +seemed oppressive and humiliating to the last degree. Outwardly +they appeared to accept the inevitable quietly and submissively, but<span class="page"><a name="238">[Page 238]</a></span> +they were only biding their time, and longing for an opportunity to +throw off the hated English yoke. The war with Persia in 1856 +seemed to offer the chance they wanted. On the pretence that the +independence of Herat was threatened by the Amir of Kabul, the +Persians marched an army to besiege that place. As this act was a +violation of our treaty with Persia made three years before, Her +Majesty's Government directed that an army should be sent from +India to the Persian Gulf. The troops had scarcely left Bombay +before the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Provinces was +warned by a Native correspondent that the King of Delhi was intriguing +with the Shah of Persia. At the same time a proclamation was posted +on the walls of the Jama Masjid (Shah Jehan's famous mosque at +Delhi), to the effect that a Persian army was coming to relieve India +from the presence of the English, and calling on all true believers to +rise and fight against the heretics. Reports were also diligently circulated +of our being defeated on the shores of the Persian Gulf, and +the people were made to believe that their opportunity had arrived, and +that the time was now favourable for a successful rebellion.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Nana Sahib</span> +Of the three principal movers in the events which immediately preceded +the Mutiny, the Nana Sahib was by far the most intelligent, and +had mixed most with Europeans. He was the adopted son and heir +of the last of the Peshwas, the Chiefs of the Mahratta confederacy. +His cause of dissatisfaction was the discontinuance to him of a pension +which, at the close of the Mahratta war in 1818, was granted to the +Peshwa, on the clear understanding that it was to cease at his death. +The Peshwa died in 1851, leaving the Nana an enormous fortune; but +he was not content. The lapse of the pension, to which he was not +entitled, rankled in his breast, and when all his efforts to get it restored +to him proved of no avail, he became thoroughly disgusted and disaffected. +After failing to obtain in India a reconsideration of the +decision of the Government on the subject, he sent to England as confidential +agent a Mahomedan of the name of Azimula Khan, who +remained three years in Europe, residing for the most part in London; +but he also visited Paris, Constantinople, and the Crimea, arriving at +the latter place when we, in alliance with the French, were besieging +Sebastopol. He was a man of no rank or position in his own country, +a mere agent of the Nana's, but he was received into the best English +society, was everywhere treated as a royal Prince, and became engaged +to a young English girl, who agreed to follow him to India to be +married. All this was revealed by the correspondence to which I have referred +as having been found in the Nana's palace of Bithur. The greater +number of these letters were from people in England—not a few from +ladies of rank and position. One elderly dame called him her dear +eastern son. There were numerous letters from his English <i>fiancée</i>, +and two from a Frenchman of the name of <a name="XXX3r">Lafont</a>,<a href="#XXX3"><sup>3</sup></a> relating to some<span class="page"><a name="239">[Page 239]</a></span> +business with the French settlement of Chandernagore, with which he +had been entrusted by Azimula Khan, acting for the Nana. Written, +as these letters were, immediately before the Mutiny, in which the +Nana was the leading spirit, it seems probable that '<i>les principales +choses</i>,' to which Lafont hopes to bring satisfactory answers, were +invitations to the disaffected and disloyal in Calcutta, and perhaps the +French settlers at Chandernagore, to assist in the effort about to be +made to throw off the British yoke. A portion of the correspondence +was unopened, and there were several letters in Azimula's own handwriting +which had not been despatched. Two of these were to Omar +Pasha at Constantinople, and told of the sepoys' discontent and the +troubled state of India generally. That the Nana was intriguing with +the King of Delhi, the Nawab of Oudh, and other great personages, +has been proved beyond a doubt, although at the time he was looked +upon by the British residents at Cawnpore as a perfectly harmless +individual, in spite of its being known that he considered himself +aggrieved on account of his having been refused the continuance of the<span class="page"><a name="240">[Page 240]</a></span> +pension, and because a salute of guns (such as it is the custom to give +to Native Princes on entering British territory) had not been accorded +to him.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Native Army</span> +While the spirit of rebellion was thus being fostered and stirred into +active existence throughout the country, it was hardly to be hoped that +the Native army would be allowed to remain unaffected by a movement +which could not easily attain formidable proportions without the assistance +of the Native soldiers, who themselves, moreover, had not remained +unmoved spectators of all that had happened during the previous thirty +or forty years. The great majority of the sepoys were drawn from the +agricultural classes, especially in the province of Oudh, and were therefore +directly interested in all questions connected with rights of property, +tenure of land, etc.; and questions of religion and caste affected them +equally with the rest of the population. </p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Greased Cartridges</span> +Quietly, but surely, the instigators of rebellion were preparing the +Native army for revolt. The greatest cunning and circumspection were, +however, necessary to success. There were so many opposing interests +to be dealt with, Mahomedans and Hindus being as violently hostile to +each other, with regard to religion and customs, as they were to us. +Soldiers, too, of all ranks had a great stake in their profession. Some +had nearly served their time for their pensions, that greatest of all +attractions to the Native to enter the army, for the youngest recruit +feels that, if he serves long enough, he is sure of an income sufficient +to enable him to sit in the sun and do nothing for the rest of his days—a +Native's idea of supreme happiness. The enemies of our rule generally, +and the fanatic in particular, were, however, equal to the occasion. They +took advantage of the widespread discontent to establish the belief that +a systematic attack was to be made on the faith and habits of the people, +whether Hindu or Mahomedan, and, as a proof of the truth of their +assertions, they alleged that the Enfield cartridges which had been +recently issued to the army were greased with a mixture of cows' fat +and lard, the one being as obnoxious to the Hindu as the other is to +the Mahomedan. The news spread throughout the Bengal Presidency; +the sepoys became alarmed, and determined to suffer any punishment +rather than pollute themselves by biting the contaminating cartridge, +as their doing so would involve loss of caste, which to the Hindu sepoy +meant the loss of everything to him most dear and sacred in this world +and the next. He and his family would become outcasts, his friends +and relations would look on him with horror and disgust, while eternal +misery, he believed, would be his doom in the world to come.</p> +<p> +It has been made quite clear that a general belief existed amongst +the Hindustani sepoys that the destruction of their caste and religion +had been finally resolved upon by the English, as a means of forcing +them to become Christians, and it seems extraordinary that the English +officers with Native regiments were so little aware of the strength of this<span class="page"><a name="241">[Page 241]</a></span> +impression amongst their men.</p> +<p> +The recent researches of Mr. Forrest in the records of the Government +of India prove that the lubricating mixture used in preparing the +cartridges was actually composed of the objectionable ingredients, cows' +fat and lard, and that incredible disregard of the soldiers' religious +prejudices was displayed in the manufacture of these cartridges. When +the sepoys complained that to bite them would destroy their caste, they +were solemnly assured by their officers that they had been greased with +a perfectly unobjectionable mixture. These officers, understanding, as +all who have come in contact with Natives are supposed to understand, +their intense abhorrence of touching the flesh or fat of the sacred cow +or the unclean pig, did not believe it possible that the authorities could +have been so regardless of the sepoys' feelings as to have allowed it to +be used in preparing their ammunition: they therefore made this +statement in perfect good faith. But nothing was easier than for the +men belonging to the regiments quartered near Calcutta to ascertain, +from the low-caste Native workmen employed in manufacturing the +cartridges at the Fort William arsenal, that the assurances of their +officers were not in accordance with facts, and they were thus prepared +to credit the fables which the sedition-mongers so sedulously spread +abroad, to the effect that the Government they served and the officers +who commanded them had entered into a deliberate conspiracy to +undermine their religion.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Limited Number of British Troops</span> +Notwithstanding all the evil influence brought to bear on the Native +army, I do not think that the sepoys would have proved such ready +instruments in the hands of the civilian intriguers, had that army been +organized, disciplined, and officered in a satisfactory manner, and had +there been a sufficient proportion of British troops in India at the +time. To the great preponderance of Native, as compared with British, +troops may be attributed the fact that the sepoys dared to break into +open mutiny. Moreover, the belief of the Natives in the invincibility +of the British soldier, which formerly enabled small numbers of +Europeans to gain victories over large Native armies, had been seriously +weakened by the lamentable occurrences at Kabul during the first +Afghan war, terminating in the disastrous retreat in the winter of +1841-42.</p> +<p> +To add to the exalted idea the sepoys were beginning to entertain of +their own importance, they were pampered by their officers and the +civil Government to a most absurd extent, being treated under all +circumstances with far greater consideration than the European +soldiers. For instance, in the time of Lord William Bentinck flogging +was abolished in the Native <a name="XXX4r">army</a>,<a href="#XXX4"><sup>4</sup></a> while still in full swing amongst +British soldiers, and sepoys were actually allowed to witness the<span class="page"><a name="242">[Page 242]</a></span> +humiliation of their white comrades when this degrading form of +punishment was inflicted upon them.</p> +<p> +In the early days of our connexion with India, we had no need for +an army. Living, as we were, on sufferance in a foreign land for +commercial purposes, armed men were only required to guard the +factories. As these factories increased in size and importance, these +armed men were given a semi-military organization, and in time they +were formed into levies as a reserve to the few Europeans entertained +by the merchants, to enable them to hold their own against the French, +who were then beginning to dispute with us for supremacy in southern +India. When employed in the field, the Native troops were associated +with a varying proportion of British soldiers, but the number of the +latter was limited by the expense of their maintenance, the difficulty of +supplying them from England, and the unadvisability of locking up a +part of the British army in distant stations, which at that time were +very inaccessible and generally unhealthy. Native troops were therefore +raised in continually increasing numbers, and after the battle of Plassey +the Native army was rapidly augmented, especially in the Bengal Presidency; +and, trained and led as it was by British officers, it achieved +remarkable successes.</p> +<p> +During the thirteen years preceding the Mutiny, the Native army, +numbering 217,000 men and 176 guns, was increased by 40,000 men +and 40 guns, but no addition was made to the small British force of +38,000 until 1853, when one regiment was added to each Presidency, or +less than 3,000 soldiers in all. This insignificant augmentation was +subsequently more than neutralized by the withdrawal of six British +regiments from India to meet the requirements of the Crimean and +Persian wars. Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General in 1854, saw the +danger of this great preponderance of Native troops. He represented +that the annexations and conquests which had taken place during his +tenure of office necessitated a proportional increase of British soldiers; +he protested against the withdrawal of a single European regiment, +either on account of the war with Russia or for operations in the +Persian Gulf, and he solemnly warned Her Majesty's Government that +the essential element of our strength in India was the presence of a +large number of British troops.</p> +<p> +No attention, however, was paid to Lord Dalhousie's representations +by the authorities in England, who doubtless thought they understood +the requirements of India better than the Governor-General, with his +more than six years' experience of the country. In spite of his remonstrances, +two regiments were ordered to England, and four were sent +later to the Persian Gulf, with the result which I have already +stated.</p> +<p> +When the Mutiny broke out, the whole effective British force in +India only amounted to 36,000 men, against 257,000 Native <a name="XXX5r">soldiers</a>,<a href="#XXX5"><sup>5</sup></a> <span class="page"><a name="243">[Page 243]</a></span> +a fact which was not likely to be overlooked by those who hoped and +strived to gain to their own side this preponderance of numerical +strength, and which was calculated to inflate the minds of the sepoys +with a most undesirable sense of independence. An army of Asiatics, +such as we maintain in India, is a faithful servant, but a treacherous +master; powerfully influenced by social and religious prejudices with +which we are imperfectly acquainted, it requires the most careful +handling; above all, it must never be allowed to lose faith in the +prestige or supremacy of the governing race. When mercenaries feel +that they are indispensable to the maintenance of that authority which +they have no patriotic interest in upholding, they begin to consider +whether it would not be more to their advantage to aid in overthrowing +that authority, and if they decide that it would be, they have little +scruple in transferring their allegiance from the Government they never +loved, and have ceased to fear, to the power more in accordance with +their own ideas, and from which, they are easily persuaded, they will +obtain unlimited benefits.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Objection to Foreign Service</span> +A fruitful cause of dissatisfaction in our Native army, and one which +pressed more heavily upon it year by year, as our acquisitions of territory +in northern India became more extended, was the sepoy's liability +to service in distant parts of India, entailing upon him a life amongst +strangers differing from him in religion and in all their customs, and +far away from his home, his family, and his congenial surroundings—a +liability which he had never contemplated except in the event of +war, when extra pay, free rations and the possibility of loot, would go +far to counterbalance the disadvantages of expatriation. Service in +Burma, which entailed crossing the sea, and, to the Hindu, consequent +loss of caste, was especially distasteful. So great an objection, indeed, +had the sepoys to this so-called 'foreign service,' and so difficult did it +become to find troops to relieve the regiments, in consequence of the +bulk of the Bengal army not being available for service beyond the sea, +that the Court of Directors sanctioned Lord Canning's proposal that, +after the 1st September, 1856, 'no Native recruit shall be accepted +who does not at the time of his enlistment undertake to serve beyond +the sea whether within the territories of the Company or beyond +them.' This order, though absolutely necessary, caused the greatest +dissatisfaction amongst the Hindustani sepoys, who looked upon it as +one of the measures introduced by the <i>Sirkar</i> for the forcible, or rather +fraudulent, conversion of all the Natives to <a name="XXX6r">Christianity</a>.<a href="#XXX6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Excessive Age of the British Officers</span> +That the long-existing discontent and growing disloyalty in our<span class="page"><a name="244">[Page 244]</a></span> +Native army might have been discovered sooner, and grappled with in +a sufficiently prompt and determined manner to put a stop to the +Mutiny, had the senior regimental and staff officers been younger, +more energetic, and intelligent, is an opinion to which I have always +been strongly inclined. Their excessive age, due to a strict system of +promotion by seniority which entailed the employment of Brigadiers +of seventy, Colonels of sixty, and Captains of fifty, must necessarily +have prevented them performing their military duties with the energy +and activity which are more the attributes of younger men, and must +have destroyed any enthusiasm about their regiments, in which there +was so little hope of advancement or of individual merit being recognized. +Officers who displayed any remarkable ability were allowed to +be taken away from their own corps for the more attractive and better-paid +appointments appertaining to civil employ or the Irregular service. +It was, therefore, the object of every ambitious and capable young +officer to secure one of these appointments, and escape as soon as +possible from a service in which ability and professional zeal counted +for <a name="XXX7r">nothing</a>.<a href="#XXX7"><sup>7</sup></a></p> +<p> +So far as I understand the causes which led to the rebellion of 1857, +I have now answered the question, 'What brought about the Mutiny?' +The reply to the second question, 'Is there any chance of a similar rising +occurring again?' must be left to another chapter.</p> + + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="245">[Page 245]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXI">XXXI.</a></h2> + + +<p> +The India of to-day is altogether a different country from the India of +1857. Much has been done since then to improve the civil administration, +and to meet the legitimate demands of the Native races. India is +more tranquil, more prosperous, and more civilized than it was before +the Mutiny, and the discipline, efficiency, and mobility of the Native +army have been greatly improved. Much, however, still remains to be +done, and a good deal might with advantage be undone, to secure the +contentment of the Natives with our rule.</p> +<p> +Our position has been materially strengthened by the provision of +main and subsidiary lines of communication by road and railway; by +the great network of telegraphs which now intersects the country; and +by the construction of canals. These great public works have largely +increased the area of land under cultivation, minimized the risk of +famine, equalized the prices of agricultural produce, and developed a +large and lucrative export trade. Above all, while our troops can now +be assembled easily and rapidly at any centre of disturbance, the +number of British soldiers has been more than doubled and the number +of Native soldiers has been materially reduced. Moreover, as regards +the Native equally with the British army of India, I believe that a +better feeling never existed throughout all ranks than exists at present.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Discontent of the Natives</span> +Nevertheless, there are signs that the spirit of unrest and discontent +which sowed the seeds of the Mutiny is being revived. To some extent +this state of things is the natural result of our position in India, and is +so far unavoidable, but it is also due to old faults reappearing—faults +which require to be carefully watched and guarded against, for it is +certain that, however well disposed as soldiers the men in our ranks +may be, their attitude will inevitably be influenced by the feelings of +the people generally, more especially should their hostility be aroused +by any question connected with religion.</p> +<p> +For a considerable time after the Mutiny we became more cautious +and conciliatory in administrative and legislative matters, more intent +on doing what would keep the Chiefs and Rulers satisfied, the masses +contented, and the country quiet, than on carrying out our own ideas. +Gradually this wholesome caution is being disregarded. The Government +has become more and more centralized, and the departmental +spirit very strong. Each department, in its laudable wish for progress +and advancement, is apt to push on measures which are obnoxious to +the Natives, either from their not being properly understood, or from +their being opposed to their traditions and habits of life, thus entailing +the sacrifice of many cherished customs and privileges. Each department +admits in theory the necessity for caution, but in practice presses +for liberty of action to further its own particular schemes.</p> +<p> +Of late years, too, the tendency has been to increase the number of<span class="page"><a name="246">[Page 246]</a></span> +departments and of secretariat offices under the supreme Government, +and this tendency, while causing more work to devolve on the supreme +Government than it can efficiently perform, results in lessening the +responsibility of provincial Governments by interference in the management +of local concerns. It is obvious that in a country like India, composed +as it is of great provinces and various races differing from one +another in interests, customs, and religions, each with its own peculiar +and distinct necessities, administrative details ought to be left to the +people on the spot. The Government of India would then be free to +exercise a firm and impartial control over the Empire and Imperial +interests, while guiding into safe channels, without unduly restraining, +intelligent progress.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Successful Administrators</span> +In times of peace the administration is apt to fall too exclusively into +the hands of officials whose ability is of the doctrinaire type; they work +hard, and can give logical and statistical reasons for the measures they +propose, and are thus able to make them attractive to, and believed in +by, the authorities. But they lack the more perfect knowledge of +human nature, and the deeper insight into, and greater sympathy with, +the feelings and prejudices of Asiatics, which those possessed in a +remarkable degree who proved by their success that they had mastered +the problem of the best form of government for India. I allude to men +like Thomas Munro, Mountstuart Elphinstone, John Malcolm, Charles +Metcalfe, George Clerk, Henry and John Lawrence, William Sleeman, +James Outram, Herbert Edwardes, John Nicholson, and many others. +These administrators, while fully recognizing the need for a gradual +reform, understood the peculiarities of our position in the east, the +necessity for extreme caution and toleration, and a 'live and let live' +policy between us and the Natives. The sound and broad views of this +class of public servant are not always appreciated either in India or +England, and are too often put aside as unpractical, obstructive, and +old-fashioned.</p> +<p> +Amongst the causes which have produced discontent of late years, +I would mention our forest laws and sanitary regulations, our legislative +and fiscal systems—measures so necessary that no one interested +in the prosperity of India could cavil at their introduction, but which +are so absolutely foreign to Native ideas, that it is essential they should +be applied with the utmost gentleness and circumspection.</p> +<p> +I think, also, that the official idea of converting the young Princes +and Nobles of India into English gentlemen by means of English +tutors and English studies should be carried out with great care and +caution. It has not hitherto invariably succeeded, and the feeling in +many States is strongly opposed to it. The danger of failure lies in +the wholesome restraint of the tutor being suddenly removed, and in +the young Prince being left at too early an age to select his advisers +and companions. The former, perhaps not unnaturally, are interested<span class="page"><a name="247">[Page 247]</a></span> +in proving that the training of their young Ruler by his European +governor or tutor has not resulted in good either to himself or his +people, while the latter are too often of the lowest class of European +adventurers.</p> +<p> +The proceedings and regulations of the Forest Department, desirable +as they may be from a financial and agricultural point of view, have +provoked very great irritation in many parts of India. People who +have been accustomed from time immemorial to pick up sticks and +graze their cattle on forest lands, cannot understand why they should +now be forbidden to do so, nor can they realize the necessity for preserving +the trees from the chance of being destroyed by fire, a risk to +which they were frequently exposed from the Native custom of making +use of their shelter while cooking, and of burning the undergrowth to +enrich the grazing.</p> +<p> +The action taken by the Government in sanitary matters has also +aroused much ill-feeling and apprehension. Sanitary precautions are +entirely ignored in eastern countries. The great majority of the people +can see no good in them, and no harm in using the same tank for +drinking purposes and for bathing and washing their clothes. The +immediate surroundings of their towns and villages are most offensive, +being used as the general receptacles for dead animals and all kinds of +filth. Cholera, fever, and other diseases, which carry off hundreds of +thousands every year, are looked upon as the visitation of God, from +which it is impossible, even were it not impious to try, to escape; and +the precautionary measures insisted upon by us in our cantonments, +and at the fairs and places of pilgrimage, are viewed with aversion and +indignation. Only those who have witnessed the personal discomfort +and fatigue to which Natives of all ages and both sexes willingly +submit in their struggle to reach some holy shrine on the occasion of a +religious festival, while dragging their weary limbs for many hundreds +of miles along a hot, dusty road, or being huddled for hours together +in a crammed and stifling railway carriage, can have any idea of the +bitter disappointment to the pilgrims caused by their being ordered to +disperse when cholera breaks out at such gatherings, without being +given the opportunity of performing their vows or bathing in the +sacred <a name="XXXI1r">waters</a>.<a href="#XXXI1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Paternal Despotism</span> +Further, our legislative system is based on western ideas, its object <span class="page"><a name="248">[Page 248]</a></span> +being to mete out equal justice to the rich and poor, to the Prince and +peasant. But our methods of procedure do not commend themselves +to the Indian peoples. Eastern races are accustomed to a paternal +despotism, and they conceive it to be the proper function of the local +representatives of the supreme Power to investigate and determine on +the spot the various criminal and civil cases which come under the +cognizance of the district officials. Legal technicalities and references +to distant tribunals confuse and harass a population which, with comparatively +few exceptions, is illiterate, credulous, and suspicious of +underhand influence. An almost unlimited right of appeal from one +court to another, in matters of even the most trivial importance, not +only tends to impair the authority of the local magistrate, but gives an +unfair advantage to the wealthy litigant whose means enable him to +secure the services of the ablest pleader, and to purchase the most +conclusive evidence in support of his claims. For it must be remembered +than in India evidence on almost any subject can be had for the +buying, and the difficulty, in the administration of justice, of discriminating +between truth and falsehood is thereby greatly increased. +Under our system a horde of unscrupulous pleaders has sprung up, +and these men encourage useless litigation, thereby impoverishing +their clients, and creating much ill-feeling against our laws and +administration.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Money-lenders and the Press</span> +Another point worthy of consideration is the extent to which, under +the protection of our legal system, the peasant proprietors of India are +being oppressed and ruined by village shop-keepers and money-lenders. +These men advance money at a most exorbitant rate of interest, taking +as security the crops and occupancy rights of the cultivators of the soil. +The latter are ignorant, improvident, and in some matters, such as the +marriage ceremonies of their families, inordinately extravagant. The +result is that a small debt soon swells into a big one, and eventually the +aid of the law courts is invoked to oust the cultivator from a holding +which, in many cases, has been in the possession of his ancestors for +hundreds of years. The money-lender has his accounts to produce, +and these can hardly be disputed, the debtor as a rule being unable to +keep accounts of his own, or, indeed, to read or write. Before the +British dominion was established in India, the usurer no doubt existed, +but his opportunities were fewer, his position more precarious, and his +operations more under control than they are at present. The money-lender +then knew that his life would not be safe if he exacted too high +interest for the loans with which he accommodated his customers, and<span class="page"><a name="249">[Page 249]</a></span> +that if he became too rich, some charge or other would be trumped up +against him, which would force him to surrender a large share of his +wealth to the officials of the State in which he was living. I do not +say that the rough-and-ready methods of Native justice in dealing with +money-lenders were excusable or tolerable, but at the same time I am +inclined to think that, in granting these men every legal facility for +enforcing their demands and carrying on their traffic, we may have +neglected the interests of the agriculturists, and that it might be +desirable to establish some agency under the control of Government, +which would enable the poorer landholders to obtain, at a moderate +rate of interest, advances proportionate to the security they had to +<a name="XXXI2r">offer</a>.<a href="#XXXI2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +Another danger to our supremacy in India is the license allowed to +the Native press in vilifying the Government and its officials, and persistently +misrepresenting the motives and policy of the ruling Power. +In a free country, where the mass of the population is well educated, +independent, and self-reliant, a free press is a most valuable institution, +representing as it does the requirements and aspirations of important +sections of the community, and bringing to light defects and abuses in +the social and political system. In a country such as Great Britain, +which is well advanced in the art of self-government, intolerant and +indiscriminate abuse of public men defeats its own object, and misstatements +of matters of fact can be at once exposed and refuted. +Like most of the developments of civilization which are worth anything, +the English press is a plant of indigenous growth, whereas in +India the Native press is an exotic which, under existing conditions, +supplies no general want, does nothing to refine, elevate, or instruct the +people, and is used by its supporters and promoters—an infinitesimal +part of the population—as a means of gaining its selfish ends, and of +fostering sedition, and racial and religious animosities. There are, +I am afraid, very few Native newspapers actuated by a friendly or +impartial spirit towards the Government of India, and to Asiatics it +seems incredible that we should permit such hostile publications to be +scattered broadcast over the country, unless the assertions were too +true to be disputed, or unless we were too weak to suppress them. +We gain neither credit nor gratitude for our tolerant attitude towards +the Native press—our forbearance is misunderstood; and while the +well-disposed are amazed at our inaction, the disaffected rejoice at +being allowed to promulgate baseless insinuations and misstatements +which undermine our authority, and thwart our efforts to gain the<span class="page"><a name="250">[Page 250]</a></span> +goodwill and confidence of the Native population.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Faddists</span> +Yet another danger to the permanence of our rule in India lies in +the endeavours of well-intentioned faddists to regulate the customs and +institutions of eastern races in accordance with their own ideas. The +United Kingdom is a highly civilized country, and our habits and convictions +have been gradually developed under the influences of our +religion and our national surroundings. Fortunately for themselves, +the people of Great Britain possess qualities which have made them +masters of a vast and still expanding Empire. But these qualities +have their defects as well as their merits, and one of the defects is a +certain insularity of thought, or narrow-mindedness—a slowness to +recognize that institutions which are perfectly suitable and right for us +may be quite unsuited, if not injurious, to other races, and that what +may not be right for us to do is not necessarily wrong for people of a +different belief, and with absolutely different traditions and customs.</p> +<p> +Gradually the form of Government in the United Kingdom has +become representative and democratic, and it is therefore assumed by +some people, who have little, if any, experience of the east, that the +Government of India should be guided by the utterances of self-appointed +agitators who pose as the mouth-pieces of an oppressed +population. Some of these men are almost as much <a name="XXXI3r">aliens</a><a href="#XXXI3"><sup>3</sup></a> as ourselves, +while others are representatives of a class which, though +intellectually advanced, has no influence amongst the races in whom +lies the real strength of India. Municipal self-government has been +found to answer well in the United Kingdom, and it is held, therefore, +that a similar system must be equally successful in India. We in +England consume animal food and alcoholic liquors, but have no liking +for opium; an effort has accordingly been made to deprive our Asiatic +fellow-subjects, who, as a rule, are vegetarians, and either total +abstainers or singularly abstemious in the matter of drink, of a small +and inexpensive stimulant, which they find necessary to their health +and comfort. British institutions and ideas are the embodiment of +what long experience has proved to us to be best for ourselves; but +suddenly to establish these institutions and enforce these ideas on a +community which is not prepared for them, does not want them, and +cannot understand them, must only lead to suspicion and discontent. +The Government of India should, no doubt, be progressive in its policy, +and in all things be guided by the immutable principles of right, truth, +and justice; but these principles ought to be applied, not necessarily as +we should apply them in England, but with due regard to the social +peculiarities and religious prejudices of the people whom it ought to be +our aim to make better and happier.</p> +<p> +It will be gathered from what I have written that our administration,<span class="page"><a name="251">[Page 251]</a></span> +in my opinion, suffers from two main defects. First, it is +internally too bureaucratic and centralizing in its tendencies; and, +secondly, it is liable to be forced by the external pressure of well-meaning +but irresponsible politicians and philanthropists to adopt +measures which may be disapproved of by the authorities on the spot, +and opposed to the wishes, requirements, and interests of the people. +It seems to me that for many years to come the best form of government +for India will be the intelligent and benevolent despotism which +at present rules the country. On a small scale, and in matters of +secondary importance, representative institutions cannot perhaps do +much harm, though I am afraid they will effect but little good. On a +large scale, however, such a system of government would be quite out +of place in view of the fact that ninety-nine out of every hundred of +the population are absolutely devoid of any idea of civil responsibility, +and that the various races and religious sects possess no bond of +national union.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Cardinal Points</span> +In reply, then, to the question, 'Is there any chance of a Mutiny +occurring again?' I would say that the best way of guarding against +such a calamity is—</p> + +<p class="indent2"> + By never allowing the present proportion of British to Native +soldiers to be diminished or the discipline and efficiency of the Native +army to become slack.</p> +<p class="indent2"> + By taking care that men are selected for the higher civil and +military posts whose self-reliance, activity, and resolution are not +impaired by age, and who possess a knowledge of the country and the +habits of the peoples.</p> +<p class="indent2"> + By recognizing and guarding against the dogmatism of theorists and +the dangers of centralization.</p> +<p class="indent2"> + By rendering our administration on the one hand firm and strong, +on the other hand tolerant and sympathetic; and last, but not least, +by doing all in our power to gain the confidence of the various races, +and by convincing them that we have not only the determination, but +the ability to maintain our supremacy in India against all assailants.</p> + +<p> +If these cardinal points are never lost sight of, there is, I believe, +little chance of any fresh outbreak disturbing the stability of our rule +in India, or neutralizing our efforts to render that country prosperous, +contented, and thoroughly loyal to the British Crown.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXII">XXXII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1858</span> +<span class="rightnote"><br />Home Again</span> +<p> +I travelled home <i>viâ</i> Corfu, Trieste, Venice, and Switzerland, arriving +in England towards the end of June. The intense delight of getting +'home' after one's first term of exile can hardly be exaggerated, and +certainly cannot be realized, save by those who have gone through the<span class="page"><a name="252">[Page 252]</a></span> +exile, and been separated, as I had been for years, from all that made +the happiness of my early life. Every English tree and flower one +comes across on first landing is a distinct and lively pleasure, while +the greenness and freshness are a delicious rest to the eye, wearied +with the deadly whitey-brown sameness of dried-up sandy plains, or +the all-too gorgeous colouring of eastern cities and pageants.</p> +<p> +My people were living in Ireland, in the county of Waterford, so +after only a short sojourn in London, for the very necessary re-equipment +of the outer man, I hastened over there. I found my father well +and strong for a man of seventy-four, and to all appearance quite +recovered from the effects of his fifty years of Indian service, and, to +my great joy, my mother was looking almost as young, and quite as +beautiful, as I had left her six years before. My little sister, too, +always an invalid, was very much as when I had parted from her—full +of loving-kindness for everyone, and, though unable to move without +help, perfectly happy in the many resources she had within herself, +and the good she was able to do in devoting those resources to the +benefit of others.</p> +<p> +There, too, I found my fate, in the shape of Nora Bews, a young +lady living with a married sister not far from my father's place, who +a few months later consented to accompany me on my return to India. +The greater part of my leave was, therefore, spent in Ireland.</p> +<p> +During the winter months I hunted with the Curraghmore hounds, +and was out with them the day before Lord Waterford was killed. +We had no run, and at the end of the day, when wishing us good-bye, +he said: 'I hope, gentlemen, we shall have better luck next time.' +'Next time' there was 'better luck' as regarded the hunting, but the +worst of all possible luck for Lord Waterford's numerous friends; in +returning home after a good run, and having killed two foxes, his horse +stumbled over quite a small ditch, throwing his rider on his head; the +spinal cord was snapped and the fine sportsman breathed his last in a +few moments.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1859</span> +I was married on the 17th May, 1859, in the parish church of +Waterford. While on our wedding tour in Scotland, I received a +command to be present on the 8th June at Buckingham Palace, when +the Queen proposed to honour the recipients of the Victoria Cross by +presenting the decoration with Her Majesty's own hands.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Back in India</span> +Being anxious that my wife should be spared the great heat of a +journey to India in July, the hottest month of the year in the Red Sea, +and the doctors being very decided in their opinion that I should not +return so soon, I had applied for a three months' extension of leave, +and quite calculated on getting it, so our disappointment was great +when the answer arrived and I found that, if I took the extension, I +should lose my appointment in the Quartermaster-General's Department. +This, we agreed, was not to be thought of, so there was nothing<span class="page"><a name="253">[Page 253]</a></span> +for it but to face the disagreeable necessity as cheerfully as we could. +We made a dash over to Ireland, said good-bye to our relations, and +started for India on the 27th June.</p> + + <br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate14">[plate 14]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/14-ladyroberts1.jpg" width="366" height="470" alt="LADY ROBERTS (WIFE OF SIR ABRAHAM ROBERTS)" border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>LADY ROBERTS <br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em;">(WIFE OF SIR ABRAHAM ROBERTS)</span></b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a sketch by Carpenter.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> +<p> +The heat in the Red Sea proved even worse than I had anticipated. +Our captain pronounced it the hottest trip he had ever made. Twice +was the ship turned round to steam against the wind for a short time +in order to revive some of the passengers, who were almost suffocated.</p> +<p> +We passed the wreck of the <i>Alma</i>, a P. and O. vessel which had +struck on a coral reef not far from Mocha. The wreck had happened +in the dead of night, and there had been only time to get the passengers +into the boats, in which they were rowed to another reef near at hand; +there they had remained for eighty hours in their scanty night garments, +and without the smallest shelter, until rescued by a friendly steamer. +The officers and crew were still on the rock when we passed, endeavouring +to get up the mails and the passengers' property. We supplied +them with provisions and water, of which they were badly in need, +and then had to leave them in their extremely uncomfortable position.</p> +<p> +We could not complain of lack of air after we passed Aden, for we +forthwith encountered the south-west monsoon, then at its height, and +on entering the Bay of Bengal we experienced something very nearly +akin to a cyclone. We broke our rudder; the lightships, on which a +certain number of pilots were always to be found, had all been blown +out to sea; and as we had only just sufficient coal to take us up the +Hugli when the pilot should appear, we did not dare to keep up steam. +Thus we had to remain at the mercy of the winds and waves for some +days, until at length a brig with a pilot on board was sent to look for +us, and eventually we arrived in Calcutta, in rather a dilapidated +condition, on the 30th July.</p> +<p> +We were not cheered by the orders I found awaiting me, which were +to proceed to Morar and join Brigadier-General Sir Robert Napier, +then in command of the Gwalior district. Morar in the month of +August is one of the hottest places in India, and my wife was considerably +the worse for our experiences at sea. However, a Calcutta hotel +never has many attractions, and at that time of year was depressing +and uncomfortable to the last degree; in addition, I had rather a +severe attack of my old enemy, Peshawar fever, so we started on our +journey 'up country' with as little delay as possible.</p> +<p> +The railway at that time was not open further than Raniganj; thence +we proceeded for a hundred miles in a 'dâk-ghari,' when, changing +into doolies, we continued our journey to Hazaribagh, a little cantonment +about twenty miles off the main road, where some relations of +mine were living; but a day or two after our arrival at their hospitable +house, I was ordered back to Calcutta.</p> +<p> +I left my wife with our kind friends, and retraced my steps in considerable +elation of spirits, for the China expedition was even then<span class="page"><a name="254">[Page 254]</a></span> +being talked about, and I hoped this sudden summons might possibly +mean that I was to be sent with it in some capacity. On reaching Calcutta, +however, I was told that I had been appointed to organize and +take charge of the large camp to be formed for the triumphal progress +which Lord Canning proposed to make through Oudh, the North-West +Provinces, and the Punjab, with the view of meeting the principal +feudatory Chiefs, and rewarding those who had been especially loyal +during the rebellion. I was informed that the tents were in store in the +arsenal at Allahabad, and that the camp must be ready at Cawnpore +on the 15th October, on which date the Viceroy would arrive, and a day +or two later commence his stately procession towards Lucknow.</p> +<p> +While I was in England a Royal Proclamation had announced to the +people of India that the Queen had taken over the government of their +country, which had hitherto been held in trust for Her Majesty by the +Honourable East India Company. This fact had been publicly proclaimed, +with befitting ceremony, throughout the length and breadth +of the land, on the 1st November, 1858. At the same time it was +announced that Her Majesty's representative in India was henceforth +to be styled Viceroy and Governor-General of India, and it was with the +object of emphasizing this Proclamation, and impressing the Native +mind with the reality of Queen Victoria's power and authority, that +Lord Canning decided on undertaking this grand tour.</p> +<p> +While in Calcutta on this occasion, I was offered a post in the Revenue +Survey Department. I refused it, for, although as a married man the +higher pay was a tempting bait, the recollection of the excitement and +variety of the year of the Mutiny was still fresh upon me, and I had no +wish to leave the Quartermaster-General's Department. I therefore +started for Allahabad, picking up my wife <i>en route</i>.</p> +<p> +It was then the middle of the rains, and the bridge of boats over the +Jumna had been taken down, so we had to cross in ferry-boats—dâk-gharis, +horses, and all—rather a perilous-looking proceeding, for the +river was running at a tremendous pace, and there was some difficulty +in keeping the boat's head straight. At Allahabad we stayed with a +brother officer of mine in the fort, while I was getting the camp equipage +out of store, and the tents pitched for inspection. There had not +been a large camp for many years, and everything in India deteriorates +so rapidly, that I found most of the tents in such a state of mildew and +decay as to render it necessary to renew them almost entirely before +they could be used for such a splendid occasion as that of the first +Viceroy's first march through the re-conquered country.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Allahabad and Cawnpore</span> +From Allahabad we proceeded to Cawnpore, where I had a busy time +arranging for the multifarious requirements of such an enormous camp; +and sometimes I despaired of its being completed by the appointed +date. However, completed it was; and on the 15th October Lord and +Lady Canning arrived, and expressed themselves so pleased with all the<span class="page"><a name="255">[Page 255]</a></span> +arrangements, and were so kindly appreciative of the exertions I had +made to be ready for them by the appointed time, that I felt myself +fully rewarded for all my trouble.</p> +<p> +The next day I took my wife to call upon Lady Canning, whose +unaffected and simple, yet perfectly dignified manner completely +charmed her, and from that day she was devoted, in common with +everyone who was at all intimately associated with Lady Canning, to +the gentle, gracious lady, who was always kindness itself to her.</p> +<p> +On the 18th the Viceroy made his first march towards Lucknow. The +camp equipage was in duplicate, so that everyone on arriving at the +new halting-place found things exactly the same as in the tents they +had left.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Viceroy's Camp</span> +The camp occupied a considerable space; for, in addition to the +Viceroy's large <i>entourage</i>, ground had to be provided for the Commander-in-Chief +and the officers of Army Head-Quarters, who were +marching with us; then there were the post-office, telegraph, workshops, +<i><a name="XXXII1r">toshikhana</a></i>,<a href="#XXXII1"><sup>1</sup></a> commissariat, and a host of other offices to be +accommodated, beside the escort, which consisted of a battery of Horse +Artillery, a squadron of British Cavalry, a regiment of British Infantry, +a regiment of Native Cavalry, a regiment of Native Infantry, and the +Viceroy's Bodyguard. For the Viceroy, his staff, guests, and secretaries +alone, 150 large tents were pitched in the main street, and when +we came to a station the duplicate tents were also pitched. For the +transport of this portion of the camp equipage 80 elephants and 500 +camels were <a name="XXXII2r">required</a>.<a href="#XXXII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +It is very difficult to give any idea of the extraordinary spectacle a +big camp like this presents on the line of march. The followers, as a +rule, are accompanied by their wives and families, who are piled upon +the summits of laden carts, or perched on the loads borne by the baggage +animals. In the two camps marching together (Lord Canning's +and Lord Clyde's) there could not have been less than 20,000 men, +women, and children—a motley crowd streaming along about four-and-twenty +miles of road, for the day's march was usually about twelve +miles, and before every one had cleared out of the camp occupied the +night before, the advance guard had begun to arrive on the ground to +be occupied the next day. The strictest discipline had to be maintained,<span class="page"><a name="256">[Page 256]</a></span> +or this moving colony would have been a serious calamity to the +peasantry, for the followers would have spread themselves over the +country like a flight of locusts, and taken anything they could lay their +hands on, representing themselves as <i>Mulk-i-Lord-Sahib-Ke-<a name="XXXII3r">Naukar</a></i>,<a href="#XXXII3"><sup>3</sup></a> +whom according to immemorial tradition it was death to resist. The +poor, frightened country-people, therefore, hardly ventured to remonstrate +at the <i>mahouts</i> walking off with great loads of their sugar-cane, +or to object to the compulsory purchase of their farm produce for half +its value. There was a great deal of this kind of raiding at the commencement +of the march, and I was constantly having complaints +made to me by the villagers; but after I had inflicted on the offenders +a few summary and tolerably severe punishments, and made the +peasants to understand it was not the <i>Mulk-i-Lord-Sahib's</i> wish that +they should submit to such treatment from his servants, order was +established, and I had very rarely any trouble.</p> +<p> +Our first halt was at Lucknow. Sir Hope Grant was commanding +the division, and had established himself very comfortably in the Dilkusha. +He had written asking me to bring my wife straight there and +stay with him during the Viceroy's visit, as it was still very hot in tents +during the day. An invitation which I gladly accepted, for it was +pleasant to think of being with my old General again, and I wanted to +introduce him to my wife.</p> +<p> +The next day, the 22nd October, the state entry was made into +Lucknow. It must have been an imposing sight, that long array of +troops and guns, with Lord Canning in the centre, accompanied by the +Commander-in-Chief, and surrounded by their respective staffs in full +uniform. Lord Canning, though at that time not given to riding, +looked remarkably well on horseback; for he had a fine head and +shoulders, and sat his horse well; on foot, his height, not being quite +in proportion, rather detracted from the dignity of his presence.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">State Entry into Lucknow</span> +I headed the procession, leading it across the Charbagh bridge, the +scene of Havelock's fiercest encounter, past the Machi Bhawan, and +the Residency, to the Kaisarbagh, in front of which were drawn up in +a body the Talukdars of Oudh, who had with difficulty been persuaded +to come and make their obeisance, for, guiltily conscious of their disloyalty +during the rebellion, they did not feel at all sure that the +rumours that it was intended to blow them all away from guns, or to +otherwise summarily dispose of them, were not true. They salaamed +respectfully as the Viceroy passed, and the cavalcade proceeded to the +Martinière park, where the camp, which I had pitched the previous +day, lay spread before us, in all the spotless purity of new white tents +glistening in a flood of brilliant sunshine. The streets through which +we passed were crowded with Natives, who—cowed, but not tamed—looked<span class="page"><a name="257">[Page 257]</a></span> +on in sullen defiance, very few showing any sign of respect for +the Viceroy.</p> +<p> +Sir William and Lady Mansfield, and several other people from our +camp were also staying with Sir Hope Grant, and that evening the +whole Dilkusha party went to a state dinner given by Lord and Lady +Canning. The latter was a delightful hostess; the shyest person was +set at ease by her kindly, sympathetic manner, and she had the happy +knack of making her guests feel that her entertainments were a +pleasure to herself—the surest way of rendering them enjoyable to +those she entertained.</p> +<p> +I made use of the next week, which was for me a comparatively idle +time, to take my wife over the ground by which we had advanced two +years before, and explain to her the different positions held by the +enemy. She was intensely interested in visiting the Sikandarbagh, the +Shah Najaf, the mess-house, and, above all, that glorious memorial of +almost superhuman courage and endurance, the Residency, ruined, +roofless, and riddled by round shot and bullets. Very little had then +been done towards opening out the city, and the surroundings of the +Residency were much as they had been during the defence—a labyrinth +of streets and lanes; it was therefore easier for the stranger to realize +exactly what had taken place than it is now that the landmarks have +been cleared away, and well-laid-out gardens and broad roads have +taken the place of jungle and narrow alleys.</p> +<p> +On the 26th the Viceroy held a grand durbar for the reception of the +Talukdars. It was the first function of the sort I had witnessed, and +was an amusing novelty to my wife, who, with Lady Canning and some +of the other ladies in camp, viewed the proceedings from behind a semi-transparent +screen, it not being considered at that time the thing for +ladies to appear at ceremonials when Natives were present. The +whole scene was very impressive, though not as brilliant in colouring +as it would have been in any other part of India, owing to the +Chiefs of Oudh being clad in simple white, as is the custom amongst +Rajputs.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Talukdars of Oudh</span> +The Talukdars, to the number of one hundred and sixty, were +ushered to their places in strict order of seniority, the highest in rank +being the last to arrive. They were arranged in a half semicircle on +the right of the Viceroy's chair of state, while on the left the Europeans +were seated according to their official rank. When all was ready, the +words 'Attention! Royal salute! Present arms!' were heard without, +warning those within of the Viceroy's approach, and, as the bugles +sounded and the guns thundered forth their welcome, Lord Canning, +accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief, and preceded by their staffs, +entered the tent.</p> +<p> +Everyone rose, and remained standing until the great man took his +seat, when the Foreign Secretary came forward, and, making a low <span class="page"><a name="258">[Page 258]</a></span> +bow, informed His Excellency that all who had been summoned to +attend the durbar were present. The Chiefs were then brought up and +introduced to the Viceroy one by one; each made a profound obeisance, +and, as a token of allegiance, presented an offering of gold mohurs, +which, according to etiquette, the Viceroy just touched by way of +acknowledgment. The presents from the Government to the Chiefs +were then handed in on trays, and placed on the ground in front of +each, the value of the present being regulated according to the rank +and position of the recipient. This part of the ceremony being over, +the Viceroy rose and addressed the Talukdars.</p> +<p> +After expressing his pleasure at meeting them in their own country, +he gave them an assurance that, so long as they remained faithful to +the Government, they should receive every consideration; he told +them that a new era had commenced in Oudh, and that henceforth +they would be allowed to revert to the conditions under which they +had held their estates prior to the annexation of the province. When +Lord Canning had finished speaking, a translation of his address in +Urdu was read to the Talukdars by Mr. Beadon, the Foreign Secretary; +<i>atar</i> and <i><a name="XXXII4r">pan</a></i><a href="#XXXII4"><sup>4</sup></a> were then handed round, and the Viceroy took his +departure with the same formalities as those with which the durbar +had been opened.</p> +<p> +There is some excuse to be made for the attitude of the Talukdars, +who, from their point of view, had little reason to be grateful to the +British Government. These powerful Chiefs, whose individual revenues +varied from £10,000 to £15,000 a year, and who, in their jungle fastnesses, +often defied their sovereign's troops, had suddenly been deprived +of all the authority which in the confusion attending a long period of +misgovernment they had gradually usurped, as well as of a considerable +proportion of the landed property which, from time to time, they +had forcibly appropriated. The conversion of feudal Chiefs into +ordinary law-abiding subjects is a process which, however beneficial to +the many, is certain to be strenuously resisted by the few.</p> +<p> +In March, 1858, when Lucknow was captured, a Proclamation was +issued by the Government of India confiscating the proprietary rights +in the soil. The object in view was not merely to punish contumacious +Chiefs, but also to enable the Government to establish the revenue +system on a sounder and firmer footing. Talukdars who submitted +were to receive their possessions as a free gift direct from the Government; +while those who had done good service, whether men of Oudh +or strangers, might be rewarded by grants of confiscated property.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Loyalty of the Talukdars</span> +The Proclamation was considered in many influential quarters too +arbitrary and sweeping a measure; Outram protested against it, and<span class="page"><a name="259">[Page 259]</a></span> +Lord Ellenborough (the President of the Board of Control) condemned +it; but Lord Canning was backed up by the British public, and Lord +Ellenborough resigned to save his Cabinet from being wrecked. That +Outram and Ellenborough took the right view of the case is, I think, +shown by the fact that Lord Canning cancelled the Proclamation on +his first visit to Lucknow. By that time he had come to recognize +that the Talukdars had reasonable grounds for their discontent, and he +wisely determined to take a step which not only afforded them the +greatest relief and satisfaction, but enlisted their interest on the side of +Government. From that day to this, although, from time to time, +subsequent legislation has been found necessary to save the peasantry +from oppression, the Chiefs of Oudh have been amongst the most +loyal of Her Majesty's Indian subjects.</p> +<p> +We remained a few days longer at Lucknow. Lord and Lady +Canning entertained all the residents, while a ball was given by the +latter in the Chatta Manzil to the strangers in camp, and the city and +principal buildings were illuminated in the Viceroy's honour with those +curious little oil-lamps which are the most beautiful form of illumination, +the delineation of every line, point, and pinnacle with myriads of +minute lights producing a wonderfully pretty effect.</p> +<p> +On the 29th the first march was made on the return journey to +Cawnpore. My duty was to go on ahead, select the best site for the +next day's camping-ground, and make all necessary arrangements for +supplies, etc. I waited till the Viceroy had given his orders, and then +my wife and I started off, usually in the forenoon; sometimes we +remained till later in the day, lunching with one or other of our friends +in camp, and on very rare occasions, such as a dinner-party at the +Viceroy's or the Commander-in-Chief's, we drove on after dinner by +moonlight. But that was not until we had been on the march for +some time and I felt that the head Native in charge of the camp was +to be trusted to make no mistake. It was a life of much interest and +variety, and my wife enjoyed the novelty of it all greatly.</p> +<p> +Lord Canning held his second durbar at Cawnpore on the 3rd November, +when he received the principal Chiefs of Bundelkand, the Maharaja +of Rewa, the Maharaja of Benares, and a host of lesser dignitaries.</p> +<p> +It was on this occasion that, in accordance with the Proclamation +which had already announced that the Queen had no desire to extend +her territorial possessions, and that the estates of Native Princes were +to be scrupulously respected, the Chiefs were informed that the right +of adoption was conceded to them. This meant that, in default of +male issue, they were to be allowed to adopt sons according to the +Indian custom of adoption, and that the British Government would +recognize the right of the chosen heir to succeed as Ruler of the State +as well as to inherit the personal property of the Chief by whom he +had been adopted. There had been no clear rule on this point previously,<span class="page"><a name="260">[Page 260]</a></span> +each case having been considered on its own merits, but the +doctrine that adoption should not be recognized, and that, in default +of natural heirs, the State should lapse and be annexed by the +supreme Government, had been enforced in a good many instances. +Lord Canning's announcement therefore caused the liveliest satisfaction +to certain classes throughout India, and did more than any other +measure to make the feudatory Princes believe in the sincerity of the +amnesty <a name="XXXII5r">Proclamation</a>.<a href="#XXXII5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Cawnpore and Fatehgarh</span> +Our next move was to Fatehgarh, eight marches from Cawnpore, +where, on the 15th November, a third durbar was held, at which was +received, amongst other leading men of Rohilkand whose services +were considered worthy of acknowledgment, the Nawab of Rampur, +who had behaved with distinguished loyalty in our time of trouble. +This Mahomedan Nobleman's conduct was the more meritorious in that +the surrounding country swarmed with rebels, and was the home of +numbers of the mutinous Irregular Cavalry, while the close proximity +of Rampur to Delhi, whence threats of vengeance were hurled at the +Nawab unless he espoused the King's cause, rendered his position +extremely precarious.</p> +<p> +From Fatehgarh we proceeded to Agra, nine marches, only halting +on Sundays, and consequently everyone appreciated being stationary +there for a few days. The camp was pitched on the parade-ground, +the scene of the fight of the 10th October, 1857. Here the Viceroy +received some of the bigger potentates, who were accompanied by large<span class="page"><a name="261">[Page 261]</a></span> +retinues, and, as far as the <i>spectacle</i> went, it was one of the grandest +and most curious gatherings we had yet witnessed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Agra Durbar</span> +The occasions are rare on which a Viceroy has the opportunity of +receiving in durbar the great vassals of our Indian Empire, but when +these assemblies can be arranged they have a very useful effect, and +should not be looked upon as mere empty ceremonials. This was +especially the case at a time when the country had so recently been +convulsed by intestine war, and when the Native Princes were anxiously +considering how their prospects would be affected by Her Majesty's +assumption of the administration of India.</p> +<p> +The Chief of highest rank on this occasion was the Maharaja of +Gwalior, who, as I have already stated, influenced by his courageous +Minister, Dinkar Rao, had remained faithful to us. Like most Mahratta +Princes of that time, he was very imperfectly educated. Moreover, he +was possessed of a most wayward disposition, frequently threatening, +when thwarted in any way, to throw up the reins of government, and +take refuge in the jungle; manners he had none.</p> +<p> +Next came the enlightened head of the Princely house of Jaipur, the +second in importance of the great Chiefs of Rajputana.</p> +<p> +He was succeeded by the Karaoli Raja, whose following was the +most quaint of all. Amongst the curious signs of his dignity he had +on his escort four tigers, each chained on a separate car, and guarded +by strange-looking men in brass helmets.</p> +<p> +The Maharao Raja of Ulwar was the next to arrive, seated on a superb +elephant, eleven feet high, magnificently caparisoned with cloth-of-gold +coverings, and chains and breastplates of gold. He was a promising-looking +lad who had succeeded to his estate only two years before; but +he soon fell into the hands of low intriguers, who plundered his +dominions and so oppressed his people that the British Government +had to take over the management of his State.</p> +<p> +After Ulwar came the Nawab of Tonk, the descendant of an +adventurer from Swat, on the Peshawar border, who had become +possessed of considerable territory in Rajputana. The Nawab stood by +us in the Mutiny, when his capital was plundered by Tantia Topi.</p> +<p> +The sixth in rank was the Jât Ruler of Dholpur, a bluff, coarse-looking +man, and a very rude specimen of his race.</p> +<p> +Last of all arrived the Nawab of Jaora, a handsome, perfectly-dressed +man of considerable refinement of manner, and with all the +courtesy of a well-bred Mahomedan. Though a feudatory of the +rebellious Holkar of Indore, he kept aloof from all Mahratta intrigues, +and behaved well to us.</p> +<p> +Some of the highest of the Rajput Chiefs declined to attend, +alleging as an excuse the distance of their capitals from Agra; but the +truth is that these Rulers, the best blood of India, had never bowed +their heads to any Power, not even that of the Moghul, and they considered<span class="page"><a name="262">[Page 262]</a></span> +it would be derogatory to their dignity to obey the summons of +the representative of a sovereign, of whom they considered themselves +the allies and not the mere <a name="XXXII6r">feudatories</a>.<a href="#XXXII6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +Those of the Chieftains attending this durbar who had shown conspicuous +loyalty during the rebellion were not allowed to leave without +receiving substantial rewards. Sindhia had territory bestowed on him +to the value of £30,000 a year. Jaipur was given the confiscated +property of Kôt Kāsim, yielding £5,000 a year, while others were +recompensed according to the importance of the services rendered.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXIII">XXXIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1859</span> + +<p> +We remained at Agra until the 9th December. There was so much of +beauty and interest in and around the place, that Lady Canning found +a wealth of subjects for her facile pencil, and was well content to +remain there. There were the usual banquets to the residents, and +entertainments given by the Agra people to those in camp, one of them +being a party in the Taj gardens, to give us an opportunity of seeing +the tomb by moonlight, when it certainly looks its loveliest. My wife +was more delighted even than I had anticipated with the perfect beauty +of the Taj and the exquisite little mosque in the fort, the Moti-Masjid. +I greatly enjoyed showing her all that was worth seeing, and witnessing +her pleasure on first viewing these wonderful works of art.</p> +<p> +There was no halt again, except the usual one on Sunday, until we +reached Meerut on the 21st December.</p> +<p> +Three marches from Agra a fire broke out in Lady Canning's tent +soon after she had retired for the night, caused by the iron pipe of the +stove, which passed through the side of the tent, becoming over-heated. +Lady Canning's tents were on one side of the big dining-tent, and the +Viceroy's on the other. Immediately on perceiving the fire, Lady +Canning ran across to awaken her husband, but the Native sentry, who +did not know her or understand a word of what she was saying, would +not let her in, and, in despair of being able to make anyone hear, she +rushed off to the tent of Sir Edward Campbell, the Military Secretary, +which was nearest her own. She succeeded in awaking him, and then +flew back to try and save some of her own treasures. The first thing +she thought of was her portfolio of drawings, which she dragged outside; +but it had already been partially burned, and most of the valuable<span class="page"><a name="263">[Page 263]</a></span> +and characteristic sketches she had made at the different durbars were +destroyed. She next tried to rescue her jewels, many of which she +had worn the night before; her pearls were lying on the dressing-table, +and she was only just in time to save them; one of the strings had +caught fire, and several of the pearls were blackened. She swept them +off the table into a towel, and threw them into a tub of water standing +outside. Her wardrobe was completely destroyed. More damage +would have been done had not the Private Secretary, Mr. Lewin +Bowring, on the alarm being given, hurried to the dining-tent, and, +with great presence of mind, ordered the Native Cavalry sentry to cut +the ropes, causing it to fall at once, and preventing the fire from +spreading. Some office boxes and records were destroyed, but nothing +more. We were as usual in the advance camp, and did not hear what +had happened until next morning, when Lady Canning arrived dressed +in Lady Campbell's clothes; and as Lady Canning was tall, and Lady +Campbell was short, the effect was rather funny.</p> +<p> +Christmas was spent at Meerut, where I met several of my brother +officers, amongst others my particular friend Edwin Johnson, whom I +had the great pleasure of introducing to my wife. With scarcely an +exception, my friends became hers, and this added much to the +happiness of our Indian life.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Delhi under a different aspect</span> +Delhi, our next halting-place, was certainly not the least interesting +in our tour. Lord Canning was anxious to understand all about the +siege, and visited the different positions; the Ridge and its surroundings, +the breaches, and the palace, were the chief points of interest. +There were two 'Delhi men' besides myself to explain everything to +him, Sir Edward Campbell, who was with the 60th Rifles throughout, +and one of the best officers in the regiment, and Jemmy Hills, who had +now become the Viceroy's Aide-de-camp; while in Lord Clyde's camp +there were Norman, Stewart, and Becher.</p> +<p> +I had, of course, taken my wife to the scenes of the fights at Agra, +Aligarh, and Bulandshahr, but Delhi had the greatest fascination for +her. It is certainly an extraordinarily attractive place, setting aside +the peculiar interest of the siege. For hundreds of years it had been +the seat of Government under Rulers of various nationalities and +religions; few cities have the remains of so much pomp and glory, and +very few bear the traces of having been besieged so often, or could tell +of so much blood spilt in their defence, or of such quantities of treasure +looted from them. When Tamerlane captured Delhi in 1398 the city +was given over to massacre for five days, 'some streets being rendered +impassable by heaps of dead'; and in 1739 the Persian conqueror, +Nadir Shah, after sacking the place for fifty-eight days and massacring +thousands of its inhabitants, carried off thirty-two millions sterling of +booty.</p> +<p> +Although the fierce nature of the struggle that Delhi had gone <span class="page"><a name="264">[Page 264]</a></span> +through in 1857 was apparent everywhere, the inhabitants seemed +now to have forgotten all about it. The city was as densely populated +as it had ever been; the Chandni Chauk was gay as formerly with +draperies of bright-coloured stuffs; jewellers and shawl-merchants +carried on their trades as briskly as ever, and were just as eager in +their endeavours to tempt the <i>Sahib log</i> to spend their money as if +trade had never been interrupted; so quickly do Orientals recover +from the effects of a devastating war.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1860</span> +We left Delhi on the 3rd January, 1860, marching <i>viâ</i> Karnal. +When at this place my wife went to see Lady Canning, as she often +did if we remained at all late in camp. On this particular occasion +she found her busy with the English mail, which had just arrived, so +she said she would not stay then, but would come next day instead. +Lady Canning, however, would not let my wife go until she had read +her part of a letter from Lady Waterford, which she thought would +amuse her. It was in answer to one from Lady Canning, in which +she had described the camp, and given her sister a list of all the people +in it. Lady Waterford wrote: 'Your Quartermaster-General must be +the son of General Roberts, who lives near Waterford; he came home +on leave last year. I must tell you an amusing little anecdote about +his father. One night, when the General was dining at Curraghmore, +he found himself sitting next the Primate of Ireland, with whom he +entered into conversation. After some time they discovered they had +known each other in the days of their youth, but had never met since +a certain morning on which they went out to fight a duel on account +of some squabble at a mess; happily the quarrel was stopped without +any harm being done, each feeling equally relieved at being prevented +from trying to murder the other, as they had been persuaded they +were in honour bound to do. The two old gentlemen made very +merry over their reminiscences.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lord Clyde</span> +For some time I had been indulging a hope that I might be sent +to China with my old General, Hope Grant, who had been nominated +to the command of the expedition which, in co-operation with the +French, was being prepared to wipe out the disgrace of the repulse +experienced early in the year, by the combined French and English +naval squadrons in their attack on the Taku forts. My hope, however, +was doomed to disappointment. Lord Clyde decided to send Lumsden +and Allgood as A.Q.M.G.'s with the force, and I was feeling very low +in consequence. A day or two afterwards we dined with the Cannings, +and Lord Clyde took my wife in to dinner. His first remark to her +was: 'I think I have earned your gratitude, if I have not managed to +satisfy everyone by these China appointments.' On my wife asking +for what she was expected to be grateful, he said: 'Why, for not +sending your husband with the expedition, of course. I suppose you +would rather not be left in a foreign country alone a few months after<span class="page"><a name="265">[Page 265]</a></span> +your marriage? If Roberts had not been a newly-married man, I +would have sent him.' This was too much for my wife, who sympathized +greatly with my disappointment, and she could not help +retorting: 'I am afraid I cannot be very grateful to you for making +my husband feel I am ruining his career by standing in the way of his +being sent on service. You have done your best to make him regret +his marriage.' The poor old Chief was greatly astonished, and burst +out in his not too refined way: 'Well, I'll be hanged if I can understand +you women! I have done the very thing I thought you would +like, and have only succeeded in making you angry. I will never try +to help a woman again.' My wife saw that he had meant to be kind, +and that it was, as he said, only because he did not 'understand +women' that he had made the mistake. She was soon appeased, and +in the end she and Lord Clyde became great friends.</p> +<p> +The middle of January found us at Umballa, where Lord Canning +met in state all the Cis-Sutlej Sikh Chiefs. Fine, handsome men +they most of them were, and magnificently attired. The beautifully +delicate tints which the Sikhs are so fond of, the warlike costumes of +some of the Sirdars, the quiet dignity of these high-born men who +had rendered us such signal service in our hour of need, made the +scene most picturesque and impressive. The place of honour was +given to the Maharaja of Patiala (the grandfather of the present +Maharaja), as the most powerful of the Phulkian Princes; and he was +followed by his neighbours of Nabha and Jhind, all three splendid +specimens of well-bred Sikhs, of stately presence and courtly manners. +They were much gratified at having the right of adoption granted to +their families, and at being given substantial rewards in the shape of +extension of territory.</p> +<p> +The Sikh Chiefs were followed by Rajas of minor importance, chiefly +from the neighbouring hills, whom the Viceroy had summoned in order +to thank them for assistance rendered during the Mutiny. Many of +them had grievances to be redressed; others had favours to ask; and +the Viceroy was able to more or less satisfy them by judiciously yielding +to reasonable demands, and by bestowing minor powers on those +who were likely to use them well. The wisdom of this policy of +concession on Lord Canning's part was proved in after years by its +successful results.</p> +<p> +On the 29th January the Raja of Kapurthala came out to meet +the Viceroy one march from Jullundur. He had supplemented the +valuable assistance rendered to Colonel Lake in the early days of the +Mutiny by equipping and taking into Oudh a force of 2,000 men, +which he personally commanded in six different actions. The Viceroy +cordially thanked him for this timely service, and in recognition of it, +and his continued and conspicuous loyalty, bestowed upon him large +estates in Oudh, where he eventually became one of the chief Talukdars.<span class="page"><a name="266">[Page 266]</a></span> +This Raja was the grandfather of the enlightened nobleman who came +to England three years ago.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Umritsar and Lahore</span> +After visiting Umritsar, gay with brilliant illuminations in honour +of the Viceroy, and crowded with Sikhs come to welcome the Queen's +representative to their sacred city, we arrived at Lahore on the +10th February.</p> +<p> +Early the following morning Lord Canning made his state entry. +As we approached the citadel the long line of mounted Chiefs drawn +up to receive the Viceroy came into view. A brilliant assemblage they +formed, Sikh Sirdars, stately Hill Rajputs, wildly picturesque Multanis +and Baluchis with their flowing locks floating behind them, sturdy +Tawanas from the Salt range, all gorgeously arrayed in every colour +of the rainbow, their jewels glittering in the morning sun, while their +horses, magnificently caparisoned in cloth-of-gold saddle cloths, and +gold and silver trappings, pranced and curvetted under pressure of +their severe bits. As the procession appeared in sight they moved +forward in one long dazzling cavalcade, each party of Chiefs being +headed by the Commissioner of the district from which they came; +they saluted as they approached the Viceroy, and then passing him fell +in behind, between the Body Guard and the Artillery of the escort. +A royal salute was fired from the fort as we passed under the city +walls; we then wound through the civil station of Anárkáli, and on +to camp where the garrison of Mian Mir, under the command of +Major-General Sir Charles Windham, was drawn up to receive the +Viceroy.</p> +<p> +At nightfall there were illuminations and a procession of elephants; +the Viceroy, seated in a superb howdah, led the way through the +brilliantly lighted city. Suddenly a shower of rockets was discharged +which resulted in a stampede of the elephants, who rushed through +the narrow streets, and fled in every direction, to the imminent peril +and great discomfort of the riders. In time they were quieted and +brought back, only to become again unmanageable at a fresh volley +of fireworks; a second time they were pacified, and as they seemed +to be getting accustomed to the noise and lights, the procession proceeded +to the garden of the old palace. Here the elephants were +drawn up, when all at once a fresh discharge of rockets from every +side drove them mad with fright, and off they bolted under the trees, +through gates, and some of them could not be pulled up until they had +gone far into the country. Howdahs were crushed, hats torn off, but, +strange to say, there was only one serious casualty; an officer was +swept out of his howdah by the branch of a tree, and falling to the +ground, had his thigh broken. Lord Clyde declared that a general +action was not half so dangerous, and he would much sooner have +been in one!</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Lahore Durbar</span> +The Lahore durbar, at which the Punjab Chiefs were received, surpassed<span class="page"><a name="267">[Page 267]</a></span> +any former ceremonials in point of numbers and splendour of +effect. Many of Runjit Singh's Sirdars were present, and many who +had fought against us in the Sutlej and Punjab campaigns, but had now +become our fast friends. The Chiefs quite spontaneously prepared and +presented Lord Canning with an address, and, in reply, his Excellency +made an eloquent and telling speech, commenting in terms of the +highest appreciation on the courage and loyalty displayed by the Nobles +and people of the Punjab during the Mutiny.</p> +<p> +While the camp was marching to Sialkot, where the Maharaja of +Kashmir and some of the leading men of the Punjab were to be +received, the Viceroy, accompanied by Lady Canning, Lord Clyde, and +a small staff, went on a flying visit to Peshawar, with the object of +satisfying himself, by personal examination of our position there, as to +the advisability or otherwise of a retirement cis-Indus—a retrograde +movement which John Lawrence was still in favour of. The visit, however, +only served to strengthen Lord Canning in his preconceived +opinion that Peshawar must be held on to as our frontier station.</p> +<p> +My wife remained at Mian Mir with our good friends Doctor and +Mrs. Tyrrell Ross until it was time for her to go to Simla, and the kind +thoughtfulness of Lord Canning, who told me the camp now worked so +well that my presence was not always necessary, enabled me to be with +her from time to time.</p> +<p> +Lord Canning's tour was now nearly over, and we marched without +any halt of importance from Sialkot to Kalka at the foot of the hills, +where, on the 9th April, the camp was broken up. It was high time to +get into cooler regions, for the heat of the tents in the day had become +very oppressive.</p> +<p> +Thus ended a six months' march of over a thousand miles—a march +never likely to be undertaken again by any other Viceroy of India, now +that railway trains run from Calcutta to Peshawar, and saloon carriages +have taken the place of big tents.</p> +<p> +This progress through India had excellent results. The advantages +of the representative of the Sovereign meeting face to face the principal +feudatories and Chiefs of our great dependency were very considerable, +and the opportunity afforded to the Viceroy of personally acknowledging +and rewarding the services of those who had helped us, and of +showing that he was not afraid to be lenient to those who had failed to +do so, provided they should remain loyal in the future, had a very good +effect over the whole of India. The wise concessions also announced +at the different durbars as regards the adoption by Native Rulers of +successors to their estates, and the grant to Native gentlemen of such a +share as they were fitted for in the government of the country, were +undoubtedly more appreciated than any other description of reward +given for assistance in the Mutiny.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Simla</span> +My duty with the Viceroy being ended, I returned to Mian Mir to<span class="page"><a name="268">[Page 268]</a></span> +fetch my wife and the little daughter, who had made her appearance on +the 10th March, and escort them both to Simla. The journey up the +hill was a tedious one. Carriages were not then used as they are now, +and my wife travelled in a <i>jampan</i>, a kind of open, half-reclining sedan +chair, carried by relays of four men, while I rode or walked by her side. +She had been greatly exhausted by the heat of the journey from Mian +Mir, but as we ascended higher and higher up the mountain side, and +the atmosphere became clearer and fresher, she began to revive. Four +hours, however, of this unaccustomed mode of travelling in her weak +state had completely tired her out, so on finding a fairly comfortable +bungalow at the end of the first stage, I decided to remain there the +next day. After that we went on, stage by stage, until we reached +Simla. Our house, 'Mount Pleasant,' was on the very top of a hill; +up and up we climbed through the rhododendron forest, along a path +crimson with the fallen blossom, till we got to the top, when a glorious +view opened out before our delighted eyes. The wooded hills of Jakho +and Elysium in the foreground, Mahasu and the beautiful Shalli peaks +in the middle distance, and beyond, towering above all, the everlasting +snows glistening in the morning sun, formed a picture the beauty of +which quite entranced us both. I could hardly persuade my wife to +leave it and come into the house. Hunger and fatigue, however, at +length triumphed. Our servants had arranged everything in our little +abode most comfortably; bright fires were burning in the grates, a cosy +breakfast was awaiting us, and the feeling that at last we had a home +of our own was very pleasant.</p> +<p> +Lord Canning did not remain long at Simla. His Council in Calcutta +was about to lose its President, Sir James Outram, who was leaving +India on account of failing health; and as the suggestion to impose an +income-tax was creating a good deal of agitation, the Viceroy hurried +back to Calcutta, deeming it expedient to be on the spot.</p> +<p> +The measures necessary for the suppression of the Mutiny had +emptied the Government coffers; and although a large loan had been +raised, the local authorities found it impossible to cope with the increased +expenditure. Lord Canning had, therefore, applied to the +Government in England for the services of a trained financier; and +Mr. Wilson, who had a great reputation in this respect, was sent out. +He declared the only remedy to be an income-tax, and he was supported +in this view by the merchants of Calcutta. Other Europeans, however, +who were intimately acquainted with India, pointed out that it was not +advisable to ignore the dislike of Natives to such direct taxation; and +Sir Charles Trevelyan, Governor of Madras, argued well and wisely +against the scheme. Instead, however, of confining his action in the +matter to warning and advising the supreme Government, he publicly +proclaimed his opposition, thus giving the signal for agitation to all the +malcontents in India. Lord Elphinstone, the Governor of Bombay,<span class="page"><a name="269">[Page 269]</a></span> +followed Trevelyan's example, but in a less pronounced manner, and +these attacks from the minor Presidencies proved a serious embarrassment +to the action of the Government. In spite of all this antagonism, +the income-tax was passed, and Sir Charles Trevelyan's unusual procedure +led to his recall.</p> +<p> +Lord Canning left Simla for his long and trying journey in May, +about the hottest time of the year. On my taking leave of him, he told +me that Sir Hugh Rose, then commanding the Bombay army, had been +appointed to succeed Lord Clyde, who had long been anxious to return +to England, and that Sir Hugh, though he intended to go to Calcutta +himself, wished the Head-Quarters of the Army to remain at Simla; a +question about which we had been rather anxious, as it would have +been an unpleasant breaking up of all our plans, had I been ordered to +Calcutta.</p> +<p> <span class="rightnote">Life at Simla</span> +Life at Simla was somewhat monotonous. The society was not very +large in those days; but there were a certain number of people on leave +from the plains, who then, as at present, had nothing to do but amuse +themselves, consequently there was a good deal of gaiety in a small +way; but we entered into it very little. My wife did not care much +about it, and had been very ill for the greater part of the summer. She +had made two or three kind friends, and was very happy in her +mountain home, though at times, perhaps, a little lonely, as I had to +be in office the greater part of each day.</p> +<p> +In the autumn we made a trip into the interior of the hills, beyond +Simla, which was a new and delightful experience for my wife. We +usually started in the morning, sending our servants on about half way, +when they prepared breakfast for us in some pretty, shady spot; there +we remained, reading, writing, or resting, until after lunch, and it was +time to move on, that we might get to our halting place for the night +before dinner.</p> +<p> +It was a lovely time of the year, when the autumn tints made the +forest gorgeous, and the scarlet festoons of the Himalayan vine stood +out in brilliant contrast to the dark green of the solemn deodar, amongst +the branches of which it loves to twine itself.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXIV">XXXIV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1860</span> + +<p> +In 1860 an important alteration was made in the organization of the +army in India, by the passing of a Bill for the amalgamation of the local +European Forces with the Royal Army.</p> +<p> +On the transfer of the administration of India from the Honourable +East India Company to the Crown, a question arose as to the conditions +under which the European soldiers had enlisted. The Government +contended that the conditions were in no way affected by the abolition<span class="page"><a name="270">[Page 270]</a></span> +of the Company. The soldiers, on the other hand, claimed to be +re-enlisted, and on this being refused they asked for their discharge. +This was granted, and 10,000 out of the 16,000 men serving in the local +army had to be sent to England. These men were replaced and the +local Forces were kept up to strength by fresh drafts from England; +but, from the date of the amalgamation, enlistment to serve solely in +India was to cease.</p> +<p> +There was great difference of opinion as to the advisability of this +measure; officers of the Queen's service for the most part, and notably +Sir Hugh Rose, were in favour of it, but it was not generally popular in +India. It was feared that the change would result in a great increase +to the military charges which the Indian Government would be called +upon to pay; that, notwithstanding such increase, there would be a +serious diminution in the control exercised by that Government over +the administration and organization of the British Army in India; and +that, under the pressure of political emergency in Europe, troops might +be withdrawn and Indian requirements disregarded. On the other +hand, those in favour of the Bill thought that, after the transfer of +India to the Crown, the maintenance of a separate Force uncontrolled +by the Horse Guards would be an anomaly. There was, no doubt, +much to be said on both sides of the question, but, although it has been +proved that the fears of those opposed to the change were not altogether +without foundation, in my opinion it was unavoidable, and has greatly +benefited both services.</p> +<p> +The amalgamation considerably accelerated my promotion, for, in +order to place the Indian Ordnance Corps on the same footing as those +of the Royal service, the rank of Second Captain had to be introduced +into the former, a rank to which I attained in October, 1860, only, however, +to hold it for one day, as the next my name appeared in the +<i>Gazette</i> as a Brevet Major.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Staff Corps</span> +The same year saw the introduction of the Staff Corps. This was +the outcome of the disappearance during the Mutiny of nearly the +whole of the Regular regiments of the Bengal Army, and their replacement +by Irregular regiments. But, as under the Irregular system the +number of British officers with each corps was too limited to admit of +their promotion being carried on regimentally, as had been done under +the Regular <a name="XXXIV1r">system</a>,<a href="#XXXIV1"><sup>1</sup></a> some organization had to be devised by which +the pay and promotion of all officers joining the Indian Army in future<span class="page"><a name="271">[Page 271]</a></span> +could be arranged. Many schemes were put forward; eventually one +formulated by Colonel Norman was, with certain modifications, accepted +by the Secretary of State, the result being that all officers about to enter +the Indian Army were to be placed on one list, in which they would be +promoted after fixed periods of <a name="XXXIV2r">service</a>;<a href="#XXXIV2"><sup>2</sup></a> and all those officers who had +been thrown out of employment by the disbandment of their regiments, +or by the substitution of the Irregular for the Regular system, +were to have the option of joining it. The term Staff Corps, however, +was a misnomer, for the constitution of the Corps and the training of +its officers had no special connection with staff requirements.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">With the Viceroy's Camp Again</span> +Towards the end of the summer the Viceroy announced his intention +of making a march through Central India, and I was again ordered to +take charge of his camp, which was to be formed at Benares. My wife +and her baby remained at Simla with our friends the Donald Stewarts, +and I left her feeling sure that with them she would be happy and well +taken care of.</p> +<p> +Sir Hugh Rose was at Allahabad, and as I passed through that place +I availed myself of the opportunity to pay my respects to the new +Chief, being anxious to meet an officer whom I had held in great +admiration from the time when, as <i>Chargé d'affaires</i> at Constantinople, +his pluck and foresight practically saved Turkey in her time of +peril from Russia's threatened attack—admiration increased by the +masterly manner in which he had conducted the Central India campaign, +in spite of almost overwhelming difficulties from want of +transport and other causes, and a severe attack of sunstroke, which +would have incapacitated many men. Sir Hugh Rose, when I first met +him at Allahabad, was fifty-nine years of age, tall, slight, with refined +features, rather delicate-looking, and possessing a distinctly distinguished +appearance. He received me most kindly, and told me that he +wished me to return to Head-Quarters when the Viceroy could dispense +with my services.</p> +<p> +The camp this year was by no means on so grand a scale as the preceding +one. The escort was much smaller, and the Commander-in-Chief +with Army Head-Quarters did not march with us as on the +previous occasion.</p> +<p> +Lord and Lady Canning arrived by steamer at Benares on the +6th November, and I went on board to meet them. Lord Canning was +cordial and pleasant as usual, but I did not think he looked well. Lady<span class="page"><a name="272">[Page 272]</a></span> +Canning was charming as ever; she reproached me for not having +brought my wife, but when I told her how ill she had been, she agreed +that camp was not quite the place for her.</p> +<p> +Benares, to my mind, is a most disappointing city; the streets are +narrow and dirty, there are no fine buildings, and it is only interesting +from its being held so sacred by the Hindus. The view of the city and +burning ghâts from the river is picturesque and pretty, but there is +nothing else worth seeing.</p> +<p> +Two days were occupied in getting the camp to Mirzarpur, on the +opposite bank of the Ganges. There was no bridge, and everything had +to be taken over in boats; 10,000 men, 1,000 horses, 2,000 camels, +2,000 bullocks, besides all the tents, carts, and baggage, had to be +ferried across the great river. The 180 elephants swam over with their +<i>mahouts</i> on their backs to keep their heads straight and urge them on; +the stream was rapid, and it was a difficult business to land them safely +at the other side, but at last it was accomplished, and our only casualty +was one camel, which fell overboard.</p> +<p> +The march to Jubbulpur lay through very pretty scenery, low hills +and beautiful jungle, ablaze with the flame-coloured blossom of the +dhâk-tree. Game abounded, and an occasional tiger was killed. Lord +Canning sometimes accompanied the shooting expeditions, but not +often, for he was greatly engrossed in, and oppressed by, his work, +which he appeared unable to throw off. Even during the morning's +drive he was occupied with papers, and on reaching camp he went +straight to his office tent, where he remained the whole day till dinner-time, +returning to it directly the meal was over, unless there were +strangers present with whom he wished to converse.</p> +<p> +At Jubbulpur the Viceroy held a durbar for the Maharaja Tukaji +Holkar of Indore, and some minor Chiefs of that part of the country. +Holkar's conduct during the Mutiny was not altogether above suspicion, +but, considering that the only troops at his disposal belonged to the +mutinous Indore Contingent, which consisted mainly of Hindustanis +enlisted by English officers, over whom he could not be expected to +exercise much control, Lord Canning gave him the benefit of the doubt, +and was willing to attribute his equivocal behaviour to want of ability +and timidity, rather than to disloyalty, and therefore allowed him to +come to the durbar.</p> +<p> +Another potentate received at this time by the Viceroy was the Begum +of Bhopal, who, being a powerful and skilful Ruler, and absolutely +loyal to the British Government, had afforded us most valuable assistance +during the rebellion. She was one of those women whom the +East has occasionally produced, endowed with conspicuous talent and +great strength of character, a quality which, from its rarity amongst +Indian women, gives immense influence to those who possess it. Lord +Canning congratulated the Begum on the success with which she had<span class="page"><a name="273">[Page 273]</a></span> +governed her country, thanked her for her timely help, and bestowed +upon her a large tract of country as a reward. She was a determined-looking +little woman, and spoke fluently in her own language; she +personally managed the affairs of her State, and wrote a remarkably +interesting account of her travelling experiences during a pilgrimage to +Mecca.</p> +<p> +Just as the Begum took her departure, news was brought in of the +presence of a tiger two or three miles from the cantonment, and as +many of us as could get away started off in pursuit. Not considering +myself a first-rate shot, I thought I should be best employed with the +beaters, but, as good luck would have it, the tiger broke from the jungle +within a few yards of my elephant: I could not resist having a shot, +and was fortunate enough to knock him over.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Marble Rocks</span> +While at Jubbulpur, I visited the famous marble rocks on the +Nerbudda. We rowed up the river for about a mile, when the stream +began to narrow, and splendid masses of marble came into view. The +cliffs rise to about a hundred feet in height, pure white below, gradually +shading off to gray at the top. The water at their base is of a deep +brown colour; perfectly transparent and smooth, in which the white +rocks are reflected with the utmost distinctness. In the crevices hang +numerous beehives, whose inmates one has to be careful not to disturb, +for on the bank are the graves of two Englishmen who, having +incautiously aroused the vicious little creatures, were attacked and +drowned in diving under the water to escape from their stings.</p> +<p> +A few days later the Viceroy left camp, and proceeded to Lucknow, +where he held another durbar for the Talukdars of Oudh. Lady +Canning continued to march with us to Mirzapur, where I took her on +board her barge, and bade her farewell—a last farewell, for I never saw +this good, beautiful, and gifted woman again.</p> +<p> +The camp being broken up, I returned towards the end of February +to my work in the Quartermaster-General's Office at Simla. I found +the place deep in snow; it looked very beautiful, but the change of +temperature, from the great heat of Central India to several degrees of +frost, was somewhat trying. My wife had benefited greatly from the +fine bracing air, and both she and our baby appeared pictures of +health; but a day or two after my arrival the little one was taken ill, +and died within one week of her birthday—our first great sorrow.</p> +<p> +We passed a very quiet, uneventful summer, and in the beginning of +October we left Simla for Allahabad, where I had received instructions +to prepare a camp for the Viceroy, who had arranged to hold an +investiture of the Star of India, the new Order which was originally +designed to honour the principal Chiefs of India who had done us +good service, by associating them with some of the highest and most +distinguished personages in England, and a few carefully selected +Europeans in India. Lord Canning was the first Grand Master, and<span class="page"><a name="274">[Page 274]</a></span> +Sir Hugh Rose the first Knight.</p> +<p> +The durbar at which the Maharajas Sindhia and Patiala, the Begum +of Bhopal, and the Nawab of Rampur were invested, was a most +imposing ceremony. The Begum was the cynosure of all eyes—a +female Knight was a novelty to Europeans as well as to Natives—and +there was much curiosity as to how she would conduct herself; but no +one could have behaved with greater dignity or more perfect decorum, +and she made a pretty little speech in Urdu in reply to Lord Canning's +complimentary address. She was dressed in cloth-of-gold, and wore +magnificent jewels; but the effect of her rich costume was somewhat +marred by a funny little wreath of artificial flowers, woollen mittens, +and black worsted stockings with white tips. When my wife visited +the Begum after the durbar, she showed her these curious appendages +with great pride, saying she wore them because they were 'English +fashion.' This was the first occasion on which ladies were admitted to +a durbar, out of compliment to the Begum.</p> +<p> +That evening my wife was taken in to dinner by a man whose manner +and appearance greatly impressed her, but she did not catch his name +when he was introduced; she much enjoyed his conversation during +dinner, which was not to be wondered at, for, before she left the table, +he told her his name was Bartle <a name="XXXIV3r">Frere</a>.<a href="#XXXIV3"><sup>3</sup></a> She never saw him again, +but she always says he interested her more than almost any of the +many distinguished men she has since met.</p> +<p> +From Allahabad the Viceroy again visited Lucknow, this time with +the object of urging upon the Talukdars the suppression of the horrible +custom of female infanticide, which had its origin in the combined +pride and poverty of the Rajputs. In various parts of India attempts +had been made, with more or less success, to put a stop to this inhuman +practice. But not much impression had been made in Oudh, in +consequence of the inordinately large dowries demanded from the +Rajput fathers of marriageable daughters. Two hundred Talukdars +attended Lord Canning's last durbar, and, in reply to his feeling and +telling speech, declared their firm determination to do their best to +discourage the evil.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lady Canning's Death</span> +The Commander-in-Chief had decided to pass the winter in marching +through the Punjab, and inspecting the different stations for troops in +the north of India. The Head-Quarters camp had, therefore, been +formed at Jullundur, and thither we proceeded when the gathering at +Allahabad had dispersed. We had but just arrived, when we were +shocked and grieved beyond measure to hear of Lady Canning's death. +Instead of accompanying the Viceroy to Allahabad she had gone to +Darjeeling, and on her return, anxious to make sketches of the beautiful +jungle scenery, she arranged, alas! contrary to the advice of those with<span class="page"><a name="275">[Page 275]</a></span> +her, to spend one night in the <i><a name="XXXIV4r">terai</a></i>,<a href="#XXXIV4"><sup>4</sup></a> where she contracted jungle-fever, +to which she succumbed ten days after her return to Calcutta. +Her death was a real personal sorrow to all who had the privilege of +knowing her; what must it have been to her husband, returning to +England without the helpmate who had shared and lightened the +burden of his anxieties, and gloried in the success which crowned his +eventful career in India.</p> +<p> +The Commander-in-Chief arrived in the middle of November, and +all the officers of the Head-Quarters camp went out to meet him. I +was mounted on a spirited nutmeg-gray Arab, a present from Allgood. +Sir Hugh greatly fancied Arabian horses, and immediately noticed +mine. He called me up to him, and asked me where I got him, and +of what caste he was. From that moment he never varied in the +kindness and consideration with which he treated me, and I always +fancied I owed his being well disposed towards me from the very first +to the fact that I was riding my handsome little Arab that day; he +loved a good horse, and liked his staff to be well mounted. A few days +afterwards he told me he wished me to accompany him on the flying +tours he proposed to make from time to time, in order to see more of +the country and troops than would be possible if he marched altogether +with the big camp.</p> +<p> +We went to Umritsar, Mian Mir, and Sialkot; at each place there +were the usual inspections, mess dinners, and entertainments. The +Chief's visit made a break in the ordinary life of a cantonment, and +the residents were glad to take advantage of it to get up various +festivities; Sir Hugh, too, was most hospitably inclined, so that there +was always a great deal to do besides actual duty when we arrived at +a station.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Pig-sticking at Jamu</span> +Jamu, where the Ruler of Kashmir resides during the winter, is not +far from Sialkot, so Sir Hugh was tempted to accept an invitation from +the Maharaja to pay him a visit and enjoy some good pig-sticking, to +my mind the finest sport in the world. His Highness entertained us +right royally, and gave us excellent sport, but our pleasure was marred +by the Chief having a bad fall: he had got the first spear off a fine +boar, who, feeling himself wounded, turned and charged, knocking +over Sir Hugh's horse. All three lay in a heap together; the pig was +dead, the horse was badly ripped up, and the Chief showed no signs of +life. We carried him back to Jamu on a <i><a name="XXXIV5r">charpoy</a></i><a href="#XXXIV5"><sup>5</sup></a> and when he +regained consciousness we found that no great harm was done beyond +a severely bruised face and a badly sprained leg, which, though still +very painful two or three days later, did not prevent the plucky old +fellow from riding over the battle-field of Chilianwalla.</p> +<p> +Very soon after this Norman, who was then Adjutant-General of the<span class="page"><a name="276">[Page 276]</a></span> +Army, left Head-Quarters to take up the appointment of Secretary to +the Government of India in the Military Department. Before we +parted he expressed a hope that I would soon follow him, as a vacancy +in the Department was about to take place, which he said he was sure +Lord Canning would allow him to offer to me. Norman was succeeded +as Adjutant-General of the Indian Army by Edwin Johnson, the last +officer who filled that post, as it was done away with when the amalgamation +of the services was carried into effect.</p> +<p> +Two marches from Jhelum my wife was suddenly taken alarmingly +ill, and had to remain behind when the camp moved on. Sir Hugh +Rose most kindly insisted on leaving his doctor (Longhurst) in charge +of her, and told me I must stay with her as long as was necessary. +For three whole weeks we remained on the encamping ground of +Sahawar; at the end of that time, thanks (humanly speaking) to the +skill and care of our Doctor, she was sufficiently recovered to be put +into a doolie and carried to Lahore, I riding a camel by her side, for +my horses had gone on with the camp.</p> +<p> +While at Lahore I received a most kind letter from Norman, offering +me the post in the Secretariat which he had already told me was about +to become vacant. After some hesitation—for the Secretariat had its +attractions, particularly as regarded pay—I decided to decline the +proffered appointment, as my acceptance of it would have taken me +away from purely military work and the chance of service in the field. +I left my wife on the high-road to recovery, and hurried after the camp, +overtaking it at Peshawar just in time to accompany the Commander-in-Chief +on his ride along the Derajat frontier, a trip I should have +been very sorry to have missed. We visited every station from Kohat +to Rajanpur, a ride of about 440 miles. Brigadier-General Neville +Chamberlain, who was still commanding the Punjab Frontier Force, +met us at Kohat, and remained with us to the end. We did from +twenty-five to forty miles a day, and our baggage and servants, carried +on riding-camels, kept up with us.</p> +<p> +This was my first experience of a part of India with which I had +later so much to do, and which always interested me greatly. At the +time of which I am writing it was a wild and lawless tract of country. +As we left Kohat we met the bodies of four murdered men being +carried in, but were told there was nothing unusual in such a sight. +On one occasion General Chamberlain introduced to Sir Hugh Rose +two young Khans, fine, handsome fellows, who were apparently on +excellent terms. A few days later we were told that one of them had +been murdered by his companion, there having been a blood-feud between +their families for generations; although these two had been brought +up together, and liked each other, the one whose clan had last lost a +member by the feud felt himself in honour bound to sacrifice his friend.</p> + <p> +When I rejoined my wife at the end of the tour, I found her a great<span class="page"><a name="277">[Page 277]</a></span> +deal worse than her letters had led me to expect, but she had been much +cheered by the arrival of a sister who had come out to pay us a visit, +and who lived with us until she married an old friend and brother +officer of mine named Sladen. We remained at Umballa till the end +of March; the only noteworthy circumstance that occurred there was +a parade for announcing to the troops that Earl Canning had departed, +and that the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine was now Viceroy of India.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Lord Canning</span> +There are few men whose conduct of affairs has been so severely +criticized as Lord Canning's, but there are still fewer who, as Governors +or Viceroys, have had to deal with such an overwhelming crisis as the +Mutiny. While the want of appreciation Lord Canning at first displayed +of the magnitude of that crisis may, with perfect justice, be +attributed to the fact that most of his advisers had gained their experience +only in Lower Bengal, and had therefore a very imperfect +knowledge of popular feeling throughout India, the very large measure +of success which attended his subsequent action was undoubtedly due +to his own ability and sound judgment.</p> +<p> +That by none of Lord Canning's responsible councillors could the +extent of the Mutiny, or the position in Upper India, have been grasped, +was evident from the <a name="XXXIV6r">telegram</a><a href="#XXXIV6"><sup>6</sup></a> sent from Calcutta to the Commander-in-Chief +on the 31st May, three weeks after the revolt at Meerut had +occurred; but from the time Lord Canning left Calcutta in January, +1858, and had the opportunity of seeing and judging for himself, all that +he did was wise and vigorous.</p> +<p> +Outwardly Lord Canning was cold and reserved, the result, I think, +of extreme sensitiveness; for he was without doubt very warm-hearted, +and was greatly liked and respected by those about him, and there was +universal regret throughout India when, three months after his +departure, the news of his death was received.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Another Cold-Weather March</span> +We returned to Simla early in April. The season passed much as +other seasons had passed, except that there was rather more gaiety. +The new Viceroy remained in Calcutta; but Sir Hugh Rose had had +quite enough of it the year before, so he came up to the Hills, and +established himself at 'Barnes Court.' He was very hospitable, and +having my sister-in-law to chaperon, my wife went out rather more than +she had cared to do in previous years. We spent a good deal of our +time also at Mashobra, a lovely place, in the heart of the Hills, about +six miles from Simla, where the Chief had a house, which he was good +enough to frequently place at our disposal, when not making use of it +himself. It was an agreeable change, and one which we all greatly<span class="page"><a name="278">[Page 278]</a></span> +enjoyed. But at the best one gets very tired of the Hills by the close +of the summer, and I was glad to start off towards the end of October +with my wife and her sister for Agra, where this year the Head-Quarters +camp was to be formed, as the Chief had settled the cold-weather +tour was to begin with a march through Bundelkand and +Central India, the theatre of his successful campaign.</p> +<p> +The second march out we were startled by being told, when we awoke +in the morning, that Colonel Gawler, the Deputy-Adjutant-General of +Queen's troops, had been badly wounded in the night by a thief, who +got into his tent with the object of stealing a large sum of money Gawler +had received from the bank the previous day, and for greater safety had +placed under his pillow when he went to bed. In the middle of the +night his wife awoke him, saying there was someone in the tent, and +by the dim light of a small oil-lamp he could just see a dark figure +creeping along the floor. He sprang out of bed and seized the robber; +but the latter, being perfectly naked and oiled all over, slipped through +his hands and wriggled under the wall of the tent. Gawler caught him +by the leg just as he was disappearing, and they struggled outside together. +When despairing of being able to make his escape, the thief +stabbed Gawler several times with a knife, which was tied by a string +to his wrist. By this time Mrs. Gawler had been able to arouse two +Kaffir servants, one of whom tried to seize the miscreant, but in his turn +was stabbed. The second servant, however, was more wary, and succeeded +in capturing the thief; Kaffir fashion, he knocked all the breath +out of his body by running at him head down and butting him in the +stomach, when it became easy to bind the miscreant hand and foot. It +was a bad part of the country for thieves; and when some four weeks +later I went off on a flying tour with the Commander-in-Chief, I did +not leave my wife quite as happily as usual. But neither she nor her +sister was afraid. Each night they sent everything at all valuable to be +placed under the care of the guard, and having taken this precaution, +were quite easy in their minds.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate15">[plate 15]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/15-earlcanningviceroy.jpg" width="350" height="459" alt="THE EARL CANNING, K.G., G.C.B., G.M.S.I.,VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA" border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>THE EARL CANNING, K.G., G.C.B., G.M.S.I.,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 0.8em">VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA</span></b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a photograph by Messrs. Mayall.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +When the camp reached Gwalior, the Maharaja Sindhia seemed to +think he could not do enough to show his gratitude to Sir Hugh Rose +for his opportune help in June, <a name="XXXIV7r">1858</a>,<a href="#XXXIV7"><sup>7</sup></a> when the Gwalior troops +mutinied, and joined the rebel army under the Rani of Jhansi and +Tantia Topi. The day after our arrival Sindhia held a grand review of<span class="page"><a name="279">[Page 279]</a></span> +his new army in honour of our Chief. The next day there was an open-air +entertainment in the Phulbagh (garden of flowers); the third a +picnic and elephant fight, which, by the way, was a very tame affair. +We had nerved ourselves to see something rather terrific, instead of +which the great creatures twisted their trunks about each other in quite +a playful manner, and directly the play seemed to be turning into +earnest they were separated by their <i>mahouts</i>, being much too valuable +to be allowed to injure themselves. Each day there was some kind of +entertainment: pig-sticking or shooting expeditions in the morning, and +banquets, fireworks, and illuminations in the evening.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Gwalior and Jhansi</span> +Gwalior is an interesting place. The fort is picturesquely situated +above a perpendicular cliff; the road up to it is very steep, and it must +have been almost impregnable in former days. It was made doubly +interesting to us by Sir Hugh Rose explaining how he attacked it, and +pointing out the spot where the Rani of Jhansi was killed in a charge +of the 8th Hussars.</p> +<p> +Our next halt was Jhansi. Here also Sir Hugh had a thrilling tale +to tell of its capture, and of his having to fight the battle of the Betwa +against a large force brought to the assistance of the rebels by Tantia +Topi, while the siege was actually being carried on.</p> +<p> +From Jhansi the big camp marched to Lucknow, <i>viâ</i> Cawnpore; +while the Chief with a small staff (of which I was one) and light tents, +made a detour by Saugor, Jubbulpur, and Allahabad. We travelled +through pretty jungle for the most part, interspersed with low hills, and +we had altogether a very enjoyable trip. Sir Hugh was justly proud of +the splendid service the Central India Field Force had performed under +his command; and, as we rode along, it delighted him to point out the +various places where he had come in contact with the rebels.</p> +<p> +While at Allahabad, on the 13th January—quite the coolest time of +the year—I had a slight sunstroke, which it took me a very long time +to get over completely. The sensible custom introduced by Lord Clyde, +of wearing helmets, was not always adhered to, and Sir Hugh Rose was +rather fond of cocked hats. On this occasion I was wearing this—for +India—most unsuitable head-dress, and, as ill-luck would have it, the +Chief kept me out rather late, going over the ground where the present +cantonment stands. I did not feel anything at the time, but an hour +later I was suddenly seized with giddiness and sickness, and for a short +time I could neither see nor hear. Plentiful douches of cold water +brought me round, and I was well enough in the afternoon to go with +the Chief to inspect the fort; but for months afterwards I never lost +the pain in my head, and for many years I was very susceptible to the +evil influence of the sun's rays.</p> +<p> +We reached Lucknow towards the middle of January. Here, as +elsewhere, we had constant parades and inspections, for Sir Hugh +carried out his duties in the most thorough manner, and spared himself<span class="page"><a name="280">[Page 280]</a></span> +no trouble to secure the efficiency and the well-being of the soldier. At +the same time, he was careful not to neglect his social duties; he took +a prominent part in all amusements, and it was mainly due to his liberal +support that we were able to keep up a small pack of hounds with +Head-Quarters, which afforded us much enjoyment during the winter +months.</p> +<p> +From Lucknow we marched through Bareilly, Meerut, and Umballa, +and the 30th March saw us all settled at Simla for the season.</p> +<p> +Early in April Lord Elgin arrived in Simla for the hot weather, and +from that time to the present, Simla has continued to be the Head-Quarters +of the Government during the summer months.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Departmental Promotion</span> +About this time the changes necessitated by the amalgamation of the +services took place in the army staff. Edwin Johnson lost his appointment +in consequence, and Colonel <a name="XXXIV8r">Haythorne</a>,<a href="#XXXIV8"><sup>8</sup></a> Adjutant-General of +Queen's troops, became Adjutant-General of the Army in India, with +Donald Stewart as his deputy. The order limiting the tenure of +employment on the staff in the same grade to five years was also now +introduced, which entailed my good friend Arthur Becher vacating the +Quartermaster-Generalship, after having held it for eleven years. He +was succeeded by Colonel Paton, with Lumsden as his deputy, and +Charles Johnson (brother of Edwin Johnson) and myself as assistants +in the Department.</p> + + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXV">XXXV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1863</span> + +<p> +In the autumn of 1863, while we were preparing for the usual winter +tour, Sir Hugh Rose, who had accompanied Lord Elgin on a trip +through the hills, telegraphed to the Head-Quarters staff to join him +at Mian Mir without delay.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">The Umbeyla Expedition</span> +The news which greeted us on our arrival was indeed disturbing. +Lord Elgin was at Dharmsala in a dying condition, and the Chief had +been obliged to leave him and push on to Lahore, in consequence of +unsatisfactory reports from Brigadier-General Chamberlain, who was +just then commanding an expedition which had been sent into the +mountains near Peshawar, and had met with unexpected opposition. +The civil authorities on the spot reported that there existed a great +deal of excitement all along the border, that the tribes were collecting +in large numbers, that emissaries from Kabul had appeared amongst +them, and that, unless reinforcements could be sent up at once, the +Government would be involved in a war which must inevitably lead to +the most serious complications, not only on the frontier, but with +Afghanistan. In so grave a light did the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir<span class="page"><a name="281">[Page 281]</a></span> +Robert Montgomery, view the position, that he contemplated the force +being withdrawn and the undertaking abandoned.</p> +<p> +Sir Hugh had had nothing to do with the despatch of this expedition; +it had been decided on by the Government of India in consultation +with the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab. When the Commander-in-Chief +was communicated with, he expressed himself adverse to the +proposal, and placed his views at length before the Government, +pointing out the inexpediency of entering a difficult and unknown +country, unless the troops were properly equipped with transport, +supplies, and reserve ammunition; that time did not permit of their +being so equipped before the winter set in; and that, to provide a force +of 5,000 men (the strength considered necessary by the Government), +the frontier would have to be dangerously weakened. Moreover, he +gave it as his opinion that it would be better to postpone operations +until the spring, when everything could be perfectly arranged. Subsequent +events proved how sound was this advice. But before proceeding +with my narrative it will be as well to explain the circumstances +with led the authorities to undertake this expedition.</p> +<p> +In 1857, when all our resources were required to quell internal +tumult, the Hindustani <a name="XXXV1r">fanatics</a><a href="#XXXV1"><sup>1</sup></a> took the opportunity to stir up disturbances +all along the Yusafzai frontier of the Peshawar district, and, +aided by the rebel sepoys who had fled to them for protection, they +made raids upon our border, and committed all kinds of atrocities. +We were obliged, therefore, to send an expedition against them in 1858, +which resulted in their being driven from their stronghold, Sitana, +and in the neighbouring tribes being bound down to prevent them reoccupying +that place. Three years later the fanatics returned to their +former haunts and built up a new settlement at Malka; the old +troubles recommenced, and for two years they had been allowed to go +on raiding, murdering, and attacking our outposts with impunity. It +was, therefore, quite time that measures should be taken to effectually +rid the frontier of these disturbers of the peace, provided such measures +could have been decided upon early enough in the year to ensure success.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">The Akhund of Swat</span> +The Punjab Government advocated the despatch of a very strong<span class="page"><a name="282">[Page 282]</a></span> +force. Accordingly, two columns were employed, the base of one +being in the Peshawar valley, and that of the other in Hazara. The +Peshawar column was to move by the Umbeyla Pass, the Buner +frontier, and the Chamla valley, thus operating on the enemy's line of +retreat. This route would not have been chosen, had not Chamberlain +been assured by the civil authorities that no hostility need be feared +from the Bunerwals, even if their country had to be entered, as they +had given no trouble for fifteen years, and their spiritual head, the +Akhund of <a name="XXXV2r">Swat</a>,<a href="#XXXV2"><sup>2</sup></a> had no sympathy with the fanatics. It was not, +therefore, considered necessary to warn the Buner people of our +approach until preparations were completed; indeed, it was thought +unadvisable to do so, as it was important to keep the proposed line of +advance secret. The strength of the force was 6,000 men, with 19 guns, +but to make up these numbers the stations in Upper India had to be +considerably weakened, and there was no reserve nearer than Lahore.</p> +<p> +The Peshawar <a name="XXXV3r">column</a><a href="#XXXV3"><sup>3</sup></a> being all ready for a start, a Proclamation +was forwarded to the Buner and other neighbouring tribes, informing +them of the object of the expedition, and stating that there was no +intention of interfering with them or their possessions.</p> +<p> +On the following morning, the 20th October, the Umbeyla Pass was +entered, and by noon the <a name="XXXV4r">kotal</a><a href="#XXXV4"><sup>4</sup></a> was reached without any resistance to +speak of; but, from information brought in, it was evident that any +further advance would be stoutly opposed. The road turned out to be +much more difficult than had been anticipated, and the hurriedly +collected transport proved unequal to the strain. Not a single baggage +animal, except the ammunition mules, got up that night; indeed, it +was not until the morning of the 22nd—more than forty-eight hours +after they started—that the rear guard reached the kotal, a distance of +only six miles. As soon as it arrived Colonel Alex. Taylor, R.E., was +sent off with a body of Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Probyn, to +reconnoitre the road in front. The delay in reaching the top of the +pass had given the tribes time to collect, and when the reconnoitring<span class="page"><a name="283">[Page 283]</a></span> +party entered the Chamla valley the Bunerwals could be seen about +two miles and a half off, occupying in force the range which separates +Buner and Chamla. Whatever may have been their first intention, +they apparently could not resist the temptation to try and cut off this +small body of Cavalry, for our horsemen on their return journey found +a large number of the trusted Buner tribe attempting to block the +mouth of the pass. A charge was made, but mounted men could not +do much in such a hilly country; the proceedings of the Bunerwals, +however, had been observed from the kotal, and Major <a name="XXXV5r">Brownlow</a>,<a href="#XXXV5"><sup>5</sup></a> +with some of his own regiment (the 20th Punjab Infantry), was sent +to the assistance of the party. A hand-to-hand fight ensued, and the +enemy pressed our troops closely on their way back, coming right in +amongst them with the utmost daring.</p> +<p> +There was now brought in to the Commissioner by a spy the copy of +a letter from the Hindustani fanatics, addressed to the Bunerwals, +telling them not to be taken in by our assurances that our only object +was to punish the fanatics, for our real intentions were to annex Chamla, +Buner, and Swat. This letter no doubt aroused the suspicions of the +tribes, and, encouraged by the slowness of our movements, they all +joined against us from Buner, Mahaban, and the Black Mountain.</p> +<p> +On the 23rd large bodies of men with numerous standards were to +be seen approaching the mouth of the pass, and a day or two later a +report was received that our foes were to have the support of the +Akhund of Swat, which meant a most formidable accession of moral +as well as material strength, and put a stop, for the time being, to any +possibility of a successful advance being made with the force at +Chamberlain's disposal.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">The Eagle's Nest and 'Crag piquet'</span> +The position occupied by our troops was enclosed on the left (west) +by the Guru Mountain, which separates Umbeyla from Buner, and on +the right (east) by a range of hills, not quite so high. The main +piquet on the Guru occupied a position upon some precipitous cliffs +known as the Eagle's Nest, while that on the right was designated the +'Crag piquet.' The Eagle's Nest was only large enough to accommodate +110 men, so 120 more were placed under the shelter of some +rocks at its base, and the remainder of the troops told off for the +defence of the left piquet were drawn up on and about a rocky knoll, +400 feet west of the Eagle's Nest.</p> +<p> +Some 2,000 of the enemy occupied a breastwork on the crest of a +spur of the Guru Mountain; and about noon on the 26th they moved +down, and with loud shouts attacked the Eagle's Nest. Their matchlock +men posted themselves to the greatest advantage in a wood, and +opened a galling fire upon our defences, while their swordsmen made +a determined advance. The nature of the ground prevented our guns<span class="page"><a name="284">[Page 284]</a></span> +from being brought to bear upon the assailants, and they were thus +able to get across the open space in front of the piquet, and plant their +standards close under its parapet. For some considerable time they +remained in this position, all our efforts to dislodge them proving of no +avail. Eventually, however, they were forced to give way, and were +driven up the hill, leaving the ground covered with their dead, and a +great many wounded, who were taken into our hospitals and carefully +treated, while a still greater number were carried off by their friends. +Our losses were, 2 British officers, 1 Native officer, and 26 men killed; +and 2 British officers, 7 Native officers, and 86 men wounded.</p> +<p> +The day following the fight the Bunerwals were told they might +carry away their dead, and we took advantage of their acceptance of +this permission to reason with them as to the uselessness of an unnecessary +sacrifice of their tribesmen, which would be the certain result of +further opposition to us. Their demeanour was courteous, and they +conversed freely with General Chamberlain and Colonel Reynell +Taylor, the Commissioner, but they made it evident that they were +determined not to give in.</p> +<p> +Our position had now become rather awkward; there was a combination +against us of all the tribes between the Indus and the Kabul rivers, +and their numbers could not be less than 15,000 armed men. Mutual +animosities were for the time allowed to remain in abeyance, and the +tribes all flocked to fight under the Akhund's standard in the interests +of their common faith. Moreover, there was trouble in the rear from +the people along the Yusafzai border, who assisted the enemy by +worrying our lines of communication. Under these changed conditions, +and with such an inadequate force, Chamberlain came to the +conclusion that, for the moment, he could only remain on the defensive, +and trust to time, to the discouragement which repeated unsuccessful +attacks were sure to produce on the enemy, and to the gradual decrease +of their numbers, to break up the combination against us; for, as these +tribesmen only bring with them the quantity of food they are able to +carry, as soon as it is finished they are bound to suspend operations +till more can be procured.</p> +<p> +For three weeks almost daily attacks were made on our position; the +enemy fought magnificently, some of them being killed inside our +batteries, and twice they gained possession of the 'Crag piquet,' the +key of the position, which it was essential should be retaken at all +hazards. On the second occasion General Chamberlain himself led the +attacking party, and was so severely wounded that he was obliged to +relinquish the command of the force.</p> +<p> +The Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, being convinced that reinforcements +were necessary, in consultation with Colonels <a name="XXXV6r">Durand</a><a href="#XXXV6"><sup>6</sup></a> and +Norman (the Foreign and Military Secretaries, who had come to<span class="page"><a name="285">[Page 285]</a></span> +Lahore to meet the Viceroy), and without waiting for the sanction of +the Commander-in-Chief, ordered to the frontier the three regiments +which had been detailed for the Viceroy's <a name="XXXV7r">camp</a>,<a href="#XXXV7"><sup>7</sup></a> as well as the 93rd +Highlanders, then at Sialkot; and when Sir Hugh Rose on his arrival +at Lahore heard of the heavy losses the expeditionary force had sustained, +and of General Chamberlain being <i>hors de combat</i> from his +wound, further reinforcements from every direction were hurried to the +front. Subsequently, however, it became a question whether the troops +should not be withdrawn altogether, and the punishment of the fanatics +given up, the Government of India and the Punjab Government being +completely in accord in favouring this view, while the Commissioner of +Peshawar, Major James (who had succeeded Reynell <a name="XXXV8r">Taylor</a>),<a href="#XXXV8"><sup>8</sup></a> and +Sir Hugh Rose were as strongly opposed to a retrograde movement. +The Commander-in-Chief pointed out to the Government that the loss +of prestige and power we must sustain by retiring from the Umbeyla +Pass would be more disastrous, both from a military and political point +of view, than anything that could happen save the destruction of the +force itself, and that General Chamberlain, on whose sound judgment +he could rely, was quite sure that a retirement was unnecessary.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">The death of Lord Elgin</span> +Unfortunately at this time the Viceroy died at Dharmsala, and the +question remained in abeyance pending the arrival of Sir William +Denison, Governor of Madras, who was coming round to take over the +reins of Government until a successor to Lord Elgin should be sent +from England.</p> +<p> +In the meantime Sir Hugh Rose was most anxious to obtain exact +information respecting our position at Umbeyla, the means of operating +from it, the nature of the ground—in fact, all details which could only +be satisfactorily obtained by sending someone to report on the situation, +with whom he had had personal communication regarding the points +about which he required to be enlightened. He therefore determined +to despatch two officers on special service, whose duty it would be to +put the Commander-in-Chief in possession of all the facts of the case; +accordingly, Colonel <a name="XXXV9r">Adye</a><a href="#XXXV9"><sup>9</sup></a> (Deputy-Adjutant-General of Royal +Artillery) and I were ordered to proceed to Umbeyla without delay.</p> +<p> +Adye proved a most charming travelling companion, clever and +entertaining, and I think we both enjoyed our journey. We reached +the pass on the 25th November.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Loyalty of our Pathan soldiers</span> +There had been no fighting for some days, and most of the wounded +had been removed. Sir Neville Chamberlain was still in camp, and I +was sorry to find him suffering greatly from his wound. We were +much interested in going over the piquets and listening to the story of <span class="page"><a name="286">[Page 286]</a></span> +the different attacks made upon them, which had evidently been conducted +by the enemy with as much skill as <a name="XXXV10r">courage</a>.<a href="#XXXV10"><sup>10</sup></a> The loyalty of +our Native soldiers struck me as having been most remarkable. Not +a single desertion had occurred, although all the Native regiments +engaged, with the exception of the Gurkhas and Punjab Pioneers, had +amongst them members of the several tribes we were fighting, and +many of our soldiers were even closely related to some of the hostile +tribesmen; on one occasion a young Buner sepoy actually recognized +his own father amongst the enemy's dead when the fight was <a name="XXXV11r">over</a>.<a href="#XXXV11"><sup>11</sup></a></p> +<p> +We listened to many tales of the gallantry of the British officers. +The names of Brownlow, <a name="XXXV12r">Keyes</a>,<a href="#XXXV12"><sup>12</sup></a> and <a name="XXXV13r">Hughes</a><a href="#XXXV13"><sup>13</sup></a> were on everyone's +lips, and Brownlow's defence of the Eagle's Nest on the 26th October, +and of the 'Crag piquet' on the 12th November, spoke volumes for his +coolness and pluck, and for the implicit faith reposed in him by the +men of the 20th Punjab Infantry, the regiment he had raised in 1857 +when but a subaltern. In his official report the General remarked +that 'to Major Brownlow's determination and personal example he +attributed the preservation of the "Crag piquet."' And Keyes's +recapture of the same piquet was described by Sir Neville as 'a most +brilliant exploit, stamping Major Keyes as an officer possessing some +of the highest military qualifications.' Brownlow and Keyes were both +recommended for the Victoria Cross.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">The Enemy Disheartened</span> +We (Adye and I) had no difficulty in making up our minds as to<span class="page"><a name="287">[Page 287]</a></span> +the course which ought to be taken. The column was daily being +strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements, and although the +combination of the tribesmen was still formidable, the enemy were +showing signs of being disheartened by their many losses, and of a +wish to come to terms.</p> +<p> +Having consulted the civil and military authorities on the spot, we +informed the Commander-in-Chief that they were of opinion a withdrawal +would be most unwise, and that it was hoped that on the +arrival of General <a name="XXXV14r">Garvock</a><a href="#XXXV14"><sup>14</sup></a> (Chamberlain's successor) an advance +would be made into the Chamla valley, for there would then be a +sufficient number of troops to undertake an onward move, as well as +to hold the present position, which, as we told the Chief, was one of +the strongest we had ever seen.</p> +<p> +Sir William Denison reached Calcutta on the 2nd December. A +careful study of the correspondence in connexion with the Umbeyla +expedition satisfied him that the Commander-in-Chief's views were +correct, and that a retirement would be unwise.</p> +<p> +Sir Hugh Rose had previously requested to be allowed to personally +conduct the operations, and in anticipation of the Government acceding +to his request, he had sent a light camp to Hasan Abdal, from which +place he intended to push on to Umbeyla; and with the object of +collecting troops near the frontier, where they would be available as +a reserve should the expedition not be soon and satisfactorily settled, +he desired me to select an encamping-ground between Rawal Pindi and +Attock suitable for 10,000 men.</p> +<p> +Leaving Adye in the pass, I started for Attock, where I spent three +days riding about in search of a promising site for the camp. I +settled upon a place near Hasan Abdal, which, however, was not in the +end made use of. The people of the country were very helpful to me; +indeed, when they heard I had been a friend of John Nicholson, they +seemed to think they could not do enough for me, and delighted in +talking of their old leader, whom they declared to be the greatest man +they had ever known.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Bunerwals show signs of submission</span> +On my return I marched up the pass with the Rev. W. G. <a name="XXXV15r">Cowie</a><a href="#XXXV15"><sup>15</sup></a> +and Probyn, who, with 400 Cavalry, had been ordered to the front to +be in readiness for a move into the Chamla valley. James, the Commissioner, +had been working to detach the Bunerwals from the combination +against us, and on the afternoon of our arrival a deputation +of their headmen arrived in camp, and before their departure the next +morning they promised to accompany a force proceeding to destroy +Malka, and to expel the Hindustani fanatics from the Buner country.</p> +<p> +Later, however, a messenger came in to say they could not fulfil their<span class="page"><a name="288">[Page 288]</a></span> +promise, being unable to resist the pressure brought to bear upon them +by their co-religionists. The man further reported that large numbers +of fresh tribesmen had appeared on the scene, and that it was intended +to attack us on the 16th. He advised the Commissioner to take the +initiative, and gave him to understand that if we advanced the Bunerwals +would stand aloof.</p> +<p> +Sir Hugh Rose had been accorded permission to take command of +the troops in the field, and had sent word to General Garvock not 'to +attempt any operations until further orders.' James, however, thinking +that the situation demanded immediate action, as disturbances had +broken out in other parts of the Peshawar valley, deprecated delay, +and pressed Garvock to advance, telling him that a successful fight +would put matters straight. Garvock consented to follow the Commissioner's +advice, and arranged to move on the following day.</p> +<p> +The force was divided into three columns. The first and second—consisting +of about 4,800 men, and commanded respectively by Colonel +W. <a name="XXXV16r">Turner</a>, C.B.,<a href="#XXXV16"><sup>16</sup></a> and Lieutenant-Colonel Wilde, C.B.—were to form +the attacking party, while the third, about 3,000 strong, under the +command of Lieutenant-Colonel <a name="XXXV17r">Vaughan</a>,<a href="#XXXV17"><sup>17</sup></a> was to be left for the +protection of the camp.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate16">[plate 16]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/16-umbeyla.jpg" width="600" height="380" alt="THE STORMING OF THE CONICAL HILL AT UMBEYLA BY THE 101ST FOOT (BENGAL FUSILIERS)" border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>THE STORMING OF THE CONICAL HILL AT UMBEYLA BY THE 101ST FOOT (BENGAL FUSILIERS)</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From a sketch by General Sir John Adye, G.C.B., R.A.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + + <p><span class="rightnote">The Conical Hill</span> +At daybreak, on the 15th, the troops for the advance, unencumbered +by tents or baggage, and each man carrying two days' rations, +assembled at the base of the 'Crag piquet.' Turner, an excellent +officer, who during the short time he had been at Umbeyla had +inspired great confidence by his soldierly qualities, had on the previous +afternoon reconnoitred to the right of the camp, and had discovered +that about 4,000 men were holding the village of Lalu, from which it +was necessary to dislodge them before Umbeyla could be attacked. +On being told to advance, therefore, Turner moved off in the direction +of Lalu, and, driving the enemy's piquets before him, occupied the +heights overlooking the valley, out of which rose, immediately in front +about 200 yards off, a conical hill which hid Lalu from view. This +hill, which was crowded with Hindustani fanatics and their Pathan +allies, was a most formidable position; the sides were precipitous, and +the summit was strengthened by <i><a name="XXXV18r">sangars</a></i>.<a href="#XXXV18"><sup>18</sup></a> No further move could +be made until the enemy were dislodged, so Turner lined the heights +all round with his Infantry, and opened fire with his Mountain guns. +Meanwhile, Wilde's column had cleared off the enemy from the front +of the camp, and formed up on Turner's left. On the advance being +sounded, Turner's Infantry rushed down the slopes, and in ten minutes +could be seen driving the enemy from the heights on his right; at the +same time the 101st Fusiliers, the leading regiment of Wilde's column,<span class="page"><a name="289">[Page 289]</a></span> +made straight for the top of the conical hill, and, under cover of the +fire from the Mountain guns of both columns, and supported by the +Guides, 4th Gurkhas, and 23rd Pioneers, they climbed the almost perpendicular +sides. When near the top a short halt was made to give the men +time to get their breath; the signal being then given, amidst a shower of +bullets and huge stones, the position was stormed, and carried at the +point of the bayonet. It was a grand sight as Adye and I watched it +from Hughes's battery; but we were considerably relieved when we perceived +the enemy flying down the sides of the hill, and heard the cheers +of the gallant Fusiliers as they stood victorious on the highest peak.</p> + +<p> +Now that the enemy were on the run it was the time to press them, +and this Turner did so effectually that the leading men of his column +entered Lalu simultaneously with the last of the fugitives. The +rapidity of this movement was so unexpected that it threw the enemy +inside the walls into confusion; they made no stand, and were soon in +full retreat towards Umbeyla and the passes leading into Buner.</p> +<p> +While affairs were thus prospering on our right, the enemy, +apparently imagining we were too busy to think of our left, came in +large numbers from the village of Umbeyla, threatening the camp and +the communications of the second column. Wilde, however, was prepared +for them, and held his ground until reinforced by Turner, when +he made a forward movement. The Guides, and detachments of the +5th Gurkhas and 3rd Sikhs, charged down one spur, and the 101st +down another; the enemy were driven off with great slaughter, leaving +a standard in the hands of the Gurkhas, and exposing themselves in +their flight to Turner's guns. During the day they returned, and, +gathering on the heights, made several unsuccessful attacks upon our +camp. At last, about 2 p.m., Brownlow, who was in command of the +right defences, assumed the offensive, and, aided by Keyes, moved out +of the breastworks and, by a succession of well-executed charges, completely +cleared the whole front of the position, and drove the tribesmen +with great loss into the plain below.</p> +<p> +All opposition having now ceased, and the foe being in full retreat, +the force bivouacked for the night. We had 16 killed and 67 wounded; +while our opponents admitted to 400 killed and wounded.</p> +<p> +The next morning we were joined by Probyn with 200 sabres of the +11th Bengal Lancers and the same number of the Guides; and after a +hasty breakfast the order was given to march into the Chamla valley. +My duty was to accompany the Mountain batteries and show them the +way. As we debouched into comparatively open country, the enemy +appeared on a ridge which completely covered our approach to Umbeyla, +and we could descry many standards flying on the most prominent +points. The road was so extremely difficult that it was half-past two +o'clock before the whole force was clear of the hills.</p> +<p> +General Garvock, having made a careful reconnaissance of the<span class="page"><a name="290">[Page 290]</a></span> +enemy's position, which was of great strength and peculiarly capable +of defence, had decided to turn their right, a movement which was to +be entrusted to the second column, and I was told to inform Turner +that he must try and cut them off from the Buner Pass as they +retreated. I found Turner close to Umbeyla and delivered my message. +He moved forward at once with the 23rd Pioneers and a wing of the +32nd Pioneers in line, supported by the second wing, having in reserve +a wing of the 7th Royal Fusiliers.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Umbeyla in Flames</span> +When we had passed the village of Umbeyla, which was in flames, +having been set fire to by our Cavalry, the wing of the 32nd was +brought up in prolongation of our line to the right. The advance was +continued to within about 800 yards of the Buner Pass, when Turner, +observing a large body of the enemy threatening his left flank, immediately +sent two companies of the Royal Fusiliers in that direction. +Just at that moment a band of <i>Ghazis</i> furiously attacked the left +flank, which was at a disadvantage, having got into broken ground +covered with low jungle. In a few seconds five of the Pioneer British +officers were on the ground, one killed and four wounded; numbers of +the men were knocked over, and the rest, staggered by the suddenness +of the onslaught, fell back on their reserve, where they found the +needed support, for the Fusiliers stood as firm as a rock. At the +critical moment when the <i>Ghazis</i> made their charge, Wright, the +Assistant-Adjutant-General, and I, being close by, rushed in amongst +the Pioneers and called on them to follow us; as we were personally +known to the men of both regiments, they quickly pulled themselves +together and responded to our efforts to rally them. It was lucky they +did so, for had there been any delay or hesitation, the enemy, who +thronged the slopes above us, would certainly have come down in +great numbers, and we should have had a most difficult task. As it +was, we were entirely successful in repulsing the <i>Ghazis</i>, not a man of +whom escaped. We counted 200 of the enemy killed; our losses were +comparatively slight—8 killed and 80 wounded.</p> +<p> +We bivouacked for the night near the village of Umbeyla, and the +next morning the Bunerwals, who, true to their word, had taken no +part in the fighting on the 15th or 16th, came in and made their submission.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Bunerwals agree to our terms</span> +The question which now had to be decided was, whether a force fully +equipped and strong enough to overcome all opposition should be sent +to destroy the fanatic settlement of Malka, or whether the work of +annihilation should be entrusted to the Bunerwals, witnessed by +British officers. The latter course was eventually adopted, chiefly on +account of the delay which provisioning a brigade would entail—a +delay which the Commissioner was anxious to avoid—for although +for the present the combination had broken up, and most of the +tribesmen were dispersing to their homes, the Akhund of Swat and<span class="page"><a name="291">[Page 291]</a></span> +his followers were still hovering about in the neighbourhood, and +inaction on our part would in all probability have led to a fresh +gathering and renewed hostilities.</p> +<p> +The terms which were drawn up, and to which the Bunerwals +agreed, were:</p> +<p class="quote1"> +The breaking-up of the tribal gathering in the Buner Pass.</p> +<p class="quote1"> +The destruction of Malka; those carrying out the work to be accompanied +by British officers and such escort as might be considered necessary +by us.</p> +<p class="quote1"> +The expulsion of the Hindustanis from the Buner, Chamla, and +Amazai countries.</p> +<p class="quote1"> +And, finally, it was stipulated that the headmen of their tribe should +be left as hostages until such time as the requirements should have +been fulfilled.</p> +<p> +On the afternoon of Saturday, the 19th December, the little party of +British officers who were to witness the destruction of Malka assembled +at Umbeyla. Its members were Reynell Taylor (who was in charge), +Alex. Taylor (Commanding Engineer), two Survey officers, Wright, +Adye, and myself. Twenty-five Cavalry and 4 companies of the Guides +Infantry, under four officers, formed our escort, and it had been +arranged that we were to be accompanied by four leading Buner +Khans, with 2,000 followers, who would be responsible for our safety, +and destroy the fanatics' stronghold in our presence. Rain was falling +heavily, but as all our arrangements had been made, and delay was +considered undesirable, it was settled that we should make a start. It +was rough travelling, and it was almost dark when we reached Kuria, +only eight miles on our way, where we halted for the night, and where +we had to remain the next day, as the Bunerwals declared they could +not continue the journey until they had come to an understanding with +the Amazais, in whose territory Malka was situated.</p> +<p> +We had noticed on leaving Umbeyla that, instead of 2,000 Bunerwals, +there were only about sixty or seventy at the most, and in reply to our +repeated questions as to what had become of the remainder, we were +told they would join us later on. It soon became evident, however, +that no more were coming, and that the Khans thought it wiser to +trust to their own influence with the Amazais rather than to intimidation.</p> +<p> +We made a fresh start on the morning of the 21st. Malka was +only twelve miles off, but the way was so difficult, and our guides +stopped so often to consult with the numerous bands of armed men we +came across, that it was sunset before we arrived at our destination.</p> +<p> +Malka was perched on a spur of the Mahabun mountain, some +distance below its highest peak. It was a strong, well-built place, +with accommodation for about 1,500 people. The Amazais did not +attempt to disguise their disgust at our presence in their country, and <span class="page"><a name="292">[Page 292]</a></span> +they gathered in knots, scowling and pointing at us, evidently discussing +whether we should or should not be allowed to return.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Malka Destroyed</span> +The next morning Malka was set on fire, and the huge column of +smoke which ascended from the burning village, and was visible for +miles round, did not tend to allay the ill-feeling so plainly displayed. +The Native officers of the Guides warned us that delay was dangerous, +as the people were becoming momentarily more excited, and were +vowing we should never return. It was no use, however, to attempt +to make a move without the consent of the tribesmen, for we were a +mere handful compared to the thousands who had assembled around +Malka, and we were separated from our camp by twenty miles of +most difficult country. Our position was no doubt extremely critical, +and it was well for us that we had at our head such a cool, determined +leader as Reynell Taylor. I greatly admired the calm, quiet manner +in which he went up and spoke to the headmen, telling them that, the +object of our visit having been accomplished, we were ready to retrace +our steps. At this the Amazais became still further excited. They +talked in loud tones, and gesticulated in true Pathan fashion, thronging +round Taylor, who stood quite alone and perfectly self-possessed in +the midst of the angry and dangerous-looking multitude. At this +crisis the Bunerwals came to our rescue. The most influential of the +tribe, a grey-bearded warrior, who had lost an eye and an arm in some +tribal contest, forced his way through the rapidly increasing crowd to +Taylor's side, and, raising his one arm to enjoin silence, delivered +himself as follows: 'You are hesitating whether you will allow these +English to return unmolested. You can, of course, murder them and +their escort; but if you do, you must kill us Bunerwals first, for we +have sworn to protect them, and we will do so with our lives.' This +plucky speech produced a quieting effect, and taking advantage of the +lull in the storm, we set out on our return journey; but evidently the +tribesmen did not consider the question finally or satisfactorily settled, +for they followed us the whole way to Kuria. The slopes of the hills +on both sides were covered with men. Several times we were stopped +while stormy discussions took place, and once, as we were passing +through a narrow defile, an armed Amazai, waving a standard above +his head, rushed down towards us. Fortunately for us, he was stopped +by some of those less inimically disposed; for if he had succeeded in +inciting anyone to fire a single shot, the desire for blood would quickly +have spread, and in all probability not one of our party would have +escaped.</p> +<p> +On the 23rd December we reached our camp in the Umbeyla Pass, +when the force, which had only been kept there till our return, retired +to the plains and was broken up.</p> +<p> +During my absence at Umbeyla my wife remained with friends at +Mian Mir for some time, and then made her way to Peshawar, where <span class="page"><a name="293">[Page 293]</a></span> +I joined her on Christmas Day. She spent one night <i>en route</i> in Sir +Hugh Rose's camp at Hasan Abdal, and found the Chief in great +excitement and very angry at such a small party having been sent to +Malka, and placed at the mercy of the tribes. He did not know that +my wife had arrived, and in passing her tent she heard him say: 'It +was madness, and not one of them will ever come back alive.' She +was of course dreadfully frightened. As soon as Sir Hugh heard she +was in camp, he went to see her, and tried to soften down what he +knew she must have heard; but he could not conceal his apprehension; +and my poor wife's anxiety was terrible, for she did not hear another +word till the morning of the day I returned to her.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXVI">XXXVI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1864</span> + +<p> +Early in the New Year (1864) Sir Hugh Rose, with the Head-Quarters +camp, marched into Peshawar, where we remained until the middle of +February. The time was chiefly spent in inspections, parades, and +field-days, varied by an occasional run with the hounds. The hunting +about Peshawar was very fair, and we all, the Chief included, got a +great deal of fun out of our small pack.</p> +<p> +On the 25th January a full-dress parade was held to announce to +the garrison that Sir John Lawrence had been appointed Viceroy of +India, and soon afterwards we left Peshawar and began our return +march to Simla.</p> +<p> +We changed our house this year and took one close to the Stewarts, +an arrangement for which I was very thankful later, when my wife +had a great sorrow in the death of her sister, Mrs. Sladen, at Peshawar. +It was everything for her at such a time to have a kind and sympathizing +friend close at hand, when I was engaged with my work and +could be very little with her during the day. At this time, as at all +others, Sir Hugh Rose was a most considerate friend to us; he placed +his house at Mashobra at my wife's disposal, thus providing her with a +quiet resort which she frequently made use of and which she learned +to love so much that, when I returned to Simla as Commander-in-Chief, +her first thought was to secure this lovely 'Retreat' as a refuge +from the (sometimes) slightly trying gaiety of Simla.</p> +<p> +The Commander-in-Chief was good enough to send in my name for +a brevet for the Umbeyla expedition, but the Viceroy refused to forward +the recommendation, for the reason that I was 'too junior to be made +a Lieutenant-Colonel.' I was then thirty-two!</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Voyage Round the Cape</span> +Throughout the whole of 1864 I was more or less ill; the office +work (which never suited me quite as well as more active employment)<span class="page"><a name="294">[Page 294]</a></span> +was excessive, for, in addition to the ordinary routine, I had +undertaken to revise the 'Bengal Route-Book,' which had become +quite obsolete, having been compiled in 1837, when Kurnal was our +frontier station. A voyage round the Cape was still considered the +panacea for all Indian ailments, and the doctors strongly advised my +taking leave to England, and travelling by that route.</p> +<p> +We left Simla towards the end of October, and, after spending the +next three months in Calcutta, where I was chiefly employed in taking +up transports and superintending the embarkation of troops returning +to England, I was given the command of a batch of 300 time-expired +men on board the <i>Renown</i>, one of Green's frigate-built ships which +was chartered for their conveyance. Two hundred of the men +belonged to the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, the +remainder to the Artillery and various other corps; they had all been +twelve years in the army, and most of them were decorated for service +in the Crimea and Indian Mutiny.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1865</span> +At the inspection parade before we embarked, a certain number of +men were brought up for punishment for various offences committed +on the way down country; none of the misdemeanours appeared to me +very serious, so I determined to let the culprits off. I told the men +that we had now met for the first time and I was unwilling to +commence our acquaintance by awarding punishments; we had to +spend three or four months together, and I hoped they would show, +by their good behaviour while under my command, that I had not +made a mistake in condoning their transgressions. The officers seemed +somewhat surprised at my action in this matter, but I think it was +proved by the men's subsequent conduct that I had not judged them +incorrectly, for they all behaved in quite an exemplary manner +throughout the voyage.</p> +<p> +We had been on board more than six weeks, when one of the crew +was attacked by small pox—an untoward circumstance in a crowded +ship. The sailor was placed in a boat which was hung over the ship's +side, and a cabin-boy, the marks on whose face plainly showed that he +had already suffered badly from the disease, was told off to look after +him. The man recovered, and there was no other case. Shortly +before we reached St. Helena, scurvy appeared amongst the troops, +necessitating lime-juice being given in larger quantities, but what +proved a more effectual remedy was water-cress, many sacks of which +were laid in before we left the island.</p> +<p> +On the 29th May, 1865, we sighted the 'Lizard,' and took a pilot on +board, who brought with him a few newspapers, which confirmed the +tidings signalled to us by an American ship that the war between the +Federals and Confederates was at an end. How eagerly we scanned +the journals, after having heard nothing from home for four months, +but the only piece of news we found of personal interest to ourselves<span class="page"><a name="295">[Page 295]</a></span> +was that my father had been made a K.C.B.</p> +<p> +On the 30th May we reached Portsmouth, and landed between two +showers of snow! I had a final parade of the men before leaving the +ship, and I was quite sorry to say good-bye to them; some of the poor +fellows were already beginning to be anxious about their future, and to +regret that their time with the colours was over.</p> +<p> +My father, mother, and sister came up to London to meet us, very +little changed since I had left them six years before. I remained in +England till March, 1866, when I returned to India, leaving my wife<span class="rightnote">1866</span> +behind to follow in the autumn.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Cholera Camps</span> +While I was at home, Sir Hugh Rose's term of the chief command +in India came to an end, and his place had been taken by Sir William +Mansfield. On my arrival in Calcutta, I received orders to join the +Allahabad division, and thither I proceeded. In October I went to +Calcutta to meet my wife and take her to Allahabad, where we +remained for nearly a year, her first experience of a hot season in +the plains, and a very bad one it was. Cholera was rife; the troops +had to be sent away into camps, more or less distant from the station, +all of which had to be visited once, if not twice, daily; this kept me +pretty well on the move from morning till night. It was a sad time +for everyone. People we had seen alive and well one day were dead +and buried the next; and in the midst of all this sorrow and tragedy +the most irksome—because such an incongruous—part of our experience +was that we had constantly to get up entertainments, penny +readings, and the like, to amuse the men and keep their minds +occupied, for if once soldiers begin to think of the terrors of cholera +they are seized with panic, and many get the disease from pure fright.</p> +<p> +My wife usually accompanied me to the cholera camps, preferring +to do this rather than be left alone at home. On one occasion, I had +just got into our carriage after going round the hospital, when a young +officer ran after us to tell me a corporal in whom I had been much +interested was dead. The poor fellow's face was blue; the cholera +panic had evidently seized him, and I said to my wife, 'He will be the +next.' I had no sooner reached home than I received a report of his +having been seized.</p> +<p> +We were fortunate in having at Allahabad as Chaplain the present +Bishop of Lahore, who, with his wife, had only lately come to India; +they never wearied in doing all that was possible for the soldiers. +Bishop Matthew is still one of our closest friends; his good, charming +and accomplished wife, alas! died some years ago.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Abyssinian Expedition</span> +We remained at Allahabad until August, 1867, when we heard that +a brigade from Bengal was likely to be required to take part in an +expedition which would probably be sent from Bombay to Abyssinia +for the relief of some Europeans whom the King, Theodore, had +imprisoned, and that the Mountain battery, on the strength of which<span class="page"><a name="296">[Page 296]</a></span> +my name was still borne, would in such case be employed. I therefore +thought I had better go to Simla, see the authorities, and arrange for +rejoining my battery, if the rumour turned out to be true. The +cholera had now disappeared, so I was at liberty to take leave, and we +both looked forward to a cooler climate and a change to brighter +scenes after the wretched experience we had been through. On my +arrival at Simla I called upon the Commander-in-Chief and told him +that, if my battery was sent on service, I wished to join it and was +quite ready to resign my staff appointment.</p> +<p> +Sir William Mansfield was particularly kind in his reception of me, +from which I augured well; but I could learn nothing definite, and +it was not until quite the end of September that it was announced that +Colonel Donald Stewart was to have command of the Bengal Brigade +with the Abyssinian Force, and that I was to be his Assistant-Quartermaster-General. +We at once hastened back to Allahabad, where we +only remained long enough to pack up what we wanted to take with +us, and arrange for the disposal of our property; thence we proceeded +to Calcutta, where, for the next two months, I had a busy time taking +up transports and superintending the equipment of the force.</p> +<p> +I had often read and heard of the difficulties and delays experienced +by troops landing in a foreign country, in consequence of their requirements +not being all shipped in the same vessels with themselves—men +in one ship, camp equipage in another, transport and field hospital in +a third, or perhaps the mules in one and their pack-saddles in another; +and I determined to try and prevent these mistakes upon this occasion. +With Stewart's approval, I arranged that each detachment should +embark complete in every detail, which resulted in the troops being +landed and marched off without the least delay as each vessel reached +its <a name="XXXVI1r">destination</a>.<a href="#XXXVI1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +We were living with the Stewarts in the Commander-in-Chief's<span class="page"><a name="297">[Page 297]</a></span> +quarters in Fort William, which His Excellency had placed at our +disposal for the time being. On the 1st November Calcutta was visited +by the second cyclone within my experience. We had arranged to go +to the opera that evening, but when it was time to start the wind was +so high that there seemed every chance of the carriage being blown +over before we could get there, so we decided not to attempt it. It +was well we did, for the few adventurous spirits who struggled through +the storm had the greatest difficulty in getting back to their homes. +The opera-house was unroofed before the performance was half over, +and very little of the building remained standing the next day. At +bedtime we still thought it was only a bad storm, but towards midnight +the wind increased to an alarming extent, and my wife awoke +me, and begged me to get up, as the windows were being burst open +and deluges of rain coming in. Stewart and I tried to reclose the +windows, but the thick iron bars had been bent in two and forced out +of their sockets; a heavy oak plate-chest and boxes, which we with +much difficulty dragged across the windows, were blown into the +middle of the dining-room, like so much cardboard, and the whole +place was gradually flooded. We were driven out of each room in +turn, till at length we all took refuge in a small box room, about ten +feet wide, right in the middle of the house, where we remained the +rest of the night and 'hoped for the day.'</p> +<p> +Towards morning the wind abated, but what a scene of desolation +was that upon which we emerged! The rooms looked as if they could +never be made habitable again, and much of our property was floating +about in a foot of water.</p> +<p> +My first thought was for the shipping, and I hurried down to the +river to see how my transports had fared. Things were much better +than I expected to find them—only two had been damaged. Most +fortunately the cyclone, having come from a different direction, was +not accompanied by a storm-wave such as that which worked so much +mischief amongst the shipping on a former occasion, but the destruction +on land was even greater: all the finest trees were torn up by the +roots, a great part of the Native bazaar was levelled, and lay from two +to three feet deep in water, while many houses were wholly or partly +demolished. We came across most curious sights when driving round +Calcutta in the evening; some of the houses were divided clean down +the centre, one half crumbled into a heap of ruins, the other half still +standing and displaying, as in a doll's house, the furniture in the +different stories.</p> +<p> +The work of filling up and loading the vessels was greatly retarded, +owing to a large number of cargo boats having been sunk, consequently +it was the 5th December before the first transport got off; +from that date the others started in quick succession, and on the 9th +January, 1868, Stewart and his staff left Calcutta in the P. and O. <span class="rightnote">1868</span><span class="page"><a name="298">[Page 298]</a></span> +steamer <i>Golconda</i>. The officers and men of the Mountain battery +were also on board, Captain Bogle in command, my friend Jemmy +Hills in my place as second Captain, and <a name="XXXVI2r">Collen</a><a href="#XXXVI2"><sup>2</sup></a> and Disney as +subalterns. Mrs. Stewart and my wife accompanied us as far as Aden, +where they were left to the kind care of Major-General <a name="XXXVI3r">Russell</a>,<a href="#XXXVI3"><sup>3</sup></a> commanding +there at the time, until the arrival of the mail-steamer in +which they were to proceed to England.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Landed at Zula</span> +On the 3rd February we anchored in Annesley Bay and landed at +Zula.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXVII">XXXVII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1868</span> + +<p> +It will, perhaps, be as well to recall to the reader's mind that the +object of the expedition in which we were taking part was to rescue +some sixty Europeans, who, from one cause or another, had found +their way to Abyssinia, and been made prisoners by the King of that +country. Amongst these were four English officials, Mr. Rassam, and +Captain Cameron, who had at different times been the bearers of +letters from Queen Victoria to King Theodore, and Lieutenant Prideaux +and Dr. Blanc of the Bombay Army; the rest were chiefly French +and German missionaries, and artisans, with their wives and children. +The prisoners were confined in a fort built on the Magdāla plateau, +9,150 feet above sea-level, and 379 miles inland from Annesley Bay.</p> +<p> +The repeated demands of the British Government for the restoration +of the prisoners having been treated with contemptuous silence by the +King, Colonel Merewether, the Political Agent at Aden, who in July, +1867, had been directed to proceed to Massowa and endeavour to +obtain the release of the captives, and to make inquiries and collect +information in case of an expedition having to be sent, reported to the +Secretary of State that he had failed to communicate with the King, +and urged the advisability of immediate measures being taken to +prepare a force in India for the punishment of Theodore and the +rescue of the prisoners. Colonel Merewether added that in Abyssinia +the opinion had become very general that England knew herself to be +too weak to resent insult, and that amongst the peoples of the neighbouring +countries, even so far as Aden, there was a feeling of contemptuous +surprise at the continued long-suffering endurance of the +British Government.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sir Robert Napier to Command</span> +On receipt of this communication, Her Majesty's Government, +having exhausted all their resources for the preservation of peace,<span class="page"><a name="299">[Page 299]</a></span> +decided to send an expedition from India under the command of +Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier, the Commander-in-Chief of +the Bombay Army. After carefully considering the distance along +which operations would have to be prosecuted, and the necessity for +holding a number of detached posts, Napier gave it as his opinion that +the force should consist of not less than 12,000 <a name="XXXVII1r">men</a>.<a href="#XXXVII1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +Profiting by the experience of the Crimean War, the Government +was determined that the mobility of the force should not be hampered +by want of food and clothing. Stores of all descriptions were despatched +in unstinted quantities from England, and three of the steamers in +which they were conveyed were fitted up as hospital ships. But food, +clothing, and stores, however liberally supplied, would not take the +army to Magdāla without transport.</p> +<p> +The question as to the most suitable organization for the Land +Transport Corps occupied a good deal of Sir Robert Napier's attention +while the expedition was being fitted out, and caused a considerable +amount of correspondence between him and the Bombay Government. +The Commissary-General wished to keep the corps under his own +orders, and objected to its being given an entirely military organization. +Sir Robert Napier preferred to establish the corps on an independent +basis, but was at first overruled by the Bombay Government. While +acting in accordance with their orders, the Commander-in-Chief +wrote: 'I believe that the success of systems depends more on the +men who work them than on the systems themselves; but I cannot +accept without protest a decision to throw such a body of men as the +drivers of our transport animals will be (if we get them) on an expedition +in a foreign country without a very complete organization to +secure order and discipline.' Eventually Sir Robert got his own way, +but much valuable time had been lost, and the corps was organized on +too small a <a name="XXXVII2r">scale</a>;<a href="#XXXVII2"><sup>2</sup></a> the officers and non-commissioned officers were +not sent to Zula in sufficient time or in sufficient numbers to take +charge of the transport animals as they arrived.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Defective Transport</span> +A compact, properly-supervised train of 2,600 mules, with serviceable, +well-fitting pack-saddles, was sent from the Punjab; and from +Bombay came 1,400 mules and ponies and 5,600 bullocks, but these +numbers proving altogether inadequate to the needs of the expedition, +they were supplemented by animals purchased in Persia, Egypt, and +on the shores of the Mediterranean. The men to look after them were<span class="page"><a name="300">[Page 300]</a></span> +supplied from the same sources, but their number, even if they had +been efficient, was insufficient, and they were a most unruly and +unmanageable lot. They demanded double the pay for which they +had enlisted, and struck work in a body because their demand was not +at once complied with. They refused to take charge of the five mules +each man was hired to look after, and when that number was reduced +to three, they insisted that one should be used as a mount for the +driver. But the worst part of the whole organization, or, rather, want +of organization, was that there had been no attempt to fit the animals +with pack-saddles, some of which were sent from England, some from +India, and had to be adjusted to the mules after they had been landed +in Abyssinia, where there was not an establishment to make the +necessary alterations. The consequence was that the wretched animals +became cruelly galled, and in a few weeks a large percentage were +unfit for work, and had to be sent to the sick depot.</p> +<p> +Other results of having no properly arranged transport train, and no +supervision or discipline, were that mules were lost or stolen, starved +for want of food, or famished from want of water. The condition of +the unfortunate animals was such that, though they had been but a +few weeks in the country, when they were required to proceed to +Senafe, only sixty-seven miles distant, a very small proportion were +able to accomplish the march; hundreds died on the way, and their +carcases, quickly decomposing in the hot sun, became a fruitful source +of dangerous disease to the force.</p> +<p> +On arrival at Zula, we were told that Sir Robert Napier was at +Senafe, the first station in the Hills, and the advanced depot for +supplies. We of the Bengal brigade were somewhat disconcerted at +the orders which awaited us, from which we learned that our brigade +was to be broken up; the troops were to proceed to the front; while +Stewart was to take command at Senafe, and I myself was to remain +at Zula, as senior staff officer. The disappointment was great, but, +being the last-comer, I had no unfairness to complain of, and I had +plenty to do. I spent the greater part of each day amongst the shipping, +superintending the embarkation and disembarkation of men, animals, +and stores.</p> +<p> +Zula was not an attractive place of residence. The heat was intense—117° +in the daytime in my tent. The allowance of fresh water was +extremely <a name="XXXVII3r">limited</a>,<a href="#XXXVII3"><sup>3</sup></a> while the number of scorpions was quite the +reverse, and the food, at the best, was not appetizing. Few who +remained there as long as I did escaped scurvy and horrible boils or +sores. I was fortunate, however, in finding in charge of the transport +arrangements afloat, my old friend and Eton schoolfellow, George<span class="page"><a name="301">[Page 301]</a></span> +<a name="XXXVII4r">Tryon</a>,<a href="#XXXVII4"><sup>4</sup></a> to whom I owed many a good dinner, and, what I appreciated +even more, many a refreshing bath on board the <i>Euphrates</i>, a +transport belonging to the British India Steam Navigation Company +which had been fitted up for Captain Tryon and his staff. Indeed, all +the officers of the Royal Navy were most helpful and kind, and I have +a very pleasant recollection of the hospitality I received from Commodore +<a name="XXXVII5r">Heath</a><a href="#XXXVII5"><sup>5</sup></a> and those serving under him.</p> +<p> +During the four months I remained at Zula, Tryon and I were +constantly together, and I had plenty of opportunity for observing the +masterly manner in which he could grasp a situation, his intimate +knowledge of detail, and the strong hold he had over all those working +with him, not only the officers of the Royal Navy, but also the commanders +of the merchant vessels taken up as transports, and lying in +Annesley Bay.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">King Theodore Commits Suicide</span> +On the 17th April news reached us that four days before Sir Robert +Napier had successfully attacked Magdāla and released the prisoners, +having experienced but very slight opposition; and that King Theodore, +deserted by his army, which had apparently become tired of his +brutalities, had committed <a name="XXXVII6r">suicide</a>.<a href="#XXXVII6"><sup>6</sup></a> A few days later Major-General +Russell, who had come from Aden to take over the command at Zula, +received orders to prepare for the embarkation of the force. Arrangements +were accordingly made to enable regiments and batteries to be +embarked on board the transports told off for them directly they arrived +from the front—a matter of the utmost importance, both on account of +the fearful heat at Zula, and the absence of a sufficient water-supply.</p> +<p> +On the 2nd June the Commander-in-Chief returned to Zula, and on +the 10th he embarked on board the old Indian marine steamer <i>Feroze</i> +for Suez. Sir Robert was good enough to ask me to accompany him, +as he wished to make me the bearer of his final despatches. My work +was ended, the troops had all left, and as I was pretty well knocked up, +I felt extremely grateful for the offer, and very proud of the great +honour the Chief proposed to confer upon me.</p> +<p> +We reached Alexandria on the 20th June, and the next day I started +in the mail-steamer for Brindisi, arriving in London on the evening of +Sunday, the 28th. I received a note at my club from Edwin Johnson +(who was at that time Assistant Military Secretary to H.R.H. the +Duke of Cambridge), directing me to take the despatches without +delay to the Secretary of State for India. I found Sir Stafford and +Lady Northcote at dinner; Sir Stafford looked through the despatches, +and when he had finished reading them, he asked me to take them<span class="page"><a name="302">[Page 302]</a></span> +without delay to the Commander-in-Chief, as he knew the Duke was +most anxious to see them. There was a dinner-party, however, that +night at Gloucester House, and the servant told me it was quite impossible +to disturb His Royal Highness; so, placing my card on the +top of the despatches, I told the man to deliver them at once, and went +back to my club. I had scarcely reached it when the Duke's Aide-de-camp +made his appearance and told me that he had been ordered to +find me and take me back with him. The Commander-in-Chief +received me very kindly, expressing regret that I had been sent away +in the first instance; and Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and +Princess of Wales, who were present, were most gracious, and asked +many questions about the Abyssinian Expedition.</p> +<p> +The next day I joined my wife, who was staying with my people at +Clifton, and on the 14th August, when the rewards for the Abyssinian +Expedition were published, my name appeared for a brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">First A.Q.M.G.</span> +I was now anxious to ascertain in what manner I was to be employed. +My five years as A.Q.M.G. were about to expire, and I thought I +should like to go back to my regiment for a time. I therefore applied +for the command of a battery of Horse Artillery. I was told, in +answer to my application, that it was not the custom to appoint an +officer who had been in staff employment for some time to the mounted +branch, but that, in consideration of my services, the Duke of Cambridge +was pleased to make an exception in my favour. I was posted +to a battery at Meerut, and warned to be ready to start in an early +troopship. Before the time for our departure arrived, however, I +received a letter from Lumsden, who had now become Quartermaster-General, +informing me that the Commander-in-Chief had recommended, +and the Government had approved of, the formation of a fresh grade—that +of First A.Q.M.G.—and that he was directed by Sir William +Mansfield to offer the new appointment to me—an offer which I +gratefully accepted; for though the command of a Horse Artillery +battery would have been most congenial, this unexpected chance of +five years' further staff employ was too good to be refused.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1869</span> +On the 4th January, 1869, having said good-bye to those dear to us, +two of whom I was never to see again, my wife and I, with a baby +girl who was born the previous July, embarked at Portsmouth on +board the s.s. <i>Helvetia</i>, which had been taken up for the conveyance +of troops to Bombay, the vessel of the Royal Navy in which we were +to have sailed having suddenly broken down. The <i>Helvetia</i> proved +most unsuitable as a transport, and uncomfortable to the last degree +for passengers, besides which it blew a gale the whole way to Alexandria. +We were all horribly ill, and our child caught a fatal cold. +We thoroughly appreciated a change at Suez to the Indian trooper, the +<i>Malabar</i>, where everything possible was done for our comfort by our<span class="page"><a name="303">[Page 303]</a></span> +kind captain (Rich, R.N.), and, indeed, by everyone on board; but, +alas! our beautiful little girl never recovered the cruel experience of +the <i>Helvetia</i>, and we had the terrible grief of losing her soon after we +passed Aden. She was buried at sea.</p> +<p> +It was a very sad journey after that. There were several nice, kind +people amongst our fellow-passengers; but life on board ship at such a +time, surrounded by absolute strangers, was a terrible trial to us both, +and, what with the effects of the voyage and the anxiety and sorrow +she had gone through, my wife was thoroughly ill when we arrived at +Simla towards the end of February.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXVIII">XXXVIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1869</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />Lord Mayo Becomes Viceroy</span> +In January, 1869, Sir John Lawrence, after a career which was +altogether unique, he having risen from the junior grades of the +Bengal Civil Service to the almost regal position of Governor-<a name="XXXVIII1r">General</a>,<a href="#XXXVIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> +left India for good. He was succeeded as Viceroy by Lord Mayo, one +of whose first official acts was to hold a durbar at Umballa for the +reception of the Amir Sher Ali, who, after five years of civil war, had +succeeded in establishing himself on the throne of Afghanistan, to +which he had been nominated by his father, Dost Mahomed <a name="XXXVIII2r">Khan</a>.<a href="#XXXVIII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +Sher Ali had passed through a stormy time between the death of +the Dost, in June, 1863, and September, 1868. He had been acknowledged +as the rightful heir by the Government of India, and for the +first three years he held the Amirship in a precarious sort of way. +His two elder brothers, Afzal and Azim, and his nephew, Abdur +Rahman (the present Ruler of Afghanistan), were in rebellion against +him. The death of his favourite son and heir-apparent, Ali Khan, in +action near Khelat-i-Ghilzai, in 1865, grieved him so sorely that for<span class="page"><a name="304">[Page 304]</a></span> +a time his reason was affected. In May, 1866, he was defeated near +Ghazni (mainly owing to the treachery of his own troops) by Abdur +Rahman, who, releasing his father, Afzal, from the prison into which +he had been cast by Sher Ali, led him in triumph to Kabul, and proclaimed +him Amir of Afghanistan.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Afzal Khan ousts Sher Ali</span> +The new Amir, Afzal, at once wrote to the Government of India +detailing what had occurred, and expressing a hope that the friendship +of the British, which he so greatly valued, would be extended to him. +He was told, in reply, that the Government recognized him as Ruler +of Kabul, but that, as Sher Ali still held Kandahar and Herat, existing +engagements with the latter could not be broken off. The evident +preference thus displayed for Sher Ali caused the greatest vexation to +the brothers Afzal and Azim, who showed their resentment by directing +an Envoy who had come from Swat to pay his respects to the new +Amir to return to his own country and set on foot a holy war against +the English; the Waziri <i><a name="XXXVIII3r">maliks</a></i><a href="#XXXVIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> in attendance at the court were dismissed +with presents and directions to harass the British frontier, while +an emissary was despatched on a secret mission to the Russians.</p> +<p> +After his defeat near Ghazni, Sher Ali fled to Kandahar, and in the +January of the following year (again owing to treachery in his army) +he met with a second defeat near Khelat-i-Ghilzai, and lost Kandahar.</p> +<p> +On this fact being communicated to the Government of India, Afzal +Khan was in his turn recognized as Amir of Kabul and Kandahar. +But he was at the same time informed that the British Government +intended to maintain a strict neutrality between the contending parties +in Afghanistan. John Lawrence, in his letter of the 20th of February, +said that 'neither men, nor arms, nor money, nor assistance of any +kind, have ever been supplied by my Government to Amir Sher Ali. +Your Highness and he, both equally unaided by me, have fought out +the battle, each upon your own resources. I purpose to continue the +same policy for the future. If, unhappily, the struggle for supremacy +in Afghanistan has not yet been brought to a close, and hostilities are +again renewed, I shall still side with neither party.'</p> +<p> +This reply altogether failed to satisfy Afzal and Azim. They +answered it civilly, but at the same time they sent a copy of it to +General Romanofski, the Russian Governor of Tashkent, who was +informed by the new Amir that he had no confidence in the 'Lord +<i>sahib's</i> fine professions of friendship, and that he was disgusted with +the British Government for the ingratitude and ill-treatment shown +towards his brother <a name="XXXVIII4r">Azim</a>.<a href="#XXXVIII4"><sup>4</sup></a> He looked upon the Russians as his real +and only friends, hoped soon to send a regular Ambassador to the<span class="page"><a name="305">[Page 305]</a></span> +Russian camp, and would at all times do his utmost to protect and +encourage Russian trade.'</p> +<p> +In October of this year (1867) Afzal Khan died, and his brother +Azim, hastening to Kabul, took upon himself the Amirship. Abdur +Rahman had hoped to have succeeded his father, but his uncle having +forestalled him, he thought it politic to give in his allegiance to him, +which he did by presenting his dead father's sword, in durbar, to the +new Amir, who, like his predecessor, was now acknowledged by the +Government of India as Ruler of Kabul and Kandahar.</p> +<p> +The tide, however, was beginning to turn in favour of Sher Ali. +Azim and Abdur Rahman quarrelled, and the former, by his extortions +and cruelties, made himself detested by the people generally.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sher Ali regains the Amirship</span> +In March, 1868, Sher Ali's eldest son, Yakub Khan, regained possession +of Kandahar for his father. In July father and son found +themselves strong enough to move towards Ghazni, where Azim +Khan's army was assembled. The latter, gradually deserted by his +soldiers, took to flight, upon which Sher Ali, after an absence of forty +months, entered Kabul on the 8th of September, and re-possessed +himself of all his dominions, with the exception of Balkh, where Azim +and Abdur Rahman (now reconciled to each other) still flew the flag +of rebellion.</p> +<p> +One of the newly-installed Amir's first acts was to inform the +Viceroy of his return to Kabul, and of the recovery of his kingdom. +He announced his desire to send some trusted representatives, or else +proceed himself in person, to Calcutta, 'for the purpose of showing his +sincerity and firm attachment to the British Government, and making +known his real wants.'</p> +<p> +Sir John Lawrence, in his congratulatory reply, showed that a +change had come over his policy of non-interference in the internal +affairs of Afghanistan, for he stated that he was 'prepared, not only +to maintain the bonds of amity and goodwill which were established +between Dost Mahomed and the British Government, but, so far as +may be practicable, to strengthen those bonds'; and, as a substantial +proof of his goodwill, the Viceroy sent Sher Ali £60,000, aid which +arrived at a most opportune moment, and gave the Amir that advantage +over his opponents which is of incalculable value in Afghan civil war, +namely, funds wherewith to pay the army and bribe the opposite side.</p> +<p> +The energetic and capable Abdur Rahman Khan had in the meantime +collected a sufficient number of troops in Turkestan to enable him +to move towards Kabul with his uncle Azim. On nearing Ghazni, he +found himself confronted by Sher Ali; the opposing forces were about +equal in strength, and on both sides there was the same scarcity of +ready money. Suddenly the report was received that money was +being sent from India to Sher Ali, and this turned the scale in his +favour. Abdur Rahman's men deserted in considerable numbers, and<span class="page"><a name="306">[Page 306]</a></span> +a battle fought on the 3rd January, 1869, resulted in the total defeat +of uncle and nephew, and in the firmer consolidation of Sher Ali's +supremacy.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Foresight of Sir Henry Rawlinson</span> +The change in policy which induced the Government of India to +assist a struggling Amir with money, after its repeated and emphatic +declarations that interference was impossible, was undoubtedly brought +about by an able and elaborate memorandum written by the late Sir +Henry Rawlinson on the 28th July, 1868. In this paper Rawlinson +pointed out that, notwithstanding promises to the contrary, Russia was +steadily advancing towards Afghanistan. He referred to the increased +facilities of communication which would be the result of the recent +proposal to bring Turkestan into direct communication, <i>viâ</i> the Caspian, +with the Caucasus and St. Petersburg. He dwelt at length upon the +effect which the advanced position of Russia in Central Asia would +have upon Afghanistan and India. He explained that by the occupation +of Bokhara Russia would gain a pretext for interfering in Afghan +politics, and 'that if Russia once assumes a position which, in virtue +either of an imposing military force on the Oxus, or of a dominant +political influence in Afghanistan, entitles her, in Native estimation, +to challenge our Asiatic supremacy, the disquieting effect will be +prodigious.'</p> +<p> +'With this prospect before us,' Sir Henry asked, 'are we justified in +maintaining what has been sarcastically, though perhaps unfairly, +called Sir John Lawrence's policy of "masterly inaction"? Are we +justified in allowing Russia to work her way to Kabul unopposed, and +there to establish herself as a friendly power prepared to protect the +Afghans against the English?' He argued that it was contrary to our +interests to permit anarchy to reign in Afghanistan; that Lord Auckland's +famous doctrine of 'establishing a strong and friendly Power on +our North-West Frontier' was the right policy for India, 'that Dost +Mahomed's successful management of his country was in a great +measure due to our aid, and that, if we had helped the son as we had +helped the father, Sher Ali would have summarily suppressed the +opposition of his brothers and nephews.' Rawlinson then added: +'Another opportunity now presents itself. The fortunes of Sher Ali +are again in the ascendant; he should be secured in our interests +without delay.'</p> +<p> +Rawlinson's suggestions were not at the time supposed to commend +themselves to the Government of India. In the despatch in which they +were <a name="XXXVIII5r">answered</a>,<a href="#XXXVIII5"><sup>5</sup></a> the Viceroy and his Councillors stated that they still +objected to any active interference in the affairs of Afghanistan; they +foresaw no limits to the expenditure which such a move would entail, +and they believed that the objects that they had at heart might be<span class="page"><a name="307">[Page 307]</a></span> +attained by an attitude of readiness and firmness on the frontier. It +is worthy of note, however, that, after Sir Henry Rawlinson's memorandum +had been received by the Indian Government, and notwithstanding +these protests, the sum of £60,000 was sent to Sher Ali, that +Sir John Lawrence invited him 'to come to some place in British +territory for a personal meeting in order to discuss the best manner +in which a limited support might be accorded,' and that five days from +the time of writing the above-mentioned despatch, John Lawrence +sent a farewell letter to Sher Ali, expressing the earnest hope of the +British Government that His Highness's authority would be established +on a solid and permanent basis, and informing him that a further sum +of £60,000 would be supplied to him during the next few months, and +that future Viceroys would consider, from time to time, what amount +of practical assistance in the shape of money or war materials should +periodically be made over to him as a testimony of their friendly feeling, +and to the furtherance of his legitimate authority and influence.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Umballa Durbar</span> +Sher Ali expressed himself as most grateful, and came to Umballa +full of hope and apparently thoroughly well disposed towards the +British Government. He was received with great state and ceremony, +and Lord Mayo was most careful to demonstrate that he was treating +with an independent, and not a feudatory, Prince.</p> +<p> +At this conference Sher Ali began by unburdening himself of his +grievances, complaining to Lord Mayo of the manner in which his two +elder brothers had each in his turn been recognized as Amir, and +dwelling on the one-sided nature of the treaty made with his father, +by which the British Government only bound itself to abstain from +interfering with Afghanistan, while the Amir was to be 'the friend of +the friends and the enemy of the enemies of the Honourable East +India Company.' His Highness then proceeded to make known his +wants, which were that he and his lineal descendants on the throne +that he had won 'by his own good sword' should be acknowledged as +the <i>de jure</i> sovereigns of Afghanistan; that a treaty offensive and +defensive should be made with him; and that he should be given a +fixed subsidy in the form of an annual payment.</p> +<p> +It was in regard to the first of these three demands that Sher Ali +was most persistent. He explained repeatedly and at some length that +to acknowledge the Ruler <i>pro tempore</i> and <i>de facto</i> was to invite +competition for a throne, and excite the hopes of all sorts of candidates; +but that if the British Government would recognize him and +his dynasty, there was nothing he would not do in order to evince his +gratitude.</p> +<p> +These requests, the Amir was informed, were inadmissible. There +could be no treaty, no fixed subsidy, no dynastic pledges. He was +further told that we were prepared to discourage his rivals, to give him +warm countenance and support, and such material assistance as we<span class="page"><a name="308">[Page 308]</a></span> +considered absolutely necessary for his immediate wants, if he, on his +part, would undertake to do all he could to maintain peace on our +frontier and to comply with our wishes in matters connected with +trade.</p> +<p> +As an earnest of our goodwill, the Amir was given the second +£60,000 promised him by Sir John Lawrence, besides a considerable +supply of arms and <a name="XXXVIII6r">ammunition</a>,<a href="#XXXVIII6"><sup>6</sup></a> and was made happy by a promise +that European officers should not be required to reside in any of his +cities. Before the conference took place, Lord Mayo had contemplated +British agents being sent to Kabul in order to obtain accurate information +regarding events in Central Asia, but on discovering how +vehemently opposed Sher Ali was to such an arrangement, he gave +him this promise. Saiyad Nur Mahomed, the Minister who accompanied +the Amir, though equally averse to European agents, admitted +that 'the day might come when the Russians would arrive, and the +Amir would be glad, not only of British officers as agents, but of arms +and troops to back them.'</p> +<p> +One request which the Amir made towards the close of the meeting +the Viceroy agreed to, which was that we should call Persia to account +for her alleged encroachments on the debatable ground of Sistan. +This, which seemed but an unimportant matter at the time, was one +of the chief causes of Sher Ali's subsequent estrangement; for the +committee of arbitration which inquired into it decided against the +Amir, who never forgave what he considered our unfriendly action in +discountenancing his claims.</p> +<p> +The Umballa conference was, on the whole, successful, in that Sher +Ali returned to his own country much gratified at the splendour of +his reception, and a firm personal friend of Lord Mayo, whose +fine presence and genial manner had quite won the Amir's heart, +although he had not succeeded in getting from him everything he +had demanded.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XXXIX">XXXIX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1869</span> +<p> +We spent a very quiet year at Simla. My wife was far from strong, +and we had another great sorrow in the death of a baby boy three +weeks after his birth.</p> +<p> +That winter I was left in charge of the Quartermaster-General's +office, and we moved into 'Ellerslie,' a larger and warmer house than<span class="page"><a name="309">[Page 309]</a></span> +that in which we had lived during the summer.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Winter at Simla</span> +Simla in the winter, after a fresh fall of snow, is particularly +beautiful. Range after range of hills clothed in their spotless +garments stretch away as far as the eye can reach, relieved in the +foreground by masses of reddish-brown perpendicular cliffs and dark-green +ilex and deodar trees, each bearing its pure white burden, and +decked with glistening fringes of icicles. Towards evening the scene +changes, and the snow takes the most gorgeous colouring from the +descending rays of the brilliant eastern sun—brilliant even in mid-winter—turning +opal, pink, scarlet, and crimson; gradually, as the +light wanes, fading into delicate lilacs and grays, which slowly mount +upwards, till at last even the highest pinnacle loses the life-giving +tints, and the whole snowy range itself turns cold and white and dead +against a background of deepest sapphire blue. The spectator shivers, +folds himself more closely in his wraps, and retreats indoors, glad to +be greeted by a blazing log-fire and a hot cup of tea.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1870</span> +In the spring of the next year (1870) Sir William Mansfield's term +of command came to an end, and he was succeeded by Lord Napier of +Magdāla. The selection of this distinguished officer for the highest +military position in India was greatly appreciated by the Indian army, +as no officer of that army had held it since the days of Lord Clive. </p> +<p> +In September a daughter was born, and that winter we again +remained at Simla. I amused myself by going through a course of +electric telegraphy, which may seem rather like a work of supererogation; +but during the Umbeyla campaign, when the telegraph office +had to be closed in consequence of all the clerks being laid up with +fever, and we could neither read nor send messages, I determined that +I would on the first opportunity learn electric signalling, in order that +I might be able to decipher and send telegrams should I ever again +find myself in a similar position.</p> +<p> +In May my wife and I went for a march across the hills to Chakrata, +and thence to Mussoorie and back by way of Dehra Dun and the +plains. The object of this trip was to settle the boundary of Chakrata, +and my wife took the opportunity of my being ordered on this duty to +get away from Simla, as we had now been there for more than two +years, and were consequently rather longing for a change. Our route +lay through most beautiful scenery, and notwithstanding that the trip +was a little hurried, and that some of the marches were therefore +rather long, we enjoyed it immensely. When passing along the ridge +of a very high hill one afternoon, we witnessed rather a curious sight—a +violent thunderstorm was going on in the valley below us, while +we ourselves remained in the mildest, most serene atmosphere, enjoying +bright sunshine and a blue sky. Dense black clouds filled up the +valley a thousand feet beneath us, the thunder roared, the lightning +flashed, and soon we could hear the rush of waters in the streams<span class="page"><a name="310">[Page 310]</a></span> +below from the torrents of rain which the clouds were discharging; +but it was not until we had crossed over the mountain, and descended +to a low level on the other side, that we fully realized the effects of +the heavy storm.</p> +<p> +On our return to Simla we had the pleasure of a visit from Major-General +Donald Stewart, who had come up to receive Lord Mayo's +instructions before taking over his appointment as Superintendent of +the Andaman Islands. In September he and I travelled together to +Calcutta, to which place I was directed to proceed in order to make +arrangements for a military expedition into the country of the Lushais, +having been appointed senior staff officer to the force.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Lushais</span> +Lushai, situated between south-eastern Bengal and Burma, was a <i>terra +incognita</i> to me, and I had only heard of it in connexion with the raids +made by its inhabitants upon the tea-gardens in its vicinity, which had now +spread too far away from Cachar for the garrison of that small military +station to afford them protection. From time to time the Lushais had +done the planters much damage, and carried off several prisoners, +and various attempts had been made in the shape of small military +expeditions to punish the tribesmen and rescue the captives; but from +want of proper organization, and from not choosing the right time of +the year, these attempts had hitherto been unsuccessful, and our +failures had the inevitable result of making the Lushais bolder. Raids +became more frequent and more destructive; until at last a little +European girl, named Mary Winchester, was carried off, and kept +by them as a prisoner; on this the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal +declared that a punitive expedition was 'absolutely necessary for the +future security of the British subjects residing on the Cachar and +Chittagong frontiers.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Lushai Expedition</span> +The despatch of a force was therefore decided upon; it was to +consist of two small <a name="XXXIX1r">columns</a><a href="#XXXIX1"><sup>1</sup></a>—one having its base at Cachar, the +other at Chittagong—commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals +Bourchier, C.B., and C. Brownlow, C.B., supreme political power +being also vested in these two officers. Long experience had taught +Lord Napier the wisdom of having only one head in time of war, and +he impressed upon the Government his opinion that the civil officers, +while acting as advisers and as the channels of communication with +the tribes, should be subordinate to the control of the two Commanders, +who, after having been put in possession of the views and wishes of +the Government, should be held responsible for carrying them out loyally<span class="page"><a name="311">[Page 311]</a></span> +so far as circumstances and the safety of the force would permit.</p> +<p> +As the existence of the tea industry was at stake, the Lushais having +established a perfect terror on all the estates within their reach, it was +essential that they should be given a severe lesson, and this could only +be done by their principal villages, which lay at some considerable +distance from the base of operations, being visited in force. The +difficult country and the paucity of transport necessitated the columns +being lightly equipped; no tents were to be allowed, and baggage and +followers were to be reduced to a minimum. My instructions were to +fit out and despatch the two columns, and then join Brigadier-General +Bourchier at Cachar.</p> +<p> +I was kept in Calcutta all October—not a pleasant month, the +climate then being very muggy and unhealthy. Everyone who could +get away had gone to the Hills or out to sea; and the offices being +closed for the Hindu holidays of the <i>Durga Puja,</i> it was extremely +difficult to get work done. Everything for the Chittagong column had +to be sent by sea. The shipping of the elephants was rather interesting: +they clung desperately to the ground, trying hard to prevent +themselves being lifted from it; and when at last, in spite of all their +struggles, they were hoisted into the air, the helpless appearance of +the huge animals and their despairing little cries and whines were +quite pathetic. I found it trying work being on the river all day; my +eyes suffered from the glare, and I became so reduced that before I +left Calcutta I weighed scarcely over eight stone—rather too fine a +condition in which to enter on a campaign in a mountainous country, +so thickly covered with jungle as to make riding out of the question.</p> +<p> +By the 3rd November the equipment and stores for both columns +had been despatched, and on the 16th I joined General Bourchier +at the house of that most hospitable of hosts, Mr. <a name="XXXIX2r">Edgar</a>,<a href="#XXXIX2"><sup>2</sup></a> Deputy-Commissioner +of Cachar, who accompanied the left column as civil +officer.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1871</span> +We left Cachar on the 23rd, and from the outset we had to make +our own roads, a labour which never ceased until the end of January, +by which date 110 miles had been completed. There was not the +vestige of a track to direct us; but I got hold of some people of the +country, with whom I made friends, and induced them to act as guides. +Many a long and weary reconnaissance had to be executed, however, +before the line of advance could be decided upon. The troops worked +with a will, and, notwithstanding the vapour-bath-like atmosphere of +the valleys and the difficult nature of the country, which was a +succession of hill-ranges covered with jungle forests, made almost +impenetrable from the huge creepers, and intersected by rivers and +watercourses, a good road, from six to eight feet wide, was constructed,<span class="page"><a name="312">[Page 312]</a></span> +with a sufficiently easy gradient for laden elephants to travel over. +Cutting one's way day after day through these dense, gloomy forests, +through which hardly a ray of light penetrates, was most stifling and +depressing. One could hardly breathe, and was quite unable to enjoy +the beauty of the magnificent trees, the graceful bamboos and canes, +and the wonderful creepers, which abounded, and under other circumstances +would have been a source of pleasure; the difficulties we +encountered, and the consequent delay in our progress, quite prevented +me from being in a frame of mind to appreciate my picturesque +surroundings.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Defective transport again</span> +It became evident from the first that our onward movements +would be greatly impeded by want of transport. Notwithstanding the +experience which ought to have been gained in many small mountain +wars, the Government had not been taught that a properly organized +transport corps was an absolute necessity, and that it was a mere +waste of money to collect a number of men and animals without +providing trained supervision. Fourteen hundred of our coolies were +attached to the Commissariat Department without anyone to look +after them, consequently officers and non-commissioned officers, who +could ill be spared from their regimental duties, had to be told off to +organize and work them.</p> +<p> +To add to our troubles, cholera broke out amongst some Nepalese +coolies on their way to join us; out of 840, 251 died in a few days, and +a number deserted panic-stricken, while the rest were so weakened and +shaken that, notwithstanding the care bestowed upon them by their +able and energetic Commandant, Major H. Moore, only 387 joined the +column. We were not much better off in the matter of elephants, which +had been so carelessly selected that only 33 out of the 157 sent with +our column were of any use. All this resulted in our being obliged to +still further reduce our already small kits. Officers were allowed only +forty pounds of baggage, and soldiers twenty-four pounds, limits within +which it was rather difficult to keep. A couple of blankets were +essential, as we should have to operate over mountains five and six +thousand feet high; so was a waterproof sheet, for even if we should +be lucky enough to escape rain, the dew is so heavy in those parts that +it wets one just as thoroughly as a shower of rain. These three items +with my cloak and cork mattress—which is also a very necessary adjunct +in such a damp climate—amounted to thirty-one pounds, leaving only +nine pounds for a change of clothes, plate, knife, fork, etc.—not too +much for a four months' campaign. However, 'needs must,' and it is +surprising how many things one considers absolute necessities under +ordinary circumstances turn out to have been luxuries when we are +obliged to dispense with them.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Practice <i>Versus</i> Theory</span> +The advance portion of the column did not arrive at Tipai Mukh, +only eighty-four miles from Cachar, until the 9th December, which will<span class="page"><a name="313">[Page 313]</a></span> +give an idea of the enforced slowness of our progress. Tipai Mukh +proved a very suitable place for our depot: it was situated at the +junction of two rivers, the Tipai and the Barak; thickly-wooded hills +rose precipitously on all sides, but on the right bank of the Barak there +was sufficient level space for all our requirements. With the help of +local coolies, the little Gurkhas were not long in running up hospitals +and storesheds; bamboo, the one material used in Lushailand for every +conceivable purpose, whether it be a house, a drinking vessel, a bridge, +a woman's ear-ring, or a musical instrument, grew in profusion on the +hillside. A trestle bridge was thrown across the Tipai in a few hours, +and about that bridge I have rather an amusing story to relate. On +my telling the young Engineer officer in charge of the Sapper company +that a bridge was required to be constructed with the least possible +delay, he replied that it should be done, but that it was necessary to +calculate the force of the current, the weight to be borne, and the consequent +strength of the timber required. Off he went, urged by me to +be as quick as he could. Some hours elapsed, and nothing was seen of +the Engineer, so I sent for him and asked him when the bridge was to +be begun. He answered that his plans were nearly completed, and +that he would soon be able to commence work. In the meantime, +however, and while these scientific calculations were being made, the +headman of the local coolies had come to me and said, if the order were +given, he would throw a good bridge over the river in no time. I +agreed, knowing how clever Natives often are at this kind of work, and +thinking I might just as well have two strings to this particular bow. +Immediately, numbers of men were to be seen felling the bamboos on +the hillside a short distance above the stream: these were thrown into +the river, and as they came floating down they were caught by men +standing up to their necks in water, who cut them to the required +length, stuck the uprights into the river-bed, and attached them to each +other by pieces laid laterally and longitudinally; the flooring was then +formed also of bamboo, the whole structure was firmly bound together +by strips of cane, and the bridge was pronounced ready. Having tested +its strength by marching a large number of men across it, I sent for +my Engineer friend. His astonishment on seeing a bridge finished +ready for use was great, and became still greater when he found how +admirably the practical woodmen had done their work; from that time, +being assured of their ability to assist him, he wisely availed himself +when difficulties arose of their useful, if unscientific, method of +engineering.</p> +<p> +By the 14th December matters had so far progressed as to warrant +an advance. As our route now lay away from the river, scarcity of +water entailed greater care being taken in the selection of encamping +grounds, so on arriving at our halting-place each day I had to reconnoitre +ahead for a suitable site for our next resting-ground, a considerable<span class="page"><a name="314">[Page 314]</a></span> +addition to the day's work. Road-making for the passage of the +elephants became more difficult, and transport was so deficient that the +troops could only be brought up very gradually. Thus, it was the 22nd +of the month before we reached the Tuibum river, only twenty miles +from Tipai Mukh. On our way we were met by some scouts from the +villages ahead of us, who implored of us to advance no further, saying, +if we would only halt, their headmen would come in and submit to +whatever terms we chose to make. The villagers were informed in +reply that our quarrel was not with them, and so long as we remained +unmolested, not the slightest injury should be done to them, their +villages, or their crops; but that we were determined to reach the +country of Lalbura, the Chief who had been the ringleader in the raids +upon the tea-gardens.</p> +<p> +We pushed on as fast as the dense undergrowth would permit until +within about a mile of the river, where we found the road blocked by a +curious erection in the form of a gallows, from which hung two grotesque +figures, made of bamboo. A little further on it was a felled tree which +stopped us; this tree was studded all over with knife-like pieces of +bamboo, and from the incisions into which these were stuck exuded a +red juice, exactly the colour of blood. This was the Lushai mode of +warning us what would be our fate if we ventured further. We, however, +proceeded on our way, bivouacked for the night, and early the +next morning started off in the direction of some villages which we +understood lay in the road to our destination.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A severe march</span> +For the first thousand feet the ascent was very steep, and the path so +narrow that we could only march in single file. Suddenly we entered +upon a piece of ground cleared for cultivation, and as we emerged from +the forest we were received by a volley from a position about sixty +yards off. A young police orderly, who was acting as our guide, was +knocked over by my side, and a second volley wounded one of the +sepoys, on which we charged and the enemy retired up the hill. We +came across a large number of these <i>jooms</i> (clearings), and at each +there was a like effort to oppose us, always with the same result. After +advancing in this way for the greater part of the day, alternately +through dense jungle and open spaces, and occasionally passing by +scattered cottages, we sighted a good-sized village, where it was decided +we should remain for the night. The day's march had been very +severe, the village being 4,000 feet above the river; and the troops were +so worn out with their exertions that it was with difficulty the piquets +could be got to construct proper shelter for themselves out of the +plentiful supply of trees and underwood ready at hand. Throughout +the night the enemy's sharpshooters kept up an annoying fire under +cover of the forest which surrounded the village, and so as soon as day +dawned a party moved out to clear the ground all round.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lushais foiled by Gurkhas</span> +It was most aggravating to find from the view we got of the country<span class="page"><a name="315">[Page 315]</a></span> +from this elevated position that the previous day's harassing march +had been an absolutely useless performance and an unnecessary waste +of time and strength. We could now distinctly see that this village did +not lead to Lalbura's country, as we had been led to believe it would, +and that there was no alternative but to retrace our steps as far as the +river. The men and animals were too tired to march that day, and the +next being Christmas, we made another halt, and commenced our retirement +on the 26th. This was an extremely nasty business, and had +to be carried out with very great caution. The ground, as I said before, +necessitated our proceeding in single file, and with only 250 fighting +men (all that our deficient transport admitted of being brought on to +this point) it was difficult to guard the long line of sick, wounded, and +coolies. As soon as we began to draw in our piquets, the Lushais, who +had never ceased their fire, perceiving we were about to retire, came +down in force, and entered one end of the village, yelling and screaming +like demons, before we had got out at the other. The whole way +down the hill they pressed us hard, endeavouring to get amongst the +baggage, but were invariably baffled by the Gurkhas, who, extending +rapidly whenever the ground was favourable, retired through their +supports in admirable order, and did not once give the enemy the chance +of passing them. We had 3 men killed and 8 wounded during the +march, but the Lushais confessed afterwards to a loss of between 50 +and 60.</p> +<p> +As we were given to understand that our short retrograde movement +had been interpreted into a defeat by the Lushais, the General wisely +determined to pay the village of Kholel another visit. Our doing so had +the best possible effect. A slight resistance was offered at the first +clearance, but by the time the ridge was reached the Chief, having +become convinced of the uselessness of further opposition, submitted, +and engaged to give hostages and keep open communication with our +depot at Tipai Mukh, a promise which he most faithfully performed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1872</span> +1872 opened auspiciously for me. On New Year's Day I was agreeably +surprised by a communication from the Quartermaster-General +informing me that, a vacancy having unexpectedly occurred, Lord +Napier had appointed me Deputy-Quartermaster-General. This was +an important step in my department, and I was proportionately +elated.</p> +<p> +A few days later I received the good news of the birth of a son at +Umballa on the 8th.</p> +<p> +Paucity of transport and difficulty about supplies kept us stationary +on the Tuibum for some time, after which we moved on as before, the +Lushais retiring in front of us until the 25th, when they attacked us +while we were moving along a narrow ravine, with a stream at the +bottom and steep hills on either side. The first volley wounded the +General in the arm and hand, and killed his orderly. The enemy's<span class="page"><a name="316">[Page 316]</a></span> +intention was evidently to push past the weak column along the hillside +and get amongst the coolies; but this attempt was again foiled by +the Gurkhas, who, flinging off their great-coats, rushed into the stream +and engaged the Lushais before they could get at the baggage, pressing +them up the mountain, rising 2,500 feet above us, as fast as the precipitous +nature of the ascent would allow. On the crest we found the +enemy occupying a good-sized village, out of which we cleared them +and took possession of it ourselves. On this occasion we had only +4 killed and 8 wounded, including the General, while the enemy lost +about 60. In one place we found a heap of headless bodies. The +Lushais, if unable to remove their dead, invariably decapitate them to +prevent their adversaries from carrying off the heads, their own mode +of dealing with a slain enemy, as they believe that whoever is in +possession of the head will have the man to whom it belonged as a +slave in the next world.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A successful turning movement</span> +To complete the success we had gained, the General sent me the +next day with a small party to burn the village of Taikum, belonging +to the people who had attacked us. It was past noon before we could +make a start, owing to the non-arrival of the elephants with the guns. +When they did come in, the poor huge creatures were so fatigued by +their climb that it was considered advisable to transfer their loads to +coolies, particularly as the route we had to traverse was reported to be +even more difficult than anything we had yet encountered. When we +had proceeded a short distance, we perceived that our way was blocked +a mile ahead by a most formidable-looking stockade, on one side of +which rose perpendicular cliffs, while on the other was a rocky ravine. +As the nature of the ground did not admit of my approaching near +enough to discover whether the Artillery could be placed so as to cover +the Infantry advance, and being anxious to avoid losing many of my +small party, I settled to turn the stockade by a detour up the hillside. +This manœuvre took some time, owing to the uncompromising nature +of the country; but it was successful, for when we struck the track, +we found ourselves about a mile on the other side of the stockade. +The Lushais, on realizing what we were about, retired to Taikum, +which place came into view at 5 p.m. It was situated on the summit +of a hill 1,200 yards in front, and was crowded with men. The guns +were brought at once into action, and while Captain <a name="XXXIX3r">Blackwood</a><a href="#XXXIX3"><sup>3</sup></a> was +preparing his fuses, I advanced towards the village with the Infantry. +The first shell burst a little beyond the village, the second was lodged +in its very centre, for a time completely paralyzing the Lushais. On +recovering from the shock, they took to their heels and scampered off +in every direction, the last man leaving the village just as we entered<span class="page"><a name="317">[Page 317]</a></span> +it. The houses, as usual, were made of bamboo, and after it had been +ascertained that there was no living creature inside any of them, the +place was set on fire, and we began our return journey. There was a +bright moon, but even aided by its light we did not reach our bivouac +until midnight. This ended the campaign so far as opposition was +concerned, for not another shot was fired either by us or against us +during the remaining six weeks we continued in the country.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lalbura's Village</span> +Soon after this we heard that some of the captives we had come to +relieve had been given up to the Chittagong column, and that Mary +Winchester was safe in General Brownlow's hands—very satisfactory +intelligence, showing as it did that the Lushais were beginning to +understand the advisability of acceding to our demands. The work of +our column, however, was not over, for although, from the information +we received of his whereabouts, we had given up hope of joining +hands with Brownlow, Bourchier determined that Lalbura's country +must be reached; he (Lalbura) being the chief offender, it would never +have done to let him think his stronghold lay beyond our power.</p> +<p> +In order that we might be well out of Lushailand before the rains, +which usually begin in that part of the world about the middle of +March, and are extremely heavy, it was decided not to wait until a +road could be made for elephants, but to trust to coolie-carriage alone, and +to push on rapidly as soon as supplies sufficient for twelve days could +be collected. Kits were still further reduced, officers and soldiers alike +being only allowed a couple of blankets and one or two cooking utensils.</p> +<p> +We resumed our march on the 12th February; the route in many +places was strongly and skilfully stockaded, but the tidings of our +successes had preceded us, and our advance was unopposed. In five +days we reached the Chamfai valley, at the end of which, on a high +hill, Lalbura's village was <a name="XXXIX4r">situated</a>.<a href="#XXXIX4"><sup>4</sup></a> Although Lalbura's father, +Vonolel, had been dead some years, the people still called the place +Vonolel's country. Vonolel had been a famous warrior, and they were +evidently very proud of his reputation. We were shown his tomb, +which, like that of all great Lushai braves, was decorated with the +heads of human beings (his slaves in paradise) and those of animals, +besides drinking-vessels and various kinds of utensils for his use in +another life.</p> +<p> +Lalbura had taken himself off; but his headmen submitted to us +and accepted our terms. We remained at this place till the 21st, in +accordance with an agreement we had made with Brownlow to send +up signals on the night of the 20th in case his column should be anywhere +in the neighbourhood. During the three days we stayed amongst +them we mixed freely with the Lushais, who were greatly delighted<span class="page"><a name="318">[Page 318]</a></span> +and astonished with all we had to show them. The telescope and the +burning-glass amused them greatly; our revolvers excited their envy; +and for the little Mountain guns they displayed the highest veneration. +But what seemed to astonish them more than anything was the whiteness +of our skins, particularly when on closer inspection they discovered +that our arms and bodies were even fairer than our faces and hands, +which to our eyes had become from long exposure so bronzed as to +make us almost unrecognizable as Europeans.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Murder of Lord Mayo</span> +We were all glad that the duty entrusted to us had been satisfactorily +ended, and we were hoping that the Viceroy, who had taken a keen +personal interest in our proceedings, would be satisfied with the result, +when we were shocked and startled beyond measure by hearing that +Lord Mayo had been murdered by a convict while visiting the Andaman +Islands. The disastrous news arrived as we were in the midst of firing +signal-rockets, burning blue-lights, and lighting bonfires to attract the +attention of the Chittagong column. I could not help thinking of the +heavy loss India had sustained, for the manly, open-hearted Governor-General +had impressed the Native Chiefs in quite an exceptional +manner, and he was liked as well as respected by all classes of +Europeans and Natives. I felt also much for Donald Stewart, to +whom, I knew, such a terrible tragedy, happening while he was Superintendent +at Port Blair, would be a heavy blow.</p> +<p> +On the 6th March we reached Tipai Mukh, where we bade farewell +to our Lushai friends, numbers of whom accompanied us to get possession +of the empty tins, bags, and casks which were got rid of at every +stage. The hostages and those who had assisted us were liberally +rewarded, and we parted on the best of terms, with promises on their +part of future good behaviour—promises which were kept for nearly +twenty years.</p> +<p> +No one was sorry that the marching was at an end, and that the +rest of the journey back was to be performed in boats. Constant hard +work and exposure in a peculiarly malarious and relaxing climate had +told upon the whole force; while our having to depend for so long on +tinned meats, which were not always good, and consisted chiefly of +pork, with an occasional ration of mutton and salt beef, had been very +trying to the officers. One and all were 'completely worn out,' as the +principal medical officer reported; two out of our small number died, +and the General's condition gave cause for grave anxiety. For myself, +having a perfect horror of pork, I think I should have starved outright +but for the extraordinary culinary talent of Mr. Edgar, who disguised +the presence of the unclean animal in such a wonderful way in soups, +stews, etc., that I frequently partook of it without knowing what I +was eating. My wife and some anonymous kind friend sent by post +small tins of Liebig's extract, which were highly appreciated.</p> +<p> +Cholera pursued us up to and beyond Cachar; the wretched coolies<span class="page"><a name="319">[Page 319]</a></span> +suffered most, and it is a disease to which Gurkhas are peculiarly +susceptible, while a feast on a village pig from time to time probably +helped to make matters worse for them. Many of these grand little +soldiers and some of the Sikhs also fell victims to the scourge. My +orderly, a very smart young Gurkha, to my great regret, was seized +with it the day after I reached Cachar, and died next morning.</p> +<p> +On my way to Simla, I spent a few days with Norman at Calcutta. +The whole place was in mourning on account of the terrible catastrophe +which had happened at Port Blair.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XL">XL.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1872</span> + +<p> +Lord Napier of Murchiston, the Governor of Madras, had been +summoned to Calcutta to act as Viceroy until Lord Northbrook, Lord +Mayo's successor, should arrive. He seemed interested in what I +had to tell him about Lushai, and Lord Napier of Magdāla spoke in +laudatory terms of the manner in which the expedition had been +carried out.</p> +<p> +I reached Simla on the 1st of April, the twentieth anniversary of my +arrival in India. I found my wife, with the two children, settled in +<a name="XL1r">Snowdon</a>,<a href="#XL1"><sup>1</sup></a> a house I had recently purchased. She had had much +trouble in my absence, having been at death's door herself, and having +very nearly lost our little son at Umballa three weeks after his birth +from a Native wet-nurse having tried to kill him. The English nurse's +suspicions had been aroused by one day finding a live coal in the +cradle, but she did not mention this discovery at the time for fear of +frightening my wife; but she determined to watch. A few days later, +while with our little girl in the next room, she heard the baby boy +choking, and rushed in to find, to her horror, blood on his lips, and +that he was struggling violently, as if to get rid of something in his +throat! She pushed down her finger and pulled out a sharp piece of +cane about two inches long; but other pieces had evidently gone down, +for the poor little fellow was in terrible agony for many days. It +turned out that the wretched woman hated the unwonted confinement +of her new life, and was determined to get away, but was too much +afraid of her husband to say so. He wanted her to remain for the +sake of the high pay this class of servant receives, so it appeared to +the woman that her only chance of freedom was to get rid of the +child, and to carry out her purpose she first attempted to set fire to the +cradle, and finding this did not succeed, she pulled some pieces of<span class="page"><a name="320">[Page 320]</a></span> +cane off the chair upon which she was sitting, and shoved them down +the child's throat. She was, as my wife described her, a pretty, +innocent, timid-looking creature, to whom no one would ever have +dreamt of attributing such an atrocity. The boy was made extremely +delicate for several months by this misadventure, as his digestion had +been ruined for the time being, but eventually he completely recovered +from its effects.</p> +<p> +In September the C.B. was conferred upon me for the Lushai +Expedition. Lord Napier informed me of the fact in a particularly +kind little note. I was very proud of being a member of the Bath, +although at the time a brevet would have been a more useful reward, +as want of rank was the reason Lord Napier had given for not allowing +me to act as Quartermaster-General, on Lumsden being temporarily +appointed Resident at Hyderabad.</p> +<p> +We began our usual winter tour in the middle of October. At Mian +Mir I made the acquaintance of the Adjutant of the 37th Foot, the late +Sir Herbert Stewart, who was then a smart, good-looking subaltern, +and I recollect his bemoaning bitterly his bad luck in never having had +a chance of seeing service. How little at that time could it have been +anticipated that within twelve years he would see hard fighting in +Africa, and be killed as a Major-General in command of a column!</p> +<p> +We visited several of the stations in the Punjab, and spent a few days +at Jamu as guest of the Maharaja of Kashmir, who treated us royally, +and gave us some excellent pig-sticking; and on the 21st December we +joined Head-Quarters at Lawrencepur for a large Camp of Exercise, to +be held on the identical ground which I had selected for the camp +which Sir Hugh Rose proposed to have eleven years before.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lord Napier's care for the soldier</span> +Lord Napier of Magdāla did much to improve the efficiency of the +army by means of Camps of Exercise. He held one at Delhi in the +winter of 1871-72, and the Camp of which I am writing was most +successful and instructive. No Commander-in-Chief ever carried out +inspections with more thoroughness than did Lord Napier of Magdāla. +He spared himself no trouble. On the hottest day he would toil +through barrack after barrack to satisfy himself that the soldiers were +properly cared for; Europeans and Natives were equally attended to, +and many measures conducive to the men's comfort date from the time +he was in command in India.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1873</span> +At the close of this camp Lumsden, who had returned to his appointment +from Hyderabad, gave up the Quartermaster-Generalship for +good. We had been greatly thrown together during the twenty-one +years I had been in India, and my wife and I were very sorry to bid +farewell to him and Mrs. Lumsden. He was succeeded by Edwin +Johnson, pending whose arrival I was now allowed to officiate.</p> +<p> +From Lawrencepur I went with the Commander-in-Chief to Calcutta. +Soon after we arrived there I was asked by Sir Douglas Forsyth<span class="page"><a name="321">[Page 321]</a></span> +to accompany him on his Mission to Yarkand and Kashgar. I should +have much liked to have done so, for the idea of a trip to these, at that +time unknown, regions possessed great fascinations for me. I was +therefore well pleased when Lord Napier told me he would not stand +in the way of my going, and proportionately disappointed when, the +next day, His Excellency said that on consideration he did not think +I could be spared just then, for the Quartermaster-General would be +new to the work at first, and he thought he would need my assistance.</p> +<p> +The end of April saw us back in Simla, and in July Edwin Johnson +arrived.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Negotiations with Sher Ali renewed</span> +During the summer of 1873 important events occurred which had +much to do with our subsequent relations with Afghanistan. The +inquiries which Sher Ali had begged Lord Mayo to make about Persian +encroachments in Sistan, had resulted in General <a name="XL2r">Goldsmid</a><a href="#XL2"><sup>2</sup></a> and +Colonel <a name="XL3r">Pollock</a><a href="#XL3"><sup>3</sup></a> being deputed in 1871 to proceed to Sistan to decide +the question. The settlement arrived at by these officers, which +assigned to Afghanistan the country up to the right bank of the Helmand, +but nothing beyond, satisfied neither the Shah nor the Amir, +and the latter sent his confidential Minister, Saiyad Nur Mahomed, the +Afghan Commissioner in the Sistan arbitration, to meet Lord Northbrook +on his arrival in Bombay for the purpose of appealing to him +against the decision. It could not, however, be reversed; but in a subsequent +interview which the new Viceroy accorded the Envoy, the +latter was told that as soon as Persia and Afghanistan had signified +their acceptance of the settlement, the Government of India would +present the Amir with five lakhs of rupees as compensation for the +ceded territory which had for a time belonged to Afghanistan.</p> +<p> +The action of Her Majesty's Ministers in communication with Russia +regarding the northern boundary of Afghanistan was another matter +about which the Amir was greatly exercised; and Lord Northbrook, +thinking that all such vexed questions could be more satisfactorily +explained by personal communication than by letter, proposed to the +Amir that His Highness should consent to receive at Kabul a British +officer 'of high rank and dignity, in whom I have full confidence' +(Mr. <a name="XL4r">Macnabb</a>),<a href="#XL4"><sup>4</sup></a> 'who will also explain to Your Highness,' wrote the +Viceroy, 'the negotiations which have now been satisfactorily concluded +with the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, +whereby the Russian Government have agreed to recognize and respect +the integrity and independence of the territories now in Your +Highness's possession.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sher Ali's demands</span> +To this request Sher Ali replied that he considered it advisable that +one of his agents should first wait on the Viceroy to ascertain the real<span class="page"><a name="322">[Page 322]</a></span> +views of the British Government on these important matters. This +was agreed to, and Saiyad Nur Mahomed was again selected to represent +the Amir. He reached Simla towards the end of June. On +being informed that Persia had unreservedly accepted the decision as +to the Sistan question, the Envoy declared that, whatever opinion the +Amir might hold as to his rights, His Highness would also scrupulously +respect that decision. With regard to the northern frontier, the +Envoy begged it to be clearly understood that the Afghan Government +wished to be allowed to make their own laws and follow their own +customs within their territories; that the internal affairs of the country +should be free from interference; and that the acknowledgment by +Russia of the Amir's claim to land south of the Oxus should be confirmed +by Bokhara. He further requested 'that the British Government +would distinctly promise that, in the event of any aggression on +the Amir's territories, they would consider the perpetrator of such +aggression as their own enemy.' It was explained to the Saiyad that +the British Government did not share the Amir's apprehension of +Russia; that under such circumstances as he contemplated, it would +be the duty of the Amir to refer to the British Government, who would +decide whether it was an occasion for assistance to be rendered by +them, and what the nature and extent of the assistance should be; +moreover, that their help must be conditional upon the Amir himself +abstaining from aggression, and on his unreserved acceptance of the +advice of the British Government in regard to his external relations.</p> +<p> +Two other questions were discussed:</p> + +<p class="quote1"> +(1) The location in certain towns in Afghanistan of British officers as +representatives of the British Government.</p> +<p class="quote1"> +(2) The present assistance to be rendered to the Amir for the +purpose of strengthening his country against foreign aggression.</p> + +<p> +On the first point the Envoy said he had no instructions, but that, +in his opinion, to ask Sher Ali to allow British officers to be located +in Afghanistan would give rise to mistrust and apprehension. He +recommended that a letter should be addressed to the Amir, pointing +out the desirability of a British officer being sent to inspect the western +and northern boundaries of Afghanistan, proceeding <i>viâ</i> Kandahar and +returning <i>viâ</i> Kabul, where he might confer personally with His Highness. +This suggestion was carried out.</p> +<p> +With regard to the second point under discussion, the Envoy stated +that 20,000 stand-of-arms were desired, laying very particular stress +on 5,000 Sniders being included in this number, and that hopes were +entertained by the Amir that he would be largely assisted with money. +In answer to this, the Saiyad was told that there was not then a +sufficient reserve supply of Sniders for the English troops in India, +and that it was impossible to spare more than 5,000 Enfields; that +this number should at once be placed at the Amir's disposal, and that<span class="page"><a name="323">[Page 323]</a></span> +the remainder should be forwarded as soon as they were received from +England. He was further informed that five lakhs of rupees (exclusive +of the five lakhs promised the year before, as indemnification for the +loss of territory) would be given to Sher Ali.</p> +<p> +A final letter from the Viceroy was sent to the Amir through Saiyad +Nur Mahomed, dated 6th September, 1873, summing up the result of +the conference. His Highness was told, with reference to a fear +expressed by the Envoy lest Russia should press for the establishment +of a Russian Mission and agents in Afghanistan, that Prince +Gortschakoff had officially intimated that, while he saw no objection +to British officers going to Kabul, he engaged that Russian agents +should abstain from doing so, and that, far from apprehending a +Russian invasion of Afghanistan, the British Government believed +that the effect of the recent arrangements had been to render the +occurrence of such a contingency more remote than ever. At the +same time, being desirous of seeing the Amir strong and his rule +firmly established, the Government were prepared to give him any +reasonable assistance.</p> +<p> +Sher Ali was greatly annoyed and disappointed at the result of his +Envoy's visit to Simla. He was of a very impulsive, passionate disposition; +his reply to the Viceroy's letter was discourteous and +sarcastic; he declined to receive a British officer at Kabul, and +although he condescended to accept the arms presented to him, he +left the ten lakhs of rupees untouched in the Peshawar treasury. +Colonel Valentine Baker, who was at that time travelling through +Central Asia, was forbidden by the Amir to pass through Afghanistan +on his way to India; and a few months later he refused to allow Sir +Douglas Forsyth's Mission to return to India by way of Afghanistan.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLI">XLI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1873</span> + + <p><span class="rightnote"><br />A Trip in the Himalayas</span> +In the beginning of October my wife and I started for a fortnight's trip +to the top of the Chor, a fine mountain sixty-two miles from Simla, +and close on 12,000 feet high. We were accompanied by a very dear +friend of ours—now no more—Colonel Baigrie, who was soon afterwards +made Quartermaster-General in Bombay. He was a talented +artist and delightful companion, and notwithstanding the old adage +that two are company and three none, we three enjoyed our holiday +immensely.</p> +<p> +After crossing a stream called the Ghiri, below Fagu, the road +passes through beautiful forest and cliff scenery, and for the most part +was fairly easy, until the foot of the mountain was reached about six +miles from the top, when it became very precipitous and difficult.<span class="page"><a name="324">[Page 324]</a></span> +We were the whole day doing this march, breakfasting in one place +and lunching in another higher up. There was a good deal of snow in +the shady spots. A few days before we had noticed that the top of +the mountain was white, but the sun was still too strong in the daytime +for the snow to lie long in exposed parts. The way being too +steep for my wife to ride or go in a dandy, we all three walked, or +rather climbed, up to the shoulder where our tents were pitched, about +a mile from the summit.</p> +<p> +The forest through which we passed was very beautiful, commencing +with dark-green ilex, glistening holly, and sombre brown +oak, interspersed with groups of the dainty, graceful, white-stemmed +birch, and wreathed with festoons of the scarlet Himalayan vine. As +we mounted higher, trees became fewer and the foliage less luxuriant, +till at length only oaks were to be seen, their branches twisted into +all sorts of weird, fantastic shapes from the strength of the south-west +monsoon. Huge rocks became more frequent, covered with lichens +and mosses of every shade, from dark-green to brilliant crimson. At +length trees and shrubs were left behind, except the red-berried juniper, +which grows at a higher elevation here than any other bush, and +flourishes in the clefts of the rocks, where nothing else will exist. We +got up in time to see the most glorious sunset; the colours were more +wonderful than anything I had ever seen before, even in India. My +wife urged Baigrie to make a rough sketch, and note the tints, that he +might paint a picture of it later. He made the sketch, saying: 'If I +attempted to represent truly what we see before us, the painting would +be rejected by the good people at home as absurdly unreal, or as the +work of a hopeless lunatic.' There was such a high wind that our +small tents had a narrow escape of being blown away. That night +the water was frozen in our jugs, and it was quite impossible to keep +warm.</p> +<p> +We were up betimes the next morning, and climbed to the highest +peak, where we found breakfast awaiting us and a magnificent view of +the Himalayan ranges, right down to the plains on one side and up to +the perpetual snows on the other. We descended to the foot of the +mountain in the afternoon, and then returned, march by march, to +Simla.</p> +<p> +Towards the end of the month Lord Napier began his winter tour, +visiting the hill stations first. At Chakrata I made the acquaintance +of the 92nd Highlanders, that distinguished corps which stood me in +such good stead a few years later in Afghanistan. At the end of +November we found ourselves at Lucknow, in time to take part in +Lord Northbrook's state entry, and be present at a fête given to the +Viceroy in the Wingfield Park by Sir George Cooper, the Chief Commissioner.</p> +<p> +From Lucknow we went for a brief visit to a small Camp of Exercise<span class="page"><a name="325">[Page 325]</a></span> +near Rurki, where Lord Napier left the Adjutant-General, <a name="XLI1r">Thesiger</a>,<a href="#XLI1"><sup>1</sup></a> +in command, while he himself proceeded to visit some of the stations +in the Madras Presidency, and I returned for a short time to Simla.</p> +<p> +While riding up the hill from Kalka, I had a novel experience. One +of those tremendous thunder-storms which are not uncommon in the +Himalayas came on; the rain was blinding and incessant, and the peals +of thunder were simultaneous with the lightning. At last there was a +tremendous crash; a flash, more vivid than the rest, passed right in +front of my horse's head, accompanied by a whizzing noise and a sulphurous +smell, completely blinding me for a second. Two Natives +travelling a few yards ahead of me fell flat on their faces, and I thought +they were killed, but it turned out they were only knocked over and +very much frightened.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1874</span> +Early in January, 1874, we received by telegram the infinitely sad +news of my father's death. We ought, I suppose, to have been prepared +for such an event, seeing that he was within a few months of +his ninetieth birthday; but he was so well and active, and took such a +keen interest in all that was going on, especially anything connected +with India, that we hardly realized his great age, and always hoped we +might see him once more. He had received the G.C.B. from Her +Majesty's hands at Windsor on the 8th December, and two days afterwards +he wrote me an account of the ceremony, and expressed himself +much pleased and gratified at the Queen's gracious manner to him. +He said nothing about his health, but we heard later that he had taken +cold in the train on his way home, and never recovered from the +effects; he died on the 30th of December. His love for India had not +been weakened by his twenty years' absence from the country, and he +never wearied of being told of the wonderful changes which had taken +place since his day—changes which, for the most part, dated from the +Mutiny, for up till 1857 life in India was much the same as when my +father first landed in the beginning of the century.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Famine in Behar</span> +A continued drought in Behar was at this time causing grave fears +of a famine, such as from time to time had desolated various parts of +India. Nine years before such a drought, and the absence of means of +communication, which prevented grain being thrown into the famine-stricken +districts in sufficient quantities, resulted in one-fourth of the +population of Orissa being carried off by starvation, or disease consequent +on starvation. So on this occasion Lord Northbrook was +determined, at all costs, to ward off such a calamity. He sent Sir +Richard Temple to Behar in the confident hope that his unbounded +resource and energy would enable him to cope with the difficulties of +the situation, a hope that was fully realized. Relief works were at +once commenced; a transport train was quickly improvised, worked<span class="page"><a name="326">[Page 326]</a></span> +chiefly by military and police officers; and one million tons of rice were +distributed amongst the people. Not a life was lost, but the cost to the +State was enormous—six millions and a half sterling.</p> +<p> +In the beginning of February I was ordered by Government to proceed +to the famine districts to help Temple. I started at once; but I +had not been long in Behar before I was required to join the Commander-in-Chief +in Calcutta, His Excellency having determined to +nominate me Quartermaster-General, in succession to Johnson, who +was about to become Adjutant-General. Being only a Lieutenant-Colonel +in the army, I could not, according to the rules, be put at once +permanently into the appointment, which carried with it the rank of +Major-General. The difficulty was overcome, however, by my being +allowed to officiate till the following January, when, in the ordinary +course of promotion, I should become a Colonel.</p> +<p> +Lord Northbrook spent the summer of 1874 in Calcutta, in consequence +of the famine necessities having to be met; and as the Commander-in-Chief +determined to follow his example, I took a house in +Calcutta, and my wife joined me in the middle of March—rather a bad +time of year to come down to the plains after spending the winter +amongst the snows of Simla. But she did not fancy Simla in the +season as a grass-widow, and had had quite enough of being alone.</p> +<p> +We continued in Calcutta until August, when the Head-Quarters +returned to Simla, where we remained till November.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1875</span> +We had a standing camp at Umballa during the winter of 1874-75, +doing our inspections from there, and returning to the camp at +intervals. There was the usual visit to Calcutta in March, towards the +end of which month another daughter was born.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Prince of Wales in India</span> +In October, 1875, I spent some time at Delhi, arranging for the +Camp of Exercise to be held there in January for His Royal Highness +the Prince of Wales. The camp was formed in the beginning of +December, and consisted of 17,000 men, in four divisions, commanded +by Major-Generals Sir Charles Reid, Macdonnell, the Hon. Arthur +Hardinge, and Donald Stewart.</p> +<p> +The country round Delhi is particularly well suited for extended +manœuvres, and full advantage was taken of the facilities it afforded +during the two months the Camp of Exercise lasted. The Prince of +Wales landed at Calcutta on the 23rd December; and Lord Napier with +his staff went down to meet His Royal Highness, whose reception was +loyal and hearty to a degree. As the <i>Serapis</i>, with the Prince on +board, steamed slowly up the Hughli, salutes were fired from Fort +William and three ships of the Royal Navy. All the vessels in the +river were gay with flags, their yards were manned, and good hearty +English cheers resounded from stem to stern of each ship as the Indian +troopship, carrying the heir to England's throne, came in sight. As +soon as the <i>Serapis</i> was moored, the Viceroy went on board to greet<span class="page"><a name="327">[Page 327]</a></span> +the Prince and conduct His Royal Highness to the gaily-decorated +landing-stage, where the principal officials, Native Princes, and chief +inhabitants of Calcutta were assembled. Troops lined the road from +the river to Government House, and the <i>maidan</i> (the great open +space in front) was thronged with a dense crowd of Natives in their +most brilliant gala attire, eager to catch a glimpse of the son of the +great Queen of England.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1876</span> +That evening Lord Northbrook gave a State banquet. The next day +there was a reception of the Princes and Chiefs, followed by a levée, +and after dark the whole place was most beautifully illuminated. The +week that followed was taken up with entertainments of various kinds—balls, +races, and garden-parties, interspersed with official visits—which +I am afraid the Prince could not have found amusing—and on +New Year's Day, 1876, His Royal Highness held a Chapter of the +Order of the Star of India, after which the Commander-in-Chief +returned to Delhi to arrange to receive the Prince in that historical +city on the 11th January.</p> +<p> +His Royal Highness's camp, and that of the Commander-in-Chief, +were pitched on the ground occupied by the British army during the +siege. The road, five miles in length, from the station to the camp +was lined with troops, and on the Ridge itself were placed six Rifle +corps, three of which had taken part in the <a name="XLI2r">siege</a>.<a href="#XLI2"><sup>2</sup></a> The 2nd Gurkhas +were very appropriately drawn up immediately under Hindu Rao's +house, and when this point was reached, the Prince stopped and +warmly complimented the men on the distinguished service the +regiment had performed.</p> +<p> +The next day there was a parade of all the troops in review order +for the inspection of the Prince, who was pleased to express his complete +satisfaction and approval of 'the steadiness under arms, soldier-like +bearing, and precision of movement, which distinguish the corps +of the three armies assembled at the camp at Delhi.'</p> +<p> +That evening the Prince was present at a ball in the <i>diwan-i-khas</i> +(private audience hall) in the palace, given in His Royal Highness's +honour by the officers of the army.</p> +<p> +The next few days were taken up with manœuvres, which the Prince +attended, accompanied by <a name="XLI3r">Lumsden</a><a href="#XLI3"><sup>3</sup></a> and myself. The defence was +commanded by Reid, the attack by Hardinge, the latter's object being +to gain possession of the Ridge, with a view to future operations +against the city on the arrival of the main army from the Punjab. +But the attack did not meet with the success which attended Barnard +in 1857, while the Commander of the defence proved himself as skilful +in protecting the Ridge against an enemy advancing from the north as<span class="page"><a name="328">[Page 328]</a></span> +he had been, twenty years before, in repulsing one coming from the +opposite direction.</p> +<p> +The Prince of Wales held another investiture of the Star of India +on the 7th of March at Allahabad, which Lord Napier and the staff +attended. At its close we took our leave of His Royal Highness, who +started that night for England.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Farewell to Lord Napier</span> +In less than a fortnight our dear old Chief followed, and I saw him +off from Bombay on the 10th April. I was very low at parting with +him, for though in the earlier days of our acquaintance I used to think +he was not very favourably disposed towards me, when I became more +intimately associated with him nothing could exceed his kindness. He +was universally regretted by Europeans and Natives alike. The +soldiers recognized that he had carefully guarded their interests and +worked for their welfare, and the Native Princes and people felt that +he was in sympathy with them, and to this day they speak of <i>Lat +Napier Sahib</i> with the deepest respect and affection.</p> +<p> +Lord Napier was succeeded in the command by Sir Frederick +Haines.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLII">XLII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1876</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />Lord Lytton becomes Viceroy</span> +With a new Commander-in-Chief came a new Viceroy, and it was +while we were in Bombay seeing the last of Lord Napier that the +<i>Orontes</i> steamed into the harbour with Lord Lytton on board. Little +did I imagine when making Lord Lytton's acquaintance how much he +would have to say to my future career.</p> +<p> +His Excellency received me very kindly, telling me he felt that I +was not altogether a stranger, as he had been reading during the +voyage a paper I had written for Lord Napier, a year or two before, +on our military position in India, and the arrangements that would be +necessary in the event of Russia attempting to continue her advance +south of the Oxus. Lord Napier had sent a copy of this memorandum +to Lord Beaconsfield, by whom it had been given to Lord +Lytton.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate17">[plate 17]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/17-fmldnapier.jpg" width="350" height="470" alt="FIELD-MARSHAL LORD NAPIER OF MAGDALA, G.C.B., G.C.S.I." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>FIELD-MARSHAL LORD NAPIER OF MAGDALA, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a photograph by Messrs. Maull and Fox.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +During the summer of 1876 our frontier policy was frequently under +discussion. Sir Bartle Frere wrote two very strong letters after the +Conservative Government came into power in 1874, drawing attention +to the danger of our being satisfied with a policy of aloofness, and +pointing out the necessity for coming into closer relations with the +Amir of Afghanistan and the Khan of Khelat. Soon afterwards +the Secretary of State communicated with the Government of India +as to the advisability of establishing British agents in Afghanistan,<span class="page"><a name="329">[Page 329]</a></span> +and of persuading the Amir to receive a temporary Embassy at Kabul, +as had originally been proposed by Lord Northbrook.</p> +<p> +The members of Lord Northbrook's Council were unanimously +opposed to both these proposals, but they did not succeed in convincing +Lord Salisbury that the measures were undesirable; and on the +resignation of Lord Northbrook, the new Viceroy was furnished with +special instructions as to the action which Her Majesty's Government +considered necessary in consequence of the activity of Russia in +Central Asia, and the impossibility of obtaining accurate information +of what was going on in and beyond Afghanistan.</p> +<p> +The question of the Embassy was dealt with at once; Lord Lytton +directed a letter to be sent to the Amir announcing his assumption of +the Viceroyalty, and his intention to depute Sir Lewis Pelly to proceed +to Kabul for the purpose of discussing certain matters with His +Highness.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Difficulties with Sher Ali</span> +To this communication a most unsatisfactory reply was received, +and a second letter was addressed to the Amir, in which he was +informed that, should he still decline to receive the Viceroy's Envoy +after deliberately weighing all the considerations commended to his +serious attention, the responsibility of the result would rest entirely +on the Government of Afghanistan, which would thus alienate itself +from the alliance of that Power which was most disposed and best able +to befriend it.</p> +<p> +This letter was the cause of considerable excitement in Kabul, +excitement which ran so high that the necessity for proclaiming a +religious war was mooted; and, to complicate matters, the Amir at +this time received overtures from General Kauffmann, the Russian +Governor-General in Turkestan.</p> +<p> +A delay of six weeks occurred before Sher Ali replied to Lord +Lytton's letter, and then he altogether ignored the Viceroy's proposal +to send a Mission to Kabul, merely suggesting that the British Government +should receive an Envoy from him, or that representatives from +both countries should meet and hold a conference on the border, or, as +another alternative, that the British Native Agent at Kabul should +return and discuss affairs with the Viceroy.</p> +<p> +The last suggestion was accepted by the Government of India, and +the agent (Nawab Ata Mahomed Khan) arrived in Simla early in +October. The Nawab gave it as his opinion that the Amir's attitude +of estrangement was due to an accumulation of grievances, the chief +of which were—the unfavourable arbitration in the Sistan dispute; +the want of success of Saiyad Nur Mahomed's mission to India in +1873, when it was the desire of the Amir's heart to enter into an +offensive and defensive alliance with the British Government; the +interposition of Lord Northbrook's Government on behalf of Yakub +<a name="XLII1r">Khan</a>;<a href="#XLII1"><sup>1</sup></a> the recent proceedings +in <a name="XLII2r">Khelat</a>,<a href="#XLII2"><sup>2</sup></a> which the Amir thought<span class="page"><a name="330">[Page 330]</a></span> +were bringing us objectionably near Kandahar; the transmission of +presents through Afghanistan, to his vassal, the Mir of Wakhan, +without the Amir's <a name="XLII3r">permission</a>;<a href="#XLII3"><sup>3</sup></a> and, above all, the conviction that +our policy was exclusively directed to the furtherance of British +interests without any thought for those of Afghanistan.</p> +<p> +As regarded the proposed Mission to Kabul, the Envoy said that His +Highness objected to it for many reasons. Owing to local fanaticism, +he could not insure its safety, and it seemed probable that, though of a +temporary nature to begin with, it might only be the thin end of the +wedge, ending in the establishment of a permanent Resident, as at the +courts of the Native Rulers in India. Furthermore, the Amir conceived +that, if he consented to this Mission, the Russians would insist upon +their right to send a similar one, and finally, he feared a British Envoy +might bring his influence to bear in favour of the release of his son, +Yakub Khan, with whom his relations were as strained as ever.</p> +<p> +In answer, the Viceroy enumerated the concessions he was prepared +to make, and the conditions upon which alone he would consent to +them; and this answer the agent was directed to communicate to the +Amir.</p> +<p> +The concessions were as follows:</p> +<p class="quote4"> +(1) That the friends and enemies of either State should be those of +the other.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +(2) That, in the event of unprovoked aggression upon Afghanistan +from without, assistance should be afforded in men, money, and arms; +and also that to strengthen the Amir against such aggression, the +British Government was willing to fortify Herat and other points on +the frontier, and, if desired, to lend officers to discipline the army.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +(3) That Abdulla Jan should be recognized as the Amir's successor +to the exclusion of any other aspirant; and that the question of +material aid in support of such recognition should be discussed by the +Plenipotentiaries.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +(4) That a yearly subsidy should be paid to the Amir on the +following conditions:</p> +<p class="quote5"> +That he should refrain from external aggression or provocation of +his neighbours, and from entering into external relations without our +knowledge.</p> +<p class="quote5"> +That he should decline all communication with Russia, and refer<span class="page"><a name="331">[Page 331]</a></span> +her agents to us.</p> +<p class="quote5"> +That British agents should reside at Herat and elsewhere on the +frontier.</p> +<p class="quote5"> +That a mixed commission of British and Afghan officers should +determine and demarcate the Amir's frontier.</p> +<p class="quote5"> +That arrangements should be made, by allowances or otherwise, for +free circulation of trade on the principal trade routes.</p> +<p class="quote5"> +That similar arrangements should be made for a line of telegraph, +the direction of which was to be subsequently determined.</p> +<p class="quote5"> +That Afghanistan should be freely opened to Englishmen, official +and non-official, and arrangements made by the Amir, as far as +practicable, for their safety, though His Highness would not be +absolutely held responsible for isolated accidents.</p> +<p> +The Viceroy concluded by suggesting that, if the Amir agreed to +these proposals, a treaty might be arranged between the agents of the +respective Governments, and ratified either at Peshawar, by the Amir +meeting Lord Lytton there, or at Delhi if the Amir accepted His +Excellency's invitation to be present at the Imperial Assemblage.</p> +<p> +The Amir at the time vouchsafed no reply whatever to these proposals +or to the invitation to come to Delhi.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Imperial Assemblage at Delhi</span> +In the autumn of 1876 preparations were commenced for the +'Imperial Assemblage,' which it was announced by the Viceroy would +be held at Delhi on the first day of January, 1877, for the purpose +of proclaiming to the Queen's subjects throughout India the assumption +by Her Majesty of the title of 'Empress of India.' To this +Assemblage Lord Lytton further announced that he proposed 'to +invite the Governors, Lieutenant-Governors, and Heads of Administration +from all parts of the Queen's Indian dominions, as well as the +Princes, Chiefs, and Nobles in whose persons the antiquity of the past +is associated with the prosperity of the present, and who so worthily +contribute to the splendour and stability of this great Empire.'</p> +<p> +Delhi was selected as the place where the meeting between the +Queen's representative and the great nobles of India could most +appropriately be held, and a committee was appointed to make the +necessary arrangements. As a member of the committee I was +deputed to proceed to Delhi, settle about the sites for the camps, and +carry out all details in communication with the local authorities. The +Viceroy impressed upon me that the Assemblage was intended to +emphasize the Proclamation Lord Canning issued eighteen years before, +by which the Queen assumed the direct sovereignty of her eastern +possessions, and that he wished no trouble or expense to be spared +in making the ceremony altogether worthy of such a great historical +event.</p> +<p> +I returned to Simla in October, when my wife and I accompanied +the Commander-in-Chief on a very delightful march over the Jalauri<span class="page"><a name="332">[Page 332]</a></span> +Pass through the Kulu valley, then over the Bubbu Pass and through +the Kangra valley to Chamba and Dalhousie. Our party consisted of +the Chief, his Doctor (Bradshaw), Persian interpreter (Moore), General +and Mrs. Lumsden, and ourselves. The first slight shower of snow +had just fallen on the Jalauri Pass, and as we crossed over we disturbed +a number of beautiful snow-pheasants and minals busily engaged +in scratching it away to get at their food. The scenery on this march +is very fine and varied; for the most part the timber and foliage are +superb, and the valleys are very fertile and pretty, lying close under +the snow-capped mountains.</p> +<p> +Having inspected the 'Hill stations,' we proceeded to Peshawar, +where the Viceroy had arranged to hold a conference with the +Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab and the Commissioner of Peshawar +about frontier affairs.</p> +<p> +Early in December I was back again at Delhi, where I found the +arrangements for the several camps progressing most satisfactorily, +and canvas cities rising up in every direction, I had previously chosen +the site of the old cantonment for the camps of the Viceroy, the Commander-in-Chief, +and the principal officials, while for the Assemblage +itself I had selected ground about three miles off.</p> +<p> +The Chiefs and Princes were all settled in their several camps ready +to meet the Viceroy, who, on his arrival, in a few graceful words +welcomed them to Delhi, and thanked them for responding to his +invitation. He then mounted, with Lady Lytton, on a state elephant, +and a procession was formed, which, I fancy, was about the most +gorgeous and picturesque which has ever been seen even in the +East. The magnificence of the Native Princes' retinues can hardly +be described; their elephant-housings were of cloth of gold, or scarlet-and-blue +cloths embroidered in gold and silver. The howdahs were +veritable thrones of the precious metals, shaded by the most brilliant +canopies, and the war-elephants belonging to some of the Central India +and Rajputana Chiefs formed a very curious and interesting feature. +Their tusks were tipped with steel; they wore shields on their fore-heads, +and breastplates of flashing steel; chain-mail armour hung +down over their trunks and covered their backs and sides; and they +were mounted by warriors clad in chain-mail, and armed to the teeth. +Delhi must have witnessed many splendid pageants, when the Rajput, +the Moghul, and the Mahratta dynasties, each in its turn, was at the +height of its glory; but never before had Princes and Chiefs of every +race and creed come from all parts of Hindustan, vying with each +other as to the magnificence of their <i>entourage</i>, and met together with +the same object—that of acknowledging and doing homage to one +supreme Ruler.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Reception of the Ruling Chiefs</span> +The next few days were spent by Lord Lytton in receiving the sixty-<a name="XLII4r">three</a><a href="#XLII4"><sup>4</sup></a> +Ruling Princes of India according to the strictest etiquette.<span class="page"><a name="333">[Page 333]</a></span> +Each Prince, with his suite, was met at the entrance to the camp, and +conducted up the street to the durbar tent by mounted officers, the +salute to which he was entitled being fired while the procession moved +on. He was then presented by the Foreign Secretary to the Viceroy, +who placed him on a chair on his right, immediately below a full-length +portrait of Her Majesty. A satin banner, richly embroidered +with the Chief's armorial bearings, surmounted by the Imperial crown, +was next brought in by Highland soldiers and planted in front of the +throne, when the Viceroy, leading the particular Chief towards it, thus +addressed him: 'I present Your Highness with this banner as a +personal gift from Her Majesty the Queen, in commemoration of her +assumption of the title of Empress of India. Her Majesty trusts that +it may never be unfurled without reminding you not only of the close +union between the throne of England and your loyal and princely +house, but also of the earnest desire of the paramount power to see +your dynasty strong, prosperous, and permanent.'</p> +<p> +His Excellency then placed round the Chief's neck a crimson ribbon, +to which was attached a very handsome gold <a name="XLII5r">medal</a><a href="#XLII5"><sup>5</sup></a> with the Queen's +head engraved on it, adding: 'I further decorate you, by command of +Her Majesty. May this medal be long worn by yourself, and long +kept as an heirloom in your family in remembrance of the auspicious +date it bears.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1877<br />Queen proclaimed Empress of India</span> +The 1st January, 1877, saw the Queen proclaimed Empress of India, +The ceremony was most imposing, and in every way successful. Three +tented pavilions had been constructed on an open plain. The throne-pavilion +in the centre was a very graceful erection, brilliant in hangings +and banners of red, blue, and white satin magnificently embroidered +in gold, with appropriate emblems. It was hexagonal in shape, and +rather more than 200 feet in circumference. In front of this was the +pavilion for the Ruling Chiefs and high European officials, in the form +of a semicircle 800 feet long. The canopy was of Star of India blue-and-white +satin embroidered in gold, each pillar being surmounted by +an Imperial crown. Behind the throne was the stand for the spectators, +also in the form of a semicircle divided in the middle, and +likewise canopied in brilliant colours. Between these two blocks was +the entrance to the area.</p> +<p> +Each Chief and high official sat beneath his own banner, which was +planted immediately behind his chair, and they were all mixed up as +much as possible to avoid questions of precedence, the result being the<span class="page"><a name="334">[Page 334]</a></span> +most wonderful mass of colour, produced from the intermingling of +British uniforms and plumes with gorgeous eastern costumes, set off by +a blaze of diamonds and other precious stones.</p> +<p> +All the British troops brought to Delhi for the occasion were paraded +to the north, and the troops and retainers belonging to the Native +Chiefs to the south, of the pavilion. Guards of Honour were drawn up +on either side of the throne and at each opening by which the Ruling +Chiefs were to enter the pavilion.</p> +<p> +The guests being all seated, a flourish of trumpets by the heralds +exactly at noon announced the arrival of the Viceroy. The military +bands played a march, and Lord Lytton, accompanied by Lady Lytton, +their daughters, and his staff, proceeded to the pavilion. His Excellency +took his seat upon the throne, arrayed in his robes as Grand +Master of the Star of India, the National Anthem was played, the +Guards of Honour presented arms, while the whole of the vast +assemblage rose as one man. The Chief Herald was then commanded +to read the Proclamation. A flourish of trumpets was again sounded, +and Her Majesty was proclaimed Empress of India.</p> +<p> +When the Chief Herald had ceased reading, the Royal Standard +was hoisted, and a salute of 101 salvoes of artillery was fired, with a +<i>feu de joie</i> from the long line of troops. This was too much for the +elephants. As the <i>feu de joie</i> approached nearer and nearer to them they +became more and more alarmed, and at last scampered off, dispersing +the crowd in every direction. When it ceased they were quieted and +brought back by their <i>mahouts</i>, only to start off again when the firing +recommenced; but, as it was a perfectly bare plain, without anything +for the great creatures to come in contact with, there was no harm +done beyond a severe shaking to their riders. As the sound of the last +salvo died away the Viceroy addressed the assemblage. When he +had ceased speaking, the assembly again rose <i>en masse</i> and joined the +troops in giving several ringing cheers.</p> +<p> +His Highness the Maharaja Sindhia then spoke as follows: '<i>Shah in +Shah Padishah</i>. May God bless you. The Princes of India bless you, +and pray that your sovereignty and power may remain steadfast +for ever.'</p> +<p> +Sir Salar Jung rose on behalf of the boy Nizam, and said: 'I am +desired by His Highness the Nizam to request your Excellency to convey +to Her Majesty, on the part of himself and the Chiefs of India, the +expression of their hearty congratulations on the assumption of the +title of Empress of India, and to assure the Queen that they pray for +her, and for the enduring prosperity of her Empire, both in India and +England.'</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate18">[plate 18]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + + <img src="images/18-earllytton.jpg" width="335" height="470" alt="THE EARL OF LYTTON, G.C.B., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., VICEROY of INDIA." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>THE EARL OF LYTTON, G.C.B., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., <br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em;">VICEROY OF INDIA.</span></b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From a photograph by Messrs. Maull and Fox.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +The Maharajas of Udaipur and Jaipur, in the name of the united +Chiefs of Rajputana, begged that a telegram might be sent to the +Queen, conveying their dutiful and loyal congratulations; and the<span class="page"><a name="335">[Page 335]</a></span> +Maharaja of Kashmir expressed his gratification at the tenor of the Viceroy's +speech, and declared that he should henceforth consider himself +secure under the shadow of Her Majesty's protecting <a name="XLII6r">care</a>.<a href="#XLII6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Political importance of the assemblage</span> +It is difficult to overrate the political importance of this great +gathering. It was looked upon by most of the Ruling Chiefs as the +result of the Prince of Wales's visit, and rejoiced in as an evidence of +Her Majesty's increased interest in, and appreciation of, the vast +Empire of India with its many different races and peoples.</p> +<p> +I visited all the camps, and conversed with every one of the Princes +and Nobles, and each in turn expressed the same intense gratification +at the Viceroy's reception of him, the same fervent loyalty to the +Empress, and the same satisfaction that the new title should have been +announced with such appropriate splendour and publicity.</p> +<p> +General rejoicings in honour of the occasion took place all over +India, in Native States as well as British cantonments. School-houses, +town halls, hospitals, and dispensaries were founded, large numbers of +prisoners were released, substantial additions were made to the pay of +all ranks in the Native Army, as well as a considerable increase in +numbers to the Order of British India; and the amnesty granted in +1859 was extended to all but murderers and leaders in the Mutiny.</p> +<p> +When the Assemblage broke up, I started with Sir Frederick Haines +for a tour along the Derajat frontier. We visited Kohat, Bannu, Dera +Ismail Khan, and Multan; proceeded by steamer down the Indus to +Sukkur, and thence rode to Jacobabad. Then on to Kotri, from which +place we went to see the battle-field of Miani, where Sir Charles Napier +defeated the Amirs of Sind in 1843. From Kotri we travelled to +Simla <i>viâ</i> Karachi and Bombay, where we were most hospitably entertained +by the Commander-in-Chief of Bombay (Sir Charles Stavely) and +his wife.</p> +<p> +Afghan affairs were this year again giving the Viceroy a great deal of +anxiety. The Amir had eventually agreed to a discussion of Lord +Lytton's proposals being held, and for this purpose Saiyad Nur +Mahomed and Sir Lewis Pelly had met at Peshawar in January, 1877. +The meeting, unfortunately, ended in a rupture, owing to Sher Ali's +agent pronouncing the location of European officers in any part of +Afghanistan an impossibility; and what at this crisis complicated +matters to a most regrettable extent was the death of Saiyad Nur +Mahomed, who had been in failing health for some time.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sher Ali proclaims a 'Jahad'</span> +On learning the death of his most trusted Minister, and the failure of +the negotiations, Sher Ali broke into a violent fit of passion, giving vent +to his fury in threatenings and invectives against the British Government. +He declared it was not possible to come to terms, and that there<span class="page"><a name="336">[Page 336]</a></span> +was nothing left for him but to fight; that he had seven crores of +rupees, every one of which he would hurl at the heads of the English, +and he ended by giving orders for a <i>jahad</i> (a religious war) to be proclaimed.</p> +<p> +For the time being nothing more could be done with Afghanistan, +and the Viceroy was able to turn his attention to the following important +questions: the transfer of Sind from Bombay to the Punjab, +a measure which had been unanimously agreed to by Lord Northbrook's +Government; the removal from the Punjab government of +the trans-Indus tract of country, and the formation of the latter into a +separate district under the control of a Chief Commissioner, who would +be responsible to the Government of India alone for frontier administration +and trans-frontier relations. This post Lord Lytton told me, +as much to my surprise as to my gratification, that he meant to offer +to me, if his views were accepted by the Secretary of State. It was +above all others the appointment I should have liked. I delighted in +frontier life and frontier men, who, with all their faults, are men, and +grand men, too. I had felt for years what an important factor the +trans-Indus tribes are in the defence of India, and how desirable it was +that we should be on better terms with them than was possible so long +as our policy consisted in keeping them at arm's length, and our only +intercourse with them was confined to punitive expeditions or the visits +of their head-men to our hard-worked officials, whose whole time was +occupied in writing long reports, or in settling troublesome disputes +to the satisfaction of no one.</p> +<p> +I now hoped to be able to put a stop to the futile blockades and +inconclusive reprisals which had been carried on for nearly thirty years +with such unsatisfactory results, and I looked forward to turning the +wild tribesmen from enemies into friends, a strength instead of a +weakness, to our Government, and to bringing them by degrees within +the pale of civilization. My wife quite shared my feelings, and we +were both eager to begin our frontier life.</p> +<p> +As a preliminary to my engaging in this congenial employment, +Lord Lytton proposed that I should take up the command of the +Punjab Frontier Force. I gladly acquiesced; for I had been a long +time on the staff, and had had three years of the Quartermaster-Generalship. +My friends expressed surprise at my accepting the position of +Brigadier-General, after having filled an appointment carrying with it +the rank of Major-General; but this was not my view. I longed for +a command, and the Frontier Force offered opportunities for active +service afforded by no other post.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1878</span> +We were in Calcutta when the question was decided, and started +very soon afterwards to make our arrangements for the breaking up of +our home at Simla. I took over the command of the Force on the +15th March, 1878. My wife accompanied me to Abbottabad—the<span class="page"><a name="337">[Page 337]</a></span> +pretty, quiet little place in Hazara, about 4,000 feet above the sea, +which was to be henceforth our winter head-quarters. For the summer +months we were to be located in the higher hills, and my wife was +anxious to see the house which I had purchased from my predecessor, +General Keyes, at Natiagali. So off we set, nothing daunted by being +told that we were likely to find snow still deep in places.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A journey under Difficulties</span> +For the first part of the way we got on well enough, my wife in a +dandy, I riding, and thirteen miles were accomplished without much +difficulty. Suddenly the road took a bend, and we found ourselves in +deep snow. Riding soon proved to be impossible, and the dandy-bearers +could not carry my wife further; so there was nothing for it +but to walk. We were seven miles from our destination, and at each +step we sank into the snow, which became deeper and deeper the higher +we ascended. On we trudged, till my wife declared she could go no +further, and sat down to rest, feeling so drowsy that she entreated me +to let her stay where she was. Fortunately I had a small flask with +me filled with brandy. I poured a little into the cup, mixed it with +snow, and administered it as a stimulant. This restored her somewhat, +and roused her from the state of lethargy into which she had +fallen. Again we struggled on. Soon it became dark, except for such +light as the stars, aided by the snow, afforded. More than once I +despaired of reaching the end of our journey; but, just as I had +become quite hopeless, we saw lights on the hill above us, and heard +our servants, who had preceded us, shouting to attract our attention. +I answered, and presently they came to our assistance. Half carrying, +half dragging her, we got my wife up the steep mountain-side; and +at length, about 9 p.m., we arrived at the little house buried in snow, +into which we crept through a hole dug in the snow wall, which +encircled it. We were welcomed by a blazing wood-fire and a most +cheering odour of dinner, to which we did full justice, after having +got rid of our saturated garments. Next morning we started on our +return journey at daybreak, for it was necessary to get over the worst +part of the road before the sun had had time to soften the snow, which +the night's frost had so thoroughly hardened that we slipped over it +without the least difficulty.</p> +<p> +This was our only visit to our new possession, for very soon afterwards +I was informed that Lord Lytton wished me to spend the +summer at Simla, as the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab would be +there, and His Excellency was anxious to discuss the details of the +proposed Chief Commissionership. My wife, therefore, returned to +Simla at once, and I joined her at the end of May, having in the meanwhile +inspected every regiment and visited every post held by the +Frontier Force between Sind and Hazara—a most interesting experience, +which I thoroughly enjoyed.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="338">[Page 338]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLIII">XLIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1878</span> + +<p> +Before continuing my story, it will, I think, be as well to recall to the +minds of my readers the train of events which led to England and +Russia becoming at the same moment solicitous for the Amir's friendship, +for it was this rivalry which was the immediate cause of the +second Afghan war.</p> +<p> +Less than two hundred years ago the British Empire in the East and +Russia were separated from each other by a distance of 4,000 miles. +Russia's most advanced posts were at Orenburg and Petropaulovsk, +while England had obtained but an uncertain footing on the seaboard +of southern India. The French were our only European rivals in India, +and the advance of Russia towards the Oxus was as little anticipated as +was England's advance towards the Indus.</p> +<p> +Thirty years later Russia began to absorb the hordes of the Kirghiz +steppes, which gave her occupation for more than a hundred years, +during which time England was far from idle. Bengal was conquered, +or ceded to us, the Madras Presidency established, and Bombay had +become an important settlement, with the result that, in the early part +of this century, the distance between the Russian and English possessions +had been diminished to less than 2,000 miles.</p> +<p> +Our progress was now more rapid. While Russia was laboriously +crossing a barren desert, the North-West Provinces, the Carnatic, the +territories of the Peshwa, Sind, and the Punjab, successively came under +our rule, and by 1850 we had extended our dominions to the foot of the +mountains beyond the Indus.</p> +<p> +Russia by this time, having overcome the difficulties of the desert, +had established herself at Aralsk, near the junction of the Syr Daria +with the waters of Lake Aral; so that in fifty years the distance between +the outposts of the two advancing Powers in Asia had been reduced to +about 1,000 miles.</p> +<p> +Repeated successful wars with Persia, and our desertion of that +Power owing to the conviction that we could no longer defend her +against the Russians, had practically placed her at their mercy, and +they had induced Persia, in 1837, to undertake the siege of Herat. At +the same time, the Russian Ambassador at Teheran had despatched +Captain Vitkievitch to Kabul with letters from himself and from the +Czar to the Amir, in the hope of getting Dost Mahomed Khan to join +the Russians and Persians in their alliance against the English.</p> +<p> +Vitkievitch's arrival at Kabul towards the end of 1837 had been anticipated +by Captain (afterwards Sir Alexander) Burnes, who had been +sent three months before by Lord Auckland on a Mission to the Amir, +ostensibly to improve our commercial relations with the Afghans, but +in reality to prevent them from joining the Russo-Persian alliance.</p> +<p> +Burnes had been most cordially received by Dost Mahomed, who<span class="page"><a name="339">[Page 339]</a></span> +hoped, with the help of the Indian Government, to recover the district +of Peshawar, which had been wrested from him by the Sikhs. Vitkievitch's +reception was proportionately discouraging, and for some +weeks he could not obtain an interview with the Amir.</p> +<p> +The Dost's hopes, however, were not fulfilled. We declined to give +him any assistance towards regaining possession of Peshawar or +defending his dominions, should his refusal to join with Persia and +Russia draw down upon him the enmity of those Powers.</p> +<p> +Vitkievitch, who had been patiently biding his time, was now taken +into favour by the Amir, who accorded him a reception which fully +compensated for the neglect with which he had previously been +treated.</p> +<p> +Burnes remained at Kabul until the spring of 1838, and then returned +to India to report that Dost Mahomed had thrown himself heart and +soul into the Russo-Persian alliance.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Object of the First Afghan War</span> +Under pressure from the English Ministry the Governor-General of +India determined to take the extreme measure of deposing an Amir +who had shown himself so hostilely inclined, and of placing on the +throne of Kabul a Ruler who, it was hoped, would feel that it was to +his interest to keep on good terms with us. It was for this object that +the first Afghan <a name="XLIII1r">war</a><a href="#XLIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> was undertaken, which ended in the murder of +our nominee, Shah Shuja, and the triumphant return of Dost Mahomed. +The disastrous failure of our action in this matter taught the British +Government that our frontier on the Sutlej was too far removed for us +to think of exercising any real influence in Afghanistan, and that the +time had not arrived to warrant our interfering in Afghan affairs.</p> +<p> +After this came our war with the Sikhs, resulting in our conquest of +the Punjab, and our frontier becoming conterminous with that of +Afghanistan on the banks of the Indus.</p> +<p> +There was a lull in the movements of Russia in Central Asia until +after the Crimean War of 1854-56, which, while temporarily checking +the designs of Russia in Europe, seems to have stimulated her progress +in the East. After the passage of the great desert, Russia found herself +in the midst of fertile and settled countries, whose provinces fell +under her control as rapidly as those of India had fallen under ours, +until in 1864 Chimkent was occupied, the point beyond which Prince +Gortchakoff stated that there was no intention on the part of Russia to +make further advances.</p> +<p> +Notwithstanding these assurances, Tashkent was captured on the +29th June of the following year. In 1866 Khojent was successfully +assaulted. Tisakh fell on the 30th October; and in the spring of 1867 the<span class="page"><a name="340">[Page 340]</a></span> +fort of Yani-Kargan in the Nurata mountains was seized and occupied.</p> +<p> +Bokhara alone remained unconquered, but the Ruler of that State, +after vainly endeavouring to gain assistance from Afghanistan and to +enlist the sympathies of the Indian Government, was compelled to sue +for peace.</p> +<p> +Important as these acquisitions were, they attracted but little attention +in England, owing partly to the policy of non-interference which +had been adopted as regards Central Asian affairs, and partly to the +British public being absorbed in European politics, until 1868, when +the occupation of Samarkand by Russia caused considerable excitement, +not to say consternation, amongst the authorities in England.</p> +<p> +Conferences took place in the spring of 1870 between Lord Clarendon, +the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Baron Brunow, +the Russian Ambassador, with the object of determining a neutral +zone, which should be the limit of the possessions of England and +Russia in Central Asia. For nearly three years, Russia was persistent +in her endeavours to have Afghanistan placed outside the pale of +British influence; but the Indian Government were equally persistent +in pointing out the danger of agreeing to such an arrangement, and it +was not until the 31st January, 1873, that the boundary, which neither +England nor Russia might cross, was finally agreed upon.</p> +<p> +Six months later the conquest of Khiva by Russia was effected. It +was at first given out that the expedition was to punish acts of +brigandage, and to rescue fifty Russian prisoners, but was on no +account to lead to a prolonged occupancy of the Khanate. Count +Schouvaloff, the Russian Statesman who was deputed to communicate +the object of the expedition to the British Government, declared that +a positive promise to this effect might be given to the British public, +as a proof of the friendly and pacific intentions of his master the Czar; +but, notwithstanding these assurances, the Russians never left Khiva, +and it has been a Russian possession from that time.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Excitement caused by Russia's advances</span> +Thus, in a little more than twenty years, Russia had made a stride +of 600 miles towards India, leaving but 400 miles between her outposts +and those of Great Britain. Russia's southern boundary was now, in +fact, almost conterminous with the northern boundary of Afghanistan, +near enough to cause the Ruler of that country considerable anxiety, +and make him feel that Russia had become a dreaded neighbour, and +that the integrity of his kingdom could not be maintained save by the +aid of one of the two great Powers between whose fire he now found +himself.</p> +<p> +I have endeavoured to show how it was that Sher Ali, notwithstanding +his soreness and disappointment at the many rebuffs he had +received from us in the earlier part of his career, gratefully remembered +the timely aid afforded him by Sir John Lawrence, and the +princely reception accorded to him by Lord Mayo, and was still quite<span class="page"><a name="341">[Page 341]</a></span> +prepared in 1873 to enter into friendly relations with us, provided we +would recognize his favourite son as his heir, and give a direct promise +of aid in the event of Russian aggression. Our refusal to accede to +these terms, added to our adverse decision in regard to the Sistan +boundary, turned Sher Ali from a friend into an enemy, and he decided, +as his father had done forty years before, to throw in his lot +with Russia.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLIV">XLIV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1878</span> +<p> +In 1877 Russia declared war with Turkey; for more than a year +fighting had been going on between the two countries, and as it +seemed possible to the British Government that England might in the +end be drawn into the contest, it was deemed expedient to obtain help +from India, and a force of about 5,000 Native soldiers was despatched +from Bombay to Malta in response to the demand from home.</p> +<p> +Russia answered this move on our part by increased activity in +Central Asia; and in June, 1878, it was reported by Major Cavagnari, +Deputy-Commissioner of Peshawar, that a Russian Envoy of the same +rank as the Governor-General of Tashkent was about to visit Kabul, +and that General Kauffmann had written to the Amir that the Envoy +must be received as an Ambassador deputed by the Czar himself. A +few days later further reports were received of Russian troops being +mobilized, and of the intention of Russia to establish cantonments on +the ferries of Kilif and Kerki on the Oxus.</p> +<p> +The Amir, it was said, summoned a council of the leading Chiefs, +to discuss the question whether it would be most advantageous for +Afghanistan at this juncture to side with Russia or with England; it +was decided apparently in favour of the former, for from the moment +General Stolietoff's Mission set foot on Afghan territory it met with +an enthusiastic reception. Five miles from the capital Stolietoff and +his companions were welcomed by the Foreign Secretary. They were +then mounted on richly-caparisoned elephants, and escorted by a large +body of troops to the Bala Hissar, where the following morning they +were received in state by Sher Ali, and the nobles of highest degree in +his <a name="XLIV1r">kingdom</a>.<a href="#XLIV1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Effect of the Berlin Treaty at Kabul</span> +On the eve of the day that the Mission entered Kabul, Stolietoff<span class="page"><a name="342">[Page 342]</a></span> +received a despatch from General Kauffmann giving him the heads of +the Berlin Treaty, with the following commentary in the handwriting +of the Governor-General himself: 'If the news be true, it is indeed +melancholy;' adding, however, that the Congress had finished its +sittings, and that, therefore, the Envoy in his negotiations with the +Amir had better refrain from arranging any distinct measures, or +making any positive promises, and '<i>not go generally as far as would +have been advisable if war with England had been threatened</i>.' +Evidently these instructions greatly modified the basis of Stolietoff's +negotiations with Sher Ali; for, although the Russians deny that an +offensive and defensive alliance with the Afghan Ruler was contemplated, +it seems probable, from the tone of Kauffmann's despatch, that +the Envoy's instructions were elastic enough to admit of such an +arrangement had the circumstances of the case made it desirable—<i>e.g.</i>, +had the Berlin Congress failed to establish peace in Europe.</p> +<p> +In telegraphing to the Secretary of State an account of these proceedings +at Kabul, the Viceroy requested explicit instructions from Her +Majesty's Government as to whether this conduct on the part of Russia +and Afghanistan was to be left to the Government of India to deal with +as a matter between it and the Amir, or whether, having regard to +Russia's formal promises, it would be treated as an Imperial question. +'In the former case,' he concluded, 'I shall propose, with your approval, +to insist on an immediate suitable reception of a British Mission.'</p> +<p> +Lord Lytton's proposition was approved of by Her Majesty's +Ministers, and a <a name="XLIV2r">letter</a><a href="#XLIV2"><sup>2</sup></a> was at once written by the Viceroy to the +Amir, announcing that a Mission would shortly be despatched to<span class="page"><a name="343">[Page 343]</a></span> +Kabul with General Sir Neville Chamberlain, at that time Commander-in-Chief +in Madras, as its responsible head.</p> +<p> +Major Cavagnari was at the same time directed to inform the +authorities at Kabul that the object of the Mission was altogether +friendly, and that a refusal to grant it a free passage and safe conduct, +such as had been accorded to the Russian Envoy, would be considered +as an act of open hostility.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sher Ali Decides Against England</span> +Intimation of the Viceroy's intentions reached Kabul on the 17th +August, the day on which the Amir's favourite son, Abdulla Jan, died. +This untoward event was taken advantage of to delay answering the +Viceroy's letter, but it was not allowed in any way to interfere with the +progress of the negotiations with Russia. When these were completed, +Stolietoff inquired from Sher Ali whether he meant to receive the +English Mission, whereupon the Amir asked for the General's advice +in the matter. Stolietoff, while replying somewhat evasively, gave +Sher Ali to understand that the simultaneous presence of Embassies +from two countries in almost hostile relations with each other would +not be quite convenient, upon which His Highness decided not to allow +the British Mission to enter Afghanistan. This decision, however, was +not communicated to the Viceroy, and on the 21st September the +<a name="XLIV3r">Mission</a><a href="#XLIV3"><sup>3</sup></a> marched out of Peshawar and encamped at Jamrud, three +miles short of the Kyber Pass.</p> +<p> +In consequence of the extremely hostile attitude of the Amir, and the<span class="page"><a name="344">[Page 344]</a></span> +very unsatisfactory reply received from General Faiz Mahomed Khan, +commanding the Afghan troops in the Kyber Pass, to a <a name="XLIV4r">letter</a><a href="#XLIV4"><sup>4</sup></a> he had +written a few days before, Sir Neville Chamberlain suspected that the +advance of the Mission would be opposed, and, in order 'to reduce to a +minimum any indignity that might be offered to our Government,' he +deputed Major Cavagnari to ride on with a few sowars to Ali Masjid, a +fort ten miles beyond the mouth of the Pass, and demand leave for the +Mission to proceed.</p> +<p> +When within a mile of the fort, Cavagnari was met by a body of<span class="page"><a name="345">[Page 345]</a></span> +Afridis, who warned him that the road ahead was blocked by Afghans, +and that if he ventured further he would be fired upon. On this +Cavagnari halted, and while in the act of writing a letter to Faiz +Mahomed, complaining of the treatment he had met with, and informing +him that he and his companions intended to proceed until fired +upon, an act the responsibility for which would rest with the Amir's +representatives, a message was brought him from Faiz Mahomed to the +effect that he was coming to meet him, and would hear anything he +had to communicate.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A meeting of Portentous Moment</span> +The interview took place near a water-mill on the right bank of the +stream which flows under Ali Masjid. I have several times since +ridden past the spot and pictured to myself the meeting between the +British political officer and the Afghan General. It was a meeting of +most portentous moment, for its result would mean peace or war.</p> +<p> +Faiz Mahomed's bearing was perfectly courteous, but he made it +clear that he did not intend to permit the Mission to pass, explaining +that he was only acting as a sentry under instructions from Kabul, and +that he was bound to resist the entrance of the Mission into Afghan +territory with all the force at his disposal. He spoke with considerable +warmth, and told Cavagnari that but for their personal friendship he +would, in obedience to the Amir's orders, have shot down him and his +escort.</p> +<p> +Faiz Mahomed's followers were not so respectful in their bearing as +their Chief, and their manner warned Cavagnari that it was unadvisable +to prolong the conversation; he, therefore, took leave of the +Afghan General, and returned to Jamrud. The Mission was <a name="XLIV5r">dissolved</a>,<a href="#XLIV5"><sup>5</sup></a> +our Agent at Kabul was ordered to return to India, and Cavagnari was +instructed to remain at Peshawar and arrange for alienating the Afridis +in the Khyber from the Amir's interests.</p> +<p> +In reporting these circumstances to the Secretary of State, the +Government of India expressed their regret that this final endeavour +on their part to arrive at some definite understanding with the Amir +of Kabul should have been thus met with repudiation and affront, and +concluded their despatch in the following words: 'The repulse of Sir +Neville Chamberlain by Sher Ali at his frontier while the Russian +emissaries are still at his capital has proved the inutility of diplomatic<span class="page"><a name="346">[Page 346]</a></span> +expedients, and has deprived the Amir of all claim upon our further +forbearance.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Preparations for War</span> +It had been arranged that, if it were unfortunately found to be +necessary to support political efforts by military measures, two columns +should be mobilized, one at Sukkur on the Indus, for an advance in +the direction of Kandahar, the other at Kohat for operations in the +Kuram valley, and that I was to have command of the latter. As +soon, therefore, as the tidings of Sir Neville's repulse was received, I +started from Simla to be on the spot in case the proposal to employ +force should be sanctioned by the authorities in England.</p> +<p> +Between the time of my leaving Simla and my arrival at Kohat on +the 9th October, it was decided to employ a third column to make a +demonstration in the direction of the Khyber for the purpose of clearing +the Amir's troops out of the <a name="XLIV6r">pass</a>.<a href="#XLIV6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +The formation of this column was no doubt a wise move, as the +Afghans were holding Ali Masjid, the spot on which the insult had +been offered to our Envoy, and the presence of a force on this line +would tend to relieve the pressure against my column; but looked at +from my point of view, this third column was not quite so desirable, +as it involved the withdrawal of three of my most efficient regiments, +and the transfer of a large number of my transport animals to the +Khyber for its use. There was some consolation, however, in the fact +that my old friend Major-General Sir Samuel Browne, who had been +named for the command in the Khyber, was to be the gainer by my +loss.</p> +<p> +Major-General Donald Stewart, who was in England, was telegraphed +for to command the Kandahar column, the advanced portion +of which, it was intended, should push on under Major-General +Biddulph to strengthen Quetta.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Letter from Sher Ali</span> +The long-expected <a name="XLIV7r">reply</a><a href="#XLIV7"><sup>7</sup></a> from the Amir to the Viceroy's letter of +the 14th August was received at Simla on the 19th October. Its tone<span class="page"><a name="347">[Page 347]</a></span> +was considered extremely discourteous; it contained no apology for +the public affront offered to the British Government, and indicated no +desire for improved relations.</p> +<p> +The reply was at once communicated to the Secretary of State, who +was further informed that the Government of India proposed the +following measures:—</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +The immediate issue of a manifesto which should define the cause +of offence, declare a friendly disposition towards the Afghan people +and reluctance to interfere in their internal affairs, and should fix the +whole responsibility of what might happen upon the Amir.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +An advance into the Kuram valley as soon as the force at Kohat was +ready to move.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +The expulsion of the Afghan troops holding the Khyber Pass.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +An advance from Quetta into Pishin, or, if necessary, to Kandahar.</p> + +<p> +Lord Cranbrook (who had succeeded the Marquis of Salisbury as +Secretary of State for India) <a name="XLIV8r">replied</a><a href="#XLIV8"><sup>8</sup></a> that he did not consider matters +to be at present ripe for taking the extreme measures recommended +by the Government of India, and that, before crossing the frontiers of +Afghanistan, a letter should be addressed to the Amir demanding, in +temperate language, an apology, and the acceptance of a permanent +Mission within Afghan limits; that sufficient time should be given for +the receipt of a reply to this letter (the text of which was to be telegraphed<span class="page"><a name="348">[Page 348]</a></span> +to Lord Cranbrook for approval before despatch), and that +meanwhile the massing of troops should be continued, and adequate +forces assembled at the various points where the frontier would be +crossed if war were declared. The Secretary of State went on to say: +'There must be no mistake as to our show of power to enforce what +we require; this <i>locus penitentiæ </i>should be allowed before hostile acts +are committed against the Amir.'</p> +<p> +These instructions were carried out, and on the 30th October the +ultimatum was despatched to Sher Ali, informing him that, unless his +acceptance of the conditions were received by the Viceroy not later +than the 20th November, he would be treated by the British Government +as a declared enemy.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLV">XLV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1878</span> + +<p> +It was a proud, albeit a most anxious, moment for me when I assumed +command of the Kuram Field Force; though a local Major-General, +I was only a Major in my regiment, and save for a short experience +on one occasion in Lushai, I had never had an opportunity of commanding +troops in the field. Earnestly longing for success, I was +intensely interested in ascertaining the qualities of those who were to +aid me in achieving it. To this end I lost no time in taking stock of +the several officers and corps who were to be associated with me, some +of whom were personally known to me, while others I had never met +before; and in endeavouring to satisfy myself as to their qualifications +and fitness for their several posts, I could not help feeling that they +must be equally anxious as to my capability for command, and that +the inspection must be of nearly as great moment to them as to me.</p> +<p> +The results of a very close investigation were tolerably satisfactory, +but there were weak points in my armour which gave me grave cause +for anxiety.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Shortcomings of my Column</span> +I came to the conclusion that the force was not numerically strong +enough for the very difficult task before it—in the first instance, the +occupation of the Kuram valley and the expulsion of all Afghan +garrisons south of the Shutargardan Pass, and in the second, as opportunity +might offer, the pushing my reconnaissances into the Khost +valley, and, if military considerations would admit, the dislodging the +Amir's administration from that tract of country, so as to prevent the +Kabul Government drawing supplies from it. Finally, I was directed +to explore the roads leading to the unknown region beyond Khost.</p> +<p> +The Shutargardan was not less than 180 miles from Kohat, the +garrison of which station would, on my departure, be reduced to a +minimum, and Rawal Pindi, the nearest place from which aid could<span class="page"><a name="349">[Page 349]</a></span> +be procured, was 130 miles still further off, separated from Kohat by +an execrable road and the swiftly-flowing river Indus, crossed by a +precarious bridge of boats. It had to be taken into account also that +the various Afridi tribes were watching their opportunity, and at the +first favourable moment, in common with the tribesmen nearer Kuram, +they might be expected to take advantage of our weakness and attack +our convoys and the small posts which had necessarily to be established +along our line of communication.</p> +<p> +The attitude of the Mahomedan sepoys, of whom there were large +numbers in four out of my six Native Infantry regiments, was also a +cause of considerable anxiety; for I was aware that they were not +altogether happy at the prospect of taking part in a war against their +co-religionist, the Ruler of Afghanistan, and that the mullas were +already urging them to desert our cause.</p> +<p> +Furthermore, I discovered that my only British Infantry Regiment, +the 2nd Battalion of the 8th Foot, was sickly to a degree, and therefore +in an unserviceable condition. It was largely composed of quite +young, unacclimatized soldiers, peculiarly susceptible to fever—that +terrible scourge which fills the hospitals of our Punjab stations in the +autumn of each year. I rode out to meet the battalion on its way into +Kohat, and was horrified to see the long line of doolies and ambulance-carts +by which it was accompanied.</p> +<p> +The inefficient state of the transport added to my anxieties. Notwithstanding +the difficulties experienced in former campaigns from the +same cause, the Government had neglected to take any steps for the +organization of a proper transport service while we were at peace; +consequently, when everything should have been ready for a start, +confusion reigned supreme in this all-important department. Large +numbers of camels, mules, and bullocks arrived daily, picked up at +exorbitant prices from anyone who would supply them; but most of +these animals were quite unfit to enter upon the hard work of a campaign, +and with a totally inexperienced and quite insufficient staff of +officers to supervise them, it was evident that the majority must +succumb at an early date.</p> +<p> +Hardly had I realized these shortcomings in the constitution and +equipment of my column than I received intelligence which led me to +believe that the Afghans would hold the Peiwar Kotal (the pass leading +into Afghanistan over the range of mountains bounding the Kuram +valley) in great strength, and were determined to oppose our advance +at this point. Under these circumstances I felt myself justified in +representing to the powers at Simla that I considered the number of +troops at my disposal inadequate for the task they were expected to +perform, which representation resulted in the 23rd Pioneers, whose +transfer to the Khyber column had been under consideration, being +left with me, and the 72nd Highlanders, a battery of Field Artillery,<span class="page"><a name="350">[Page 350]</a></span> +and the 28th Punjab Infantry, being sent to Kohat. Of these, however, +I was allowed to take on with me only one wing of the 72nd, +half the battery, and the 28th Punjab Infantry; and the last-named +regiment I could hardly consider as part of my force, for when we +should arrive at Thal, our furthest frontier post, it would have to be +dropped, with a wing of the 5th Punjab Cavalry and No. 2 Mountain +Battery, to garrison that place.</p> +<p> +This small reinforcement was not given to me without considerable +demur on the part of the military authorities, who had made up their +minds that the Kuram column would meet with slight, if any, +opposition, and that the chief stand would be made in the Khyber. +Lord Lytton, however, supported my appeal, as did Sir Neville +Chamberlain, who was then acting as Military Member of Council, +and who had personal knowledge of the great natural strength of the +Peiwar Kotal position.</p> +<p> +I next turned my attention to the transport, and endeavoured by all +the means I could think of to render it more efficient. A certain +portion of it I placed in regimental charge; I had the men instructed +in loading and unloading, and I took great care that the animals were +not overladen.</p> +<p> +Happily, I had a very able staff. Major Galbraith, the Assistant-Adjutant-General, +though new to the work, proved exceptionally good, +and Captain Badcock, the chief Commissariat officer, and Major +Collett and Captain 'Dick' Kennedy, officers of the Quartermaster-General's +department, whom I had myself selected, I could thoroughly +depend upon.</p> +<p> +As regards my own personal staff I was equally lucky, Captain +Pretyman of the R.A. being my A.D.C., and Lieutenant Neville +Chamberlain, of the Central India Horse, and Lieutenant-Colonel +George Villiers, of the Grenadier Guards, my Orderly officers.</p> +<p> +As political adviser I had with me an old friend and schoolfellow, +Colonel Garrow Waterfield, Commissioner of Peshawar, who brought +with him a large following of Native gentlemen connected with the +frontier, by whom he thought our intercourse with the tribesmen +would be assisted. With scarcely an exception they proved loyal, and +throughout the campaign helped me materially.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Attitude of the Border Tribes</span> +Knowing how important it was to secure the interest of the Chiefs +and Khans of the border on our side, especially those who had +influence in the Kuram valley, we lost no opportunity of becoming +acquainted with them while we were at Kohat. They were friendly +and full of promises, but it was clear that the amount of assistance to +be given by them depended on whether or not our occupation of +Kuram was to be permanent, and on this important point I solicited +definite instructions. I reported to the Commander-in-Chief that, +from all I had learnt, the advent of a British force would be welcomed<span class="page"><a name="351">[Page 351]</a></span> +by the people, provided they understood that it was the forerunner of +annexation; that in this case we should be regarded as deliverers, and +all the resources of the country would be placed at our disposal; but +if the people were led to believe that the force would be withdrawn +when our work was finished, and that they would be again handed +over to the tender mercies of the Kabul Government, we must expect +no aid from them, as they would naturally dread the resentment of +their Afghan rulers.</p> +<p> +In reply, I was informed that I could assure the people of Kuram +that our occupation would be permanent; and my being enabled to +make this promise was undoubtedly the explanation of the friendly +reception we met with on entering the valley, and the cause of my +receiving at the same time a letter from the Chief of the Turis (the +inhabitants of the Kuram valley), inquiring when we might be +expected, as they were suffering greatly from the tyranny of the +Afghan Government, and were anxiously waiting the arrival of the +British.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLVI">XLVI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1878</span> + +<p> +By the 15th November my <a name="XLVI1r">column</a><a href="#XLVI1"><sup>1</sup></a> (consisting of 1,345 British and +3,990 Native soldiers, with 13 guns) was concentrated at Thal, and on +the 20th—the limit of time given to the Amir—no reply having been +vouchsafed to the Viceroy's ultimatum, orders were issued to the three +columns to advance the next <a name="XLVI2r">day</a>.<a href="#XLVI2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Kuram Valley</span> +The Kuram valley, from which my force received its designation, is<span class="page"><a name="352">[Page 352]</a></span> +about 60 miles long, and from 3 to 10 miles wide. On every side rise +high and magnificently-wooded mountains, those on the north and east +being the most lofty and precipitous, while on the north-west projects +the spur which runs down from Sika Bam, the highest peak of the +Sufed Koh range, upwards of 14,000 feet high. This spur forms the<span class="page"><a name="353">[Page 353]</a></span> +boundary between Kuram and Afghanistan, and is crossed by the +Peiwar Kotal. A river, which varies from 100 to 500 yards in width, +flows through the valley, and the road, or, rather, track, which existed +in 1878, ran for the most part along its rocky bed. In the winter +months the depth of the water nowhere exceeded three feet, except +after heavy rain, and although the stream was rather swift, it could +usually be forded with very little risk. The valley itself had a bleak +and deserted appearance, save in the immediate vicinity of the few and +widely-scattered villages, around which were clustered fruit trees and +patches of cultivation.</p> +<p> +For six weeks the thoughts of every one in the force had been turned +towards Kuram, consequently there was considerable excitement when +at 3 a.m. on the 21st November the leading troops crossed the river +into Afghan territory and encamped eight miles from Thal. The next +morning we marched fifteen miles farther up the valley to Hazir Pir, +where we halted for one day to improve the road (in some places impracticable +for guns and transport) and to allow of the rear part of the +column closing up. As we proceeded on our way, the headmen from +the different villages came out to welcome us, and on arriving at Hazir +Pir we found a plentiful repast awaiting us spread under the shade of +some trees. Knives and forks were evidently considered unnecessary +adjuncts by our entertainers, so I unhesitatingly took my first lesson +in eating roast kid and pillaued chicken without their aid.</p> +<p> +On the 24th we marched to the Darwazai defile, and the next day +proceeded through it to Kuram, forty-eight miles from Thal. We +found the fort evacuated by the Afghans, who had left behind one +6-pounder gun.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Conflicting News of the Enemy</span> +Notwithstanding the proffers of assistance I had received, I could get +no reliable information as to the whereabouts of the enemy; from one +account I was led to believe that they were in full retreat, from another +that they were being strongly reinforced. So, to find out the truth, I +reconnoitred as far as the cantonment of Habib Kila, fifteen miles +ahead, and there ascertained that the Afghan army, consisting (it was<span class="page"><a name="354">[Page 354]</a></span> +said) of 18,000 men and eleven guns, had left the place only a short +time before, and was then moving into position on the Peiwar Kotal.</p> +<p> +Depot hospitals were formed at Kuram, and all our surplus stores and +baggage were left there with the following garrison: Two guns of F/A, +Royal Horse Artillery, half of G/3, R.A., the squadron 10th Hussars, +one squadron 12th Bengal Cavalry, and the company of Bengal Sappers +and Miners, besides all the sick and weakly men of the column.</p> +<p> +At 5 a.m. on the 28th the remainder of the force, with the exception +of the troops who had been dropped at the several halting-places to keep +open our line of communication, marched towards the Peiwar.</p> +<p> +The stars were still shining when we started, but it was very dark, +and we were chilled to the bone by a breeze blowing straight off the +snows of the Sufed Koh; towards sunrise it died away, and was +followed by oppressive heat and clouds of dust. Our progress was slow, +for the banks of the numerous nullas which intersect the valleys had to +be ramped before the guns and baggage could pass over them.</p> +<p> +On reaching Habib Kila, intelligence was again brought that the +Amir's troops were in disorderly retreat, and had abandoned their guns +at the foot of the pass. I at once pushed a reconnaissance in force up +the south-eastern slopes of the mountain under the command of Colonel +<a name="XLVI3r">Gordon</a>,<a href="#XLVI3"><sup>3</sup></a> of the 29th Punjab Infantry, who discovered that, so far from +the enemy having abandoned their guns, they had taken up an +extremely strong position on the pass, from which they fired on the +reconnaissance party as it advanced, wounding one British, one Native +<a name="XLVI4r">officer</a><a href="#XLVI4"><sup>4</sup></a> and nine men.</p> +<p> +As the Afghans seemed inclined to press Gordon, two guns were +brought into action, and, to cover his retirement, I sent out the 5th +Gurkhas, under Lieutenant-Colonel Fitz-Hugh, who skilfully effected +this object with the loss of only one Gurkha wounded.</p> +<p> +Gordon brought me back the valuable piece of information that no +further advance in that direction was possible, save in single file—valuable +because, had I attempted a front attack, the sacrifice of life +must have been enormous, even if the attack had proved successful, the<span class="page"><a name="355">[Page 355]</a></span> +possibility of which I still greatly doubt.</p> +<p> +Our tents not having arrived, the force prepared to bivouac; but our +position proving untenable, from being within range of the Afghan +shells, we moved a mile to the rear. Strong piquets were posted on the +neighbouring heights, and the night passed without further interruption.</p> +<p> +We halted the two following days. Men and cattle were exhausted +from their fatiguing marches, and supplies had to be brought up before +we could advance further; besides, I required time to look about +me before making up my mind how the Peiwar Kotal could most +advantageously be attacked.</p> +<p> +It was, indeed, a formidable position—a great deal more formidable +than I had expected—on the summit of a mountain rising abruptly +2,000 feet above us, and only approachable by a narrow, steep, and +rugged path, flanked on either side by precipitous spurs jutting out like +huge bastions, from which an overwhelming fire could be brought to +bear on the assailants. The mountain on the enemy's right did not +look much more promising for moving troops, and I could only hope +that a way might be found on their left by which their flank could be +turned. The country, however, in that direction was screened from +view by spurs covered with dense forests of deodar.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Apparently Impregnable Position</span> +I confess to a feeling very nearly akin to despair when I gazed at +the apparently impregnable position towering above us, occupied, as +I could discern through my telescope, by crowds of soldiers and a +large number of guns.</p> +<p> +My Chief Engineer, Colonel <a name="XLVI5r">Perkins</a>,<a href="#XLVI5"><sup>5</sup></a> made a reconnaissance, which +only too surely confirmed Gordon's opinion; and he further ascertained +that a deep ravine lay between the ground occupied by our piquets on +the north and the kotal, so that an attack on the enemy's immediate +left seemed as hopeless as on his right, or to his front.</p> +<p> +On the afternoon of the 29th I sent my Quartermaster-General, +Major Collett, with his assistant, Captain Carr, and a small escort, to +the top of a hill, which lay to the right rear of our camp, from which +they were able to get a fairly good view of the surrounding country. +Collett reported that, so far as he could judge, it seemed likely that, as +I had hoped, the enemy's left might be turned by a route over what +was known as the Spingawi Kotal, where it had been ascertained that +some Afghan troops were posted. This was encouraging, but before I +could finally decide on adopting this line of attack, it was expedient +to find out whether it was practicable for troops, and whether the +kotal itself was held in great strength. Accordingly, early next +morning, Collett was again despatched to make a closer reconnaissance +of the Spingawi approaches.</p> +<p> +While all this was going on, I did everything I could think of to<span class="page"><a name="356">[Page 356]</a></span> +prevent what was in my mind being suspected by the enemy or, indeed, +by my own troops. Each day more than once, accompanied by an +imposing number of officers and a considerable escort, I climbed the +lofty spur by which a direct attack would have to be covered, and +everyone in camp was made to believe that an attack in this direction +was being prepared for. I was particularly careful to have this idea +impressed on the Turis and the Afghan camel-drivers, by whom the +enemy were pretty sure to be informed of what was going on; and +also on the Mahomedan sepoys, whom I suspected of being half-hearted. +I confided my real plan to only three people, my two senior +staff-officers, Galbraith and Collett, and my A.D.C., Pretyman, for I +knew, from the nature of the country, that, under the most favourable +circumstances, the way must be difficult and circuitous, and its passage +must occupy several hours; and that if the Afghans got wind of the +contemplated movement, and should attack my small force while on +the march and divided, defeat if not annihilation would be inevitable, +for the surrounding tribes would be certain to join against us if once +they believed us to be in difficulties.</p> +<p> +I had heard that the smallness of the column was being freely +commented on and discussed; indeed, people in Kuram did not care +to disguise their belief that we were hastening to our destruction. +Even the women taunted us. When they saw the little Gurkhas for +the first time, they exclaimed: 'Is it possible that these beardless boys +think they can fight Afghan warriors?' They little suspected that the +brave spirits which animated those small forms made them more than +a match for the most stalwart Afghan. There was no hiding from +ourselves, however, that the force was terribly inadequate for the +work to be done. But done it must be. A retirement was not to be +thought of, and delay would only add to our difficulties, as the Afghans +were daily being reinforced from Kabul, and we heard of still further +additions of both Artillery and Infantry being on their way.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Spingawi Route Decided On</span> +Collett returned soon after noon on the 30th; he had done admirably +and brought me most useful information, the result of which was that +I determined to adopt the Spingawi route. The nights were long, and +I calculated that by starting at 10 p.m., and allowing for unforeseen +delays, we should reach the foot of the pass while it was still dark.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate19">[plate 19]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/19-peiwarkotal.jpg" width="309" height="470" alt="THE ATTACK ON THE PEIWAR KOTAL." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>THE ATTACK ON THE PEIWAR KOTAL.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a painting by Vereker Hamilton.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +Fresh efforts were now made to distract the enemy's attention from +the real point of attack. In addition to the reconnoitring parties which +were ostentatiously moved towards the Peiwar, batteries were marked +out at points commanding the kotal, and a great display was made of +the arrival of the two Horse and three Field Artillery guns, which I +had left at Kuram till the last moment on account of scarcity of forage +at the front, and of the two squadrons of Bengal Cavalry, which for +the same reason I had sent back to Habib Kila. Even with these +additions the total strength of the force in camp, including British<span class="page"><a name="357">[Page 357]</a></span> +officers, amounted to only 889 Europeans and 2,415 Natives, with +13 guns.</p> + +<p> +These attempts to mislead the enemy were entirely successful, for +the Afghans shelled the working parties in the batteries, and placed +additional guns in position on the south side of the pass, showing +distinctly that they were preparing for a front attack, while in our +camp also it was generally believed that this was the movement which +would be carried out the next morning.</p> +<p> +When it became sufficiently dark to conceal our proceedings, all the +commanding and staff officers assembled in my tent, and I disclosed +to them my scheme for the attack, impressing upon them that success +depended upon our being able to surprise the enemy, and begging of +them not even to whisper the word 'Spingawi' to each other.</p> +<p> +I had had sufficient time since I took over the command to test the +capabilities of the officers and regiments upon whom I had to depend, +so that I had now no difficulty in disposing the troops in the manner +most likely to ensure success.</p> +<p> +For the turning movement I selected:</p> + +<p class="indent1"> +4 guns F/A, R.H.A.,<br /> +The wing 72nd Highlanders,<br /> +No 1 Mountain Battery (4 guns),<br /> +2nd and 29th Punjab Infantry,<br /> +5th Gurkhas,<br /> +23rd Pioneers—<br /> +Total strength 2,263 men with 8 guns;</p> + +<p> +and I determined to command the attack myself, with Brigadier-General +Thelwall as second in command.</p> +<p> +For the feint and for the defence of our camp I left under the +command of Brigadier-General Cobbe:</p> + +<p class="indent1"> +2 guns F/A, R.H.A.,<br /> +3 guns G/3, R.A.,<br /> +2nd Battalion 8th <a name="XLVI6r">Foot</a>,<a href="#XLVI6"><sup>6</sup></a><br /> +12th Bengal Cavalry,<br /> +5th Punjab Infantry.</p> + +<p> +In all, a little more than 1,000 men with 5 guns.</p> +<p> +At 10 p.m. on Sunday, the 1st December, the little column fell in, +in absolute silence, and began its hazardous march. Tents were left +standing and camp-fires burning; and so noiselessly were orders carried +out that our departure remained unsuspected even by those of our own +people who were left in camp.</p> +<p> +The track (for there was no road) led for two miles due east, and +then, turning sharp to the north, entered a wide gorge and ran along +the bed of a mountain stream. The moonlight lit up the cliffs on the<span class="page"><a name="358">[Page 358]</a></span> +eastern side of the ravine, but made the darkness only the more dense +in the shadow of the steep hills on the west, underneath which our path +lay, over piles of stones and heaps of glacier débris. A bitterly cold +wind rushed down the gorge, extremely trying to all, lightly clad as +we were in anticipation of the climb before us. Onward and upwards +we slowly toiled, stumbling over great boulders of rock, dropping into +old water-channels, splashing through icy streams, and halting frequently +to allow the troops in the rear to close up.</p> +<p> +In spite of the danger incurred, I was obliged every now and then to +strike a match and look at my watch to see how the time was going. I +had calculated that, by starting as early as ten o'clock, there would be +an hour or two to spare for rest. The distance, however, proved rather +greater than was expected and the road much rougher, but these facts +were, to my mind, not sufficient to account for the slowness of our +progress, and I proceeded to the head of the column, anxious to discover +the true cause of the delay.</p> +<p> +I had chosen the 29th Punjab Infantry to lead the way, on account +of the high reputation of Colonel John Gordon, who commanded it, +and because of the excellent character the regiment had always borne; +but on overtaking it my suspicions were excited by the unnecessarily +straggling manner in which the men were marching, and to which I +called Gordon's attention. No sooner had I done so than a shot was +fired from one of the Pathan companies, followed in a few seconds by +another. The Sikh companies of the regiment immediately closed up, +and Gordon's Sikh orderly whispered in his ear that there was treachery +amongst the Pathans.</p> +<p> +It was a moment of intense anxiety, for it was impossible to tell how +far we were from the Spingawi Kotal, or whether the shots could be +heard by the enemy; it was equally impossible to discover by whom +the shots had been fired without delaying the advance, and this I was +loath to risk. So, grieved though I was to take any steps likely to +discredit a regiment with such admirable traditions, I decided to +change the order of the march by bringing one company of the 72nd +Highlanders and the 5th Gurkhas to the front, and I warned Lieutenant-Colonel +Brownlow, in command of the 72nd, to keep a watch +over the Pathans with his three remaining companies, for I felt that +our enterprise had already been sufficiently imperilled by the Pathans, +and that hesitation would be culpable; for, unless we could reach the +kotal while our approach was still concealed by the darkness, the +turning movement would in all probability end in disaster.</p> +<p> +On the Gurkhas coming up, I told Major Fitz-Hugh, who commanded +them, that the moment he reached the foot of the kotal, he +must front form company, fix bayonets, and charge up the slope without +waiting for further orders.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Night Attack</span> +Soon afterwards, and just as the first streak of dawn proclaimed the<span class="page"><a name="359">[Page 359]</a></span> +approach of day, the enemy became aware of our presence, and fired +into us, when instantly I heard Fitz-Hugh give the word to charge. +Brownlow, at the head of his Highlanders, dashed forward in support, +and two guns of the Mountain battery coming up at the moment, I +ordered its Commandant, Captain Kelso, to come into action as soon +as he could find a position.</p> +<p> +I was struck by the smile of satisfied pride and pleasure with which +he received the order. He was delighted, no doubt, that the opportunity +had arrived to prove what the battery—to perfect which he had +spared neither time nor labour—could do; but it was the last time that +gallant soldier smiled, for a few seconds later he was shot dead.</p> +<p> +The Gurkhas, forgetting their fatigue, rapidly climbed the steep side +of the mountain, and, swarming into the first entrenchment, quickly +cleared it of the enemy; then, guided by the flashes of the Afghan +rifles, they pressed on, and, being joined by the leading company of the +72nd, took possession of a second and larger entrenchment 200 yards +higher up. Without a perceptible pause, the Highlanders and Gurkhas +together rushed a third position, the most important of all, as it commanded +the head of the pass.</p> +<p> +The Spingawi Kotal was won; but we were surrounded by woods, +which were crowded with Afghans, some 400 of whom made a dashing +but ineffectual attempt to carry off their guns, left behind in the first +scare of our sudden attack. These men were dressed so exactly like +some of our own Native soldiers that they were not recognized until +they got within 100 yards of the entrenchment, and they would doubtless +have succeeded in accomplishing their purpose—as the Highlanders +and Gurkhas were busy pursuing the fugitives—had not Galbraith, +whom I had sent with an order to the front, hurriedly collected a +certain number of stragglers and met the Afghans with such a +murderous fire that they broke and fled, leaving seventy dead in a +space of about fifty yards square.</p> +<p> +As the rising sun lighted up the scene of the conflict, the advantages +of a night attack became more apparent. The pass lay across the +shoulder of a mountain (9,400 feet above the sea), and through a magnificent +pine forest. Its approaches were commanded by precipitous +heights, defended by breastworks of felled trees, which completely +screened the defenders, who were quite comfortably placed in wide +ditches, from which they could fire deadly volleys without being in the +least exposed themselves. Had we not been able to surprise the enemy +before the day dawned, I doubt whether, any of us could have reached +the first entrenchment. As it was, the regiment holding it fled in such +a hurry that a sheepskin coat and from sixty to a hundred rounds of +ammunition were left behind on the spot where each man had lain.</p> +<p> +We had gained our object so far, but we were still a considerable distance <span class="page"><a name="360">[Page 360]</a></span> +from the body of the Afghan army on the Peiwar Kotal.</p> +<p> +Immediately in rear of the last of the three positions on the Spingawi +Kotal was a <i>murg</i>, or open grassy plateau, upon which I re-formed the +troops who had carried the assault. The 2nd Punjab Infantry, the +23rd Pioneers, and the battery of Royal Horse Artillery were still behind; +but as the guns were being transported on elephants, I knew the +progress of this part of the force must be slow, and thinking it unwise +to allow the Afghans time to recover from their defeat, I determined to +push on with the troops at hand.</p> +<p> +A field hospital was formed on the <i>murg</i>, and placed under a guard, +ammunition-pouches were re-filled, and off we started again, choosing +as our route the left of two hog-backed, thickly-wooded heights running +almost longitudinally in the direction of the Peiwar Kotal, in the +hope that from this route communication might be established with our +camp below. I was not disappointed, for very soon Captain Wynne, +in charge of the signalling, was able to inform Brigadier-General Cobbe +of our progress, and convey to him the order to co-operate with me so +far as his very limited numbers would permit.</p> +<p> +Our advance was at first unopposed, but very slow, owing to the +density of the forest, which prevented our seeing any distance, and +made it difficult to keep the troops together.</p> +<p> +At the end of two hours we arrived at the edge of a deep hollow, on +the further side of which, 150 yards off, the enemy were strongly +posted, and they at once opened fire upon us.</p> +<p> +Fancy my dismay at this critical moment on discovering that the +Highlanders, Gurkhas, and the Mountain battery, had not come up! +They had evidently taken a wrong turn in the almost impenetrable +forest, and I found myself alone with the 29th Punjab Infantry. +Knowing that the missing troops could not be far off, I hoped that +they would hear the firing, which was each moment becoming heavier; +but some time passed, and there were no signs of their approach. I sent +staff officer after staff officer to search for them, until one only remained, +the Rev. J.W. Adams, who had begged to be allowed to +accompany me as Aide-de-camp for this occasion, and him I also +despatched in quest of the missing troops. After some time, which +seemed to me an age, he returned to report that no trace could he find +of them; so again I started him off in another direction. Feeling the +situation was becoming serious, and expecting that the Afghans, +encouraged by our inaction, would certainly attack us, I thought it +advisable to make a forward movement; but the attitude of the 29th +was not encouraging. I addressed them, and expressed a hope that +they would now by their behaviour wipe out the slur of disloyalty +which the firing of the signal shots had cast upon the regiment, upon +which Captain <a name="XLVI7r">Channer</a>,<a href="#XLVI7"><sup>7</sup></a> who was just then in command, stepped<span class="page"><a name="361">[Page 361]</a></span> +forward, and said he would answer for the Sikhs; but amongst the +Pathans there was an ominous silence, and Channer agreed with me +that they did not intend to fight. I therefore ordered Channer and his +subaltern, Picot, to advance cautiously down the slope with the Sikhs +of the regiment, following myself near enough to keep the party in +sight. I had not gone far, however, before I found that the enemy +were much too strongly placed to be attacked successfully by so few +men; accordingly I recalled Channer, and we returned to the position +at the top of the hill.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate20">[plate 20]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/20-gurkhaorderlies.jpg" width="295" height="470" alt="MY GURKHA ORDERLIES." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>MY GURKHA ORDERLIES.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a water colour sketch by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R. E.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Devotion of my Orderlies</span> +My <a name="XLVI8r">orderlies</a><a href="#XLVI8"><sup>8</sup></a> during this little episode displayed such touching +devotion that it is with feelings of the most profound admiration and +gratitude I call to mind their self-sacrificing courage. On this (as on +many other occasions) they kept close round me, determined that no +shot should reach me if they could prevent it; and on my being hit in +the hand by a spent bullet, and turning to look round in the direction +it came from, I beheld one of the Sikhs standing with his arms +stretched out trying to screen me from the enemy, which he could +easily do, for he was a grand specimen of a man, a head and shoulders +taller than myself.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate21">[plate 21]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/21-sikhorderlies.jpg" width="291" height="470" alt="MY SIKH ORDERLIES." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>MY SIKH ORDERLIES.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a water colour sketch by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R. E.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +To my great relief, on my return to the edge of the hollow, Adams +met me with the good tidings that he had found not only the lost troops, +but the Native Infantry of the rear portion of the column, and had +ascertained that the elephants with the guns were close at hand.</p> +<p> +Their arrival was most opportune, for the enemy had been reinforced, +and, having discovered our numerical weakness, were becoming +bolder; they charged down the hill, and were now trying to force their +way up to our position, but our Mountain guns were quickly brought +into action, and under their cover another attempt was made to drive +the Afghans from their position. The 23rd Pioneers, under the command +of Colonel Currie, the two front companies led by Captain Anderson, +moved down the slope, and were soon lost to view in the thick +wood at the bottom of the dell; when they reappeared it was, to my +great disappointment, on the wrong side of the hollow: they had +failed in the attack, and Anderson and some men had been killed. The<span class="page"><a name="362">[Page 362]</a></span> +enemy's position, it was found, could only be reached by a narrow +causeway, which was swept by direct and cross fires, and obstructed by +trunks of trees and a series of barricades.</p> +<p> +It was evident to me that under these circumstances the enemy could +not be cleared out of their entrenchment by direct attack without +entailing heavy loss, which I could ill afford and was most anxious to +avoid. I therefore reconnoitred both flanks to find, if possible, a way +round the hill. On our left front was a sheer precipice; on the right, +however, I discovered, to my infinite satisfaction, that we could not +only avoid the hill which had defeated us, but could get almost in rear +of the Peiwar Kotal itself, and threaten the enemy's retreat from that +position.</p> +<p> +At this juncture I was further cheered by the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel +Perkins and Major McQueen, who, with the 5th Punjab +Infantry, had worked their way up the steep mountain-side, in the +hope of getting near to the Peiwar Kotal and co-operating with me. +They were, however, checked by the deep ravine I have before +described, and, guided by the sound of firing, pushed higher up the hill. +They brought me word that the Artillery left in camp had opened fire +on the kotal soon after daybreak, and had succeeded in silencing two of +the enemy's guns; that our Infantry had crept up within 1,400 yards +of the kotal, but were met by such a destructive fire that they could not +advance further; that Brigadier-General Cobbe had been severely +wounded, and that Colonel Barry Drew had assumed the command. +Perkins also gave me the useful information that he had observed on +his way up a spur from which the kotal position could be fired upon at +a distance of 1,100 yards. To this spot I ordered Lieutenant Sherries, +who had succeeded poor Kelso in command of the Mountain battery, +to take his guns, and I asked Perkins to return and tell Drew to press +on to the kotal, in the hope that Sherries's fire and the turning movement +I was about, to make would cause the enemy to retreat.</p> +<p> +I sent the 29th Punjab Infantry back to the Spingawi to protect the +wounded. I left the 2nd Punjab Infantry in the position we had up +till now been occupying, and I took McQueen's regiment with me.</p> +<p> +A few rounds from the Mountain battery, and the fact that their rear +was threatened and their retreat about to be cut off, soon produced +signs of wavering amongst the Afghans. Their Artillery fire slackened, +their Infantry broke, and about 2 p.m. Drew and Hugh Gough found +it possible to make a move towards the Peiwar Kotal. Gough was the +first to reach the crest, closely followed by Lieutenant Brabazon, his +orderly officer, and a fine plucky Dogra named Birbul. They were +soon joined by some hundreds of Turi levies collected by Waterfield +and by the 8th Foot. Another body of levies under Major <a name="XLVI9r">Palmer</a>,<a href="#XLVI9"><sup>9</sup></a> +who had done good service by making a feint on the right of the<span class="page"><a name="363">[Page 363]</a></span> +Afghan position, arrived about the same time. Plunder was of course +the sole object of the Turis, but their co-operation at the moment was +useful, and helped to swell our small numbers. The enemy having +evacuated their stronghold and retreated by the Alikhel road, abandoning +in their headlong flight guns, waggons, and baggage, were pursued +by Hugh Gough, whose Cavalry had by this time come up.</p> + +<p> +The Peiwar Kotal was not visible from the route we had taken, but +just before daylight had quite gone I could make out with the aid of +my telescope a large body of Afghans moving towards the Shutargardan, +which made me feel quite satisfied that the enemy's position +was in our possession.</p> +<p> +Night overtook us before we could reach the kotal, and as everyone +was thoroughly tired out, having been hard at work since 10 p.m. the +night before, with but little food, I thought it better to bivouac where +we were, on the southern slope of the Sika Ram mountain. It was +hardly a pleasant experience lying on the ground without even cloaks +at an elevation of 9,000 feet, and with the thermometer marking +twenty degrees of frost; but spite of cold and hunger, thoroughly +content with the day's work, and with my mind at rest, I slept as +soundly as I had ever done in the most luxurious quarters, and I think +others did the same. At any rate, no one that I could hear of suffered +from that night's exposure.</p> +<p> +We continued our march at daybreak, and reached the kotal in an +hour.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Peiwar Kotal</span> +The examination of the enemy's position was very interesting. It +was of enormous natural strength, the dispositions made for its defence +were most complete and judicious, and the impossibility of taking it by +other than a turning movement was proved beyond a doubt; it extended +from the Spingawi to some commanding heights nearly a mile south of +the Peiwar Kotal; thus having a front of about four miles facing due +east. From right to left the position ran along a lofty and rugged +range of mountains, clothed with dense pine-forests. Towards the +eastern side the range was precipitous, but descended on the west by a +succession of upland meadows to the valley of the Hariab; it was +crossed by only two roads, viz., the Peiwar and Spingawi Kotals; at a +few other points there were paths, but too narrow and precipitous for +the passage of troops.</p> +<p> +The Peiwar Kotal is a narrow depression in the ridge, commanded +on each side by high pine-clad mountains. The approach to it from +the Kuram valley was up a steep, narrow, zigzag path, commanded +throughout its entire length from the adjacent heights, and difficult to +ascend on account of the extreme roughness of the road, which was +covered with large fragments of rocks and boulders. Every point of +the ascent was exposed to fire from both guns and rifles, securely placed +behind breastworks constructed of pine-logs and stones. At the top of<span class="page"><a name="364">[Page 364]</a></span> +the path was a narrow plateau, which was again commanded from +the thickly-wooded heights on each side, rising to an elevation of 500 +feet.</p> +<p> +The Afghan Commander had been quite confident of success, and +was only waiting for reinforcements to attack our camp; but these +reinforcements did not arrive until the afternoon of the 1st December, +just too late for him to carry out his intention. He had under his +command eight Regular regiments of the Afghan army, and eighteen +guns; while these numbers were augmented by hordes of neighbouring +tribesmen, who were only too glad to respond to the cry of a <i>jahad</i> +against the infidel, firmly believing that as true believers their cause +would be victorious.</p> +<p> +Our loss at the Peiwar was not great—2 officers and 18 men killed, +and 3 officers and 75 men wounded. The Afghans suffered much more +severely, besides leaving in our possession all their guns, with quantities +of ammunition and other warlike stores.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate22">[plate 22]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/22-pathanorderly.jpg" width="314" height="470" alt="ONE OF MY PATHAN ORDERLIES." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>ONE OF MY PATHAN ORDERLIES.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a water colour sketch by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R. E.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLVII">XLVII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1878</span> + +<p> +Perceiving that further pursuit of the enemy would be useless, I +decided to halt a few days to admit of our overtaxed transport bringing +up supplies and tents, and to arrange for the occupation of the Peiwar +position during the winter months. But I considered that my work +would be incomplete if we stopped short of the Shutargardan Pass. +Moreover, it was very desirable that we should investigate this route, +and, if possible, get into friendly communication with some of the +sections of the Ghilzai tribe. The Jajis, through whose territory the +first part of the road ran, now showed themselves to be as well disposed +as the Turis; they readily brought in supplies, and volunteered to +labour for us, and from the information obtained by the political officers, +the inhabitants of the Hariab valley seemed equally anxious to be +friendly. The dislodgment of the Afghan army by a much smaller +force, from a position they had themselves chosen, had evidently had +a salutary effect.</p> + +<p> +As soon as I had leisure, I inquired from Colonel Gordon whether +he had been able to discover the men who had fired the signal shots on +the night of the 2nd, and whether he did not think that the Pathan +Native officers ought to be able to point out the offenders. Gordon +replied that he suspected the Jemadar of the Pathan company knew +who the culprits were, and that one soldier had confessed to firing the +second shot; moreover, he told me that eighteen Pathans had left the +regiment during the fight. On receiving this unpleasant information, +I assembled a Court of Inquiry, with orders to have the proceedings<span class="page"><a name="365">[Page 365]</a></span> +ready for my consideration by the time I returned from the Shutargardan.</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Alikhel</span> +Having despatched the sick and wounded to Kuram and made all +necessary arrangements, I marched on the 6th December to Alikhel, +twelve miles on the road to the Shutargardan. Before starting, I +issued an order thanking the troops for the efforts they had made to +ensure success, and I had the honour of communicating to them at the +same time a congratulatory message from the <a name="XLVII1r">Queen</a>.<a href="#XLVII1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +We reached the foot of the Shutargardan on the 8th, and reconnoitred +to the top of the pass the next morning. This point was 11,000 +feet above the sea, commanded a fine view of the Logar valley, and I +discovered from it that there was nothing between us and the immediate +vicinity of Kabul to prevent a force moving rapidly on that place.</p> +<p> +We returned to Alikhel on the 10th, and, as it was important to +retain control of this advanced post, I decided to leave Captain Rennick +in political charge, a duty for which his nerve and determination of +character eminently fitted him. Colonel Waterfield, as a temporary +arrangement, remained there also with a battery of Artillery and two +regiments of Punjab Infantry, for the purpose of establishing friendly +relations with the neighbouring tribesmen.</p> +<p> +From Alikhel there were said to be two roads leading to Kuram, +besides the difficult path over the Peiwar Kotal; and as it was of great +importance to gain a knowledge of an alternative line of communication, +in view of further trouble, I determined to explore one of them, +choosing that which appeared to be the shortest, and which I heard +had been used some time before by an Afghan Mountain battery. +This route was described as practicable for camels, and ran through +lands belonging to tribes whose headmen were with me, a fact which +should, I thought, ensure our being free from attack.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate23">[plate 23]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/23-pathanorderly2.jpg" width="357" height="470" alt="ONE OF MY PATHAN ORDERLIES." border="0" /><br /><br /> + <b>ONE OF MY PATHAN ORDERLIES.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From <br />a water colour sketch by Colonel Woodthorpe, C.B., R. E.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +I left Alikhel on the 12th December, taking with me No. 1 Mountain +Battery, a wing 72nd Highlanders, the 5th Gurkhas, and the 23rd +Pioneers. The route lay for four miles along the banks of the Hariab +stream, a tributary of the Kuram river, through a valley which +gradually narrowed into a thickly-wooded ravine, three miles long: +at the end of this ravine the road, turning sharply to the left, ascended<span class="page"><a name="366">[Page 366]</a></span> +till it reached an open grassy plateau, on which stood the hamlet of +Sapari. The inhabitants turned out to welcome us, bringing supplies, +and appearing so friendly that I settled to halt there for the night. I +had been warned, however, by the <i>maliks</i> of some of the villages we +had passed through in the morning, that we should probably be +attacked on the march the next day, and that a defile which lay at the +other side of a mountain over which we had to cross would be particularly +dangerous to us. I determined, therefore, to send on troops +that evening to occupy the pass over this mountain, and to start the +baggage off long before daybreak, so that it should be out of the way +of the main body, which would also have to march at an early hour in +order to reach the kotal before the tribesmen had time to collect.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Treachery of the tribesmen</span> +This could have been accomplished without difficulty, but for the +machinations of our false friends in the village, who directed on to the +precipitous path we had to ascend a stream of water which soon +turned into a sheet of ice, and when I arrived on the spot I found the +road blocked by fallen animals vainly struggling to regain their footing. +This caused so much delay that it was nearly noon before the last +camel had got over the pass.</p> +<p> +The descent on the other side was scarcely less difficult, though free +from ice. We dropped 3,000 feet in the first two miles, down a way +which can only be described as a ruined staircase, with the steps missing +at intervals, ending in the defile against the dangers of which we +had been warned. This defile was certainly a nasty place to be caught +in, being five miles long, and so narrow that the camels' loads struck +against the rocks on either side; and it was impossible to move flanking +parties along the cliffs above, as they were intersected by wide +chasms running back for long distances.</p> +<p> +It was important to secure the exit from this gorge without delay, +and for this purpose I pushed on four companies of the 23rd Pioneers, +and in support, when the ravine began to widen out a little, I hurried +on the Highlanders and the Mountain battery, leaving the Gurkhas to +protect the baggage and bring up the rear.</p> +<p> +We only got possession of the exit just in time. The Pioneers, +by occupying commanding positions on either side of the opening, +effectually checkmated several large bodies of armed men who were +approaching from different directions, and whose leaders now declared +they had only come to help us! Later on we discovered still more +formidable gatherings, which doubtless would have all combined to +attack us, had they been in time to catch us in the ravine.</p> +<p> +The tail of the column was followed and much harassed by the +enemy; but they were kept at bay by the steadiness of the gallant +Gurkhas, and so successful were they in safe-guarding the baggage, +that, although many of the drivers ran away at the first shot, leaving +the soldiers to lead the animals as well as defend them, not a single<span class="page"><a name="367">[Page 367]</a></span> +article fell into the hands of the tribesmen. The regiment lost three +men killed, and Captain Powell and eleven men wounded. Captain +Goad, of the Transport Department, was also badly <a name="XLVII2r">hurt</a>.<a href="#XLVII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> + +<p> +On Goad being knocked over, Sergeant Greer, of the 72nd Highlanders, +assisted by three privates, picked him up, and having placed +him under cover of a rock, they turned their attention to the enemy. +They were only four against large numbers, but by their cool and +steady use of the Martini-Henry rifle, which had shortly before been +issued to the British soldiers in India, they were enabled to hold +their ground until help arrived, when they succeeded in carrying the +wounded officer away.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Gallantry of Sergeant Greer</span> +I had observed in the advance on the Peiwar Kotal the skill and +gallantry displayed by Sergeant Greer, and noted him as a man fitted +for promotion. His distinguished conduct in rescuing and defending +Goad confirmed me in my opinion, and I accordingly recommended +him for a commission, which, to my great gratification, Her Majesty +was graciously pleased to bestow upon him.</p> +<p> +That night we halted at the village of Keria; thence the route was +easy enough, so, leaving the troops to rest and recover from the last +hard march, I rode on to Kuram, where there was much to be done.</p> +<p> +The ejectment of the Afghan ruler of Khost and the exploration of +that valley formed, it will be remembered, part of the programme +given to me to carry through, and it was very desirable that this service +should be completed before the winter rains set in. Peace and order +now reigned in Upper Kuram and in the neighbourhood of the Peiwar; +but there was a good deal of excitement in the lower part of the valley +and in Khost, our line of communication was constantly harassed by +raiders, convoys were continually threatened, outposts fired into, and +telegraph-wires cut. The smallness of my force made it difficult for +me to deal with these troubles, so I applied to the Commander-in-Chief +for the wing of the 72nd Highlanders left at Kohat, and the 5th +Punjab Cavalry at Thal to be ordered to join me at Kuram. At the +same time I moved up No. 2 Mountain Battery and the 28th Punjab +Infantry, sending the 29th Punjab Infantry to take the place of the +28th at Thal.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Transport Difficulties</span> +I was greatly hampered by want of transport. Arrangements had +to be made for sending the sick and wounded, as well as the captured +guns, to Kohat (the sight of the latter, I fancied, would have a good +effect on the tribes in our rear); but hard work, scarcity of forage, +and absence of supervision, had told, as was to be expected, on animals +in bad condition at the outset. Mules and camels died daily, reducing +our all too small numbers to such an extent that it was with considerable +difficulty the convoy was at last despatched.</p> +<p> +From the first I foresaw that want of transport would be our greatest<span class="page"><a name="368">[Page 368]</a></span> +difficulty, and so it proved; very few supplies could be obtained in the +vicinity of Kuram; the troops at Kohat had been drawing on the +adjacent districts ever since October, so that the purchasing agents had +every day to go further away to procure necessaries, and consequently +an increased number of animals were required for their conveyance. +My Commissary-General reported to me that only a few days' provisions +for the troops remained in hand, and that it was impossible to +lay in any reserve unless more transport could be provided. About +this reserve I was very anxious, for the roads might soon become +temporarily impassable from the rising of the rivers after the heavy +rain to be expected about Christmas. Contractors were despatched to +all parts of the country to procure camels, and I suggested to Government +that pack-bullocks should be bought at Mirzapur, and railed up +country, which suggestion being acted upon, the danger of the troops +having to go hungry was warded off.</p> +<p> +The treacherous soldiers of the 29th Punjab Infantry had now to be +dealt with—a necessary, but most unpleasant, duty. A perusal of the +proceedings of the Court of Inquiry satisfied me that the two men who +discharged their rifles during the night-march, the Jemadar of their +company who failed to report their criminal action, and the eighteen +who deserted their colours during the engagement, should all be tried +by Court-Martial.</p> +<p> +The prisoners were found guilty. The sepoy who fired the first shot +was sentenced to death, and the one who discharged the second to two +years' imprisonment with hard labour; the court, recognizing a possibility +that the latter, being a young soldier, might have loaded and +fired without intending treachery, gave him the benefit of the doubt. +The Jemadar was awarded seven years' transportation, and the eighteen +deserters terms varying from ten years to one year.</p> +<p> +It was with deep regret that I confirmed these several sentences, but +it was necessary that a deterrent example should be made. Treachery +was altogether too grave a crime to be lightly dealt with, and desertions +amongst the Pathans were becoming of much too frequent occurrence, +particularly as the deserters invariably carried away with them their +rifles and ammunition.</p> +<p> +The effect of these sentences was most salutary; there was not a +single desertion subsequent to the Court-Martial for more than a year, +although during that time the Mahomedan portion of my force were +severely tried by appeals from their co-religionists.</p> +<p> +On Christmas Eve authentic intelligence was brought to me that, +on hearing of the defeat of the Afghan army, Sher Ali, with the +members of the Russian Mission then at Kabul, had fled to Turkestan, +and that his son, Yakub Khan, had been released from prison, and had +assumed the reins of Government.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sher Ali Looks to Russia for Aid</span> +About this time, also, Sir Samuel Browne, who was at Jalalabad,<span class="page"><a name="369">[Page 369]</a></span> +received a <a name="XLVII3r">letter</a><a href="#XLVII3"><sup>3</sup></a> from the Amir, in which he announced his intention +of proceeding to St. Petersburg to lay his case before the Czar and +obtain the aid of Russia.</p> +<p> +Sher Ali's disappearance and Yakub Khan's assumption of authority +suggested new possibilities to the Viceroy, who at once instructed +Major Cavagnari, the political officer with the Khyber column, to +communicate, if possible, with Yakub Khan, and explain to him that +our quarrel was with Sher Ali alone, that he might rest assured of +the friendly disposition of the British Government towards him +personally, and that, unless he took the initiative, hostilities would +not be resumed.</p> +<p> +Before proceeding to Kuram, I invited all the Turis and Jajis who +had afforded us assistance to meet me in durbar that they might be +suitably rewarded. A goodly number responded to the invitation, and +were told, in accordance with the instructions I had received from the +Government of India, that they would henceforth be under British protection; +that no Amir of Afghanistan should ever again be permitted +to tyrannize over them; that while they would be expected to live +peaceably, neither their religion nor their customs would be interfered +with; that roads would be made and markets established, and that +whatever supplies they could provide for the use of the troops would be +liberally paid for.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1879<br />Khost</span> +After this I started for Khost, accompanied by Colonel Waterfield,<span class="page"><a name="370">[Page 370]</a></span> +the political officer.</p> +<p> +The column I took with me consisted of the squadron of the 10th +Hussars, 200 of the 72nd Highlanders, a wing of the 5th Punjab +Cavalry, the 21st and 28th Punjab Infantry, and Nos. 1 and 2 +Mountain Batteries. The corps were so weak that their total strength +only amounted to 2,000 men.</p> +<p> +We reached Matun, the name given to some three villages grouped +round a small fort in the centre of the valley, on the 6th January, 1879. +The Afghan Governor, with whom I had been in communication, met +me and arranged to surrender the fort, on condition that his personal +safety should be guaranteed, and that he should be allowed to go either +to Kabul or India, as he might desire.</p> +<p> +About half a mile from the fort I halted the column, and taking a +small escort of the 10th Hussars, I rode on with the Governor, who +invited me with my staff into his house. While tea was being handed +round, the Governor (Akram Khan by name) warned me that we +should be attacked, and that he could do nothing to prevent it, having +only some 200 local militia and no regular troops. He further said +that the inhabitants of the valley were not directly opposed to the +British Government, and, if left to themselves, would give no trouble; +but he doubted their being able to resist the pressure put upon them by +a large number of tribesmen who had collected from the adjacent +districts, attracted by the smallness of the force, which they believed +'had been delivered into their hands.'</p> +<p> +This intelligence showed me I must be prepared for a scrimmage, so +I ordered the camp to be pitched in the form of a square as compactly +as possible, with the transport animals and impedimenta in the centre, +and strong piquets at the four angles. Cavalry patrols were sent out +as far as the broken and hilly nature of the ground would permit, and +every endeavour was made to ascertain the strength and whereabouts +of the enemy, but to no purpose: the enemy were invisible, and the +patrols reported that they had come across numbers of peaceable-looking +husbandmen, but no one else.</p> +<p> +The night passed off quietly, but when advancing day made them +visible, multitudes of tribesmen were descried collecting on the slopes +of the neighbouring hills. Some friendly Natives were sent to ascertain +their intentions, followed by a Cavalry reconnoitring party, when +suddenly a number of camel-drivers and mule-men, who had gone to +the nearest village to procure fodder for their animals, came rushing +back to camp in the wildest terror and excitement, declaring that the +enemy seemed to rise as if by magic out of the ground, and that several +thousands were already in the village. No doubt some of these were +'the peaceable-looking husbandmen' the patrols had encountered the +previous day. I now became somewhat anxious, not only for the +safety of the reconnoitring party, which appeared to be in danger of<span class="page"><a name="371">[Page 371]</a></span> +being cut off, but for that of the whole force; such a mere handful as +we were compared to the numbers arrayed against us.</p> +<p> +Vigorous action was evidently necessary. Accordingly, I ordered all +the available Cavalry (only 70 men of the 10th Hussars, and 155 of the +5th Punjab Cavalry), under Colonel Hugh Gough, to follow the reconnoitring +party in case of their being so hard pressed as to have to retire, +and Captain Swinley's Mountain battery, with six companies of the +28th Punjab Infantry, under Colonel <a name="XLVII4r">Hudson</a>,<a href="#XLVII4"><sup>4</sup></a> to move out in support. +Colonel Drew I left in charge of the camp, with 200 Highlanders, the +21st Punjab Infantry, and a Mountain battery. I myself joined Gough, +who, by dismounted fire and several bold charges, notwithstanding the +difficult nature of the ground, succeeded in driving the enemy to the +highest ridges, over which Swinley's well-directed fire eventually forced +them to retreat.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Attack on our Camp</span> +Heavy firing was now heard in the direction of our camp, and I +hurried back, taking with me a troop of the 5th Punjab Cavalry. I +found that during my absence Drew had been attacked on two sides; +he had been able to prevent the enemy from coming to close quarters, +but they were still hovering about at no great distance, and I thought +it advisable to clear them away by moving out against them with all +the troops at my disposal. As we approached, they disappeared with +their usual rapidity; the 5th Punjab Cavalry, however, got in amongst +some of them, and we returned to camp with 100 prisoners, 500 head of +cattle, some sheep, and a large quantity of grain.</p> +<p> +The tribesmen, however, had not been sufficiently punished to +prevent a repetition of the attack, probably with largely increased +numbers; so I ordered the destruction of the hamlets nearest us, in +which they had been sheltered and some of our camp followers had +been murdered.</p> +<p> +The next night a most unfortunate occurrence took place, resulting +in the death of six of our prisoners; but it was just one of those +things which could hardly have been foreseen or guarded against, and +for which, however lamentable, no one was to blame. The headmen +of the particular Waziri tribe to which the captives belonged had been +summoned during the day, and told that the men would be released +on payment of a sum of fifty rupees each. The money was paid +down at once for a certain number, who were immediately set free; +but there was not quite enough for all, and the headmen went off to +procure what was required for the ransom of the remainder. Soon +after dark, however, some of the <a name="XLVII5r">enemy</a><a href="#XLVII5"><sup>5</sup></a> were discovered creeping up +the banks of a nulla at the back of the camp, where the unransomed +men were detained under a guard; the nearest sentry instantly fired,<span class="page"><a name="372">[Page 372]</a></span> +and the piquets all round took up the firing, thinking that another +attack on the camp had commenced. At the sound of the first shot +the prisoners all jumped to their feet, and calling to each other to +escape, attempted to seize the rifles belonging to the guard, upon +which the Native officer in command (a Pathan like themselves) told +them that if they persisted in trying to escape, they would be shot. +His words had no effect, and to prevent his men being overpowered, +he gave the order to fire. Six of the prisoners were killed and thirteen +wounded. It was a most regrettable affair, but a Court of Inquiry +decided that the Native officer had no option, and completely +exonerated the guard from acting with undue severity. The wounded +were, of course, taken to our hospital, and well cared for by our +<a name="XLVII6r">Doctors</a>.<a href="#XLVII6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +The remainder of our sojourn in Khost was not marked by any +incident of particular interest. We marched to the end of the valley, +and made a careful survey of it and of the surrounding hills.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Unsuccessful Experiment</span> +The instructions I received with regard to Khost were, to occupy +the valley and dislodge the Afghan administration therefrom. To my +great chagrin, the smallness of my force made it impossible for me to +give effect to these instructions as I could have wished. To have +remained in Khost under the circumstances would have been to court +disaster; the numbers of the enemy were daily increasing, and it +would have been impossible to hold our own. It was, however, of +great importance, if practicable, to retain some control over the +valley, a peculiarly productive district, which, if left alone by us, I +feared would become a centre of dangerous intrigue against any +settled government in Kuram. Accordingly I determined to try how +placing Khost in charge of one of our own Native officials would +answer, and I selected for the position Shahzada Sultan Jan, a Saddozai +gentleman of good birth, and a Sunni Mahomedan in religion, who, I +thought, would be a <i>persona grata</i> to the Khostwals, and, if supported +by some Native levies, and associated in his administrative duties with +the chief <i>maliks</i> of Khost, would be more likely to hold his own than +anyone else I could place there. This was, however, a mere experiment, +and I did not disguise from myself that its success was very +doubtful; but it was the only way in which I could attempt to carry +out the orders of Government, my hands being so completely tied by +paucity of troops. I had no fear for the Shahzada's personal safety,<span class="page"><a name="373">[Page 373]</a></span> +and I felt that, if in the end I should be obliged to abandon Khost +altogether for the present, it could later, if necessary, be easily +re-occupied with a somewhat larger force.</p> +<p> +Having decided on the course to be adopted, I held a durbar, which +was numerously attended, and addressed the people of Khost in much +the same way I had spoken to the Turis in Kuram, expressing a hope +that they would support the Shahzada's authority until a more +permanent form of government could be established.</p> +<p> +On the 27th January we left Khost and made one march; the next +day I halted, so as to be near the Shahzada in case of need. The +intelligence brought to me that evening satisfied me that my experiment +would not answer, and that without troops (which I could not +spare) to support the newly-established authority at first starting off, +we could not hope to maintain any hold over the country; for though +the Khostwals themselves were perfectly content with the arrangements +I had made, they could not resist the tribesmen, who directly +our backs were turned began to show their teeth. Accordingly, I +decided to bring the Shahzada away while I could do so without +trouble. I marched back to Matun the next morning with 1,000 men +(Cavalry and Infantry) and four Mountain guns. We found Sultan +Jan in anything but a happy frame of mind, and quite ready to come +away. So having formally made the place over to the <i>maliks</i>, we +started on our return journey. As we departed, a collection of our +tribal enemies (about 3,000) who had been watching the proceedings +took the opportunity to attack us; but two weak squadrons of Cavalry, +skilfully handled by Hugh Gough, kept them in check, and we reached +camp without further molestation.</p> +<p> +The next day, the last of January, we returned to Hazir Pir in +Kuram. There I received a visit from Sirdar Wali Mahomed Khan, +brother of Sher Ali, who was accompanied by several leading men of +the Logar valley, some of whom were of great assistance to me a few +months later. Wali Mahomed was a man of about fifty years of age; +he had a pleasing countenance, of the same Jewish type as the +majority of the Afghan nation, but he had a weak face and was +evidently wanting in character. He told me that he had fled from +Kabul to escape the vengeance of his nephew, Yakub Khan, who +attributed his long imprisonment by his father to the Sirdar's +influence. Sir Samuel Browne and Major Cavagnari, on the Khyber +line, were conducting all political negotiations with the Afghans, so I +passed Wali Mahomed Khan on to them.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An Unpleasant incident</span> +During the month of February my time was chiefly employed in +inspecting the roads and the defensive posts which my talented and indefatigable +Chief Engineer was constructing, examining the arrangements +for housing the troops, and looking after the transport animals +and Commissariat depots. No more military demonstrations were<span class="page"><a name="374">[Page 374]</a></span> +necessary, for the people were quietly settling down under British rule. +Convoys were no longer molested nor telegraph wires cut; but I had +one rather unpleasant incident with regard to a war Correspondent, +which, until the true facts of the case were understood, brought me +into disrepute with one of the leading London newspapers, the representative +of which I felt myself compelled to dismiss from the Kuram +Field Force.</p> +<p> +Judging from his telegrams, which he brought to me to sign, the +nerves of the Correspondent in question must have been somewhat +shaken by the few and very distant shots fired at us on the 28th November. +These telegrams being in many instances absolutely incorrect +and of the most alarming nature, were of course not allowed to be +despatched until they had been revised in accordance with truth; but +one, evidently altered and added to after I had countersigned it, was +brought to me by the telegraph master. I sent for the Correspondent, +who confessed to having made the alterations, not apparently realizing +that he had done anything at all reprehensible, but he promised that he +would never do such a thing again. This promise was not kept; telegrams +appeared in his paper which I had not seen before despatch, and +which were most misleading to the British public. Moreover, his letters, +over which I could have no control, and which I heard of for the first +time when the copies of his paper arrived in Kuram, were most subversive +of the truth. It was on the receipt of these letters that I felt it to +be my duty to send the too imaginative author to the rear.</p> +<p> +No one could be more anxious than I was to have all details of the +campaign made public. I considered it due to the people of Great +Britain that the press Correspondents should have every opportunity +for giving the fullest and most faithful accounts of what might happen +while the army was in the field, and I took special pains from the first +to treat the Correspondents with confidence, and give them such information +as it was in my power to afford. All I required from them in +return was that the operations should be truthfully reported, and that +any Correspondent who did not confine himself to the recording of facts, +and felt himself competent to criticize the conduct of the campaign, +should be careful to acquaint himself with the many and varied reasons +which a Commander must always have to consider before deciding on +any line of action.</p> +<p> +What to my mind was so reprehensible in this Correspondent's conduct +was the publication, in time of war, and consequent excitement +and anxiety at home, of incorrect and sensational statements, founded +on information derived from irresponsible and uninformed sources, and +the alteration of telegrams after they had been countersigned by the +recognized authority, the result of which could only be to keep the +public in a state of apprehension regarding the force in the field, and, +what is even more to be deprecated, to weaken the confidence of the<span class="page"><a name="375">[Page 375]</a></span> +troops in their Commander. It was satisfactory to me that my action +in the matter met with the fullest approval of the Viceroy.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Punjab Chiefs' Contingent</span> +About this time my column was strengthened by the arrival of the +Contingent provided by the Punjab Chiefs, under the command of +Brigadier General John Watson, my comrade of the Mutiny days. The +Contingent consisted of 868 Cavalry, and 2,685 Infantry with 13 guns, +which were placed in position along the line of communication, and +proved of great use in relieving the Regular army of escort duty. The +senior Native officer with the Punjabis was Bakshi Ganda Sing, +Commander-in-Chief of the Patiala army, a particularly handsome, +gentlemanly Sikh, with whom I have ever since been on terms of +friendly intercourse.</p> +<p> +Towards the end of February I paid a visit to Kohat, where my wife +met me; we spent a week together, and I had the pleasure of +welcoming to the frontier that grand regiment, the 92nd Highlanders, +which had been sent up to be in readiness to join my column in the +event of an advance on Kabul becoming necessary.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLVIII">XLVIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +I was informed by the Viceroy's Private Secretary in the beginning of +March that, unless satisfactory arrangements could soon be come to +with Yakub Khan, an onward move would have to be made. Accordingly +I now set about preparing for such a contingency.</p> +<p> +Sher Ali had died in Afghan Turkestan on the 21st February, and, in +communicating the event to the Viceroy, Yakub Khan wrote that he +was anxious matters might be so arranged that 'the friendship of this +God-granted State with the illustrious British Government may remain +constant and firm.'</p> +<p> +The new Amir was told in reply that Lord Lytton was prepared to +enter into negotiations for the conclusion of peace, and for the restoration +of a friendly alliance between the two Governments, provided that +His Highness renounced all claim to authority over the Khyber and +Michni Passes, and the independent tribes inhabiting the territory +directly connected with the main routes leading to India; that the district +of Kuram from Thal to the crest of the Shutargardan Pass, and the +districts of Pishin and Sibi, should remain under the control of the +British Government; that the foreign relations of Afghanistan should +be conducted in accordance with the advice and wishes of the British +Government; and that British officers should be accredited to the +Kabul Government, and permitted to reside at such places as might +hereafter be decided upon.</p> +<p> +Yakub Khan's reply was not altogether satisfactory. He agreed to<span class="page"><a name="376">[Page 376]</a></span> +British officers being deputed to Afghanistan on the understanding +that they should reside in Kabul, and abstain from interference in +State affairs; but he declined to renounce his authority over the +Khyber and Michni Passes and the tribes in their vicinity, and +refused to consent to Kuram, Pishin, and Sibi being placed under +British protection.</p> +<p> +The Viceroy now determined to try what a personal conference +between the Amir and Cavagnari could effect towards a settlement of +these vexed questions, so in answering the Amir Cavagnari was +directed to convey a hint that an invitation to him to visit Kabul +might be productive of good results, and to point out that the places +we desired to occupy were looked upon as essential to the permanent +security of the Indian frontier. The Amir replied, expressing his +readiness to receive Cavagnari in his capital, and laying stress on his +determination to regulate his future conduct in strict conformity with +his professions of loyalty, but begged that he might not be called upon +to cede any portion of his territory.</p> +<p> +Hardly had this letter, dated the 29th March, been received, than a +proclamation addressed by Yakub to the Khagianis, a tribe which had +been giving much trouble, was intercepted and brought to Cavagnari; +in it the Amir praised and complimented the Khagianis for their +religious zeal and fidelity to himself. He exhorted them to have no +fear of the infidels, against whom he was about to launch an irresistible +force of troops and <i>Ghazis</i>, and wound up as follows: 'By the favour +of God, and in accordance with the verse "Verily God has destroyed +the powerful ones," the whole of them will go to the fire of hell for +evermore. Therefore kill them to the extent of your ability.' A +curious commentary this on the Amir's protestation of loyalty.</p> +<p> +Notwithstanding this piece of treachery, it was decided not to break +off negotiations, and Yakub Khan was informed by Cavagnari that a +Mission would proceed to Kabul so soon as the necessary arrangements +could be made for its reception. At the same time Lord Lytton himself +wrote to the Amir, telling him that, as he was willing to receive +an Envoy, Cavagnari would be deputed to visit Kabul, and communicate +unreservedly with him upon the questions at issue between +the two States.</p> +<p> +I, personally, was not at all satisfied that the time had come for +negotiation, for I felt that the Afghans had not had the sense of defeat +sufficiently driven into them to convince them of our strength and +ability to punish breach of treaty, and, therefore, that a peace made +now, before they had been thoroughly beaten, would not be a lasting +one, and would only end in worse trouble in the near future. The +Afghans are an essentially arrogant and conceited people; they had +not forgotten our disastrous retreat from Kabul, nor the annihilation +of our array in the Khurd Kabul and Jagdalak Passes in 1842, and<span class="page"><a name="377">[Page 377]</a></span> +believed themselves to be quite capable of resisting our advance on +Kabul. No great battle had as yet been fought; though Ali Masjid +and the Peiwar Kotal had been taken, a small force of the enemy had +been beaten by Charles Gough's brigade, near Jalalabad, and a +successful Cavalry skirmish had occurred near Kandahar, the Afghans +had nowhere suffered serious loss, and it was not to be wondered at if +the fighting men in distant villages, and in and around Kabul, Ghazni, +Herat, Balkh, and other places, still considered themselves undefeated +and capable of defying us. They and their leaders had to depend for +information as to recent events upon the garbled accounts of those who +had fought against us, and it was unlikely they would be shaken in +their belief in their superiority by such one-sided versions of what had +occurred. On many occasions I had been amused, in listening to +Afghan conversation, to find that, while they appeared thoroughly +conversant with and frequently alluded to their triumphs over us, they +seemed to know nothing, or had no recollection, of Sale's successful +defence of Jalalabad, or of Pollock's victorious march through the +Khyber Pass and the destruction by him of the chief bazaar in Kabul.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Premature Negotiations</span> +My ideas about the negotiations being premature were freely +expressed to Colonel <a name="XLVIII1r">Colley</a>,<a href="#XLVIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> Lord Lytton's Private Secretary, who +paid me a visit in Kuram at this time, and had been a constant +correspondent of mine from the commencement of the war. Colley, +however, explained to me that, right or wrong, the Viceroy had no +option in the matter; that there was the strongest feeling in England +against the continuance of the war; and that, unless the new Amir +proved actively hostile, peace must be signed. He expressed himself +sanguine that the terms of the treaty which Cavagnari hoped to +conclude with Yakub Khan would give us an improved frontier, and +a permanent paramount influence at Kabul, the two points about which +he said the Viceroy was most anxious, and to which he assigned the +first place in his political programme. Lord Lytton foresaw that, +whatever might be the future policy of the two European Powers +concerned, the contact of the frontiers of Great Britain and Russia in +Asia was only a matter of time, and his aim was to make sure that the +conterminous line, whenever it might be reached, should be of our +choosing, and not one depending on the exigencies of the moment, or +on the demands of Russia.</p> +<p> +The Native agent (Bukhtiar Khan), who was the bearer of the +Viceroy's and Cavagnari's letters to the Amir, reached Kabul at the +moment when the Afghan officials who had accompanied Sher Ali in +his flight returned to that place from Turkestan. Counsel was held +with these men as to the manner of receiving the British Mission; but +there was an influential military party averse to peace, and the Amir<span class="page"><a name="378">[Page 378]</a></span> +was strongly advised to abandon the English alliance and trust to +Russia. Upon hearing this, our agent became alarmed for the safety +of the Mission, and being apprehensive that Yakub Khan would not +have the power to protect its members from insult, he suggested to the +Amir that he should visit our camp instead of the British Mission +coming to Kabul, a suggestion which was ultimately adopted, the +Viceroy considering that it was infinitely the best arrangement that +could be made.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The treaty of Gandamak</span> +On the 8th May the Amir arrived in Sir Samuel Browne's camp at +Gandamak, thirty miles on the Kabul side of Jalalabad, and on the +26th, owing to the tact and diplomatic skill of Louis Cavagnari, the +Treaty of Gandamak was signed, and so ended the first phase of the +second Afghan war.</p> +<p> +Under the terms of the treaty, Yakub Khan agreed to the cession +of territory considered necessary by us, and bound himself to conduct +his foreign policy in accordance with the advice of the British Government; +while, on our side, we promised to support him against external +aggression. It was further arranged that a British representative, +with a suitable escort, should reside at <a name="XLVIII2r">Kabul</a>;<a href="#XLVIII2"><sup>2</sup></a> that the Amir should +in like manner (if he desired it) depute an agent to the Viceregal +Court; that British agents with sufficient escorts should be at liberty +to visit the Afghan frontiers whenever, in the interests of both countries, +it was considered necessary by the British Government; that there +should be no hindrance to British subjects trading peaceably within +the Amir's dominions; that traders should be protected, the transit of +merchandise facilitated, and roads kept in good order; that a line of +telegraph should be constructed from India to Kabul, at the expense of +the British, but under the protection of the Afghan Government; and +that an annual subsidy of six lakhs of rupees should be paid to the Amir +and his successors.</p> +<p> +The Khyber column was now withdrawn, with the exception of two +brigades, and orders were sent to the Kandahar column to prepare to +withdraw on the 1st September, the earliest date at which the troops +could safely march through the Bolan Pass. I was told to stay where +I was, as Kuram, by the treaty conditions, was to remain under our +control and be administered by the British Government.</p> +<p> +On the 24th May I held a parade in honour of the Queen's birthday, +at which 6,450 officers and men were <a name="XLVIII3r">present</a>.<a href="#XLVIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> They were thoroughly +fit and workmanlike, and being anxious that the tribesmen should see<span class="page"><a name="379">[Page 379]</a></span> +what grand soldiers I had at hand should an advance be necessary, I +invited all the neighbouring clans to witness the display. The Afghans +were seated in picturesque groups round the flag-staff, when suddenly, +as the first round of the <i>feu-de-joie</i> was fired, they started to their feet, +thinking that treachery was intended, and that they were caught in a +trap: they took to their heels, and we had considerable difficulty in +bringing them back, and in making them understand that the firing +which had so upset their equanimity was only a sign of rejoicing on +that auspicious anniversary. By degrees they became assured that +there was no thought of taking an unfair advantage of them, and at +the conclusion of the ceremony they were made happy by a present of +sheep. In the afternoon an impromptu rifle meeting was got up. The +matchlock men could not hold their own against our good shots armed +with Martini-Henry rifles, a fact which evidently greatly impressed the +tribesmen, some of whom then and there came forward and promised +that if I should be required to advance on Kabul they would not oppose +me.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Making Friends with the Tribesmen</span> +I took advantage of our improved relations with the Afghans, consequent +on the ratification of the treaty, to enlarge our geographical +knowledge of the passes which lead from Kuram towards Kabul, and +the independent territories in the neighbourhood. The presence of the +troops, no doubt, had something to say to the cheerful acquiescence of +the tribesmen in these explorations, which they appeared to look upon +as the result of a wish to make ourselves acquainted with the country +assigned to us by the treaty, and having, to use their own expression, +lifted for us the <i>purdah</i> (curtain) of their country, they became most +friendly, and took a curious pleasure in pointing out to us the points of +defence at which they would have opposed us, had we been advancing +as enemies.</p> +<p> +Towards the end of June I heard from Lord Lytton that he wished +me to be one of the military members of a Commission of Inquiry into +army expenditure and organization which was about to be convened at +Simla, if I thought I could be spared from my post at Kuram. The +people of the valley had by this time settled down so contentedly, and +the tribesmen showed themselves so peacefully disposed, that I thought +I could safely leave my post for a time, before returning to take up my +abode in the neighbourhood for some years, as I hoped to do, when +my appointment as Frontier Commissioner should have received the +sanction of the authorities in England.</p> +<p> +Meanwhile, however, some temporary arrangement was necessary<span class="page"><a name="380">[Page 380]</a></span> +for the administration of Kuram, and I wrote to the Foreign Secretary +(Alfred Lyall), pointing out my views upon the subject.</p> +<p> +Seeing how much could be done with these wild people by personal +influence, and how ready they were to submit to my decisions when +disputes arose amongst them—decisions at times literally given from +the saddle—I was very adverse to their being handed over to some +official who, from his training, would not be able to understand dealing +out the rough-and-ready justice which alone was suited to these lawless +beings, and who could not imagine any question being properly settled +without its having undergone the tedious process of passing through the +law courts. Such a rule would, I knew, disgust a people accustomed to +decide their quarrels at the point of the sword—a people to whom law +and order had been hitherto unknown, and must be distasteful, until +they had had time to realize their beneficial effects. Profitable employment +and judicious management would in time, no doubt, turn them +into peaceful subjects. Friendly intercourse had already done much +towards this end, and tribes who for generations had been at feud with +each other now met, when visiting our camp, on common ground, +without (much I think to their own astonishment) wanting to cut each +other's throats. What was further required, I conceived, was the +opening up of the country by means of roads, which would facilitate +intercommunication and give remunerative employment to thousands +who had hitherto lived by plunder and bloodshed.</p> +<p> +In answering my letter, the Foreign Secretary informed me that the +future of Kuram would be settled when I reached Simla, whither I was +to proceed so soon as I had seen the British Mission across the frontier.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Gloomy Forebodings</span> +On the 15th July Major Cavagnari, who had been selected as 'the +Envoy and Plenipotentiary to His Highness the Amir of Kabul,' +arrived in Kuram, accompanied by Mr. William Jenkins, C.I.E., of +the Civil Service, and Lieutenant Hamilton, V.C., Surgeon-Major +Kelly, 25 Cavalry and 50 Infantry of the Guides Corps. I, with some +fifty officers who were anxious to do honour to the Envoy and see the +country beyond Kuram, marched with Cavagnari to within five miles +of the crest of the Shutargardan Pass, where we encamped, and my +staff and I dined that evening with the Mission. After dinner I was +asked to propose the health of Cavagnari and those with him, but +somehow I did not feel equal to the task; I was so thoroughly depressed, +and my mind was filled with such gloomy forebodings as to +the fate of these fine fellows, that I could not utter a word. Like +many others, I thought that peace had been signed too quickly, before, +in fact, we had instilled that awe of us into the Afghan nation which +would have been the only reliable guarantee for the safety of the +Mission. Had we shown our strength by marching to Kabul in the +first instance, whether opposed or not, and there dictated the terms of +the treaty, there would have been some assurance for its being adhered<span class="page"><a name="381">[Page 381]</a></span> +to; as it was, I could not help feeling there was none, and that the +chances were against the Mission ever coming back.</p> +<p> +Cavagnari, however, showed no sign of sharing my forebodings; he +and his companions were in the best of spirits; he spoke most hopefully +of the future, and talked of a tour he hoped to make with me in the +cold weather along the northern and western frontiers of Afghanistan. +Other matters of intense interest to us both were discussed, and before +separating for the night it was arranged that Mrs. Cavagnari should +either join him in Kabul the following spring, or come and stay with +my wife and me in Kuram, where I had already laid the foundations +of a house near the beautifully situated village of Shalufzan.</p> +<p> +Early next morning the Sirdar, who had been deputed by the Amir +to receive the Mission, came into camp, and soon we all started for the +top of the pass. We had gone about a mile, when we were joined by +an escort of Afghan Cavalry, dressed something like British Dragoons, +with the exception of their head-gear, which consisted of the discarded +helmets of the old Bengal Horse Artillery. They were mounted on +small, useful-looking horses, and were armed with smooth-bore carbines +and <i>tulwars</i> (Native swords).</p> +<p> +As we ascended, curiously enough, we came across a solitary magpie, +which I should not have noticed had not Cavagnari pointed it out and +begged me not to mention the fact of his having seen it to his wife, as +she would be sure to consider it an unlucky omen.</p> +<p> +On reaching the Afghan camp, we were received in a large, tastefully +decorated tent, where tea was served, and we were afterwards conducted +to the top of the mountain, where carpets were spread and +more tea passed round, while we gazed on the fine view of the Logar +valley which stretched out beneath us.</p> +<p> +On descending to the camp, we were invited to partake of dinner, +served in Oriental fashion on a carpet spread on the ground. Everything +was done most lavishly and gracefully, and nothing was omitted +that was calculated to do us honour. Nevertheless, I could not feel +happy as to the prospects of the Mission, and my heart sank as I +wished Cavagnari good-bye. When we had proceeded a few yards +in our different directions, we both turned round, retraced our steps, +shook hands once more, and parted for ever.</p> +<p> +I did not delay at Kuram; there was nothing to keep me there, and +the prospect of getting back to my belongings and to civilization, now +that all active work was at an end, was too alluring to be withstood. +My wife met me at the foot of the Hills, and we drove up to Simla +together. I was greeted by Lord Lytton and many kind friends most +warmly, and had the gratification of hearing that I had been made a +K.C.B., and that I had been accorded the thanks of both Houses of +Parliament.</p> +<p> +I was soon deep in the work of the Army Commission, which met<span class="page"><a name="382">[Page 382]</a></span> +for the first time under the presidency of the Hon. Sir Ashley <a name="XLVIII4r">Eden</a>,<a href="#XLVIII4"><sup>4</sup></a> +K.C.S.I., on the 1st August. The heavy loss to the revenues of India, +consequent on the unfavourable rate of exchange, rendered extensive +reductions in public expenditure imperative, and the object of this +Commission was to find out how the cost of the army could be reduced +without impairing its efficiency.</p> +<p> +Very little was done at the first meeting, and at its close Eden +confessed to me that he did not at all see his way, and that he was +somewhat aghast at the difficulties of the task before the Commission. +To me it seemed clear that the maintenance of a separate army for +each presidency, Bengal, Bombay, and Madras, was at the root of the +evils it was our duty to consider and try to reform; and I promised +the President that, before the Commission again assembled, I would +prepare a scheme which might form a basis for them to work upon.</p> +<p> +I considered it an anachronism, since railways and telegraphs had +annihilated distance, to keep up three Commanders-in-Chief, and +separate departments, each having an independent head, in the three +different presidencies. I put my ideas on paper, and Eden announced +himself in favour of my scheme, which substituted for the three +presidential armies four army corps, all subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief +in India. Portions of my recommendation began to +be carried into effect directly they had received the sanction of the +authorities in England—such as the amalgamation of the Commissariat, +Pay, Ordnance, and Stud departments—but it was not until +April, 1895, sixteen years after the proposal had been recommended +by the Government of India, and although, during that period, four +successive Viceroys, each backed up by a unanimous Council, had +declared themselves strongly in favour of the change, that the finishing +touch was given to the new organization, by the abolition of the offices +of Commanders-in-Chief of Madras and Bombay, and the creation of +four Army Corps, namely, the Punjab, the Bengal, the Madras, and +the Bombay, each commanded by a Lieutenant-General.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="XLIX">XLIX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +My wife and I thought and talked much over our new life on the +frontier, to which we both looked forward with great interest and +pleasure, but, before entering upon it, we settled to go home for a time +to place our boy at school and see our friends, and we were arranging +our plans accordingly, when suddenly our 'castles in the air' were +dashed to the ground by a ruthless blow from the hand of Fate, and<span class="page"><a name="383">[Page 383]</a></span> +the whole of India, the whole of the civilized world, was struck with +grief, horror, and indignation at the awful news of the massacre at +Kabul of Cavagnari and his gallant companions.</p> +<p> +Throughout the month of August telegrams and letters constantly +came from Cavagnari (now a Lieutenant-Colonel and a K.C.B.) to the +Viceroy, the Foreign Secretary, and myself, in which he always +expressed himself in such a manner as to lead to the belief that he +was perfectly content with his position, and felt himself quite secure; +and in his very last letter, dated the 30th August, received after his +death, he wrote: 'I personally believe that Yakub Khan will turn out +to be a very good ally, and that we shall be able to keep him to his +engagements.' His last telegram to the Viceroy, dated the 2nd +September, concluded with the words, 'All well.' Cavagnari mentioned +in one of his letters that the Afghan soldiers were inclined to be +mutinous, and in another that a dispute had arisen in the bazaar +between them and the men of the British escort, but at the same time +he expressed his confidence in the Amir's ability and determination to +maintain order; I could not, however, help being anxious about +Cavagnari, or divest myself of the feeling that he might be over-estimating +Yakub Khan's power, even if His Highness had the will, to +protect the Mission.</p> +<p> +Between one and two o'clock on the morning of the 5th September, +I was awakened by my wife telling me that a telegraph man had been +wandering round the house and calling for some time, but that no one +had answered <a name="XLIX1r">him</a>.<a href="#XLIX1"><sup>1</sup></a> I got up, went downstairs, and, taking the +telegram from the man, brought it up to my dressing-room, and +opened it; it proved to be from Captain Conolly, Political Officer at +Alikhel, dated the 4th September. The contents told me that my +worst fears—fears I had hardly acknowledged to myself—had been +only too fully realized. The telegram ran:</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +'One Jelaladin Ghilzai, who says he is in Sir Louis Cavagnari's secret +service, has arrived in hot haste from Kabul, and solemnly states that yesterday +morning the Residency was attacked by three regiments who had mutinied +for their pay, they having guns, and being joined by a portion of six other +regiments. The Embassy and escort were defending themselves when he left +about noon yesterday. I hope to receive further news.'</p> + +<p> +I was paralyzed for the moment, but was roused by my wife calling +out, 'What is it? Is it bad news from Kabul?' She had divined my +fears about Cavagnari, and had been as anxious about him as I had +been myself. I replied, 'Yes, very bad, if true. I hope it is not.' +But I felt it was. I woke my A.D.C., and sent him off at once to the +Viceroy with the telegram. The evil tidings spread rapidly. I was +no sooner dressed than Mr. Alfred Lyall arrived. We talked matters<span class="page"><a name="384">[Page 384]</a></span> +over, I despatched a <a name="XLIX2r">telegram</a><a href="#XLIX2"><sup>2</sup></a> to Captain Conolly, and we then went +off to Lord Lytton.</p> +<p> +Early as it was, I found the Council assembled. The gravity of the +situation was thoroughly appreciated, and it was unanimously decided +that, should the disastrous report prove to be true, troops must +proceed to Kabul with the least possible delay to avenge or, if happily +incorrect or exaggerated, to support the Mission.</p> +<p> +Sir Samuel Browne's force had been broken up, Sir Donald Stewart +was in far off Kandahar, and his troops had, all but a small number, +left on their return march to India; the Kuram force was, therefore, +the only one in a position to reach Kabul quickly, and I was ordered +to proceed at once to Kuram and resume my command.</p> +<p> +As a preliminary measure, Brigadier-General Massy, who had been +placed in temporary command during my absence, was directed to +move troops to the Shutargardan, where they were to entrench themselves +and await orders, while Stewart was directed to stop all +regiments on their way back to India, and himself hold fast at +Kandahar.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Massacre of the Embassy</span> +During the day further telegrams were received confirming the +truth of the first report, and telling of the Mission having been overwhelmed +and every member of it cruelly massacred; and later +Captain Conolly telegraphed that messengers had arrived from the +Amir bringing two letters addressed to me giving his version of what +had occurred.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Kabul Field Force</span> +During the few hours I remained at Simla I was busily engaged in +discussing with Sir Frederick Haines the formation of the Kabul +Field <a name="XLIX3r">Force</a>,<a href="#XLIX3"><sup>3</sup></a> as my new command was designated, and the many +important matters which had to be considered. More troops had to<span class="page"><a name="385">[Page 385]</a></span> +be hurried up, for it would be necessary to hold Kuram in strength +while I moved on to Kabul, and, as communication by the Shutargardan +could not be depended upon after December, on account of snow, the +Khyber route would have to be opened out.</p> +<p> +At the commencement of the last year's campaign my anxiety had +been so largely increased by having been given officers totally inexperienced +in war to fill the higher posts in the Kuram column, that I +did not hesitate to press upon the Commander-in-Chief, now that +I had a far more difficult operation to carry through, the importance of +my senior officers being tried men on whom I could implicitly rely; +and I succeeded in getting for the command of my two Infantry +brigades Herbert <a name="XLIX4r">Macpherson</a><a href="#XLIX4"><sup>4</sup></a> +and T. D. <a name="XLIX5r">Baker</a>,<a href="#XLIX5"><sup>5</sup></a> the Viceroy's Military +Secretary, both of whom had seen a good deal of service, while the +former had already commanded a brigade in the field.</p> +<p> +To the command of the Artillery and Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel +B. Gordon and Brigadier-General Massy were appointed, neither of +whom had much experience of war. Gordon had served in Central India +during the Mutiny, and Massy by his pluck as a subaltern of Infantry +in the Crimea had gained for himself the <i>sobriquet</i> of 'Redan' Massy.<span class="page"><a name="386">[Page 386]</a></span> +But he had not served with Cavalry in the field, and from my slight +acquaintance with him I could not say whether he possessed the very +exceptional qualities required in a Cavalry Commander.</p> +<p> +My staff had proved themselves so capable and reliable that I had no +wish to make any change; it was, however, materially strengthened +by the addition of Colonel <a name="XLIX6r">MacGregor</a>,<a href="#XLIX6"><sup>6</sup></a> as 'Chief of the Staff,' with +Captain <a name="XLIX7r">Combe</a>,<a href="#XLIX7"><sup>7</sup></a> 10th Hussars, +and Lieutenant Manners <a name="XLIX8r">Smith</a><a href="#XLIX8"><sup>8</sup></a> as +Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-Generals.</p> +<p> +Mr. H.M. <a name="XLIX9r">Durand</a><a href="#XLIX9"><sup>9</sup></a> was attached to me as Political Secretary, and +Major Hastings as Political Officer, in place of Colonel Waterfield, who +was <i>hors de combat</i> from a broken leg. Hugh Gough, with the rank +of Brigadier-General, and Major Mark Heathcote as his assistant, were +placed in charge of the lines of communication.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Lord Lytton's Foresightedness</span> +Before leaving Simla I paid a farewell visit to Lord Lytton. I found +him in a state of deep distress and depression. To a man of his +affectionate disposition, the fate of Cavagnari, for whom he had a great +personal regard, was a real grief. But on public grounds he felt still +more strongly the collapse of the Mission and the consequent heavy +blow to the policy he had so much at heart, viz., the rectification of +our defective frontier, and the rendering India secure against foreign +aggression—a policy which, though scouted at the time by a party +which later became all-powerful, has since been justified by the action +of successive Governments, Liberal and Conservative alike, until at the +present moment our frontier is gradually becoming what Lord Lytton, +with his clear foresightedness and intelligent appreciation of our responsibilities +and India's requirements, would then have made it.</p> +<p> +In answer to my request for instructions as to the line I should take +about our future relations with the Afghans, Lord Lytton said: 'You +can tell them we shall never again altogether withdraw from Afghanistan, +and that those who help you will be befriended and protected by the +British Government.'</p> +<p> +While I was with Lord Lytton, a <a name="XLIX10r">telegram</a><a href="#XLIX10"><sup>10</sup></a> was brought in from +Captain Conolly, reporting the details of the attack upon the Embassy,<span class="page"><a name="387">[Page 387]</a></span> +as given to him by the messenger who had been entrusted by +the Amir to deliver the two letters addressed to me. In this telegram +Conolly solicited instructions as to what he was to communicate to the +Amir in reply to His Highness's request for aid, and inquired whether +he was at liberty to make terms with one Badshah Khan, an influential +Ghilzai Chief, who had come to Alikhel to offer his services.</p> +<p> +The following telegram was sent in reply by the Foreign Secretary:</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +'Your telegram 6th. Reply to the Amir at once from the Viceroy that a +strong British force under General Roberts will march speedily on Kabul +to his relief, from the Shutargardan, and that he should use all his resources +to co-operate with, and facilitate, the advance of the troops through his +country. Your proposal to subsidize Badshah Khan and accept his services +is approved. Roberts will send detailed instructions.'</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Start for Kabul</span> +Late in the afternoon of the same day (September 6th) I left Simla, +accompanied by my wife as far as Umballa, where I found my staff +waiting for me. She saw us off in the train, bidding us a cheery good-bye +and good luck, but I am afraid the return journey must have been +a sad one for her.</p> +<p> +Thought for the immediate future filled my mind as we sped on our +way to the front, and not a few difficulties connected with the proposed +advance on Kabul presented themselves to me. My chief causes +for anxiety were the insufficiency of transport, and the great extent of +the lines of communication which would have to be guarded. It +would be necessary to hold the country in strength from Thal to the +Shutargardan, a distance of 115 miles, until such time as the Khyber +route could be opened, and I felt that the force at my disposal (7,500 +men and 22 guns) was none too large for the work before it, considering +that I should have to provide a garrison for the Shutargardan, if not<span class="page"><a name="388">[Page 388]</a></span> +for other posts between that place and Kabul.</p> +<p> +My Commissariat arrangements, too, caused me many misgivings, +increased by the fact that Major Badcock, my chief Commissariat +Officer, and Major Collett, my Assistant Quartermaster-General, who +had afforded such valuable aid in Kuram, thinking the war was at an +end, had taken leave to England. My doubts vanished, however, and +my spirits rose at the sight of my brave troops, and the enthusiastic +welcome they gave me as I rode through Kuram on the 12th September +on my way to Alikhel. A splendid spirit pervaded the whole +force; the men's hearts were on fire with eager desire to press on to +Kabul, and be led against the miscreants who had foully massacred our +countrymen, and I felt assured that whatever it was possible for dauntless +courage, unselfish devotion, and firm determination to achieve, +would be achieved by my gallant soldiers.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Letter to the Amir</span> +On reaching Alikhel, Captain Conolly handed to me the Amir's +<a name="XLIX11r">letters</a>,<a href="#XLIX11"><sup>11</sup></a> to which I replied at once, and the next day, under instructions +from the Government of India, I wrote to His Highness that, in conformity<span class="page"><a name="389">[Page 389]</a></span> +with his own special request that an English officer should be +deputed as Envoy to his Court, and on condition that he would himself +be responsible for the protection and honourable treatment of such +an Envoy, Major Cavagnari and three British officers had been allowed +to go to Kabul, all of whom within six weeks had been ruthlessly +murdered by his troops and subjects; that his inability to carry out the +treaty engagements, and his powerlessness to establish his authority, +even in his own capital, having thus become apparent, an English +army would now advance on Kabul with the double object of consolidating +his Government, should he himself loyally do his best to fulfil +the terms of the treaty, and of exacting retribution from the murderers +of the British Mission. But that, although His Highness laid great +stress in his letter of the 4th September on the sincerity of his friendship, +my Government had been informed that emissaries had been +despatched from Kabul to rouse the country people and tribes against +us, and as this action appeared inconsistent with friendly intentions, I +considered it necessary for His Highness to send a confidential representative +to confer with me and explain his object.</p> +<p> +I had little doubt as to the truth of the report that the Amir was +using every effort to incite the Ghilzais and other tribes to oppose us, +and I was confirmed in my conviction by a Native gentleman, Nawab +Ghulam Hussein <a name="XLIX12r">Khan</a>,<a href="#XLIX12"><sup>12</sup></a> at one time our agent at Kabul, who told +me that, although he did not believe that Yakub Khan had actually +planned the massacre of the Embassy, he had certainly taken no steps +to prevent it, and that he, Ghulam Hussein Khan, was convinced that +the Amir was now playing us false. It was, therefore, a relief to find +awaiting me at Alikhel several of the leading men from the neighbouring +districts, to whom I had telegraphed, before leaving Simla, asking +them to meet me.</p> +<p> +These men were profuse in their proffers of assistance, and, although +I did not place a great deal of faith in their promises, I came to the +conclusion that, notwithstanding Yakub Khan's treacherous efforts to +stir up the tribes, if I could only push on rapidly with a fairly strong +force, I need not anticipate any opposition that I could not overcome. +Everything depended on speed, but rapidity of movement depended on +the condition of the transport service, and my inspection of the animals, +as I passed through Kuram, was not calculated to raise hopes of being +able to make a very quick advance; for, owing to continuous hard +work and the want of a staff of trained transport attendants, the +numbers of animals had steadily diminished, and those that remained<span class="page"><a name="390">[Page 390]</a></span> +were for the most part sickly and out of condition.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Proclamation to the People of Kabul</span> +On the 16th of September I issued a <a name="XLIX13r">Proclamation</a>,<a href="#XLIX13"><sup>13</sup></a> copies of which +I caused to be sent to the people of Kabul, Ghazni, and all the neighbouring +tribes; this, I hoped, would facilitate our advance, and reassure +those who had taken no part in the attack on the Residency. I also +wrote a <a name="XLIX14r">letter</a><a href="#XLIX14"><sup>14</sup></a> to the <i>maliks</i> of the Logar valley, whose territory we +must enter directly we had crossed the Shutargardan, and whose co-operation<span class="page"><a name="391">[Page 391]</a></span> +I was most anxious to obtain. On the 18th I again <a name="XLIX15r">wrote</a><a href="#XLIX15"><sup>15</sup></a> to +the Amir, enclosing copies of these two documents, and informing him +that I was still awaiting a reply to my first letter and the arrival of +His Highness's confidential representative; that I hoped he would +soon issue the necessary orders for the furtherance of our plans and +that he might rest assured of the support of the British Government.</p> +<p> +On the 19th September matters had so far progressed that I was able +to tell the Viceroy that Brigadier-General Baker was entrenched with +his brigade on the Shutargardan, and engaged in improving the road +to Kushi, the first halting-place in the Logar valley; that supplies +were being collected by means of local transport; that I was bringing +up reserve ammunition and treasure from the rear on Artillery +waggons; and that every possible effort was being made to render the +force mobile.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Yakub Khan's Agents</span> +On the 20th I received the Amir's reply. He expressed regret that +he was unable to come to Alikhel himself, but intimated that he was +sending two confidential agents, his Mustaufi (Finance Minister), +Habibulla Khan, and his Wazir (Prime Minister), Shah Mahomed +Khan, who accordingly arrived the next day.</p> +<p> +At each interview I had with these gentlemen during the three days +they remained in my camp, they impressed upon me that the Amir +was inclined to be most friendly, and that his only wish was to be +guided by the advice of the British Government. But, notwithstanding +these plausible assurances, I soon discovered that Yakub Khan's real +object in sending these two high officials was to stop the advance of +the force, and induce me to leave the punishment of the troops who +had committed the massacre in the hands of the Afghan authorities, or +else to delay us long enough to give time for the whole country to rise +against us.</p> +<p> +As the conversations which were carried on at the meetings with the +Afghan agents are interesting, and have an important bearing on the +subsequent proceedings, I give in the <a class="footnote" href="#AppV">Appendix</a> the notes taken at the +time by my Political Secretary.</p> +<p> +I was anxious to keep one of the Amir's representatives with me, +but neither of them was willing to remain, so I felt bound to let them<span class="page"><a name="392">[Page 392]</a></span> +both depart, taking with them the following letter to the Amir:</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +TO HIS HIGHNESS THE AMIR OF KABUL.</p> +<p class="rindent4"> +<i>Camp, Alikhel, 25th September, 1879.</i></p> +<p class="quote4"> +(After compliments.) I have received Your Highness's two letters of the +19th and 20th September (1st and 2nd Shawal), delivered to me by the hands +of Your Highness's two confidential representatives, Mustaufi Habibulla Khan +and Wazir Shah Mahomed.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +I am much obliged to Your Highness for sending me two such well-known +men, and of such character as the Mustaufi and the Wazir. They have +informed me of Your Highness's wishes, and I quite understand all they +have told me. It is unfortunate that the season is so late, and that winter +will soon be here; but there is yet time for a British army to reach Kabul +before the great cold sets in.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +The Viceroy of India is much concerned that there should have been any +delay in promptly acceding to Your Highness's request for advice and assistance, +as conveyed in Your Highness's letters of the 3rd and 4th instant. It +was His Excellency's earnest wish that troops should march on Kabul at once, +so as to ensure Your Highness's personal safety and aid Your Highness in +restoring peace and order at your capital.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +Unfortunately, the want of transport, and the necessity for collecting a +certain amount of supplies, have caused a few weeks' delay; it is, however, a +source of gratification and happiness to the Viceroy to learn that Your Highness's +safety is not at present endangered, and His Excellency trusts Your +Highness will be able to keep everything quiet in your kingdom, until such +time as British troops may reach Kabul.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +I am glad to be able to inform Your Highness that news reached me +yesterday of the departure of a considerable force from Kandahar under the +command of a brave and distinguished officer, and that a large body of troops, +under command of General Bright, were advancing rapidly from Peshawar to +Jalalabad and onwards <i>viâ</i> Gandamak to Kabul. My own force will, I hope, +be in a state to march before long. As Your Highness is aware, the Shutargardan +has been occupied for some days. Meanwhile regiments of Cavalry and +Infantry and batteries of Artillery have reached Kuram to replace those I am +taking on with me, and to reinforce my own column should a necessity for +more troops arise—a contingency I do not in the least expect.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +The Viceroy of India, in His Excellency's anxiety for Your Highness's +welfare and safety, issued orders that each of the three armies, now advancing +from Kandahar, Kuram, and the Khyber, should be strong enough to overcome +any opposition Your Highness's enemies could possibly offer. That each is +strong enough there can be no doubt.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +I understand that there is no one at Kelat-i-Ghilzai or Ghazni to stop the +progress of the troops <i>en route</i> from Kandahar. There is no reason, therefore, +why they should not reach Kabul in a very short time.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +The Khyber tribes, having understood and appreciated the Treaty of peace +made by Your Highness with the British Government in May last, have +unanimously agreed to assist the troops from Peshawar in every way, and are +now eager to keep the road through the Khyber safe, and to place all their +transport animals at the disposal of the British Commander, who will thus be +enabled to concentrate his force rapidly at Kabul. Through the kindness of +Your Highness I have experienced much less difficulty than I could have +expected, and I may now reasonably hope to be with Your Highness at least +as soon as either the Kandahar or Khyber column. +I look forward with great pleasure to the meeting with Your Highness,<span class="page"><a name="393">[Page 393]</a></span> +and trust that you will continue your kind assistance to obtain for me supplies +and transport.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +I have carefully considered Your Highness's proposal that you yourself +should be permitted to administer just punishment to the mutinous troops +and others who shared in the treacherous and cruel attack on the British +Envoy and his small escort, and thus save Her Majesty's troops the trouble, +hardship, and privation which must necessarily be encountered by an advance +on Kabul at this season of the year. I thank Your Highness most cordially, +on the part of the Viceroy and Government of India, for this further proof +of Your Highness's friendly feelings. Under ordinary circumstances such an +offer would be gratefully and willingly accepted, but after what has recently +occurred, I feel sure that the great British nation would not rest satisfied +unless a British army marched to Kabul and there assisted Your Highness to +inflict such punishments as so terrible and dastardly an act deserves.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +I have forwarded Your Highness's letters in original to the Viceroy; a copy +of this, my reply, will be submitted by to-day's post for His Excellency's +consideration. Meanwhile I have permitted Mustaufi Habibulla Khan and +Wazir Shah Mahomed to take their leave and rejoin Your Highness.</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Reasons for Remaining a Alikhel</span> +I delayed my own departure from Alikhel until a sufficiency of +supplies had been collected at Kushi, and everything was ready for as +rapid an advance on Kabul as my limited transport would admit of; +for, so long as I remained behind, the people of Afghanistan could not +be sure of my intentions, and no doubt hoped that the Amir's remonstrances +would have the desired effect, and prevent our doing more than +occupying the Shutargardan, or making a demonstration toward +Kushi. My crossing the pass would, I knew, be the signal for all those +determined on opposition to assemble; it was politic, therefore, to +remain behind until the last moment.</p> +<p> +When all arrangements were complete, so far as was possible with +the means at my disposal, I issued the following Field Force Order:</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +'The Government of India having decided that a force shall proceed with +all possible despatch to Kabul, in response to His Highness the Amir's appeal +for aid, and with the object of avenging the dastardly murder of the British +representative and his escort, Sir Frederick Roberts feels sure that the troops +under his command will respond to the call with a determination to prove +themselves worthy of the high reputation they have maintained during the +recent campaign.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The Major-General need address no words of exhortation to soldiers whose +courage and fortitude have been so well proved. The Afghan tribes are +numerous, but without organization; the regular army is undisciplined, and +whatever may be the disparity in numbers, such foes can never be formidable +to British troops. The dictates of humanity require that a distinction should +be made between the peaceable inhabitants of Afghanistan and the treacherous +murderers for whom a just retribution is in store, and Sir Frederick Roberts +desires to impress upon all ranks the necessity for treating the unoffending +population with justice, forbearance, and clemency.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The future comfort and well-being of the force depend largely on the +friendliness of our relations with the districts from which supplies must be +drawn; prompt payment is enjoined for all articles purchased by departments +and individuals, and all disputes must be at once referred to a political officer +for decision.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The Major-General confidently looks forward to the successful accomplishment<span class="page"><a name="394">[Page 394]</a></span> +of the object of the expedition, and the establishment of order and +a settled Government in Afghanistan.'</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="L">L.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +On the 27th September I made over the Kuram command to Brigadier-General +T. Gordon, and set out for Kushi, where Baker was now +encamped.</p> +<p> +Just before I started I had the pleasure of welcoming my old friend +and brother officer, Major-General J. Hills, V.C., C.B., who had been +with Sir Donald Stewart as Assistant Adjutant-General from the +beginning of the campaign, and who had, the moment he heard there +was to be an advance on Kabul, come with all speed to place his +services at my disposal. Although I had no employment for Hills at +the time, there would be plenty for all to do at Kabul, and I was +delighted to have so good a soldier with me.</p> +<p> +My escort consisted of the Head-Quarters of the Cavalry brigade, one +squadron 9th Lancers, 5th Punjab Cavalry, and detachments of the +5th and 28th Punjab Infantry. We had only gone about halfway +through the pass when I pushed on with the Cavalry, in the hope of +reaching the camp on the top before dark, and was very soon met by +twenty-five men of the 92nd Highlanders, who brought me a note from +Colonel Perkins, R.E., in command on the Shutargardan, warning me +that we were sure to be attacked. We had not proceeded far, when at +the narrowest part of the defile we found the passage blocked by some +2,000 Afghans, and as we approached a volley was fired from a party +concealed by some rocks on our left. I was told afterwards that it +was intended for me, but I remained unscathed, and the principal +medical officer, Dr. Townsend, who was riding on my right, and to +whom I was talking at the moment, was severely wounded. The +Highlanders, supported by some dismounted Cavalry, cleared away the +enemy to the north, but as they clung to the precipitous hills on the +south, we had to wait till the main body of the escort came up, when +they were speedily dispersed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Hector MacDonald and Sher Mahomed</span> +Meanwhile, a sharp little engagement had taken place further up the +gorge, and as we advanced we could see the enemy retiring before a +detachment of the 92nd Highlanders, under Colour-Sergeant Hector +Macdonald, and of the 3rd Sikhs, under Jemadar Sher Mahomed, a +Native of Kabul. The manner in which the Colour-Sergeant and +the Native officer handled their men gave me a high opinion of them +<a name="L1r">both</a>.<a href="#L1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p> +On the top of the Shutargardan Pass that evening I received the<span class="page"><a name="395">[Page 395]</a></span> +Amir's <a name="L2r">reply</a><a href="#L2"><sup>2</sup></a> to my last letter, in which he expressed his gratitude for +the sympathy and support afforded him by the British Government, +and informed me that he had given orders to the Governor of Jalalabad +that the Khyber column should not meet with any opposition. I was +also given a letter from Sirdar Wali Mahomed Khan, and several other +Sirdars, professing loyalty to the British Government, and expressing +pleasure at my approach. And at the same time the rather embarrassing +information reached me that the Amir, desiring personal communication +with me, had already arrived in Baker's camp at Kushi, +attended by his son Musa Khan, a lad about seven years old, his father-in-law, +and the Commander-in-Chief of the Afghan army (Daud Shah), +with a suite of 45 members and an escort of 200 men.</p> +<p> +Although I had met with but slight opposition hitherto, it was evident +from the secret information I received that the Ghilzais were inclined +to be hostile, and intended to oppose us, and as it was important to +keep open communication with Alikhel through their country, I +arranged for the Shutargardan to be held by a Mountain battery, the +3rd Sikhs, and the 21st Punjab Infantry, under the command of +Lieutenant-Colonel G.N. Money, an officer on whose judgment and +coolness I knew I could rely.</p> +<p> +The next morning I rode to Kushi, where my first interview with the +Amir of Afghanistan took place.</p> +<p> +I cannot say that I was favourably impressed by his appearance. +He was an insignificant-looking man, about thirty-two years of age, +with a receding forehead, a conical-shaped head, and no chin to speak +of, and he gave me the idea of being entirely wanting in that force of<span class="page"><a name="396">[Page 396]</a></span> +character without which no one could hope to govern or hold in check +the warlike and turbulent people of Afghanistan. He was possessed, +moreover, of a very shifty eye, he could not look one straight in the +face, and from the first I felt that his appearance tallied exactly with +the double-dealing that had been imputed to him. His presence in my +camp was a source of the gravest anxiety to me. He was constantly +receiving and sending messages, and was no doubt giving his friends at +Kabul all the information he could collect as to our resources and +intentions. He had, however, come ostensibly as our ally, seeking +refuge from his mutinous soldiers, and whatever suspicions I might +secretly entertain, I could only treat him as an honoured guest, so long +as there was nothing proved against him.</p> +<p> +My first visit to Yakub Khan was of a formal character. Nevertheless, +he seized the opportunity to urge strongly upon me the advisability +of delaying my advance, that he might have time, he said, to +restore order amongst his troops, and to punish those who had participated +in the attack on the Embassy. I replied that my orders were +peremptory, and that it was my duty, as it was my determination, to +press on to Kabul with all possible speed. Finding that his arguments +had no effect, he changed his tactics, and declared that he was much +alarmed for the safety of his family, whom he had left in the Bala +Hissar; that he had only one regiment on which he could depend; +that he feared when the others should hear of our approach they would +break out and attack the citadel; and that the innocent people in +Kabul, not considering it possible that a British force could get there +so quickly, had made no arrangements to convey their families away.</p> +<p> +Feeling that anxiety for the safety of the families was not the true +cause for the Amir's efforts to delay us, and that his sole object was +to gain time for the development of plans for opposing our advance—which +subsequent events proved had been made with great care—I +told him it was impossible to accede to his wishes, but that time would +be given for all women and children to clear out of the city if it should +prove necessary to attack it. This necessity, however, I was most +anxious to avoid, and earnestly hoped that our fighting would be over +before we entered Kabul, for I had not forgotten Delhi, and I dreaded +the idea of the troops having to force their way through narrow streets +and crowded bazaars.</p> +<p> +Yakub Khan was evidently much chagrined at my decision. He had +left Kabul hurriedly, his movements probably being hastened by hearing +that his uncle, Wali Mahomed Khan, and several other Sirdars +with whom he was at enmity, were on their way to join me. He had +not even brought a tent with him, and, had he succeeded in inducing +me to delay our advance, he would without doubt have returned to +Kabul at once. As it was, he was accommodated with a tent in the +centre of the camp, and the best arrangements possible, under the<span class="page"><a name="397">[Page 397]</a></span> +circumstances, made for his entertainment.</p> +<p> +When his own tents arrived, he asked leave to have them pitched +outside camp limits. To this I consented, at the same time ordering +that a guard of the same strength as my own should be detailed as his +escort, ostensibly to do him honour, but in reality that I might be +kept informed as to his movements. Unwelcome guest as he was, I +thought the least of two evils was to keep him now that we had got +him, as his presence in Kabul would be sure to increase the opposition +I felt certain we should encounter.</p> +<p> +In response to the fears expressed by the Amir as to the safety of +the non-combatants, I issued the following Proclamation to the people +of Kabul:</p> +<p class="quote4"><span class="rightnote">A Proclamation and an Order</span> +'Be it known to all that the British Army is advancing on Kabul to take +possession of the city. If it be allowed to do so peacefully, well and good; +if not, the city will be seized by force. Therefore, all well-disposed persons, +who have taken no part in the dastardly murder of the British Envoy, or in +the plunder of the Residency, are warned that, if they are unable to prevent +resistance being offered to the entrance of the British army, and the authority +of His Highness the Amir, they should make immediate arrangements for +their own safety, either by coming to the British camp, or by such other +measures as may seem fit to them. And as the British Government does not +make war on women and children, warning is given that all women and +children should be removed from the city beyond the reach of harm. The +British Government desires to treat all classes with justice, and to respect +their religion, feelings, and customs, while exacting full retribution from +offenders. Every effort will, therefore, be made to prevent the innocent +suffering with the guilty, but it is necessary that the utmost precaution should +be taken against useless opposition.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'After receipt of this Proclamation, therefore, all persons found armed in +or about Kabul will be treated as enemies of the British Government; and, +further, it must be distinctly understood that, if the entry of the British +force is resisted, I cannot hold myself responsible for any accidental injury +which may be done to the persons or property of even well-disposed people, +who may have neglected this warning.'</p> +<p> +At the same time, the matter having been brought to my notice by +Lord Lytton, and bearing in my mind that my father had told me one +of the chief causes of the outbreak in Kabul in 1841 was the Afghans' +jealousy of their women, and resentment at the European soldiers' +intimacy with them, I thought it well to impress upon all the necessity +for caution in this respect by publishing the following Order:</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +'Sir Frederick Roberts desires General officers, and officers commanding +corps, to impress upon all officers under their command the necessity for +constant vigilance in preventing irregularities likely to arouse the personal +jealousies of the people of Kabul, who are, of all races, most susceptible as +regards their women.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The deep-seated animosity of the Afghans towards the English has been +mainly ascribed to indiscretions committed during the first occupation of +Kabul, and the Major-General trusts that the same excellent discipline so +long exhibited by the troops under his command will remove the prejudices<span class="page"><a name="398">[Page 398]</a></span> +of past years, and cause the British name to be as highly respected in +Afghanistan as it is throughout the civilized <a name="L3r">world</a>.<a href="#L3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> + +<p> +On the 30th September (my forty-seventh birthday), all arrangements +which it was possible for me to make having been completed, +the Cavalry brigade marched eight miles to Zargunshahr, the first +halting-place on the way to Kabul. I accompanied it, for I was informed +that Wali Mahomed Khan and the Sirdars had arrived so far, +and I could not let them come on to my camp so long as the Amir +was still in it. I wished, also, to interview the Logar <i>maliks</i> and +ascertain whether I could procure supplies from their valley. There +was bread-stuff with the force sufficient for fourteen days, but for the +transport of so much grain a large number of animals was required, +which could ill be spared, for carriage was so short that I could only +move a little more than half the troops at one time, and instead of +being able to march direct on Kabul with 6,000 men, a halt would +have to be made every other day to admit of the animals going back +to bring up the rear brigade, which practically meant my only having +at my disposal rather more than half that number at any one time. +How fervently I wished that those in authority, who never can see +the necessity for maintaining transport in time of peace, could be +made to realize the result of their short-sightedness—the danger of +having to divide a none too large force in an enemy's country, the +consequent risk of failure, the enormous increase of anxiety to the +Commander, the delay in achieving the object of the campaign, and +the additional labour to all concerned in an undertaking, arduous +enough under the most favourable circumstances, in a difficult country, +and under a burning eastern sun, even if possessed of good and +sufficient transport.</p> +<p> +Stores had been collected at Kushi partly by means of local carriage, +and partly by our own animals doing the journey twice over from +Alikhel, a distance of thirty-six miles. So hard pressed was I for +transport that I had to make the Cavalry soldiers march on foot and +lead their horses laden with grain—an unusual piece of duty, which +was, however, performed with the cheerful alacrity which the troops of +the Kabul Field Force always displayed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The <i>maliks</i> of Logar</span> +But all this is a digression. To return to my story. The <i>maliks</i> +of Logar, greatly to my relief, agreed to bring a certain amount of +supplies; while Wali Mahomed Khan and the other Sirdars were full +of protestations of loyalty and devotion. Most of them remained with +me all the time I was in Kabul, and some of them afforded me considerable +assistance. The Sirdars warned me to place no trust in the +Amir, and enlarged on the treachery of his conduct, but as I knew<span class="page"><a name="399">[Page 399]</a></span> +they looked upon Yakub Khan as their own deadly enemy, I accepted +their counsel with some reservation. I was not, however, able to feel +quite at ease about the proceedings of my Royal guest, so I returned +to Kushi that same evening.</p> +<p> +On the 1st October the whole of the Kabul Field Force was +assembled in the Logar <a name="L4r">valley</a>.<a href="#L4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +I waited at Kushi with the last of the Infantry until the morning of +the 2nd. Just as I was leaving camp, I became aware that firing was +going on in the direction of the Shutargardan, and later in the day I +received a report from Colonel Money as to what had happened there.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Attack on the Shutargardan</span> +The enemy, emboldened by the diminished numbers of the garrison, +and undervaluing what might be accomplished by a small number of +good soldiers, had assembled in force, and occupied the crest of the +mountain, the only place from which heliographic communication with +me could be kept up. Money very properly decided that this could +not be permitted, and considered it best to take the initiative before +the enemy should become still stronger, so ordered an advance. Under +cover of the Mountain battery's fire, Major Griffiths, of the 3rd Sikhs, +with 200 of his own men and 50 of the 21st Punjab Infantry, supported +by 150 rifles of the latter corps, stormed the Afghans' position. The +assault, delivered in a most spirited manner, was perfectly successful.</p> +<p> +Major Griffiths, however, was wounded, also a signalling sergeant of <span class="page"><a name="400">[Page 400]</a></span> +the 67th Foot and five men of the 3rd Sikhs, while the enemy left +thirty dead on the ground, and were pursued down the slope of the hill +without making any attempt to rally.</p> +<p> +On the 3rd we marched fifteen miles to Zahidabad, where we first +came in sight of the fortified hill above Kabul. The rear guard was +fired into on the way, and we had considerable difficulty in crossing the +Logar river, as the water from a large irrigation cut had been directed +back into the stream just above the ford. Our only casualty on this +day was Captain 'Dick' Kennedy, who was wounded in the hand.</p> +<p> +It was plain from these occurrences, and from the attack on the +Shutargardan, that the people generally were not disposed to be +friendly. From the Amir I could extract no information on this head, +although he must have been fully aware of the feelings and intentions +of his subjects. He was in constant communication with Kabul, and +was frequently being met by mounted messengers, who, from the haste +with which they travelled, as evidenced by the exhausted state of their +horses and the eagerness with which the Amir read the letters they +brought, appeared to be the bearers of important tidings.</p> +<p> +It may be imagined how irritating and embarrassing was Yakub +Khan's presence, since his position in my camp enabled him to give +the leaders at Kabul accurate information as to our numbers and +movements. That he felt pretty sure of our discomfiture was apparent +from his change of manner, which, from being at first a mixture of +extreme cordiality and cringing servility, became as we neared Kabul +distant, and even haughty.</p> +<p> +On the 5th October, one month from the receipt at Simla of the evil +tidings of the fate of the British Embassy, we reached the pretty little +village of Charasia, nestling in orchards and gardens, with a rugged +range of hills towering above it about a mile away. This range descended +abruptly on the right to permit the exit of the Logar river, and +rose again on its other side in precipitous cliffs, forming a fine <a name="L5r">gorge</a><a href="#L5"><sup>5</sup></a> +about halfway between our camp and Kabul city, now only from ten to +twelve miles distant.</p> +<p> +An uncle of the Amir (Sirdar Nek Mahomed Khan), and a General +in the Afghan army, came out to meet Yakub Khan at this place; he +remained some time in earnest conversation with his nephew, and, as +he was about to remount his horse, called out in so loud a tone that it +was evidently meant for us all to hear, that he was 'now going to +disperse the <a name="L6r">troops</a>.'<a href="#L6"><sup>6</sup></a> Very different, however, was the story brought +to me by an escaped Native servant of Cavagnari's, who came into<span class="page"><a name="401">[Page 401]</a></span> +our camp later in the day. This man declared that preparations for +fighting were steadily being carried on; that the soldiers and townspeople +were streaming into the arsenal and supplying themselves with +cartridges; that large bodies of troops were moving out in our direction; +and that, when we advanced next day, we should certainly be opposed +by a formidable force. The Amir, on having this intelligence communicated +to him, pretended to disbelieve it utterly, and assured me +that all was at peace in the city, that Nek Mahomed would keep the +troops quiet, and that I should have no trouble; but I was not taken +in by his specious assurances.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Reconnoitring Roads leading to Kabul</span> +Now more than ever I felt the want of sufficient transport! Had +it been possible to have the whole of my force with me, I should have +advanced at once, and have occupied that evening the range of hills +I have described; but Macpherson's brigade was still a march behind, +and all I could do was, immediately on arrival, to send back every +available transport animal to bring it up. I pushed forward Cavalry +patrols along the three roads leading to Kabul, and rode out myself to +reconnoitre the position in front. It was sufficiently strong to make +me wish I had a larger force. Towards evening groups of men +appeared on the skyline all round, giving unmistakable warning that +the tribes were gathering in large numbers.</p> +<p> +From the information brought me by the Cavalry, and from my +own examination of the ground, I decided to advance along the left +bank of the river: and to facilitate this movement I determined to +seize the heights on either side of the gorge at daybreak, whether +Macpherson's brigade had arrived or not. That night strong piquets +were thrown out round the camp, and Cavalry patrols were ordered to +proceed at dawn to feel for the enemy. <i>L'homme propose, mais Dieu +dispose</i>.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="402">[Page 402]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LI">LI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />The Afghan Position</span> +The Cavalry having reported that the road through the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> +gorge was impassable, I started off a <a name="LI1r">party</a><a href="#LI1"><sup>1</sup></a> before it was fully light +on the 6th, to work at it and make it practicable for guns. I was +preparing to follow with an escort of Cavalry to examine the pass and +the ground beyond, when the growing daylight discovered large +numbers of Afghan troops in regular formation crowning the hills that +I ought to have been in a position to occupy the preceding evening. +No hurry, no confusion was apparent in their movements; positions +were taken up and guns placed with such coolness and deliberation +that it was evident regularly trained troops were employed. Very +soon I received reports of our Cavalry patrols having been fired upon, +and of their having been obliged to retire.</p> +<p> +Immediate action was imperatively necessary; the Afghans had to +be dislodged from their strong position at any cost, or we should have +been surrounded by overwhelming numbers. Their occupation of the +heights was, I felt, a warning that must not be disregarded, and a +menace that could not be brooked.</p> +<p> +Behind this range of hills lay the densely-crowded city of Kabul, +with the scarcely less crowded suburbs of Chardeh, Deh-i-Afghan, and +numberless villages thickly studded over the Kabul valley, all of which +were contributing their quota of warriors to assist the Regular troops +in disputing the advance of the British. It did not require much +experience of Asiatics to understand that, if the enemy were allowed +to remain undisturbed for a single night in the position they had taken +up, their numbers would increase to an extraordinary extent.</p> +<p> +I now received a report from the rear that the road was blocked, +and that the progress of Macpherson's brigade would certainly be +opposed; while, on the crests of the hills to the right and left of my +camp, bodies of men began to assemble, who, I surmised (which +surmise I afterwards learnt was correct), were only waiting for the +sun to go down to make a general attack upon the camp under cover +of dusk.</p> +<p> +The situation was one of great anxiety. The whole force with me +was not more than 4,000 men and eighteen guns. The treacherous +Amir and his equally treacherous Ministers had, of course, kept the +Afghan Commander fully informed as to the manner in which my +troops were perforce divided; the position of every man and every gun +with me was known; and I feared that, as soon as we were engaged +with the enemy, the opportunity would be taken to attack my weakly-defended<span class="page"><a name="403">[Page 403]</a></span> +camp and to engage Macpherson's small brigade, encumbered +as it was with its large convoy of stores and ammunition.</p> +<p> +The numbers of the enemy were momentarily increasing, so delay +would assuredly make matters worse; the only chance of success, +therefore, was to take the initiative, and attack the Afghan main +position at once. Accordingly, I sent an officer with orders to the +troops who were moving towards the gorge not to commence work, +but to take up a defensive position until my plans were further +developed. I sent another messenger to Macpherson, informing him +of my intention to take immediate action, and telling him to keep a +good look-out, and push on to Charasia with all possible speed, and at +the same time I reinforced him by a squadron of Cavalry.</p> +<p> +The Afghan position formed the arc of a circle, extending from the +<i>sang-i-nawishta</i> gorge to the heights above Chardeh. Both sides of the +gorge were occupied by the enemy, as was a semi-detached hill to the +south of it, and sixteen guns were observed in position. The line they +had taken up occupied nearly three miles of country; and their main +position was the ridge, which, close to the gorge, rose 1,000 feet above +the plain, running up at its western extremity to a peak 2,200 feet +high. Thence the line stretched along the edge of some lower heights +to a rugged hill, the summit of which was about 1,800 feet above +Charasia. In front of this formidable position were a succession of +sandy hills, forming a series of easily defensible posts, and at the foot +of these hills ran a bare stony belt, sloping down to the cultivated land +surrounding Charasia and the hamlet of Khairabad.</p> +<p> +My movements and reconnaissances up till now having led the +enemy to believe that I intended to deliver my attack on their left at +the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i>, they were seen to be concentrating their forces in +that direction. But this position could only have been carried with +such damaging loss to us that I determined to make the real attack by +an outflanking movement to their right.</p> +<p> +The men having made a hasty breakfast, I despatched General +Baker in this direction, and placing at his disposal the troops noted +<a name="LI2r">below</a>,<a href="#LI2"><sup>2</sup></a> I entrusted to him the difficult task of dislodging the enemy, +while I continued to distract their attention towards the gorge by +making a feint to their left.</p> +<p> +Baker's little column assembled in a wooded enclosure close to +Charasia, where he left his field hospital and reserve ammunition, for +the safe guarding of which I sent him the 5th Punjab Infantry, while +he was further reinforced by 450 men of the 23rd Pioneers and three +Field Artillery guns. I was thus left with only six Horse Artillery +guns, 450 Cavalry, and between 600 and 700 Infantry for the<span class="page"><a name="404">[Page 404]</a></span> +protection of the camp, where I was still handicapped by the presence +of the Amir and his untrustworthy following.</p> +<p> +While Baker advanced to the left, the party near the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> +gorge, commanded by Major White, of the 92nd Highlanders, was +ordered to threaten the pass and to prevent the enemy occupying any +portion of the Charasia village, to advance within Artillery range of +the enemy's main position above the gorge, and when the outflanking +movement had been thoroughly developed and the enemy were in full +retreat, but not before, to push the Cavalry through the gorge and +pursue.</p> +<p> +At about 11.30 a.m. Baker's leading troops emerged into the open, +and were immediately engaged with a crowd of armed Afghans, +supported by a considerable body of Regular troops. The General +now sent one company of the 72nd, under Captain Hunt, to turn the +Afghans off a succession of peaks situated at right angles to the ridge +they were occupying on their extreme right. Running along this ridge, +and stretching across the Indiki road to the sandhills, the Afghan right +wing held a line considerably in advance of their left on the hill above +the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> gorge, and one which could not easily be turned, +for the peaks the 72nd were sent to occupy were almost inaccessible, +and the fire from them swept the slopes up which our troops must +advance. These peaks, therefore, formed the key of the position, and +their defenders had to be dislodged from them at all hazards before +anything else could be attempted. The company of the 72nd with +much difficulty fought their way up, and gained a footing on the first +peak, where they were obliged to pause, until reinforced by two +companies of the 5th Gurkhas under Captain Cook, V.C., when they +advanced all together, clearing the enemy from each successive point, +while the remainder of the 72nd breasted the hill, and, under cover of +the Mountain guns, attacked the position in front. But the enemy +were obstinate, and the extremely difficult nature of the ground +somewhat checked the gallant Highlanders. Seeing their dilemma, +Baker despatched two companies of the 5th Gurkhas, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Fitz-Hugh, and 200 men of the 5th Punjab Infantry, under +Captain Hall, to their assistance; while the 23rd Pioneers were +brought up on the right, in support, and a detachment of the 5th +Punjab Infantry echeloned in rear, on the left of the line.</p> +<p> +The engagement now became hot, and the firing fast and furious. +My readers will, I am sure, be able to realize with what intense +excitement and anxiety I watched the proceedings. It was evident to +me that little progress could be made so long as the enemy retained +possession of the ridge, which the Afghan Commander apparently had +just begun to appreciate was the real point of attack, for his troops +could now be seen hurrying to this point, and it became more urgently +necessary than ever to carry the position before it could be reinforced.<span class="page"><a name="405">[Page 405]</a></span> +At 2 p.m. it was seized; the Highlanders and Gurkhas could no +longer be resisted; the Afghans wavered, and then began to retreat, +exposed to a cross-fire that effectually prevented their rallying.</p> +<p> +The brunt of this affair was borne by the 72nd, admirably led by +their company officers, under the skilful direction of Lieutenant-Colonel +Clarke and his Adjutant, Lieutenant Murray. I closely +watched their movements, and particularly observed one man pushing +up the precipitous hillside considerably in advance of everyone else, +and apparently utterly regardless of the shower of bullets falling +round him. I inquired about him later on, and found that he was a +young Irish private of the 72nd, named MacMahon, to whose coolness +and daring was in a great measure due the capture of this very strong +post. Her Majesty, I am glad to be able to relate, subsequently +rewarded this intrepid soldier by bestowing on him the Victoria +Cross.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Highlanders, Gurkhas, and Punjabis</span> +The general advance was now sounded, and gallantly was it responded +to. The main position was stormed by the Highlanders, Gurkhas, and +Punjab Infantry, each trying hard to be the first to close with its +defenders. The enemy fought desperately, charging down on the +Gurkhas, by whom, under the leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel Fitz-Hugh +and his Adjutant, Lieutenant Martin, they were repulsed and +driven over the crest with heavy loss.</p> +<p> +The Afghans now took up a position some 600 yards in the rear of +that from which they had just been dislodged, where they made an +obstinate stand for half an hour, but they were again forced back on +the attacking party being strengthened by the arrival of two companies +of the 92nd Highlanders, sent to their assistance by Major White, who +had already successfully engaged the Afghan left above the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> +gorge. As the enemy's advanced posts on the hill to the +south, and directly in front of the gorge, prevented our guns from +coming within range of their position on the heights above, these posts +had to be disposed of as a preliminary to effective co-operation with +Baker; accordingly, about noon the hill was captured by two companies +of the 92nd, under Captain Cotton, and half a battery of Field +Artillery was advanced to a point whence Major Parry was able to +engage the Afghan guns posted above the gorge.</p> +<p> +It was at this juncture, when Baker's troops, having carried the +main position, were proceeding to attack that to which the enemy had +retreated, that White despatched two companies of the 92nd, under +Captain Oxley, by whose timely aid the determined foe were at length +driven from this point of vantage also. The troops followed up their +success and advanced at the double, while our guns shelled the shaken +masses.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Defeat of the Afghans</span> +The Afghan right and centre now gave way completely; the enemy +broke, and fled down the slopes on the further side in a<span class="page"><a name="406">[Page 406]</a></span> +north-westerly direction, eventually taking refuge in the Chardeh villages.</p> +<p> +By 3.45 we were in possession of the whole of the main ridge. The +first objective having been thus gained, the troops, pivoting on their +right, brought round their left and advanced against the now exposed +flanks of the enemy's left wing, and simultaneously with this movement +White advanced from his position by the hill in front of the +gorge, and a little after four o'clock had gained possession of the pass +and twelve Afghan guns.</p> +<p> +Completely outflanked and enfiladed by Baker's fire, the left wing of +the Afghan force made but little resistance; they rapidly abandoned +the height, and retired across the river toward the north-east, pursued +by the small body of Cavalry attached to White's force, under Major +Hammond, and a party of the 92nd, under Major Hay.</p> +<p> +Baker now paused to allow of the Infantry's ammunition being +replenished, and then advanced along the ridge towards the pass, which +he reached in time to help the Cavalry who were engaged with the +enemy's rear guard at the river; the latter were driven off and forced +to retreat; but by this time the growing darkness made further pursuit +impossible. We were therefore compelled to rest satisfied with holding +the ground in advance by piquets and occupying both ends of the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> +defile, where the troops bivouacked for the night. I was +able to supply them with food from Charasia, and they were made as +comfortable as they could be under the circumstances.</p> +<p> +While the fighting was taking place on the heights in front of +Charasia, the hills on both flanks of my camp were crowded with +the enemy, anxiously watching the result; they did not approach within +the Cavalry patrols, but one party caused so much annoyance to a +picquet by firing into it that it became necessary to dislodge it, a service +which was performed in a very daring manner by a few of the 92nd, +under Lieutenant Grant and Colour-Sergeant Hector Macdonald, the +same non-commissioned officer who had a few days before so distinguished +himself in the Hazardarakht defile.</p> +<p> +Our casualties were wonderfully few, only 18 killed and 70 <a name="LI3r">wounded</a>,<a href="#LI3"><sup>3</sup></a> +while the enemy left 300 dead behind them, and as they succeeded in +carrying numbers of their killed and wounded off the field, their loss +must have been heavy. I subsequently ascertained that we had +opposed to us, besides thirteen Regular regiments, between eight and<span class="page"><a name="407">[Page 407]</a></span> +ten thousand Afghans. Ghilzais from Tezin and Hisarak had hurried +up in large numbers to join the enemy, but, luckily for us, arrived too +late. Of these some returned to their homes when they found the +Afghan army had been beaten, but the greater number waited about +Kabul to assist in any further stand that might be made by the Regular +troops.</p> +<p> +The heliograph, worked by Captain Stratton, of the 22nd Foot, had +been of the greatest use during the day, and kept me fully informed of +all details. The last message as the sun was sinking behind the hills, +confirming my own observations, was a most satisfactory one, to the +effect that the whole of the enemy's position was in our possession, and +that our victory was complete.</p> +<p> +Throughout the day my friend (!) the Amir, surrounded by his +Sirdars, remained seated on a knoll in the centre of the camp watching +the progress of the fight with intense eagerness, and questioning everyone +who appeared as to his interpretation of what he had observed. +So soon as I felt absolutely assured of our victory, I sent an Aide-de-camp +to His Highness to convey the joyful intelligence of our success. +It was, without doubt, a trying moment for him, and a terrible disappointment +after the plans which I subsequently ascertained he and +his adherents at Kabul had carefully laid for our annihilation. But he +received the news with Asiatic calmness, and without the smallest sign +of mortification, merely requesting my Aide-de-camp to assure me that, +as my enemies were his enemies, he rejoiced at my victory.</p> +<p> +Macpherson's brigade, with its impedimenta, arrived before it was +quite dark, so altogether I had reason to feel satisfied with the day's +results. But the fact still remained that not more than twelve miles +beyond stood the city of Kabul, with its armed thousands ready to +oppose us should an assault prove necessary. I had besides received +information of a further gathering of Ghilzais bent upon another +attack on the Shutargardan, and that reinforcements of Regular troops +and guns were hastening to Kabul from Ghazni. Prompt action was +the one and only means of meeting these threatened difficulties. My +troops had had more than enough for one day, and required rest, but +needs must when the devil (in the shape of Afghan hordes) drives. I +resolved to push on, and issued orders for tents to be struck at once and +an advance to be made at break of day.</p> +<p> +At the first streak of dawn on the 7th I started, leaving Macpherson +to come on with the heavy baggage as quickly as he could. I marched +by the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> defile, where Major White met me and explained +to me his part in the victory of the previous day. From my +inspection of the ground, I had no difficulty in coming to the conclusion +that much of the success which attended the operations on this side was +due to White's military instincts and, at one supreme moment, his +extreme personal gallantry. It afforded me, therefore, very great<span class="page"><a name="408">[Page 408]</a></span> +pleasure to recommend this officer for the Victoria Cross, an honour of +which more than one incident in his subsequent career proved him to +be well worthy.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Kabul in Sight</span> +Our rapid advance, following on the defeat of the previous day, had +the effect I hoped it would have. On arriving at Beni Hissar, a considerable +village, surrounded by orchards and gardens, only two miles +south of the far-famed citadel of the Bala Hissar, I sent out Cavalry +patrols to reconnoitre, who brought me the pleasing news that the Bala +Hissar had been evacuated, and the only part of the city visible seemed +to be deserted.</p> +<p> +During the day I received visits from some of the chief merchants +of Kabul, who each told a different tale regarding the movements of +the defeated Afghan army and the intentions of the Afghan Commander. +From their conflicting accounts, however, I gathered that, fresh troops +having arrived from Kohistan, the remnants of the Charasia army had +joined them, and that the combined forces were then occupying the +range of hills immediately above Kabul, to the west, and had determined +to make another stand.</p> +<p> +Having received intelligence that the enemy, if again defeated, +intended to retire towards Turkestan, I directed Brigadier-General +Massy, on the morning of the 8th October, to move out with the +Cavalry brigade and place himself across their line of <a name="LI4r">retreat</a>.<a href="#LI4"><sup>4</sup></a> The +brigade started at 11 a.m., and, in order to avoid the city and adjacent +heights, made a considerable detour by Siah Sang and Sherpur, the new +Afghan cantonment. On reaching the latter place, Massy heliographed +to me that he had found it deserted, the magazine blown up, and +seventy-five <a name="LI5r">guns</a><a href="#LI5"><sup>5</sup></a> abandoned inside the enclosure, and that the enemy +were now occupying a <a name="LI6r">ridge</a><a href="#LI6"><sup>6</sup></a> which seemed to him to be a prolongation +of the Shahr-i-Darwaza range above Kabul; then, continuing his +march, he crossed a depression in this ridge called the Nanachi Kotal, +and wheeling to his left, and skirting the Asmai heights on the western +side, he soon came in sight of the Afghan camp, pitched on the slope +of the hills about a mile from Deh-i-Mazang.</p> +<p> +Brigadier-General Massy was informed, in reply to his heliogram, +that Baker would be despatched at once to drive the enemy from their +position and force them to fall back upon the Cavalry, upon which +Massy immediately made the arrangements which appeared to him +most advisable for blocking, with the limited number of sabres at his<span class="page"><a name="409">[Page 409]</a></span> +disposal, the several roads by which the enemy might attempt to +escape.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Deh-i-Mazang Gorge</span> +I could only spare to Baker a very small force (1,044 rifles, two +Mountain guns and one Gatling), for Macpherson's and White's troops +had not yet come up. He started off without a moment's delay, and, +driving the enemy's scouts before him, worked his way along the +Shahr-i-Darwaza heights to the west; but his progress was very slow, +owing to the extreme difficulty of the ground, and the day was far +spent before he found himself near enough to the enemy to use his +Artillery. To his delight, Baker perceived that he commanded the +Afghan camp and the rear of their main position; but his satisfaction +was considerably allayed when he discovered that between him and +them lay a deep <a name="LI7r">gorge</a><a href="#LI7"><sup>7</sup></a> with precipitous sides, through which ran the +Kabul river, and that before he could attack he would have to descend +1,600 feet, and then climb up the opposite side, which was nearly as +high and quite as steep.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The enemy give us the slip</span> +Anxious as Baker was that there should be no delay in delivering the +assault, by the time his dispositions were made it had become too dark +to attempt it, and most reluctantly he had to postpone the movement +till daybreak the next day. He had ascertained that the Kabul river +was not fordable for Infantry except at a point which was commanded +by the enemy's camp, and was too far from support to warrant piquets +being pushed across at night. Nothing whatever could be seen, but a +very slight noise as of stealthy movement in the Afghan camp was +heard, and the fear seized Baker that the enemy might escape him. +Soon after 11 p.m., therefore, when the rising moon began in a +measure to dispel the darkness, Baker sent a strong patrol under a +British officer to feel for the enemy. The patrol came into contact +with the Afghan scouts on the river-bank, from some of whom, taken +prisoners in the struggle, they learned that the enemy had crept away +under cover of the night, and the greater number had dispersed to their +own homes; but about 800, mounted on Artillery horses, were reported +to have accompanied their Commander, Mahomed Jan, and to have +escaped in the direction of Bamian.</p> +<p> +Meanwhile, Brigadier-General Massy, from his point of observation +beneath the Asmai heights, had perceived that it was impossible for +Baker to carry the enemy's main position by daylight; he tried to +communicate with Baker and ascertain his plans, but the party +despatched on this service were unable to get through the villages and +woods, which were all held by the enemy, and returned unsuccessful. +Massy then collected his scattered squadrons and bivouacked for the +night, being anxious that his men and horses should have food and rest, +and it not having struck him that the enemy might attempt to escape<span class="page"><a name="410">[Page 410]</a></span> +during the hours of darkness.</p> +<p> +The information that in very truth they had escaped was brought to +Baker at 4.30 a.m. He at once communicated it to Massy, telling him +at the same time that any movement the Cavalry might make in pursuit +would be supported by the troops under his immediate command, +and also by a brigade under Brigadier-General Macpherson, which I +had despatched to reinforce Baker; Macpherson and White, with +their respective troops, having arrived at Beni Hissar shortly after +Baker had started.</p> +<p> +I joined Baker at this time, and great was my disappointment at +being told that the Afghans had given us the slip. I went carefully +over the ground, however, and satisfied myself that Baker had done all +that was possible under the circumstances, and that the enemy having +eluded us could not in any way be attributed to want of care or skill on +his part.</p> +<p> +Massy scoured the country until nightfall on the 9th, but with very +little success, only one small party of fugitives being overtaken about +four-and-twenty miles on the road to Ghazni. Numbers, doubtless, +found shelter in the city of Kabul, others in the numerous villages with +which the richly-cultivated Chardeh valley was thickly studded, and +whose inhabitants were hostile to a man; others escaped to the hills; +and the remainder, having had ten hours' start, could not be overtaken.</p> +<p> +The enemy's camp was left standing, and twelve guns, some +elephants, camels, mules, and ponies, fell into our possession.</p> +<p> +During that day our camp was moved nearer the city to Siah Sang, +a commanding plateau between the Kabul and Logar rivers, close to +their confluence, and less than a mile east of the Bala Hissar. The +5th Gurkhas and two Mountain guns were left to hold the heights on +which Brigadier-General Baker had been operating, and the rest of the +force was concentrated on Siah Sang.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LII">LII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +At last I was at Kabul, the place I had heard so much of from my boy-hood, +and had so often wished to see! The city lay beneath me, with +its mud-coloured buildings and its 50,000 inhabitants, covering a considerable +extent of ground. To the south-east corner of the city +appeared the Bala Hissar, picturesquely perched on a saddle just +beneath the Shahr-i-Darwaza heights, along the top of which ran a +fortified wall, enclosing the upper portion of the citadel and extending +to the Deh-i-Mazang gorge.</p> +<p> +Kabul was reported to be perfectly quiet, and numbers of traders<span class="page"><a name="411">[Page 411]</a></span> +came into our camp to dispose of their wares; but I forbade anyone to +enter the city until I had been able to decide upon the best means of +maintaining order amongst a population for the most part extremely +fanatical, treacherous, and vindictive.</p> +<p> +So far our success had been complete: all opposition had been overcome, +Kabul was at our mercy, the Amir was in my camp ready to agree +to whatever I might propose, and it had been all done with extraordinarily +little loss to ourselves. Nevertheless, I felt my difficulties were +very far from being at an end—indeed, the part of my duty still remaining +to be accomplished was surrounded with far greater difficulty, +and was a source of much more anxiety to me than the military task I +had undertaken; for, with regard to the latter, I possessed confidence +in myself and my ability to perform it, whereas, with respect to the +political and diplomatic side of the question, actual personal experience +I had none, and I could only hope that common-sense and a sense of +justice would carry me through.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Guiding Instructions</span> +The instructions I had received from the Government of India were +very general in their character, for the Viceroy felt that any proceedings +must necessarily depend on the state of affairs obtaining at Kabul, the +acts and attitude of the Amir and his people, and the various conditions +impossible to foresee when the Foreign Office letter was written to me +on the 29th September. But, though general, they were very comprehensive.</p> +<p> +The troops were to be placed in strong and secure positions, such as +would give me complete control over the Amir's capital; any Afghan +soldiers remaining at Kabul, and the whole of the city population, were +to be disarmed; supplies were to be collected in sufficient quantities to +render my force independent in case of interruption along the line of +communication; Yakub Khan's personal safety was to be secured, and +adequate supervision maintained over his movements and actions; a +close investigation was to be instituted into all the causes and circumstances +connected with the 'totally unprovoked and most barbarous +attack by the Amir's soldiery and the people of his capital upon the +representative of an allied State, who was residing under the Amir's +protection in the Amir's fortress, in very close proximity to the Amir +himself, and whose personal safety and honourable treatment had been +solemnly guaranteed by the Ruler of Afghanistan.'</p> +<p> +The retribution to be exacted was to be adapted to the twofold +character of the offence, and was to be imposed upon the Afghan +nation in proportion as the offence was proved to be national, and as +the responsibility should be brought home to any particular community. +Further, the imposition of a fine, it was suggested upon the +city of Kabul 'would be in accordance with justice and precedent,' +and the demolition of fortifications and removal of buildings within +range of my defences, or which might interfere with my control over<span class="page"><a name="412">[Page 412]</a></span> +the city, might be 'necessary as a military precaution.'</p> +<p> +In forming my plans for the removal of obstructive buildings, I was +to consider 'whether they can be combined with any measures compatible +with justice and humanity for leaving a memorial of the retribution +exacted from the city in some manner and by some mark that +will not be easily obliterated.'</p> +<p> +I was told that 'in regard to the punishment of individuals, it should +be swift, stern, and impressive, without being indiscriminate or immoderate; +its infliction must not be delegated to subordinate officers +of minor responsibility acting independently of your instructions or +supervision; and you cannot too vigilantly maintain the discipline of +the troops under your orders, or superintend their treatment of the +unarmed population, so long as your orders are obeyed and your +authority is unresisted. You will deal summarily in the majority of +cases with persons whose share in the murder of anyone belonging to +the British Embassy shall have been proved by your investigations, +but while the execution of justice should be as public and striking as +possible, it should be completed with all possible expedition, since +the indefinite prolongation of your proceedings might spread abroad +unfounded alarm.'</p> +<p> +The despatch concluded with the words: 'It will probably be essential, +not only for the protection of your own camp from annoyance, +but also for the security of the well-affected population and for the +general maintenance of order, that you should assume and exercise +supreme authority in Kabul, since events have unfortunately proved +that the Amir has lost that authority, or that he has conspicuously +failed to make use of it.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Visit to the Bala Hissar</span> +On the 10th I visited Sherpur, and the next day I went to the Bala +Hissar, and wandered over the scene of the Embassy's brave defence +and cruel end. The walls of the Residency, closely pitted with bullet-holes, +gave proof of the determined nature of the attack and the length +of the resistance. The floors were covered with blood-stains, and +amidst the embers of a fire were found a heap of human bones. It +may be imagined how British soldiers' hearts burned within them at +such a sight, and how difficult it was to suppress feelings of hatred +and animosity towards the perpetrators of such a dastardly crime. I +had a careful but unsuccessful search made for the bodies of our ill-fated +friends.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate24">[plate 24]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/24-balahissarkabul.jpg" width="600" height="364" alt="ENTRANCE TO THE BALA HISSAR, KABUL." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>ENTRANCE TO THE BALA HISSAR, KABUL.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From a photograph.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> +<p> +The Bala Hissar, at one time of great strength, was now in a somewhat +dilapidated condition. It contained eighty-five guns, mortars +and howitzers, some of them of English manufacture, upwards of 250 +tons of gunpowder, stowed away in earthen vessels, many millions of +Enfield and Snider cartridges, and a large number of arms, besides +quantities of saddlery, clothing for troops, musical instruments, shot, +shell, caps, and accoutrements, and a vast amount of lead, copper and<span class="page"><a name="413">[Page 413]</a></span> +tin. It would not have given us much trouble to storm the Bala +Hissar, had we been obliged to do so, for Artillery could have opened +on it within easy range, and there was cover for Infantry close up to +the walls.</p> +<p> +The reading of the Proclamation announcing the intentions of the +British Government with regard to the punishment of the city was to +take place in the Bala Hissar next day. The Amir had agreed to +accompany me. The leading people were invited to attend, and I had +given orders that all the troops were to take part in the procession, so +as to render as impressive as possible the ceremony, at which were to +be made known to the inhabitants of Kabul the terms imposed upon +them by the British Government. The object of my visit was to +decide how the troops might best be disposed so as to make the most +imposing display on the occasion.</p> +<p> +I decided to detain in custody two Sirdars, Yahia <a name="LII1r">Khan</a><a href="#LII1"><sup>1</sup></a> and his +brother Zakariah Khan, the Mustaufi, and the Wazir, as these four +were Yakub Khan's principal advisers, and I was satisfied that their +influence was being used against us, and that so long as they were at +large a mine might be sprung upon me at any moment.</p> +<p> +The Commander-in-Chief, Daud Shah, was also in the Amir's confidence; +but I determined to leave him at liberty, for, from what I could +learn, he had made an effort (not a very strong one, perhaps) to help +our unfortunate countrymen, and he had on several occasions since he +had been in my camp given me useful information; moreover, I hoped +to obtain further help from him, in which hope I was not altogether +disappointed.</p> +<p> +As to what I ought to do with the Amir I was considerably puzzled. +Lord Lytton had urged upon me the necessity for weighing well the +advisability of prematurely breaking with him, as it was very possible +he might become a useful instrument in our hands, an eventuality +which I thoroughly understood; but I was not at all sure that Yakub +Khan would not break with me when he learnt my decision with regard +to his Ministers, and I had received more than one warning that, if he +failed to keep me from entering Kabul, he contemplated flight and a +supreme effort to raise the country against me.</p> +<p> +Yakub Khan certainly did not deserve much consideration from us; +for, though no absolute proof was forthcoming of his having instigated +the attack upon the Embassy, he most certainly made not the slightest +effort to stop it or to save the lives of those entrusted to his care, and +throughout that terrible day showed himself to be, if not a deliberate +traitor, a despicable coward. Again, his endeavours to delay the march +of my force for the sole purpose of gaining sufficient time to organize +the destruction of the army to whose protection he had appealed<span class="page"><a name="414">[Page 414]</a></span> +deprived him, to my mind, of the smallest claim to be treated as an +honourable ally.</p> +<p> +My doubts as to what policy I ought to pursue with regard to Yakub +Khan were all solved by his own action on the morning of the 12th +October. He came to my tent before I was dressed, and asked for an +interview, which was, of course, accorded. The only chair I possessed +I offered to my Royal visitor, who seated himself, and then and there +announced that he had come to resign the Amirship, and that he was +only carrying out a determination made before he came to Kushi; he +had then allowed himself to be over-persuaded, but now his resolution +was fixed. His life, he said, had been most miserable, and he would +rather be a grass-cutter in the English camp than Ruler of Afghanistan; +he concluded by entreating me to allow his tent to be pitched close to +mine until he could go to India, to London, or wherever the Viceroy +might desire to send him. I placed a tent at his disposal, ordered +breakfast to be prepared for him, and begged him not to decide at once, +but think the matter over for some hours, adding that I would see him +again at ten o'clock, the hour appointed for him to accompany me to +the Bala Hissar in order that he might be present at the reading of the +Proclamation. At this time, it must be remembered, the Amir did not +know what the terms of the Proclamation were, and was entirely +ignorant of my intentions regarding his Ministers.</p> +<p> +As arranged, I had another interview with Yakub Khan at ten +o'clock, when I found him unshaken in his resolve to abdicate, and +unwilling, under the circumstances, to be present at the ceremony +which was about to take place. He said, however, that he would send +his eldest son, and that all his Ministers should attend me. I begged +him again to reconsider the decision he had come to, and to think well +over the results to himself; but finding that he had <a name="LII2r">finally</a><a href="#LII2"><sup>2</sup></a> made up +his mind, I told His Highness I would telegraph his determination to +the Viceroy and ask for instructions; that he would not, of course, be <span class="page"><a name="415">[Page 415]</a></span> +forced to continue to reign at Kabul against his will, but that I would +ask him to retain his title until I could receive a reply from Simla.</p> +<p> +At noon I proceeded to the Bala Hissar, accompanied by my staff, +the Heir-Apparent, the Ministers, and a large gathering of the chief +Sirdars of Kabul. Both sides of the road were lined with troops, of +whom I felt not a little proud that day. Notwithstanding that the +duty required of them had been severe and continuous, now that they +were required to take part in a ceremonial parade, they turned out as +clean and smart as one could wish to see them.</p> +<p> +As the head of the procession entered the main gateway, the British +flag was run up, the bands played the National Anthem, and a salute +of thirty-one guns was fired.</p> +<p> +On arriving at the public Hall of Audience, I dismounted, and +ascending the steps leading to it, I addressed the assembled multitude, +and read to them the following Proclamation, containing the orders of +the British Government:</p> + +<p class="quote6"><span class="rightnote">The Proclamation</span> +'In my Proclamation dated the 3rd October, I informed the people of Kabul +that a British army was advancing to take possession of the city, and I +warned them against offering any resistance to the entry of the troops and the +authority of His Highness the Amir. That warning has been disregarded. +The force under my command has now reached Kabul and occupied the Bala +Hissar, but its advance has been pertinaciously opposed, and the inhabitants +of the city have taken a conspicuous part in the opposition offered. They +have therefore become rebels against His Highness the Amir, and have added +to the guilt already incurred by them in abetting the murder of the British +Envoy and his companions—a treacherous and cowardly crime which has +brought indelible disgrace upon the Afghan people. It would be but a just +and fitting reward for such misdeeds if the city of Kabul were now totally +destroyed and its very name blotted out; but the great British Government +ever desires to temper justice with mercy, and I now announce to the inhabitants +of Kabul that the full retribution for their offence will not be exacted, +and that the city will be spared.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'Nevertheless, it is necessary that they should not escape all penalty, and, +further, that the punishment inflicted should be such as will be felt and +remembered. Therefore, such portions of the city buildings as now interfere +with the proper military occupation of the Bala Hissar, and the safety and +comfort of the British troops to be quartered in it, will be at once levelled +with the ground; and, further, a heavy fine, the amount of which will be +notified hereafter, will be imposed upon the inhabitants of Kabul, to be paid +according to their several capacities. I further give notice to all, that, in +order to provide for the restoration and maintenance of order, the city of +Kabul and the surrounding country, to a distance of ten miles, are placed +under martial law. With the consent of His Highness the Amir, a military +Governor of Kabul will be appointed, to administer justice and punish with a +strong hand all evil-doers. The inhabitants of Kabul and of the neighbouring +villages are hereby warned to submit to his authority.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'This punishment, inflicted upon the whole city, will not, of course, absolve +from further penalties those whose individual guilt may be hereafter proved. +A full and searching inquiry into the circumstances of the late outbreak will +be held, and all persons convicted of having taken part in it will be dealt<span class="page"><a name="416">[Page 416]</a></span> +with according to their deserts.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'With the view of providing effectually for the prevention of crime and +disorder, and the safety of all well-disposed persons in Kabul, it is hereby +notified that for the future the carrying of dangerous weapons, whether swords, +knives, or firearms, within the streets of the city or within a distance of five +miles from the city gates, is forbidden. After a week from the date of this +Proclamation, any person found armed within those limits will be liable to +the penalty of death. Persons having in their possession any articles whatsoever +which formerly belonged to members of the British Embassy are required +to bring them forthwith to the British camp. Anyone neglecting this warning +will, if found hereafter in possession of any such articles, be subject to the +severest penalties.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'Further, all persons who may have in their possession any firearms or +ammunition formerly issued to or seized by the Afghan troops, are required +to produce them. For every country-made rifle, whether breech or muzzle +loading, the sum of Rs. 3 will be given on delivery, and for every rifle of +European manufacture Rs. 5. Anyone found hereafter in possession of such +weapons will be severely punished. Finally, I notify that I will give a +reward of Rs. 50 for the surrender of any person, whether soldier or civilian, +concerned in the attack on the British Embassy, or for such information as +may lead directly to his capture. A similar sum will be given in the case of +any person who may have fought against the British troops since the 3rd +September (Shawal) last, and therefore become a rebel against His Highness +the Amir. If any such person so surrendered or captured be a captain or +subaltern officer of the Afghan army, the reward will be increased to Rs. 75, +and if a field officer to Rs. 120.'</p> + +<p> +The Afghans were evidently much relieved at the leniency of the +Proclamation, to which they listened with the greatest attention. +When I had finished reading it, I dismissed the assembly, with the +exception of the Ministers whom I had decided to make prisoners. +To them I explained that I felt it to be my duty to place them under +restraint, pending investigation into the part they had taken in the +massacre of the Embassy.</p> +<p> +The following day I made a formal entry into the city, traversing +all its main streets, that the people might understand that it and they +were at our mercy. The Cavalry brigade headed the procession; I +followed with my staff and escort, and five battalions of Infantry +brought up the rear; there were no Artillery, for in some places the +streets were so narrow and tortuous that two men could hardly ride +abreast.</p> +<p> +It was scarcely to be expected the citizens would give us a warm +welcome; but they were perfectly respectful, and I hoped the martial +and workmanlike appearance of the troops would have a salutary +effect.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Administrative Measures</span> +I now appointed Major-General James Hills, V.C., to be Governor +of Kabul for the time being, associating with him the able and +respected Mahomedan gentleman, Nawab Ghulam Hussein Khan, as +the most likely means of securing for the present order and good +government in the city. I further instituted two Courts—one political,<span class="page"><a name="417">[Page 417]</a></span> +consisting of Colonel Macgregor, Surgeon-Major <a name="LII3r">Bellew</a>,<a href="#LII3"><sup>3</sup></a> and Mahomed +Hyat Khan, a Mahomedan member of the Punjab Commission, and +an excellent Persian and Pushtu scholar, to inquire into the complicated +circumstances which led to the attack on the Residency, and +to ascertain, if possible, how far the Amir and his Ministers were +implicated. The other, a military Court, with Brigadier-General +Massy as president, for the trial of those Chiefs and soldiers accused +of having taken part in the actual <a name="LII4r">massacre</a>.<a href="#LII4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +Up to this time (the middle of October) communication with India +had been kept up by way of the Shutargardan, and I had heard +nothing of the approach of the Khyber column. It was so very +necessary to open up the Khyber route, in view of early snow on +the Shutargardan, that I arranged to send a small force towards +Jalalabad, and to move the Shutargardan garrison to Kabul, thus +breaking off communication with Kuram.</p> +<p> +Colonel Money had beaten off another attack made by the tribesmen +on his position, but as they still threatened him in considerable +numbers, I despatched Brigadier-General Hugh Gough with some +troops to enable him to withdraw. This reinforcement arrived at a +most opportune moment, when the augmented tribal combination, +imagining that the garrison was completely at its mercy, had sent a +message to Money offering to spare their lives if they laid down their +arms! So sure were the Afghans of their triumph that they had +brought 200 of their women to witness it. On Gough's arrival, Money +dispersed the gathering, and his force left the Shutargardan, together +with the Head-Quarters and two squadrons of the 9th Lancers, which +had been ordered to join me from Sialkot, and afterwards proved a +most valuable addition to the Kabul Field Force.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Explosions in the Bala Hissar</span> +I was sitting in my tent on the morning of the 16th October, when +I was startled by a most terrific explosion in the upper part of the +Bala Hissar, which was occupied by the 5th Gurkhas, while the 67th +Foot were pitched in the garden below. The gunpowder, stored in a +detached building, had somehow—we never could discover how—become +ignited, and I trembled at the thought of what would be the +consequences if the main magazine caught fire, which, with its 250<span class="page"><a name="418">[Page 418]</a></span> +tons of gunpowder, was dangerously near to the scene of the explosion. +I at once sent orders to the Gurkhas and the 67th to clear out, and not +to wait even to bring away their tents, or anything but their ammunition, +and I did not breathe freely till they were all safe on Siah Sang. +The results of this disaster, as it was, were bad enough, for Captain +Shafto, R.A. (a very promising officer), a private of the 67th, the +Subadar-Major of the 5th Gurkhas, and nineteen Natives, most of +them soldiers, lost their lives.</p> +<p> +A second and more violent explosion took place two hours and a half +after the first, but there was no loss of life amongst the troops, though +several Afghans were killed at a distance of 400 yards from the fort.</p> +<p> +There was given on this occasion a very practical exemplification of +the good feeling existing between the European soldiers and the +Gurkhas. The 72nd and the 5th Gurkhas had been much associated +from the commencement of the campaign, and a spirit of <i>camaraderie</i> +had sprung up between them, resulting in the Highlanders now coming +forward and insisting on making over their greatcoats to the little +Gurkhas for the night—a very strong proof of their friendship, for at +Kabul in October the nights are bitterly cold.</p> +<p> +Two telegrams received about this time caused the greatest gratification +throughout the force. One was from the Commander-in-Chief, +conveying Her Majesty's expression of 'warm satisfaction' at the +conduct of the troops; the other was from the Viceroy, expressing +his 'cordial congratulations' and His Excellency's 'high appreciation +of the ability with which the action was directed, and the courage +with which it was so successfully carried out.' I was informed at the +same time by Lord Lytton that, on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, +I was given the local rank of Lieutenant-General, +to enable me to be placed in command of all the troops in eastern +Afghanistan, a force of 20,000 men and 46 guns, in two divisions. +The first division remained under my own immediate command, and +Major-General R. O. <a name="LII5r">Bright</a>, C.B.,<a href="#LII5"><sup>5</sup></a> was appointed to the command of +the other. I was, of course very much pleased at this proof of the +confidence reposed in me.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LIII">LIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +I had given much thought to the question of housing the troops during +the winter, which was now fast approaching. Some of the senior +officers were in favour of quartering them in the Bala Hissar, as being +the place with most prestige attached to it; but the fact that there was +not accommodation in it for the whole force, and that, therefore, the<span class="page"><a name="419">[Page 419]</a></span> +troops would have to be separated, as well as the dangerous proximity +of the huge store of gunpowder, which could only be got rid of by +degrees, decided me to occupy in preference the partly-fortified cantonment +of Sherpur, about a mile north-east of the city, and close to the +ruins of the old British entrenchment. It was enclosed on three sides +by a high and massive loop-holed wall, and on the fourth by the Bimaru +heights, while it possessed the advantage of having within its walls +sufficient shelter in long ranges of brick buildings for the British troops, +and good hospital accommodation, and there was ample space for the +erection of huts for the Native soldiers.</p> +<p> +The drawback was that the great extent of its perimeter, more than +four and a half miles, made it a very difficult place to defend; but, +remembering the grievous results of General Elphinstone's force being +scattered in 1841, I thought the advantage of being able to keep my +troops together outweighed the disadvantage of having to defend so +long a line.</p> +<p> +Materials for the Native soldiers' huts were brought from the Bala +Hissar, the demolition of which, as an act of retributive justice, I had +recommended to the Government of India, as it appeared to me that +the destruction of the fortified palace in which the massacre had taken +place, and which was the symbol of the power of the Afghans and their +boasted military strength, would be a more fitting punishment for +treachery and insult than any other we could inflict, and a more lasting +memorial of our ability to avenge our countrymen than any we could +raise. The tidings that their ancient citadel had been levelled to the +ground would, I felt sure, spread throughout the length and breadth of +Afghanistan, bearing with them a political significance that could +hardly be over-estimated.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Afghans Afraid to Befriend us</span> +I now set to work to collect supplies for the winter. A1 <i>khalsa</i>, or +State grain, we took as our right, the justice of this being recognized +both by the Amir and the people, but what was the property of private +individuals was purchased at a price the avaricious Afghan could not +resist. There had been a good harvest, and supplies were abundant; +but the people from the outlying districts were chary of assisting us, +for they knew from experience that all who befriended the British +would be sure to suffer when we took our departure.</p> +<p> +I had repeated complaints brought to me of the harshness and injustice +with which those who had shown themselves well disposed +towards us were treated by the Amir on his return from signing the +Treaty at Gandamak, and most of the Afghans were so afraid of the +Amir's vengeance when they should again be left to his tender mercies, +that they held aloof, except those who, like Wali Mahomed Khan and +his following, were in open opposition to Yakub Khan, and some few +who were still smarting from recent injury and oppression.</p> +<p> +I was frequently asked by the Afghans, when requiring some service<span class="page"><a name="420">[Page 420]</a></span> +to be rendered, 'Are you going to remain?' Could I have replied in +the affirmative, or could I have said that we should continue to exercise +sufficient control over the Government of the country to prevent their +being punished for helping us, they would have served us willingly. +Not that I could flatter myself they altogether liked us, but they would +have felt it wise in their own interests to meet our requirements; and, +besides, the great mass of the people were heartily sick and tired of a +long continuance of oppression and misrule, and were ready to submit +(for a time, at least) to any strong and just Government.</p> +<p> +Lord Lytton, in the hope of saving from the resentment of the Amir +those who had been of use to us in the early part of the war, had +expressly stipulated in Article II. of the Gandamak Treaty that 'a full +and complete amnesty should be published, absolving all Afghans from +any responsibility on account of intercourse with the British Forces +during the campaign, and that the Amir should guarantee to protect all +persons, of whatever degree, from punishment or molestation on that +account.'</p> +<p> +But this stipulation was not adhered to. Yakub Khan more than +once spoke to me about it, and declared that it was impossible to +control the turbulent spirits in Afghanistan without being supreme, and +that this amnesty, had it been published, would have tied his hands +with regard to those who had proved themselves his enemies.</p> +<p> +His neglect to carry out this Article of the treaty added considerably +to my difficulty, as will be seen from the following letter from Asmatula +Khan, a Ghilzai Chief, to whom I wrote, asking him to meet me at +Kabul.</p> + +<p class="quote6"> +'I received your kind letter on the 8th of Shawal [28th September], and +understood its contents, and also those of the enclosed Proclamation to the +people of Kabul. I informed all whom I thought fit of the contents of the +Proclamation.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'Some time ago I went to Gandamak to Major Cavagnari. He instructed +me to obey the orders of the Amir, and made me over to His Highness. +When Major Cavagnari returned to India, the Amir's officials confiscated +my property, and gave the Chiefship to my <a name="LIII1r">cousin</a><a href="#LIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> [or enemy], Bakram +Khan.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'The oppression I suffered on your account is beyond description. They +ruined and disgraced every friend and adherent of mine. On the return of +Major Cavagnari to Kabul, I sent my Naib [deputy] to him, who informed +him of my state. Major Cavagnari sent a message to me to the effect that I +should recover my property by force if I could, otherwise I should go to the +hills, and not come to Kabul until I heard from him. In the meantime I +received news of the murder of the Envoy, and I am still in the hills.'</p> +<p> +The thought of what might be in store for those who were now<span class="page"><a name="421">[Page 421]</a></span> +aiding me troubled me a good deal. No doubt their help was not disinterested, +but they were 'friends in need,' and I could not be quite +indifferent to their future.</p> +<p> +I had several interesting conversations with Yakub Khan, and in discussing +with him Sher Ali's reasons for breaking with us, he dwelt on +the fact that his father, although he did not get all he wished out of +Lord Mayo, was fairly satisfied and content with what had been done +for him, but when Saiyad Nur Mahomed returned from Simla in 1873, +he became thoroughly disgusted, and at once made overtures to the +Russians, with whom constant intercourse had since been kept up.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Kabul Russianized</span> +Yakub Khan's statements were verified by the fact that we found +Kabul much more Russian than English. The Afghan Sirdars and +officers were arrayed in Russian pattern uniforms, Russian money was +found in the treasury, Russian wares were sold in the bazaars, and +although the roads leading to Central Asia were certainly no better +than those leading to India, Russia had taken more advantage of them +than we had to carry on commercial dealings with <a name="LIII2r">Afghanistan</a>.<a href="#LIII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +When I inquired of Yakub Khan what had become of the correspondence +which must have been carried on between his father and the +Russians, he declared that he had destroyed it all when on his way to +Gandamak; nevertheless, a certain number of <a name="LIII3r">letters</a><a href="#LIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> from Generals +Kauffmann and Stoliatoff came into my possession, and a draft of the +treaty the latter officer brought from Tashkent was made for me from +memory by the man who had copied it for Sher Ali, aided by the +Afghan official who was told off to be in attendance on Stoliatoff, and<span class="page"><a name="422">[Page 422]</a></span> +who had frequently read the treaty.</p> +<p> +In one of my last conversations with Yakub Khan, he advised me +'not to lose sight of Herat and Turkestan.' On my asking him +whether he had any reason to suppose that his representatives in those +places meant to give trouble, he replied: 'I cannot say what they may +do; but, remember, I have warned you.' He, no doubt, knew more +than he told me, and I think it quite possible that he had some inkling +of his <a name="LIII4r">brother</a>'s<a href="#LIII4"><sup>4</sup></a> (Ayub Khan's) intentions, in regard to Kandahar, and +he probably foresaw that Abdur Rahman Khan would appear on the +scene from the direction of Turkestan.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Yakub Khan's abdication accepted</span> +I duly received an answer to my telegram regarding the abdication +of Yakub Khan, in which I was informed that His Highness's resignation +was accepted by Her Majesty's Government, and I was directed to +announce the fact to the people of Afghanistan in the following terms:</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +'I, General Roberts, on behalf of the British Government, hereby proclaim +that the Amir, having by his own free will abdicated, has left Afghanistan +without a Government. In consequence of the shameful outrage upon its +Envoy and suite, the British Government has been compelled to occupy by +force of arms Kabul, the capital, and to take military possession of other +parts of Afghanistan.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The British Government now commands that all Afghan authorities, +Chiefs, and Sirdars do continue their functions in maintaining order, referring +to me whenever necessary.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The British Government desire that the people shall be treated with +justice and benevolence, and that their religious feelings and customs be +respected.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The services of such Sirdars and Chiefs as assist in preserving order will +be duly recognized, but all disturbers of the peace and persons concerned in +attacks upon the British authority will meet with condign punishment.</p> +<p class="quote4"> +'The British Government, after consultation with the principal Sirdars, +tribal Chiefs, and others representing the interests and wishes of the various +provinces and cities, will declare its will as to the future permanent arrangements +to be made for the good government of the people.'</p> +<p> +This manifesto was issued on the 28th October, and the same day I +informed Yakub Khan that his abdication had been accepted, and +acquainted him with the orders passed by the British Government in +connexion with this <a name="LIII5r">fact</a>.<a href="#LIII5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> +<p> +Yakub Khan showed no interest either in the Proclamation, a +Persian translation of which was read to him, or the Government's +decision as to himself, and made no comment beyond a formal '<i>bisyar +khub</i>' ('very good') and an inclination of the head.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">State Treasury Taken Over</span> +I then told Yakub Khan that, as I was now charged with the government +of the country, it was necessary that I should take possession of<span class="page"><a name="423">[Page 423]</a></span> +the treasury and all moneys therein. He signified his assent, but +demurred to certain sums being considered as public property, contending +that they formed part of his father's wealth, and that the British +Government might as well take from him his <i><a name="LIII6r">choga</a></i>,<a href="#LIII6"><sup>6</sup></a> this also having +come from the pockets of the people. 'My father was <i>Padishah</i>,' he +said; 'there was no distinction between public and private money. +However,' he went on, 'I have given up the crown, and I am not +going to dispute about rupees. You may take all I have, down to my +clothes; but the money was my father's, and is mine by right.'</p> +<p> +I replied that it was necessary that all money in his possession +should be given up, but that his private effects should not be touched; +that he would be given a receipt for the money, and that, if the Government +of India decided it to be his personal property, it should be +returned to him.</p> +<p> +This Yakub Khan at first declined to accept, with some show of +temper. Eventually he came round, and said, 'Yes, give me a receipt, +so that no one may say hereafter that I carried off State money to +which I had no right. It can be easily made sure that I have no +money when I <a name="LIII7r">go</a>.'<a href="#LIII7"><sup>7</sup></a></p> +<p> +Spite of all his shortcomings, I could not help feeling sorry for the +self-deposed Ruler, and before leaving him I explained that he would +be treated with the same consideration that had always been accorded +to him, that Nawab Sir Ghulam Hussein <a name="LIII8r">Khan</a><a href="#LIII8"><sup>8</sup></a> should have a tent +next to his, and that it should be the Nawab's care to look after his +comfort in every way, and that I should be glad to see him whenever +he wished for an interview. That same day, under instructions, I +issued the following further manifesto:</p> + +<p class="quote4"> +'In my Proclamation of yesterday I announced that His Highness the +Amir had of his own free will abdicated, and that for the present the government +of Afghanistan would be carried on under my supervision. I now +proclaim that, in order to provide for the cost of administration, I have taken +possession of the State treasury, and that, until the British Government +shall declare its will as to the permanent arrangements to be made for the +future good government of the country, the collection of revenue and the +expenditure of public money will be regulated by me. All persons concerned +are hereby informed that they must obey without dispute or delay such<span class="page"><a name="424">[Page 424]</a></span> +orders as may be issued by me in regard to the payment of taxes and other +connected matters; and I give plain warning that anyone resisting or obstructing +the execution of such orders will be treated with the utmost severity +as an enemy to the British Government.'</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LIV">LIV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +On the 1st November my Head-Quarters and the 1st division moved +into Sherpur, which the Engineers had prepared for winter quarters, +and where stores of provisions and forage were assuming satisfactory +proportions. The same day Brigadier-General Macpherson left Kabul +with a brigade of about 1,800 men and four guns to join hands with +the troops which I had lately heard were advancing from the Khyber, +and had reached Gandamak. I joined Macpherson the following +morning at Butkhak, about eleven miles from Kabul, where our first +post towards the Khyber had already been established. It was very +important that our communication with India should be by a route +good enough for wheeled carriages; I was therefore anxious to see for +myself if it were not possible to avoid the Khurd-Kabul Pass, which +was said to be very difficult. I had, besides, a strong wish to visit this +pass, as being the scene of Sir Robert Sale's fight with the tribesmen +in 1841, and of the beginning of the massacre of General Elphinstone's +unfortunate troops in <a name="LIV1r">1842</a>.<a href="#LIV1"><sup>1</sup></a> The Afghan Commander-in-Chief, +Daud Shah, and several Ghilzai Chiefs, accompanied me; from them +I learned that an easier road did exist, running more to the east, and +crossing over the Lataband mountain. Personal inspection of the two +lines proved that Daud Shah's estimate of their respective difficulties +was correct; the Lataband route was comparatively easy, there was no +defile as on the Khurd-Kabul side, and the kotal, 8,000 feet above the +sea, was reached by a gradual ascent from Butkhak. However, I +found the Khurd-Kabul much less difficult than I had imagined it to +be; it might have been made passable for carts, but there was no +object in using it, as the Lataband route possessed the additional +advantage of being some miles shorter; accordingly I decided upon +adopting the latter as the line of communication with India.</p> +<p> +Macpherson reported that the country beyond Khurd-Kabul was +fairly settled, and that, on the 7th, he had been able to open communication +with Brigadier-General Charles Gough, commanding +Bright's leading brigade. I was thus again brought into communication +with India, and in a position to clear my hospitals of those +amongst the sick and wounded who were not progressing favourably,<span class="page"><a name="425">[Page 425]</a></span> +and could not soon be fit for duty.</p> +<p> +By this time the Inquiry Commission had completed its difficult +task of trying to sift the truth concerning the fate of Cavagnari and +his companions from the mass of falsehood with which it was +enveloped. The progress had been slow, particularly when examination +touched on the part Yakub Khan had played in the tragedy; +witnesses were afraid to give evidence openly until they were convinced +that he would not be re-established in a position to avenge +himself. The whole matter had been gone into most fully, and a +careful perusal of the proceedings satisfied me that the Amir could not +have been ignorant that an attack on the Residency was contemplated. +He may not have foreseen or desired the massacre of the Embassy, +but there was no room for doubt as to his having connived at a +demonstration against it, which, had it not ended so fatally, might +have served him in good stead as a proof of his inability to guarantee +the safety of foreigners, and thus obtain the withdrawal of the +Mission.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Amnesty Proclamation</span> +It was impossible, under these circumstances, that Yakub Khan +could ever be reinstated as Ruler of Kabul, and his remaining in his +present equivocal position was irksome to himself and most embarrassing +to me. I therefore recommended that he should be +deported to India, to be dealt with as the Government might decide +after reviewing the information elicited by the political Court of +Inquiry, which to me appeared to tell so weightily against the ex-Amir, +that, in my opinion, I was no longer justified in treating as rebels to +his authority Afghans who, it was now evident, had only carried out +his secret, if not his expressed, wishes when opposing our advance on +Kabul. I decided, therefore, to proclaim a free and complete <a name="LIV2r">amnesty</a><a href="#LIV2"><sup>2</sup></a> +to all persons not concerned, directly or indirectly, in the attack on<span class="page"><a name="426">[Page 426]</a></span> +the Residency, or who were not found hereafter in possession of +property belonging to our countrymen or their escort, on the condition +that they surrendered their arms and returned to their homes.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Strength of the Kabul Field Force</span> +At Daud Shah's suggestion, I sent three influential Sirdars to the +Logar, Kohistan, and Maidan valleys, to superintend the collection of +the amount of forage which was to be levied from those districts; and +in order to lessen the consumption at Kabul, I sent away all +<a name="LIV3r">elephants</a>,<a href="#LIV3"><sup>3</sup></a> spare bullocks, and sick transport animals. In furtherance +of the same object, as soon as Macpherson returned, I sent Baker +with a brigade into the Maidan district, about twenty miles from +Kabul, on the Ghazni road, where the troops could more easily be fed, +as it was the district from which a large proportion of our supplies +was expected, and I also despatched to India all time-expired men and +invalids who were no longer fit for <a name="LIV4r">service</a>.<a href="#LIV4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +Towards the end of November, Mr. Luke, the officer in charge of +the telegraph department, who had done admirable work throughout +the campaign, reported that communication was established with +India. As, however, cutting the telegraph-wires was a favourite +amusement of the tribesmen, a heliograph was arranged at suitable +stations between Landi Kotal and Kabul, which was worked with fair +success to the end of the war. Had we then possessed the more +perfect heliographic apparatus which is now available, it would have +made us, in that land of bright sun, almost independent of the telegraph,<span class="page"><a name="427">[Page 427]</a></span> +so far as connexion with Landi Kotal was concerned.</p> +<p> +Hearing that Baker was experiencing difficulty in collecting his +supplies, I joined him at Maidan to satisfy myself how matters stood. +The headmen in the neighbourhood refused to deliver the <i>khalsa</i> grain +they had been ordered to furnish, and, assisted by a body of Ghilzais +from Ghazni and Wardak, they attacked our Cavalry charged with +collecting it, and murdered our agent, Sirdar Mahomed Hussein Khan. +For these offences I destroyed the chief <i>malik's</i> fort and confiscated +his store of grain, after which there was no more trouble, and supplies +came in freely. I returned to Kabul, and Baker, with his brigade, +followed me on the 1st December.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Yakub Khan Despatched to India</span> +That same day Yakub Khan was despatched by double marches to +India, careful precautions having been taken to prevent his being +rescued on the way. When saying good-bye to him, he thanked me +warmly for the kindness and consideration he had received, and +assured me that he left his wives and children in my hands in the +fullest confidence that they would be well treated and cared for.</p> +<p> +A week later I sent off the two Sirdars, Yahia Khan and Zakariah +Khan, as well as the Wazir, whose guilt had been clearly proved, and +whose powerful influence, I had every reason to believe, was being +used to stir up the country against us. The Mustaufi I allowed to +remain; he had been less prominent than the others in opposing us, +and, besides, I had an idea that he might prove useful to me in the +administration of the country.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="428">[Page 428]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LV">LV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />Political Situation at Kabul</span> +The general political situation, as it developed itself in the early part +of December, and the causes which appeared to me to have contributed +to produce it, may be briefly summarized as follows. After the outbreak +in the previous September and the massacre of our Envoy, the +advance of the British force was too rapid to give the Afghans, as a +nation, time to oppose us. At Charasia, the troops, aided by large +numbers of the disaffected townspeople, were conspicuously beaten in +the open field; their organization as an armed body was at an end, and +their leaders all sought personal safety in flight.</p> +<p> +It appears probable that at this period the general expectation +amongst the Afghans was that the British Government would exact a +heavy retribution from the nation and city, and that, after vengeance +had been satisfied, the army would be withdrawn.</p> +<p> +Thirty-seven years before, a British massacre had been followed by +a temporary occupation of the city of Kabul, and just as the troops of +Pollock and Nott, on that occasion, had sacked and destroyed the great +bazaar and then retired, so in 1879 the people believed that some signal +punishment would again be succeeded by the withdrawal of our troops. +Thus a period of doubt and expectation ensued after the battle of +Charasia; the Afghans were waiting on events, and the time had not +arrived for a general movement.</p> +<p> +This pause, however, was marked by certain occurrences which +doubtless touched the national pride to the quick, and which were also +susceptible of being used by the enemies of the British Government to +excite into vivid fanaticism the religious sentiment, which has ever +formed a prominent trait in the Afghan character.</p> +<p> +The prolonged occupation by foreign troops of the fortified cantonment +which had been prepared by the late Amir Sher Ali for his own +army; the capture of the large park of Artillery, and of the vast munitions +of war, which had raised the military strength of the Afghans to +a standard unequalled among Asiatic nations; the destruction of their +historic fortress, the residence of their Kings; and, lastly, the deportation +to India of their Amir and his principal Ministers, were all circumstances +which united to increase to a high pitch the antipathy naturally +felt towards a foreign invader.</p> +<p> +The temper of the people being in this inflammable condition, it was +clear that only disunion and jealousy amongst their Chiefs prevented +their combining against us, and that if any impetus could be given to +their religious sentiment strong enough to unite the discordant +elements in a common cause, a powerful movement would be initiated, +having for its object our annihilation or expulsion from their country.</p> +<p> +Such an impetus was supplied by the fervent preaching of the aged<span class="page"><a name="429">[Page 429]</a></span> +mulla Mushk-i-<a name="LV1r">Alam</a>,<a href="#LV1"><sup>1</sup></a> who denounced the English in every mosque +throughout the country. The people were further incited to rise by the +appeals of the ladies of Yakub Khan's family to popular sympathy, and +bribed to do so by the distribution of the concealed treasure at their +command.</p> +<p> +The mullas, in short, became masters of the situation, and, having +once succeeded in subordinating private quarrels to hatred of the +common foe, the movement rapidly assumed the aspect of a religious +war. The Afghan successes of 1841-42 were cited as examples of what +might happen again, and the people were assured that, if they would +only act simultaneously, the small British army in Sherpur would +be overwhelmed, and the plunder of our camp would be part of their +reward.</p> +<p> +From time to time reports reached me of what was going on, and, +from the information supplied to me, I gathered that the Afghans +intended to gain possession of the city, and, after occupying the +numerous forts and villages in the neighbourhood of Sherpur, to +surround the cantonment.</p> +<p> +It was under the stimulating influences of religious enthusiasm, +patriotic and military ardour, the prestige of former success, and the +hope of remuneration and plunder, that the Afghans took the field +against us early in December.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Serious Trouble Ahead</span> +It was arranged that the forces from the <a name="LV2r">south</a><a href="#LV2"><sup>2</sup></a> should seize the +range of hills extending from Charasia to the Shahr-i-Darwaza heights, +including the fortifications of the upper Bala Hissar and the high +conical peak called the Takht-i-Shah; that those from the <a name="LV3r">north</a><a href="#LV3"><sup>3</sup></a> +should occupy the Asmai heights and hills to the north of Kabul; and +those from the <a name="LV4r">west</a><a href="#LV4"><sup>4</sup></a> should make direct for the city.</p> +<p> +As it was evident to me that these several bodies, when once concentrated +at Kabul, would be joined by the thousands in the city, and +the inhabitants of the adjoining villages, I determined to try and deal +with the advancing forces in detail, and disperse them, if possible, +before the concentration could be effected. I had, however, but a very +imperfect idea of the extent of the combination, or of the enormous +numbers arrayed against us. My intelligence was most defective; +neither the nature of the country nor the attitude of the people +admitted of extended reconnaissances, and I was almost entirely dependent +for information on Afghan sources. Some of the Afghan +soldiers in our ranks aided me to the best of their ability, but by the +Sirdars, notably Wali Mahomed Khan, I was, either wilfully or from +ignorance, grossly misinformed as to the formidable character of the<span class="page"><a name="430">[Page 430]</a></span> +rising. But that there was serious trouble ahead was plain enough +when the conflicting reports had been carefully sifted, and I therefore +thought it only prudent to telegraph to General Bright at Jalalabad +to push on the Guide Corps, although I was very much averse to +augmenting the Sherpur garrison, and thereby increasing the drain on +our supplies.</p> +<p> +In the meantime immediate action was necessary to carry out my +idea of preventing the different sections of the enemy concentrating at +Kabul. I accordingly prepared two columns: one under Macpherson, +whose orders were to attack the tribesmen coming from the north +before they could join those advancing from the west; the other under +Baker, who was instructed to place himself across the line by which +the enemy would have to retreat when beaten, as I hoped they would +be, by Macpherson.</p> +<p> +<a name="LV5r">Macpherson</a><a href="#LV5"><sup>5</sup></a> started on the 8th towards Kila Aushar, about three +miles from Sherpur, <i>en route</i> to Arghandeh. And on the following +morning Baker, with a small <a name="LV6r">force</a>,<a href="#LV6"><sup>6</sup></a> proceeded to Chihal Dukhteran, +giving out that his destination was the Logar valley, and that he would +march by Charasia, as I had directed him to make a feint in that +direction, and then to turn to the west, and place himself between +Arghandeh and Maidan, on the Ghazni road.</p> +<p> +To give Baker time to carry out this movement, I halted Macpherson +at Kila Aushar on the 9th, whence he sent out two reconnoitring parties +—one in the direction of Kohistan, the other, in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel +<a name="LV7r">Lockhart</a>,<a href="#LV7"><sup>7</sup></a> A.Q.M.G., towards Arghandeh.</p> +<p> +The intelligence brought in induced me to change my orders to +Macpherson. The first party reported that a very considerable force +of Kohistanis had collected at Karez-i-Mir, about ten miles north of +Kila Aushar, while Lockhart had discovered large numbers of the +enemy moving from Arghandeh and Paghman towards Kohistan. +Accordingly, I directed Macpherson to attack the Kohistanis, in the +hope of being able to disperse them before the people from Ghazni +could join them; and, as the part of the country through which he +had to move was unsuited to Horse Artillery and Cavalry, I ordered +him to leave the mounted portion of his column, except one squadron +of Cavalry, at Kila Aushar.</p> +<p> +Macpherson made a rapid advance on the morning of the 10th +December, skirting the fringe of low hills which intervenes between<span class="page"><a name="431">[Page 431]</a></span> +Kohistan and the Chardeh valley. He reached the Surkh Kotal—which +divides western Kohistan from the Arghandeh valley—without +opposition. From this point, however, the Kohistanis were sighted, +occupying a position about two miles to his right front, their centre on +a steep, conical, isolated hill, at the base of which lay the village of +Karez-i-Mir.</p> +<p> +Macpherson was now able to obtain a good view of the Paghman and +Chardeh valleys on his left and left rear, and the numerous standards +planted on the different knolls near the villages of Paghman gave ample +evidence of the presence of the enemy discovered by Lockhart the +previous day, and showed him that, unless he could quickly succeed in +scattering the Kohistanis, he would find himself attacked by an enemy +in his rear, in fact, between two fires.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Macpherson attacks the Kohistanis</span> +Macpherson made his disposition for an attack with skill and +rapidity. Leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Money with one company of +the 67th, five companies of the 3rd Sikhs, and two guns, to hold the +ridge, he sent the remainder of the Sikhs to harass the enemy's left +flank and support the Cavalry, who were ordered to hover about and +threaten the line of retreat, while Macpherson himself went forward +with the rest of the force.</p> +<p> +The Kohistanis retreated rapidly before our skirmishers, and the +attacking party, protected by a well-directed fire from Morgan's guns, +advanced with such promptitude that the enemy made no attempt to +rally until they reached the conical hill, where they made a stubborn +resistance. The hill was carried by assault, its defenders were driven +off, leaving seven standards on the field, and Morgan, bringing up his +Artillery, inflicted severe loss on the flying Kohistanis. On this +occasion Major Cook, V.C., of the 5th Gurkhas, was again noticed for +his conspicuous gallantry, and Major Griffiths, of the 3rd Sikhs, greatly +distinguished himself. Our casualties were one officer (Lieutenant-Colonel +Fitz-Hugh) and six men wounded.</p> +<p> +It was evident that the tribesmen from the directions of Arghandeh +and Paghman intended to ascend the Surkh Kotal, but suddenly they +appeared to change their minds, on discovering, probably, that our +troops held all the commanding positions and that their allies were in +full flight.</p> +<p> +Soon after noon on the 10th I received the report of Macpherson's +success and the enemy's retirement towards Arghandeh. I at once sent +off Lieutenant-Colonel B. Gordon, R.H.A., with orders to intercept +them with the Horse Artillery and Cavalry at Aushar; but when I +rode over myself later in the day to that place, I was much disappointed +to find that Gordon had not been able to give effect to my instructions, +as the enemy, on perceiving his troops, dispersed and took shelter in +the surrounding villages and on the slopes of the hills.</p> +<p> +Macpherson encamped for the night between the Surkh Kotal and<span class="page"><a name="432">[Page 432]</a></span> +Karez-i-Mir, and Baker, who had steadily pursued his march along a +very difficult road, halted a short distance west of Maidan and eight +miles only from Arghandeh.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Combined Movements</span> +To Macpherson I sent orders to march very early the next morning—the +11th—through Paghman towards Arghandeh and in Baker's +direction; at the same time I informed him that Massy, whom I had +placed in command of the troops at Aushar, would, according to +directions from me, leave that place at nine o'clock to co-operate with +him, <i>viâ</i> the Arghandeh and Ghazni road. That evening Massy came +to my room, and I carefully explained to him his part in the next +day's proceedings; I told him that he was to advance cautiously and +quietly by the road leading directly from the city of Kabul towards +Arghandeh, feeling for the enemy; that he was to communicate with +Macpherson and act in conformity with that officer's movements; and +I impressed upon him that he was on no account to commit himself to +an action until Macpherson had engaged the enemy.</p> +<p> +Up to this time the combination of tribesmen, which later proved so +formidable, had not been effected; Macpherson for the time being had +dispersed the Kohistanis and checked the force advancing from Ghazni +under the leadership of Mahomed Jan; the Logaris and Ghilzais were +merely watching events, and waiting to see how it fared with the +Kohistani and Ghazni factions, before committing themselves to hostilities; +they had but recently witnessed our successful advance through +their country; they knew that their homes and property would be at +our mercy should we be victorious, and they were uncertain as to +Baker's movements.</p> +<p> +On the morning of the 11th <a name="LV8r">December</a>,<a href="#LV8"><sup>8</sup></a> therefore, only one section +was actually in opposition to us, that led by Mahomed Jan, who during +the night of the 10th had taken up a position near the group of villages +known as Kila Kazi.</p> +<p> +Further, I felt that Mahomed Jan must be disheartened at our recent +success, and at his failure to induce the Logaris to join him, and doubtless<span class="page"><a name="433">[Page 433]</a></span> +felt that a movement towards Kabul would expose his left flank to +Macpherson, while his rear would be threatened by Baker.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The uncertainty of war</span> +The strength of Baker's and Macpherson's columns had been carefully +considered, as well as the routes they were to take. I was +thoroughly well acquainted with the ground comprised in the theatre +of the proposed operations, having frequently ridden over it during the +preceding two months; I was thus able to calculate to a nicety the difficulties +each column would have to encounter and the distances they +would have to cover, and arrange with the utmost precision the hour at +which each Commander should move off to insure a timely junction. +So that when I left Sherpur at ten o'clock on the 11th December to +take command of Macpherson's and Massy's columns as soon as they +should unite, I had no misgivings, and was sanguine that my carefully +arranged programme would result in the discomfiture of Mahomed Jan; +but the events which followed on that day afforded a striking exemplification +of the uncertainty of war, and of how even a very slight +divergence from a General's orders may upset plans made with the +greatest care and thought, and lead to disastrous results.</p> +<p> +Massy could not have clearly understood the part he was meant to +take in co-operation with Macpherson, for instead of following the +route I had directed him to take, he marched straight across country +to the Ghazni road, which brought him face to face with the enemy +before he could be joined by Macpherson. In his explanatory report +Massy stated that he had been misled by a <a name="LV9r">memorandum</a><a href="#LV9"><sup>9</sup></a> which he +received from the Assistant Adjutant-General after his interview with +me (although this memorandum contained nothing contradictory of the +orders I had given him); that he understood from it that his business +was to reach the Ghazni road at its nearest point in the direction of +Arghandeh, and that he thought it better, with a thirty miles' march +in prospect, to take the most direct line in order to save his horses, to +economize time in a short December day, and to keep as near as he +could to the column with which he was to co-operate; further, he +stated that he was under the impression there was little likelihood of +his meeting with any of the enemy nearer than Arghandeh.</p> +<p> +On starting from Aushar Massy detached a troop of the 9th Lancers +to communicate with Macpherson. This reduced his column to 247 +British and 44 Native Cavalry, with 4 Horse Artillery guns.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Fight in the Chardeh Valley</span> +As the party moved along the Chardeh valley, a loud beating of +drums was heard, and Captain Bloomfield Gough, 9th Lancers, commanding<span class="page"><a name="434">[Page 434]</a></span> +the advance guard, perceived when he had moved to about +a mile north of Kila Kazi, that the enemy were occupying hills on +both sides of the Ghazni road, about two miles to his left front, and +sent back word to that effect. Massy, not believing that the Afghans +had collected in any considerable numbers, continued to advance; but +he was soon undeceived by the crowds of men and waving standards +which shortly came into view moving towards Kila Kazi. He then +ordered Major Smith-Wyndham to open fire, but the range, 2,900 +yards, being considered by Colonel Gordon, the senior Artillery officer, +too far for his six-pounders, after a few rounds the guns were moved +across the Ghazni road, and again brought into action at 2,500 yards; +as this distance was still found to be too great, they were moved to +2,000 yards. The enemy now pressed forward on Massy's left flank, +which was also his line of retreat, and the guns had to be retired about +a mile, covered on the right and left by the 9th Lancers and the 14th +Bengal Lancers respectively, and followed so closely by the Afghans +that when fire was next opened they were only 1,700 yards distant. +Four Horse Artillery guns could do nothing against such numbers +attacking without any regular formation, and when the leading men +came within carbine range, Massy tried to stop them by dismounting +thirty of the 9th Lancers; but their fire 'had no appreciable effect.'</p> +<p> +It was at this critical moment that I appeared on the scene. +Warned by the firing that an engagement was taking place, I galloped +across the Chardeh valley as fast as my horse could carry me, and on +gaining the open ground beyond Bhagwana, an extraordinary spectacle +was presented to my view. An unbroken line, extending for about +two miles, and formed of not less than between 9,000 and 10,000 men, +was moving rapidly towards me, all on foot save a small body of +Cavalry on their left flank—in fact, the greater part of Mahomed Jan's +army. To meet this formidable array, instead of Macpherson's and +Massy's forces, which I hoped I should have found combined, there +were but 4 guns, 198 of the 9th Lancers under Lieutenant-Colonel +Cleland, 40 of the 14th Bengal Lancers under Captain Philip Neville, +and at some little distance Gough's troop of the 9th Lancers, who were +engaged in watching the enemy's Cavalry.</p> +<p> +The inequality of the opposing forces was but too painfully apparent. +The first glance at the situation showed me the hopelessness of continuing +the struggle without Infantry. Up to that moment our +casualties had not been many, as Afghans seldom play at long bowls, +it being necessary for them to husband their ammunition, and when, +as in the present instance, they outnumber their adversaries by forty +to one, they universally try to come to close quarters and use their +knives.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Forced to Retire</span> +My first thought was how to secure the best and shortest line of +retreat; it lay by Deh-i-Mazang, but in order to use it, the gorge close <span class="page"><a name="435">[Page 435]</a></span> +by that village had to be held; for if the enemy reached it first they +would have no difficulty in gaining the heights above Kabul, which +would practically place the city at their mercy.</p> +<p> +I was very anxious also to prevent any panic or disturbance taking +place in Kabul. I therefore told General Hills, who just then opportunely +joined me, to gallop to Sherpur, explain to Brigadier-General +Hugh Gough, who had been placed in temporary command of that +place, how matters stood, and order 200 of the 72nd Highlanders to +come to Deh-i-Mazang with the least possible delay. I directed Hills, +after having delivered this message, to make for the city, shut the +gates, and do all in his power to keep the people quiet, while warning +the <a name="LV10r">Kizilbashes</a><a href="#LV10"><sup>10</sup></a> to be prepared to defend their quarter. I then +despatched my nephew and A.D.C., Lieutenant John Sherston, to +Macpherson to inform him of what had happened, and desire him to +push on with the utmost speed.</p> +<p> +Having taken these precautionary measures, I sent another A.D.C., +Captain Pole Carew, to Brigadier-General Massy to direct him to try +and find a way by which the guns could retire in case of a necessity, +which appeared to me to be only too probable.</p> +<p> +The engagement had now become a question of time. If Mahomed +Jan could close with and overwhelm our small force, Kabul would be +his; but if, by any possibility, his advance could be retarded until +Macpherson should come up, we might hope to retain possession of +the city. It was, therefore, to the Afghan leader's interest to press +on, while it was to ours to delay him as long as we possibly could.</p> +<p> +Pole Carew presently returned with a message from Massy that the +enemy were close upon him, and that he could not keep them in check. +I desired Pole Carew to go back, order Massy to retire the guns, and +cover the movement by a charge of Cavalry.</p> +<p> +The charge was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Cleland and Captain +Neville, the former of whom fell dangerously wounded; but the ground, +terraced for irrigation purposes and intersected by nullas, so impeded +our Cavalry that the charge, heroic as it was, made little or no impression +upon the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, now flushed with +the triumph of having forced our guns to retire. The effort, however, +was worthy of the best traditions of our British and Indian Cavalry, +and that it failed in its object was no fault of our gallant soldiers. To +assist them in their extremity, I ordered two of Smyth-Windham's +four guns to halt and come into action while the other two continued +to retire, but these had not gone far before they got into such difficult +ground that one had to be spiked and abandoned in a water-cut, where<span class="page"><a name="436">[Page 436]</a></span> +Smyth-Windham found it when he came up after having fired a few +rounds at the fast advancing foe. I now ordered Smyth-Windham to +make for the village of Bhagwana with his three remaining guns, as +the only chance left of saving them. This he did, and having reached +the village, he again opened fire from behind a low wall which enclosed +the houses; but the ammunition being nearly expended, and the +enemy close at hand, there was nothing for it but to limber up again +and continue the retirement through the village. At the further side, +however, and forming part of its defences, was a formidable obstacle in +the shape of a ditch fully twelve feet deep, narrowing towards the +bottom; across this Smyth-Windham tried to take his guns, and the +leading horses had just begun to scramble up the further bank, when +one of the wheelers stumbled and fell, with the result that the shafts +broke and the gun stuck fast, blocking the only point at which there +was any possibility of getting the others across.</p> +<p> +With a faint hope of saving the guns, I directed Captain Stewart-Mackenzie, +who had assumed command of the 9th Lancers on Cleland +being disabled, to make a second charge, which he executed with the +utmost <a name="LV11r">gallantry</a>,<a href="#LV11"><sup>11</sup></a> but to no purpose; and in the meanwhile Smyth-Windham +had given the order to unhook and spike the guns.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Padre Adams earns the V.C.</span> +By this time the enemy were within a few hundred yards of Bhagwana, +and the inhabitants had begun to fire at us from the roofs of +their houses. I was endeavouring to help some men out of the ditch, +when the headman of the village rushed at me with his knife, seeing +which, a <a name="LV12r">Mahomedan</a><a href="#LV12"><sup>12</sup></a> of the 1st Bengal Cavalry, who was following +me on foot, having just had his horse shot under him, sprang at my +assailant, and, seizing him round the waist, threw him to the bottom +of the ditch, thereby saving my <a name="LV13r">life</a>.<a href="#LV13"><sup>13</sup></a></p> +<p> +Suddenly the Afghans stayed their advance for a few minutes,<span class="page"><a name="437">[Page 437]</a></span> +thinking, as I afterwards learnt, that our Infantry were in the village—a +pause which allowed many of our Cavalry who had lost their +horses to <a name="LV14r">escape</a>.<a href="#LV14"><sup>14</sup></a></p> +<p> +Directly we had got clear of the village the Cavalry reformed, and +retired slowly by alternate squadrons, in a manner which excited my +highest admiration, and reflected the greatest credit on the soldierly +qualities of Stewart-Mackenzie and Neville. From Bhagwana, Deh-i-Mazang +was three miles distant, and it was of vital importance to keep +the enemy back in order to give the Highlanders from Sherpur time to +reach the gorge.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">MacPherson's Column Arrives</span> +For a time the Afghans continued to press on as before, but after a +while their advance gradually became slower and their numbers somewhat +decreased. This change in Mahomed Jan's tactics, it afterwards +turned out, was caused by Macpherson's advance guard coming into +collision with the rear portion of his army; it was of the greatest +advantage to us, as it enabled the 72nd to arrive in time to bar the +enemy's passage through the gorge. My relief was great when I +beheld them, headed by their eager Commander, Brownlow, doubling +through the gap and occupying the village of Deh-i-Mazang and the +heights on either side. The Cavalry greeted them with hearty cheers, +and the volleys delivered by the Highlanders from the roofs of the +houses in the village soon checked the Afghans, some of whom turned +back, while others made for Indiki and the slopes of the Takht-i-Shah. +For a time, at any rate, their hopes of getting possession of Kabul had +been frustrated.</p> +<p> +It will be remembered that the orders I sent to Macpherson on the +10th were that he was to march very early the next morning, as Massy +with the Horse Artillery and Cavalry would leave Aushar at 9 a.m., +and that he must join him on the Arghandeh road. Macpherson did <span class="page"><a name="438">[Page 438]</a></span> +not make so early a start as I had intended; from one cause or another, +he said, he was not able to leave Karez-i-Mir before eight o'clock. On +reaching the Surkh Kotal he observed dense bodies of the enemy hurrying +from the Paghman and Arghandeh directions towards Kila Kazi, +and he pushed on, hoping to be able to deal with them individually +before they had time to concentrate. For the first three miles from +the foot of the pass the view was obstructed by a range of hills, and +nothing could be seen of the Horse Artillery and Cavalry; but soon +after 10 a.m. the booming of guns warned Macpherson that fighting +was going on, but he could not tell whether it was Baker's or Massy's +troops which were engaged. He was, however, not left long in doubt, +for Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain, attached to Macpherson as +political officer, and who had gone on with his advance guard, sent +back word that he could distinguish British Cavalry charging the +Afghans, and as Baker had only Native Cavalry with him, Macpherson +knew at once that the action was being fought by Massy. Suddenly +the firing ceased, and he was informed that the enemy were advancing +on Kabul, and that their vanguard had already reached the belt of +orchards and enclosures, on the further fringe of which the smoke from +our guns and the charge of our Cavalry had been seen.</p> +<p> +Macpherson, feeling that something serious had occurred, called on +his men to make a further effort. At 12.30 p.m., less than an hour +after we had begun to retire, he reached the ground where the fight +had taken place. The dead bodies of our officers and men, stripped +and horribly mutilated, proved how fierce had been the struggle, and +the dropping shots which came from the fortified villages in the neighbourhood +and from the ravines, warned the Brigadier-General that +some of the enemy were still in the neighbourhood. But these men, so +bold in the confidence of overwhelming numbers when attacking +Massy's Cavalry, were not prepared to withstand Macpherson's Infantry; +after a brief resistance they broke and fled in confusion, some +to Indiki, but the greater number to the shelter of the hills south of +Kila Kazi, to which place Macpherson followed them, intending to halt +there for the night. This I did not allow him to do, for, seeing the +heavy odds we had opposed to us, and that the enemy were already in +possession of the Takht-i-Shah, thus being in a position to threaten the +Bala Hissar, I sent orders to him to fall back upon Deh-i-Mazang, +where he arrived about 7 p.m.</p> +<p> +Meanwhile, Macpherson's baggage, with a guard of the 5th Gurkhas, +commanded by Major Cook, V.C., was attacked by some Afghans, who +had remained concealed in the Paghman villages, and it would probably +have fallen into their hands, as the Gurkhas were enormously +outnumbered, but for the timely arrival of four companies of the 3rd +Sikhs, under Major Griffiths, who had been left by Macpherson to see +everything safely down the pass. Cook himself was knocked over and <span class="page"><a name="439">[Page 439]</a></span> +stunned by a blow, while his brother in the 3rd Sikhs received a severe +bullet-wound close to his heart.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Captured Guns Recovered</span> +During the retirement from Bhagwana, Macgregor, my Chief of the +Staff, Durand, Badcock, and one or two other staff officers, got +separated from me and were presently overtaken by an officer (Captain +Gerald Martin), sent by Macpherson to tell Massy he was coming to +his assistance as fast as his Infantry could travel; Martin informed +Macgregor that as he rode by Bhagwana he had come across our +abandoned guns, and that there was no enemy anywhere near them. +On hearing this, Macgregor retraced his steps, and, assisted by the +staff officers with him and a few Horse Artillerymen and Lancers, and +some Gurkhas of Macpherson's baggage guard picked up on the way, +he managed to rescue the guns and bring them into Sherpur that night. +They had been stripped of all their movable parts, and the ammunition-boxes +had been emptied; otherwise they were intact, and were fit for +use the next day.</p> +<p> +I found assembled at Deh-i-Mazang Wali Mahomed and other +Sirdars, who had been watching with considerable anxiety the issue of +the fight, for they knew if the Afghans succeeded in their endeavours +to enter Kabul, all property belonging to people supposed to be friendly +to us would be plundered and their houses destroyed. I severely +upbraided these men for having misled me as to the strength and +movements of Mahomed Jan's army, and with having failed to fulfil +their engagement to keep me in communication with Baker. They +declared they had been misinformed themselves, and were powerless in +the matter. It was difficult to believe that this was the case, and I +was unwillingly forced to the conclusion that not a single Afghan +could be trusted, however profuse he might be in his assurances of +fidelity, and that we must depend entirely on our own resources for +intelligence.</p> +<p> +I waited at Deh-i-Mazang until Macpherson arrived, and thus did +not get back to Sherpur till after dark. I was gratified on my arrival +there to find that Hugh Gough had made every arrangement that +could be desired for the defence of the cantonment, and that by his own +cool and confident bearing he had kept the troops calm and steady, +notwithstanding the untoward appearance of some fugitives from the +field of battle, whose only too evident state of alarm might otherwise +have caused a panic.</p> +<p> +For the safety of Sherpur I never for one moment had the smallest +apprehension during that eventful day. It was, I believe, thought by +some that if Mahomed Jan, instead of trying for the city, had made for +the cantonment, it would have fallen into his hands; but they were +altogether wrong, for there were a sufficient number of men within the +walls to have prevented such a catastrophe had Mahomed Jan been in +a position to make an attack; but this, with Macpherson's brigade <span class="page"><a name="440">[Page 440]</a></span> +immediately in his rear, he could never have dreamt of attempting.</p> +<p> +The city of Kabul remained perfectly quiet while all the excitement I +have described was going on outside. Hills, with a few Sikhs, patrolled +the principal streets, and even when the Afghan standard appeared on +the Takht-i-Shah there was no sign of disturbance. Nevertheless, I +thought it would be wise to withdraw from the city; I could not tell +how long the people would remain well disposed, or whether they +would assist us to keep the enemy out. I therefore directed Hills to +come away and make over his charge to an influential Kizilbash named +Futteh Khan. I also telegraphed to General Bright at Jalalabad to +reinforce Gandamak by a sufficient number of troops to hold that post +in case it should be necessary to order Brigadier-General Charles +Gough, who was then occupying it, to move his brigade nearer to Kabul; +for I felt sure that, unless I could succeed in driving Mahomed Jan +out of the neighbourhood of Kabul, excitement would certainly spread +along my line of communication. I concluded my message to Bright +thus: 'If the wire should be cut, consider it a bad sign, and push on to +Gandamak, sending Gough's Brigade towards Kabul.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Melancholy Reflections</span> +I could not help feeling somewhat depressed at the turn things had +taken. I had no news from Baker, and we had undoubtedly suffered +a reverse, which I knew only too well would give confidence to the +Afghans, who, from the footing they had now gained on the heights +above Kabul, threatened the Bala Hissar, which place, stored as it +was with powder and other material of war, I had found it necessary +to continue to occupy. Nevertheless, reviewing the incidents of the +11th December, as I have frequently done since, with all the concomitant +circumstances deeply impressed on my memory, I have +failed to discover that any disposition of my force different from that +I made could have had better results, or that what did occur could +have been averted by greater forethought or more careful calculation +on my part. Two deviations from my programme (which probably at +the time appeared unimportant to the Commanders in question) were +the principal factors in bringing about the unfortunate occurrences of +that day. Had Macpherson marched at 7 a.m. instead of 8, and had +Massy followed the route I had arranged for him to take, Mahomed +Jan must have fallen into the trap I had prepared for him.</p> +<p> +Our casualties on the 11th were—killed, 4 British officers, 16 British +and 9 Native rank and file; wounded, 4 British officers, 1 Native +officer, 20 British and 10 Native rank and file.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map6">[map 6]</a></span> + + <p class="center"> + <span class="left">Click map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map6kabul-1600.jpg"><img src="images/map6kabul-600.jpg" width="600" height="353" alt="Map of the Chardeh Valley, Kabul, and the Bala Hissar." border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>Map of the CHARDEH VALLEY, KABUL, and the BALA HISSAR.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From a drawing by C.H.Manners Smith, Lieut. D.A.Q.M.G.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="441">[Page 441]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LVI">LVI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +On the morning of the 12th I was cheered by hearing that the Guides +had arrived during the night under the command of Colonel P. Jenkins—a +most welcome reinforcement, for I knew how thoroughly to be +depended upon was every man in that distinguished corps.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Attack on the Takht-i-Shah</span> +The first thing now to be done was to endeavour to drive the Afghans +from the crest of the Takht-i-Shah; and I directed Macpherson, as +soon as his men had breakfasted, to attack the position from Deh-i-Mazang. +Just then my mind was considerably relieved by a heliogram +from Baker informing me that he was on his way back to Kabul. +The message was despatched from near Kila Kazi, within four miles of +which place Baker had encamped on the afternoon of the previous day.</p> +<p> +Macpherson deputed the task of trying to dislodge the enemy to +Lieutenant-Colonel Money, of the 3rd Sikhs, with a detachment consisting +of 2 Mountain guns and 560 British and Native Infantry.</p> +<p> +It was a most formidable position to attack. The slopes leading up +to it were covered with huge masses of jagged rock, intersected by +perpendicular cliffs, and its natural great strength was increased by +breastworks, and stockades thrown up at different points.</p> +<p> +After a gallant and persistent attempt had been made, I ordered the +assault to be deferred; for I perceived that the enemy were being +reinforced from their rear, and to ensure success without great loss, it +would be necessary to attack them in rear as well as in the front. The +arrival of Baker's brigade made it possible to do this. I therefore +ordered Macpherson to hold the ground of which he had gained possession +until Baker could co-operate with him next morning from the Beni +Hissar side.</p> +<p> +During the night Mahomed Jan, who had been joined by several +thousands from Logar and Wardak, occupied the villages situated +between Beni Hissar and the Bala Hissar and along the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> +road. Baker, who started at 8 a.m. on the <a name="LVI1r">13th</a>,<a href="#LVI1"><sup>1</sup></a> had, +therefore, in the first place, to gain the high ground above these +villages, and, while holding the point over-looking Beni Hissar, to +wheel to his right and move towards the Takht-i-Shah.</p> +<p> +When he had proceeded some little distance, his advance guard +reported that large bodies of the enemy were moving up the slope of +the ridge from the villages near Beni Hissar. To check this movement, +and prevent the already very difficult Afghan position being still further +strengthened, Major White, who was in command of the leading +portion of the attacking party, turned and made for the nearest point<span class="page"><a name="442">[Page 442]</a></span> +on the ridge. It was now a race between the Highlanders and the +Afghans as to who should gain the crest of the ridge first. The +Artillery came into action at a range of 1,200 yards, and under cover +of their fire the 92nd, supported by the Guides, rushed up the steep +slopes. They were met by a furious onslaught, and a desperate conflict +took place. The leading officer, Lieutenant Forbes, a lad of great +promise, was killed, and Colour-Sergeant Drummond fell by his side. +For a moment even the brave Highlanders were staggered by the +numbers and fury of their antagonists, but only for a moment. Lieutenant +Dick <a name="LVI2r">Cunyngham</a><a href="#LVI2"><sup>2</sup></a> sprang forward to cheer them on, and confidence +was restored. With a wild shout the Highlanders threw themselves +on the Afghans, and quickly succeeded in driving them down +the further side of the ridge.</p> +<p> +By this successful movement the enemy's line was cut in two, and +while the Cavalry and a party of the 3rd Sikhs prevented their rallying +in the direction of Beni Hissar, the 92nd and Guides, protected by the +Mountain guns, which had been got on to the ridge, and the Field +Artillery from below, advanced towards the Takht-i-Shah. The +Afghans disputed every inch of the way, but by 11.30 a.m. White's +men had reached the foot of the craggy eminence which formed the +enemy's main position. They were here joined by some of the 72nd +Highlanders, 3rd Sikhs, and 5th Gurkhas, under the command of +Lieutenant-Colonel Money, who had fought their way from the upper +Bala Hissar.</p> +<p> +A brilliant charge by the combined troops now took place, the two +Highlands corps vying with each other for the honour of reaching the +summit first. It fell to the 72nd, Colour-Sergeant <a name="LVI3r">Yule</a><a href="#LVI3"><sup>3</sup></a> of that +regiment being the foremost man on the top. The enemy made a +most determined stand, and it was only after a severe struggle and +heavy loss that they were driven off the heights.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">City people join the tribesmen</span> +From my position at Sherpur I had the satisfaction of witnessing +this success. This satisfaction, however, was short-lived, for almost +immediately I received a report from the city that the inhabitants had +joined the tribesmen, and that the cantonment was being threatened; +indeed, I could see large bodies of armed men emerging from the city +and moving towards Siah Sang, whence the road between the Bala +Hissar and Sherpur would be commanded.</p> +<p> +Having only too evidently lost control over the city, the value of +Deh-i-Mazang was gone, so I ordered Macpherson to abandon it and +move to the Shahr-i-Darwaza heights, taking with him six companies +of the 67th Foot for the protection of the Bala Hissar, to which it was +desirable to hold on as long as possible. The remainder of his troops<span class="page"><a name="443">[Page 443]</a></span> +I ordered to be sent to Sherpur. To Baker I signalled to leave a party +on the Takht-i-Shah under Lieutenant-Colonel Money, and to move +himself towards the cantonment with the rest of his troops, driving +the enemy off the Siah Sang on the way.</p> +<p> +But from his point of vantage on the heights Baker could see, what +I could not, that the Afghans had occupied two strongly fortified +villages between Siah Sang and the Bala Hissar, from which it was +necessary to dislodge them in the first instance, and for this service he +detached the 5th Punjab Infantry and a battery of Artillery. It was +carried out in a masterly manner by Major Pratt, who soon gained +possession of one village. The other, however, was resolutely held, +and the Artillery failing to effect a breach, the gates were set on fire; +but even then a satisfactory opening was not made, and the place was +eventually captured by means of scaling-ladders hastily made of poles +tied together with the Native soldiers' turbans.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Capture of Siah Sang</span> +Baker was now able to turn his attention to Siah Sang, so I despatched +the Cavalry under Massy, to act with him when a signal +success was achieved. The enemy fought stubbornly, but were at last +driven off. The 5th Punjab Cavalry, led by Lieutenant-Colonel +Williams and Major Hammond, greatly distinguished themselves, and +a grand charge was made by the Guides and 9th Lancers, in which +Captain Butson, of the latter regiment, was killed, also the troop +Sergeant-Major and 3 men; and Captain <a name="LVI4r">Chisholme</a>,<a href="#LVI4"><sup>4</sup></a> Lieutenant +Trower, and 8 men were wounded.</p> +<p> +This ended the operations on the 13th. Our losses during the day +were: killed, 2 British officers and 12 men; wounded, 2 British officers +and 43 men, British and Native.</p> +<p> +I was in great hopes that our successes and the heavy losses the +enemy had sustained would result in the breaking up of the combination +against us; but in case these hopes should not be realized, I +decided to do away with some of the smaller posts on the line of communication, +and order up more troops. Accordingly, I telegraphed to +General Bright to send on Charles Gough's brigade, and I directed the +detachment at Butkhak to return to Kabul, and that at Seh Baba to +fall back on Lataband. Having great confidence in its Commander, +Colonel Hudson, I determined to hold on to Lataband for a time, +though by so doing the numbers I might otherwise have had at +Sherpur were considerably diminished. Lataband was the most important +link in the chain of communication between Kabul and Jalalabad; +it was in direct heliographic connexion with Kabul; it had +sufficient ammunition and supplies to last over the date on which +Gough should arrive at Sherpur, and its being held would be a check +on the Ghilzais, and prevent his encountering any serious opposition.<span class="page"><a name="444">[Page 444]</a></span> +At the same time, I could not disguise from myself that there was a +certain amount of risk attached to leaving so small a garrison in this +somewhat isolated position.</p> +<p> +The night of the 13th passed quietly, but when day dawned on the +14th crowds of armed men, with numerous standards, could be seen +occupying a hill on the Kohistan road; and as day advanced they +proceeded in vast numbers to the Asmai heights, where they were +joined by swarms from the city and the Chardeh valley. It then +became apparent that the combination was much more formidable +than I had imagined, and that the numbers of the enemy now in +opposition to us were far greater than I had dreamt was possible. +Foiled in their attempt to close in upon us from the south and west, +the tribesmen had concentrated to the north, and it was evident they +were preparing to deliver an attack in great strength from that quarter. +I quickly decided to drive the enemy off the Asmai heights, to cut +their communication with Kohistan, and to operate towards the north, +much as I had operated the previous day to the south of Sherpur.</p> +<p> +At 9 a.m. I despatched Brigadier General Baker to the eastern slope +of the Asmai range with the following troops: 4 guns, Field Artillery; +4 guns, Mountain Artillery; 14th Bengal Lancers; 72nd Highlanders +(192 rifles); 92nd Highlanders (100 rifles); Guides Infantry (460 +rifles); and 5th Punjab Infantry (470 rifles).</p> +<p> +Covered by the fire of his Artillery, Baker seized the conical hill +which formed the northern boundary of the Aliabad Kotal, thus +placing himself on the enemy's line of communication, and preventing +them from being reinforced. He then proceeded to attack the +Asmai heights, leaving 2 Mountain guns, 64 men of the 72nd, and +60 Guides, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.H. Clarke, +to hold the hill.</p> +<p> +To aid Baker in his difficult task, I brought four guns into action +near the north-west corner of the cantonment, and I signalled to Macpherson +to give him every possible assistance. Macpherson at once +sent the 67th across the Kabul river to threaten the enemy's left rear; +while the marksmen of the regiment and the Mountain guns opened +fire from the northern slope of the Bala Hissar heights.</p> +<p> +The enemy fought with the greatest obstinacy, but eventually our +troops reached the top of the hill, where, on the highest point, a +number of <i>ghazis</i> had taken their stand, determined to sell their lives +dearly.</p> +<p> +All this I eagerly watched from my place of observation. There +was a fierce struggle, and then, to my intense relief, I saw our men on +the topmost pinnacle, and I knew the position was gained.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Increasing numbers of the enemy</span> +It was now a little past noon, and I was becoming anxious about the +party left on the conical hill, as Macpherson had heliographed that +very large bodies of Afghans were moving northwards from Indiki,<span class="page"><a name="445">[Page 445]</a></span> +with the intention, apparently, of effecting a junction with the tribesmen +who were occupying the hills in the Kohistan direction. I +therefore signalled to Baker to leave the 67th in charge of the Asmai +heights, and himself return to the lower ridge, giving him my +reasons.</p> +<p> +Baker at once despatched a detachment of the 5th Punjab Infantry, +under Captain Hall, to reinforce Clarke, who I could see might soon +be hard pressed, and I sent 200 rifles of the 3rd Sikhs (the only troops +available at the moment) to his assistance.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Loss of the Conical Hill</span> +I watched what was taking place on the conical hill through my +telescope, and was startled to perceive that the enemy were, unnoticed +by him, creeping close up to Clarke's position. I could just see a long +Afghan knife appear above the ridge, steadily mounting higher and +higher, the bearer of which was being concealed by the contour of the +hill, and I knew it was only one of the many weapons which were +being carried by our enemies to the attack. The reinforcements were +still some distance off, and my heart sank within me, for I felt +convinced that after our recent victories the Afghans would never +venture to cross the open and attack British soldiers unless an +overwhelming superiority of numbers made success appear to them a +certainty. Next I heard the boom of guns and the rattle of musketry, +and a minute or two later (which, in my anxiety, seemed an eternity +to me), I only too plainly saw our men retreating down the hill, +closely followed by the enemy. The retirement was being conducted +steadily and slowly, but from that moment I realized, what is hard for +a British soldier, how much harder for a British commander, to +realize, that we were over-matched, and that we could not hold our +ground.</p> +<p> +<a name="LVI5r">Clarke</a>,<a href="#LVI5"><sup>5</sup></a> as well as every man with him, fought splendidly; the +Afghans by force of numbers alone made themselves masters of the +position and captured two <a name="LVI6r">guns</a>.<a href="#LVI6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +While all that I have described was going on, the enemy began to <span class="page"><a name="446">[Page 446]</a></span> +collect again on Siah Sang, and to make their way round the eastern +flank of the cantonment towards Kohistan.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Captain Vousden's Gallantry</span> +I had sent orders in the morning to Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, +who was quartered with his regiment (the 5th Punjab Cavalry) in the +King's Garden, between Sherpur and the city, to be on the look-out, +and not to allow any of the enemy to pass in that direction. About +1 p.m. some 400 Afghans were observed moving along the left bank of +the river: these were met by Captain Vousden of the same regiment, +who with one troop was employed in reconnoitring; he most gallantly +charged in amongst them with only twelve of his men, the remainder +being effectually stopped by a heavy fire opened upon them from +behind a low wall. Vousden succeeded in dispersing these heavy +odds, and in inflicting severe loss upon them—a very brilliant service, +for which he received the Victoria Cross.</p> +<p> +My object throughout these operations had been, as I hope I have +made clear, to break up the combination by dealing with the enemy in +detail, and preventing them getting possession of the city and the Bala +Hissar.</p> +<p> +Up till noon on the 14th I had no idea of the extraordinary numbers +they were able to bring together, and I had no reason to believe that +it would be possible for them to cope with disciplined troops; but the +manner in which the conical hill had been retaken gave me a more +correct idea of their strength and determination, and shook my confidence +in the ability of my comparatively small force to resist the +ever-increasing hordes, on ground which gave every advantage to +numerical superiority. It was a bitter thought that it might be my +duty to retire for a time within the defences of Sherpur, a measure +which would involve the abandonment of the city and the Bala Hissar, +and which I knew, moreover, would give heart to the tribesmen.</p> +<p> +I had to decide at once on the course I ought to pursue, for, if I +continued to act on the defensive, food and ammunition must be sent +before dark to Macpherson's brigade, occupying the hills above the city, +and arrangements must be made for Baker's retention of the Asmai +heights. I heliographed to Macpherson to inquire the direction in +which the enemy were moving, and whether their numbers were still +increasing. He replied that large masses were steadily advancing from +north, south, and west, and that their numbers were momentarily +becoming greater, to which the young officer in charge of the signalling +station added, 'The crowds of Afghans in the Chardeh valley remind +me of Epsom on the Derby day.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The retirement to Sherpur</span> +This decided me; I determined to withdraw from all isolated +positions, and concentrate my force at Sherpur, thereby securing the +safety of the cantonment and avoiding what had now become a useless +sacrifice of life. I only too thoroughly recognized the evils of the +measure, but I considered that no other course would be justifiable,<span class="page"><a name="447">[Page 447]</a></span> +and that I must act for the present entirely on the defensive, and +wait until the growing confidence of the enemy should afford me a +favourable opportunity for attacking them, or until reinforcements +could arrive.</p> +<p> +The inevitable order reached the two Generals at 2 p.m., and the +retirement was begun at once. The Afghans speedily discovered the +retrograde movement, and no sooner had each post in its turn been +evacuated than it was occupied by the enemy, who pressed our troops +the whole way back to the cantonment. There was hand-to-hand +fighting, and many splendid acts of courage were performed, Major +Hammond, of the Guides, earning the Victoria Cross; but throughout +there was no hurry or confusion, all was conducted with admirable +coolness and skill, and shortly after dark the troops and baggage were +safe inside Sherpur. That night the Afghans occupied the city and +the Bala Hissar.</p> +<p> +It is comparatively easy for a small body of well-trained soldiers, +such as those of which the army in India is composed, to act on the +offensive against Asiatics, however powerful they may be in point of +numbers. There is something in the determined advance of a compact, +disciplined body of troops which they can seldom resist. But a retirement +is a different matter. They become full of confidence and valour +the moment they see any signs of their opponents being unable to +resist them, and if there is the smallest symptom of unsteadiness, +wavering, or confusion, a disaster is certain to occur. It may be +imagined, therefore, with what intense anxiety I watched for hours the +withdrawal. The ground was all in favour of the Afghans, who, unimpeded +by impedimenta of any kind, swarmed down upon the mere +handful of men retreating before them, shouting cries of victory and +brandishing their long knives; but our brave men, inspired by the +undaunted bearing of their officers, were absolutely steady. They +took up position after position with perfect coolness; every movement +was carried out with as much precision as if they were manœuvring on +an ordinary field-day; and the killed and wounded were brought away +without the slightest hurry or confusion. In fact, the whole of the +hazardous operation was most successfully and admirably carried out; +and as each regiment and detachment filed through the Head-Quarters +gateway I was able to offer my warm congratulations and heartfelt +thanks to my gallant comrades.</p> +<p> +Our losses during the day were: 19 killed, including Captain Spens +and Lieutenant Gaisford, 72nd Highlanders, and 88 wounded, amongst +whom were Captain Gordon, 92nd Highlanders, Lieutenant Egerton, +72nd Highlanders, and Captain Battye, of the <a name="LVI7r">Guides</a>.<a href="#LVI7"><sup>7</sup></a></p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="448">[Page 448]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LVII">LVII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p> +The moment the gates were closed I telegraphed the result of the day's +operations to the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief, for I knew that the +enemy's first thought would be to stop communication with India by +cutting the telegraph-wires. I reported that I had ordered Brigadier-General +Charles Gough's brigade to push on from Gandamak as fast +as possible; and I recommended that General Bright should have more +troops sent up to him, to allow of his keeping open the route to Kabul, +and of his reinforcing me should I find it impossible to clear the +country with the force at my disposal. It was a satisfaction to be able +to assure the authorities in these, to me, otherwise painful telegrams, +that there was no cause for anxiety as to the safety of the troops; that +sufficient supplies for men were stored in Sherpur for nearly four +months, and for animals for six weeks; that there was abundance of +firewood, medicines, and hospital comforts, and sufficient ammunition +both for guns and rifles to admit of an active resistance being carried +on for between three and four months.</p> +<p> +It was fortunate there was no lack of provisions, for our numbers +were considerably increased by the presence of Wali Mahomed Khan +and many other Sirdars, who begged for shelter in Sherpur, on the plea +that their lives would not be safe were they to return to the city. They +were far from being welcome guests, for I could not trust them; +ostensibly, however, they were our friends, and I could not refuse +their petition. I therefore admitted them, on condition that each +Sirdar should only be accompanied by a specified number of followers.</p> +<p> +The stormy occurrences of the 14th were succeeded by a period of +comparative calm, during which the entrenchments were strengthened, +and the heavy guns found in the Kabul arsenal were prepared for +service.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sherpur</span> +The great drawback to Sherpur, as I have already mentioned, was +its extent and the impossibility of reducing the line of defences owing +to the length of the Bimaru ridge. The cantonment was in the form +of a parallelogram, with the Bimaru heights running along, and protecting, +the northern side. Between this range and the hills, which +form the southern boundary of Kohistan, lay a lake, or rather <i>jhil</i>, a +barrier between which and the commanding Bimaru ridge no enemy +would dare to advance.</p> +<p> +The massive wall on the south and west faces was twenty feet high, +covered at a distance of thirty feet by a lower wall fifteen feet high; +the southern wall was pierced at intervals of about 700 yards by gateways, +three in number, protected by lofty circular bastions, and between<span class="page"><a name="449">[Page 449]</a></span> +these and at the four corners were a series of low bastions +which gave an admirable flanking fire. The wall on the western flank +was of similar construction, but had been considerably damaged at the +northern end, evidently by an explosion of gunpowder.</p> +<p> +The weak part of our defence was on the eastern face, where the +wall, which had never been completed, was only seven feet high, and +did not extend for more than 700 yards from the south-east corner; the +line then ran to the north-west, and, skirting the village of Bimaru, +ended at the foot of the ridge.</p> +<p> +From this description it will be seen that, though the <a name="LVII1r">perimeter</a><a href="#LVII1"><sup>1</sup></a> of +Sherpur was rather too large for a force of 7,000 effective men to defend, +its powers of resistance, both natural and artificial, were considerable. +It was absolutely necessary to hold the Bimaru ridge for its +entire length; to have given up any part of it would have been to +repeat the mistake which proved so disastrous to Elphinstone's army +in 1841. In fact, the Bimaru heights were at once the strength and +the weakness of the position. So long as we could hold the heights we +were safe from attack from the north; but if we had been forced, +either from the weakness of our own garrison, or from any other cause, +to relinquish the command of this natural barrier, the whole of the +cantonment must have lain open to the enemy, and must forthwith +have become untenable.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Defence of Sherpur</span> +The question of how Sherpur could best be defended had been carefully +considered by a <a name="LVII2r">committee</a>,<a href="#LVII2"><sup>2</sup></a> assembled by my orders soon after +our arrival in Kabul; and a scheme had been drawn up detailing the +measures which should be adopted in case of attack.</p> +<p> +On the recommendation of this committee six towers had been constructed +on the Bimaru heights, and shelter trenches and gunpits made +at the points where Infantry and Artillery fire could be used with the +greatest advantage. These trenches were now deepened and prolonged, +so as to form one continuous line of defence, protected by an +abattis; and the defences in the depression between the heights were +so arranged that fire could be brought to bear on an enemy advancing +from the north. To strengthen the north-east corner, a battery was +thrown up on the slope of the ridge, which was connected with the +tower above and the village below. The village itself was loop-holed, +the outlying buildings to the front made defensible, and the open space +to the north-east secured by abattis and wire entanglements. The +Native Field Hospital was strengthened in like manner, and sand-bag +parapets were piled upon the roof, which was somewhat exposed.</p> +<p> +The unfinished wall on the eastern face was raised by logs of wood,<span class="page"><a name="450">[Page 450]</a></span> +and abattis and wire entanglements were placed in front. In the open +space lying between the Bimaru ridge and the north-west circular +bastion, a defence on the <i>laager</i> system was constructed out of gun-carriages +and limbers captured from the enemy; while the village of +Ghulam Hasan Khan, which formed an excellent flanking defence +along the northern and western faces, was held as an independent +post.</p> +<p> +I divided the whole of the defences into five sections, under the +superintendence of five different commanders: Brigadier-General Macpherson, +Colonel Jenkins, Brigadier-General Hugh Gough, Major-General +Hills, and Colonel Brownlow. Brigadier-General Massy was +given the centre of the cantonment, where were collected the forage +and firewood; and Brigadier-General Baker commanded the reserve, +which was formed up at the depression in the Bimaru heights mentioned +above, that he might be able to move rapidly to either end of the +ridge, the weakest points in our defences.</p> +<p> +The several sections were connected with each other and with my +Head-Quarters by a telegraph-wire, and visual signalling was established +at all important points.</p> +<p> +In my arrangements for the defence of Sherpur I relied to a great +extent on the advice of my accomplished Chief Engineer, Colonel +Æneas Perkins, and it was mainly owing to him, and to the exertions +of his competent staff, that the work was carried on as rapidly and +satisfactorily as it was.</p> +<p> +During these days of preparation the enemy remained comparatively +inactive, being chiefly employed in looting the city and emptying the +Amir's arsenal. The gunpowder had been destroyed as far as possible; +but a great deal still remained, and many tons of it were carried off by +the army of Mahomed Jan, who had now become the practical leader +of the Afghan combination, and had lately proclaimed Yakub Khan's +eldest son, Musa Khan, Amir.</p> +<p> +On the afternoon of the 16th I received the welcome news that +Colonel Hudson had successfully resisted an attack on his position by +the Ghilzais—welcome because I could now feel assured that Lataband +could be depended upon to hold its own.</p> +<p> +For the next five days nothing of much importance was done on +either side. The enemy took up positions daily in the neighbouring +forts and gardens, causing a few casualties, and some of our troops +moved out to dislodge them from those places from which they could +specially annoy us. I destroyed some of the forts, and removed other +cover in the immediate vicinity of the walls; but I did not undertake +any large sorties, for to have attempted to drive the enemy out of the +outlying posts, which I could not then have held, would have been a +useless waste of strength.</p> +<p> +My chief trouble at this time was the presence of the Afghan Sirdars <span class="page"><a name="451">[Page 451]</a></span> +within the cantonment. I had good reason to believe that some of +them, though full of protestations of friendship, had been in communication +with Mahomed Jan, the high-priest Mushk-i-Alam, and +other Afghan leaders, so that I felt sure that neither they nor their +followers were to be depended upon. I was also somewhat anxious +about the Pathan soldiers in our ranks, a feeling which I was unwilling +to acknowledge even to myself, for they had hitherto behaved with +marked loyalty, and done splendid service; but they were now being +exposed to a most severe trial, in that they were, as I knew, being constantly +appealed to by their co-religionists to join in the <i>jahad</i> against +us, and bitterly reproached for serving their infidel masters. Whether +they would be strong enough to resist such appeals, it was impossible +to tell; but it would have been most unwise, as well as most painful to +me, to show the slightest suspicion of these fine soldiers. It happened +that the Corps of Guides and 5th Punjab Infantry, which had of all +regiments the largest number of Mahomedans amongst them, were +located at the two extremities of the Bimaru range, the points most +likely to be attacked; to have made any change in the disposition +would have been to show that they were suspected, so I determined +(after taking their commanding officers, Colonels Jenkins and +McQueen, into my confidence) to leave them where they were, and +merely to strengthen each post by a couple of companies of Highlanders.</p> +<p> +I was also considerably exercised about the safety of the large stacks +of firewood, grain, and forage, for if anything had happened to them +we could not have continued to hold Sherpur. There were not enough +British soldiers to furnish guards for these stacks, so I was obliged to +have them watched for a time by officers; an opportune fall of snow, +however, on the night of the 18th, rendered incendiarism impossible.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Arrest of Daud Shah</span> +One other extremely unpleasant precaution I felt it my duty to take +was the placing of Daud Shah, Yakub Khan's Commander-in-Chief, +under arrest. I liked the man, and he had mixed freely with us all for +more than two months. He was not, however, absolutely above +suspicion: some of his near relatives were the most prominent amongst +our enemies; and I had been struck by a change in his manner +towards me of late. In trusting him to the extent I had done, I acted +against the opinion of almost everyone about me, and now that I had +a doubt myself, I felt I was not justified in leaving him at liberty, for +if he were disposed to make use of his opportunities to our disadvantage, +his unrestrained freedom of movement and observation would be +certainly a source of great danger.</p> +<p> +For three or four days cloudy weather prevented heliograph communication +with Lataband, and messengers sent by Hudson had failed +to reach Sherpur, so that we were without any news from the outer +world; but on the afternoon of the 18th I received a letter from <span class="page"><a name="452">[Page 452]</a></span> +Brigadier-General Charles Gough, conveying the disappointing intelligence +that he had only got as far as Jagdalak, twenty-one miles from +Gandamak, and that he did not consider himself strong enough to +advance on Kabul.</p> +<p> +Gough no doubt felt himself in an awkward position. The line to +his rear was weakly held, the telegraph-wire on both sides of him was +cut, his rear guard had been attacked near Jagdalak, there was a considerable +collection of men on the hills to his front, and, as he reported, +'the whole country was up.' Moreover, Major-General Bright, under +whom Gough was immediately serving, shared his opinion that it +would be wiser for him to wait until reinforcements came up from the +rear.</p> +<p> +Gough, however, had with him 4 Mountain guns and 125 Artillerymen, +73 Sappers and Miners, 222 Native Cavalry, 487 British Infantry, and +474 Gurkhas; in all, 1,381 men, besides 36 officers—not a very large +force, but composed of excellent material, and large enough, I considered, +augmented, as it would be, by the Lataband detachment, to +move safely on Kabul. I had no hesitation, therefore, in sending +Gough peremptory orders to advance without delay, thus relieving him +of all responsibility in the event of anything unexpected occurring.</p> +<p> +Hudson, at Lataband, as has already been recorded, was only +victualled until the 23rd, before which date I had calculated that +Gough would surely have relieved the garrison and brought the troops +away. But now all was uncertain, and it was incumbent upon me to +send them food. The difficulty as to how to get supplies to Lataband +was solved by some Hazaras, who had been working in our camp for +several weeks, volunteering to convey what was necessary, and it was +arranged that the provisions should be sent with two parties, one on +the 19th, the other on the 20th. The first got through safely, but the +second almost entirely fell into the hands of the enemy.</p> +<p> +On the 21st a heliogram from Hudson informed me that Gough's +brigade was expected the next day; but as it had been found necessary +to drop his Cavalry at the several posts he passed on the way for their +better protection, I deemed it expedient to send him the 12th Bengal +Cavalry, for he had to pass through some fairly open country near +Butkhak, where they might possibly be of use to him. Accordingly, +they started at 3 a.m. on the 22nd, with instructions to halt at +Butkhak should that post be unoccupied, otherwise to push on to +Lataband.</p> +<p> +Finding the former place in possession of the Afghans, Major +Green, who was in command of the regiment, made for the further +post, where he arrived with the loss of only three men killed and +three wounded.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Rumours of an assault</span> +It was not easy to get reliable information as to the movements or +intentions of the enemy while we were surrounded in Sherpur; but <span class="page"><a name="453">[Page 453]</a></span> +from spies who managed to pass to and from the city under cover of +night, I gathered that plans were being made to attack us.</p> +<p> +It was not, however, until the 21st that there were any very great +signs of activity. On that and the following day the several posts to +the east of the cantonment were occupied preparatory to an attack +from that quarter; and I was told that numbers of scaling-ladders +were being constructed. This looked like business. Next, information +was brought in that, in all the mosques, mullas were making frantic +appeals to the people to unite in one final effort to exterminate the +infidel; and that the aged Mushk-i-Alam was doing all in his power to +fan the flame of fanaticism, promising to light with his own hand at +dawn on the 23rd (the last day of the <i>Moharram</i>, when religious +exaltation amongst Mahomedans is at its height) the beacon-fire which +was to be the signal for assault.</p> +<p> +The night of the 22nd was undisturbed, save by the songs and cries +of the Afghans outside the walls, but just before day the flames of the +signal-fire, shooting upwards from the topmost crag of the Asmai +range, were plainly to be seen, followed on the instant by a burst of +firing.</p> +<p> +Our troops were already under arms and at their posts, waiting for +the assault, which commenced with heavy firing against the eastern +and southern faces. The most determined attack was directed against +the two sections commanded by Brigadier-General Hugh Gough and +Colonel Jenkins, who by their able dispositions proved themselves +worthy of the confidence I had reposed in them.</p> +<p> +It was too dark at first to see anything in front of the walls, and +orders were given to reserve fire until the advancing masses of the +assailants could be clearly made out. Gough's Mountain guns, under +Lieutenant Sherries, then fired star-shells, which disclosed the +attacking force up to a thousand yards off. The 28th Punjab +Infantry were the first to open fire; then the Guides, the 67th, and +92nd, each in their turn, greeted by their volleys the <i>ghazis</i> who +approached close to the walls. Guns from every battery opened on +the foe moving forward to the attack, and from 7 to 10 a.m. the fight +was carried on. Repeated attempts were made to scale the south-eastern +wall, and many times the enemy got up as far as the abattis, +but were repulsed, heaps of dead marking the spots where these +attempts had been most <a name="LVII3r">persistent</a>.<a href="#LVII3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Attack and counter-attack</span> +Soon after 10 a.m. there was a slight lull in the fighting, leading us <span class="page"><a name="454">[Page 454]</a></span> +to believe that the Afghans were recoiling before the breechloaders. +An hour later, however, the assault grew hot as ever, and finding we +could not drive the enemy back by any fire which could be brought +against them from the defences, I resolved to attack them in flank. +Accordingly, I directed Major Craster, with four Field Artillery guns, +and Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, with the 5th Punjab Cavalry, to +move out over the hollow in the Bimaru range and open fire on a +body of the enemy collected in and around the village of Kurja Kila. +This fire had the desired effect; the Afghans wavered and broke.</p> +<p> +From that moment the attacking force appeared to lose heart, the +assault was no longer prosecuted with the same vigour, and by 1 p.m. +it had ceased altogether, and the enemy were in full flight.</p> +<p> +This was the Cavalry's opportunity. I ordered Massy to follow in +pursuit with every available man, and before nightfall all the open +ground in the neighbourhood of Sherpur was cleared of the enemy. +Simultaneously with the movement of the Cavalry, a party was +despatched to destroy some villages near the southern wall which had +caused us much trouble, and whence it was necessary the enemy +should be driven, to facilitate the entrance of Brigadier-General +Charles Gough the next day, for that officer had arrived with his +brigade within about six miles of Sherpur, where I could see his tents, +and gathered from the fact of his pitching them that he meant to halt +there for the night. The villages were found to be occupied by <i>ghazis</i>, +who refused to surrender, preferring to remain and perish in the +buildings, which were then blown up. Two gallant Engineer officers +(Captain Dundas, V.C., and Lieutenant C. Nugent) were most unfortunately +killed in carrying out this duty.</p> +<p> +The relief I felt when I had gathered my force inside the walls of +Sherpur on the evening of the 14th December was small compared to +that which I experienced on the morning of the 24th, when I realized +that not only had the assault been abandoned, but that the great +tribal combination had dissolved, and that not a man of the many +thousands who had been opposed to us the previous day remained in +any of the villages, or on the surrounding hills. It was difficult to +form an accurate estimate of the numbers opposed to us. As the +Contingent from the more distant districts advanced, they received +accessions from every place they passed, and as they neared Kabul +they were joined by the inhabitants of the numerous villages, and by +the disaffected in the city. It was calculated by those best able to +judge that the combined forces exceeded 100,000, and I myself do not +think that an excessive computation.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map7">[map 7]</a></span> + + <p class="center"> + <span class="left">Click map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map7defencessherpurkabul-1600.jpg"><img src="images/map7defencessherpurkabul-600.jpg" width="600" height="348" alt="Defences of Sherpur" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE THE DEFENCES OF SHERPUR AND THE OPERATIONS ROUND KABUL <br />12th to 23rd December, 1879.</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> +<p> +Our casualties between the 15th and the 23rd were remarkably few: <span class="page"><a name="455">[Page 455]</a></span> +2 officers, 9 men, and 7 followers killed, and 5 officers, 41 men, and +22 followers wounded; while the enemy lost not less than 3,000.</p> +<p> +I think I had great reason to be proud of my force. All night and +every night, the ground covered with snow and the thermometer +marking sixteen degrees of frost, officers and men were at their posts, +and each day every available man had to be hard at work strengthening +the defences. Native and European soldiers alike bore the hardships +and exposure with the utmost cheerfulness, and in perfect confidence +that, when the assault should take place, victory would be ours.</p> +<p> +Early on the 24th the fort of Mahomed Sharif was occupied, and a +force moved out to escort Charles Gough's brigade into Sherpur, a +precaution which, however, was hardly necessary, as there was no +enemy to be seen.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Communication with India Re-opened</span> +I next set to work to re-open communication with India, Butkhak +was re-occupied, and the relaying of the telegraph was taken in hand. +General Hills resumed his position as military Governor of Kabul; the +dispensary and hospital were re-established in the city under the +energetic and intelligent guidance of Surgeon-Captain <a name="LVII4r">Owen</a>;<a href="#LVII4"><sup>4</sup></a> and in +the hope of reassuring the people, I issued the following Proclamation:</p> + +<p class="quote6"> +'At the instigation of some seditious men, the ignorant people, generally +not considering the result, raised a rebellion. Now many of the insurgents +have received their reward, and as subjects are a trust from God, the British +Government, which is just and merciful, as well as strong, has forgiven their +guilt. It is now proclaimed that all who come in without delay will be +pardoned, excepting only Mahomed Jan of Wardak, Mir Bacha of Kohistan, +Samandar Khan of Logar, Ghulam Hyder of Chardeh, and the murderers of +Sirdar Mahomed Hassan Khan. Come and make your submission without +fear, of whatsoever tribe you may be. You can then remain in your houses +in comfort and safety, and no harm will befall you. The British Government +has no enmity towards the people. Anyone who rebels again will, of course, +be punished. This condition is necessary. But all who come in without +delay need have no fear or suspicion. The British Government speaks only +that which is in its heart.'</p> +<p> +The effect of this Proclamation was most satisfactory: the city and +the surrounding country quieted rapidly, shops were re-opened, and +before the close of the year the bazaars were as densely thronged as +ever. Most of the principal men of Logar and Kohistan came to pay +their respects to me; they were treated with due consideration, and the +political officers did all they could to find out what they really wanted, +so that some basis of an arrangement for the peaceful administration<span class="page"><a name="456">[Page 456]</a></span> +of the country might be arrived at.</p> +<p> +While taking these measures, which I thought would create confidence +in our clemency and justice, I endeavoured in other ways to +prevent a repetition of further serious troubles. Snow was still deep +on the ground, but I did not let it prevent my sending General Baker +to destroy a fort about twenty miles off, where dwelt an influential +<i>malik</i>, who was one of the chief ringleaders in the revolt. All walled +enclosures within 1,000 yards of the cantonment were razed to the +ground, roads fit for guns were made all round the outside walls and +towards the several gates of the city and Siah Sang, while two bridges, +strong enough for Artillery to pass over, were thrown across the Kabul +River.</p> +<p> +The increased numbers to be accommodated on the arrival of Gough's +brigade necessitated the re-occupation of the Bala Hissar, the defences +of which were reconstructed so as to give a continuous line of fire, and +admit of free circulation round the walls; roads were made through +the lower Bala Hissar, and redoubts and towers were built on the +Shahr-i-Darwaza range.</p> +<p> +A strong fort—Fort Roberts—was constructed on the south-west +point of Siah Sang, which commanded the Bala Hissar and the city; +a smaller one was built at the crossing of the river; and as these two +forts were not within sight of each other, a tower to connect them was +constructed at the north-west extremity of Siah Sang.</p> + <p><span class="rightnote">Sherpur made safe</span> +Sherpur was thus made safe; but for the absolute protection of the +city against an enemy operating from the Chardeh direction, a third +fort was erected on the Asmai heights, which completed a formidable +line of defences most skilfully carried out by Colonel Perkins and his +staff.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LVIII">LVIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p> +The outlook in Afghanistan on the 1st January, 1880, was fairly satisfactory; +the tidings of the defeat and dispersion of the tribesmen had +spread far and wide, and had apparently had the effect of tranquillizing +the country even in remote Kandahar, where the people had been +greatly excited by the news of our retiring from Sherpur, and by the +exaggerated reports of their countrymen's success. No complications +now existed anywhere, and preparations were commenced for Sir +Donald Stewart's force in southern Afghanistan to move towards +Ghazni, in anticipation of the carrying out of a complete and connected +<a name="LVIII1r">scheme</a><a href="#LVIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> for the pacification of the country, and an early withdrawal +from northern Afghanistan. No withdrawal, however, would be<span class="page"><a name="457">[Page 457]</a></span> +possible until durable foundations had been laid for the future safety of +the Indian frontier, and reliable guarantees given for the continued +good behaviour of India's Afghan neighbours.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Two Important Questions</span> +The two questions, therefore, which chiefly exercised the minds of +people in authority, both in England and in India, with regard to +Afghan affairs were, What was to be done with Afghanistan now we +had got it? and, Who could be set up as Ruler with any chance of +being able to hold his own?</p> +<p> +The second question depended a good deal on the decision which +might be arrived at with regard to the first, for the selection of a Ruler +could hardly be considered until it had been determined whether the +several provinces of Afghanistan were to be again formed into one +kingdom, or whether the political scheme for the future government +of the country should be based on the separation of the several States.</p> +<p> +I myself had come to the conclusion, after much deliberation and +anxious thought, that the latter course was the least dangerous for us +to adopt. Disintegration had been the normal condition of Afghanistan, +except for a short period which ended as far back as 1818. Dost +Mahomed was the first since that time to attempt its unification, and +it took him (the strongest Amir of the century) eight years after his +restoration to establish his supremacy over Afghan-Turkestan, fourteen +years before Kandahar acknowledged his authority, and twenty-one +years ere he got possession of Herat, a consummation which was +achieved only just before his death. His successor, Sher Ali, was five +years making himself master of Afghanistan, and he could never have +attained that position but for the material assistance he received from +us. I felt it would be in the future as it had been in the past, and that +there would always be the danger of a Ruler, made supreme by the aid +of our money and our arms, turning against us for some supposed grievance, +or at the instigation of a foreign Power, as had happened with<span class="page"><a name="458">[Page 458]</a></span> +Sher Ali. A strong, united Afghanistan was very desirable, no doubt, +could we be certain that its interests and ours would always remain +identical; but, in addition to the chance of its strength and unity +being used against us, there was the certainty that, even if the man we +might choose as Amir were to remain perfectly loyal, at his death +Afghan history would repeat itself; the succession to the throne would +be disputed, and the unification would have to begin all over again. +For these reasons I had no hesitation in giving it as my opinion that +Afghanistan should be disintegrated, and that we should not again +attempt to place the whole country under any one Sovereign.</p> +<p> +My views must have commended themselves to the Government of +India, for in their despatch to the Secretary of State, dated 7th +January, 1880, they indicated them as the line of policy they proposed +to adopt in pursuance of the object they had at heart, viz., the safety +of the Indian Empire and the tranquillity of its northern frontier; +and in the communication to myself, conveying their idea of the +general principles upon which the permanent settlement of Afghanistan +should be based, the Foreign Secretary wrote that all arrangements for +the establishment of a durable Government at Kabul depended on the +selection of a suitable Ruler for that province; and that, as it was +essential to clear away any apprehension that the British Government +contemplated territorial annexation, which might be caused by a prolonged +interregnum, it would be very advantageous if one of the +principal Sirdars, qualified by his family connexions, his local influence, +and his personal following, could be selected as the Ruler of the Kabul +State.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Ruler Required</span> +There was another very strong reason why the Government of India +should wish to find some one to whom the administration of the +country could safely be made over. The first warning notes of a +General Election were heard in India early in January. Afghan +affairs were being made a party question, and the policy of the +Beaconsfield Government with regard to them was being severely and +adversely criticized. Lord Lytton was, therefore, most anxious that +a definite conclusion should be arrived at as to the administration of +Afghanistan, and a period put to our occupation of the northern +province before the meeting of Parliament should take place.</p> +<p> +The difficulty was to find the right man. Abdur Rahman, who I +had reason to believe would be acceptable to the army, was far away, +I could not find out where, and I could think of no one else at all +suitable. Under the circumstances, I deemed it advisable to open +negotiations with the several leaders of the late combination against +us, who were congregated at Ghazni, and had with them the young +Heir-apparent, Musa Khan. In the middle of January I had received +two communications from these people, one ostensibly written by +Musa Khan himself, the other signed by seventy of the most influential<span class="page"><a name="459">[Page 459]</a></span> +chiefs; the tenor of both was the same; they demanded +Yakub Khan's restoration, and asserted his innocence as to the +massacre of the Embassy. I replied that Yakub Khan's return was +impossible, and that they must consider his abdication final, as he +himself had declared that he wished it to <a name="LVIII2r">be</a>,<a href="#LVIII2"><sup>2</sup></a> and a few days later I +deputed the <a name="LVIII3r">Mustaufi</a><a href="#LVIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> to visit Ghazni, in the hope that he might be +able to induce the leaders to make some more feasible suggestion for +the government of the country.</p> +<p> +The Mustaufi had scarcely started, before what seemed to be a +reliable report reached me that Abdur Rahman was at Kanduz, on his +way to Badakhshan, and I immediately communicated this news to +Lord Lytton.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">News of Abdur Rahman Khan</span> +A fortnight later Abdur Rahman's mother, who resided at Kandahar, +informed Sir Donald Stewart that Ayub Khan had received a +letter from her son, in answer to an offer from Ayub to join him at +Balkh and march with him against the British. In this letter Abdur +Rahman had replied that he would have nothing to do with any of +Sher Ali's family, who had deceived him and dealt with him in the +same treacherous manner that characterized Sher Ali's dealings with +the British; further, that he had no intention of opposing the British, +knowing full well he was not strong enough to do so; that he could +not leave Russian territory without the permission of the Russians, +whose pensioner he was; and that, even if he got that permission, he +could not come either into Turkestan or Kabul without an invitation +from us, but that, if he received such an invitation, he would obey it <span class="page"><a name="460">[Page 460]</a></span> +as an order. He concluded by advising Ayub Khan to make his submission +to the British, as opposition was useless. Sir Donald Stewart +telegraphed the substance of this communication to the Foreign +Secretary, adding that Abdur Rahman's family were well disposed +towards us, and that there would be no difficulty in communicating +with the Sirdar through them.</p> +<p> +In the meantime, I had been careful to acquaint the Government of +India with my failure to come to any conclusion with the Ghazni +faction as to the future government of the country, and the hopelessness +of finding anyone of sufficient strength of character to set up as +Ruler of Kabul; and I had suggested, failing a really strong man, the +alternative of letting the Afghans choose for themselves some Ruler, +other than Yakub Khan, and thus leave us free to evacuate the +country.</p> +<p> +About this time Mr. Lyall, the Foreign Secretary, came to Kabul +on a visit to me, and Captain West <a name="LVIII4r">Ridgeway</a><a href="#LVIII4"><sup>4</sup></a> took the place of my +Political Secretary, Mr. Durand, who left me to join the Foreign +Office at Simla, Mr. (now Sir) Lepel Griffin, Secretary to the Punjab +Government, being appointed Chief of the political staff at Kabul.</p> +<p> +Lyall told me that the Indian Government fully appreciated the +difficulty I was in about finding a Ruler for the province, and that, +unless Abdur Rahman could be brought within negotiable distance, +the alternative I had suggested would have to be acted upon.</p> +<p> +Lord Lytton, however, was very sanguine about Abdur Rahman, +and he warned Mr. Griffin, before he started for Kabul, that the +Sirdar's letter to Ayub Khan indicated possibilities that might have +the most important bearing on the solution of the difficult problem to +be dealt with in northern Afghanistan. It was Lord Lytton's wish to +place Abdur Rahman on the throne of Kabul, or, at least, to afford +him the best opportunity of winning his own way to that position. +The difficulty was to get at him, in the first instance, and, in the +second, to convince him of our wish and power to help him; while a +not unnatural hesitation on the Sirdar's part to enter Afghanistan +without Russia's permission had to be considered.</p> +<p> +Lord Lytton impressed upon Mr. Griffin the necessity for overcoming +these difficulties in time to enable us to withdraw from +northern Afghanistan in the early autumn at latest; and he desired +Sir Oliver St. John (Sir Donald Stewart's political officer, who was +at that time in Calcutta), immediately on his return to Kandahar, to +communicate with Abdur Rahman, through his mother, the Viceroy's +willingness to make him Ruler of Kabul and Turkestan, if he would +accept the terms offered to him without delay.</p> +<p> +The Viceroy communicated his views to the Secretary of State in<span class="page"><a name="461">[Page 461]</a></span> +the following telegram:</p> + +<p class="quote6"> +'Necessary to find without delay some Native authority to which we can +restore northern Afghanistan without risk of immediate anarchy on our +evacuation of Kabul not later than next autumn, and if possible earlier. No +prospect of finding in the country any man strong enough for this purpose. +I therefore advocate early public recognition of Abdur Rahman as legitimate +heir of Dost Mahomed, and open deputation of Sirdars with British concurrence +to offer him throne of Afghanistan as sole means of saving the country +from anarchy. Do you approve?'</p> + +<p> +Lord Cranbrook's reply was as follows:</p> + +<p class="quote6"> +'Assuming that Abdur Rahman is acceptable to the country, and that he +would be content with northern Afghanistan, it is desirable to support him +at Kabul; the more spontaneous any advances to him on the part of the +Sirdars, and the less appearance of British influence, the better. But where +is he? And how do you propose to learn his wishes and intentions? If +invited by Chiefs, every inducement to bring him to Kabul should be then +held out. Public recognition should not precede, but follow, his adoption by +Sirdars, and his acceptance of the position.'</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Abdur Rahman in Afghan-Turkestan</span> +By the end of March authentic intelligence was received that Abdur +Rahman had made himself master of Afghan-Turkestan, and was +corresponding with the representative Sirdars at Kabul. It seemed, +therefore, that the time had arrived when distinct overtures might be +made to Abdur Rahman; accordingly, on the 1st April Mr. Griffin +addressed to him the following letter:</p> + +<span class="rightnote">Overtures made to Abdur Rahman</span><p class="quote6"> +'It has become known that you have entered Afghanistan, and consequently +this letter is sent you by a confidential messenger, in order that you may +submit to the British officers at Kabul any representations that you may desire +to make to the British Government with regard to your object in entering +Afghanistan.'</p> + +<p> +Abdur Rahman, in his friendly but guarded <a name="LVIII5r">reply</a>,<a href="#LVIII5"><sup>5</sup></a> expressed in +general terms his hope of being recognized as Amir. He greatly +desired, he wrote, the friendship of the British, and their assistance in +restoring peace and order to Afghanistan; but at the same time, he +hinted that his obligations to the Russian Government for the hospitality +they had extended to him placed him in some doubt as to the +terms upon which our friendship might be accorded to him, and while +he expressed a desire for the permanent establishment of Afghanistan, +with our assistance and sympathy, he let it be understood that he +wished to consider himself under the protection of Russia as well as of +Great Britain.</p> +<p> +In a verbal message, however, he added that he was ready to cross +the Hindu Kush to discuss matters with our officers, and he begged +that he might be furnished with information as to the 'nature of our +friendship' and 'its conditions.'</p> +<p> +In answer, Mr. Griffin was directed to inform Abdur Rahman that<span class="page"><a name="462">[Page 462]</a></span> +the relations of Afghanistan to the British and Russian Empires was +a subject the Government of India must decline to discuss with him, +and to explain that their declared determination had been the exclusion +of foreign influence and interference from Afghanistan, a cardinal +condition 'which had at all times and under all circumstances been +deemed essential for the permanent security of Her Majesty's Indian +Empire,' a condition, moreover, which had always been accepted by +the Government of the Czar, which had repeatedly renewed those +assurances, solemnly given to Her Majesty's Ministers, that 'Russia +considered Afghanistan as entirely beyond the sphere of her <a name="LVIII6r">influence</a>.'<a href="#LVIII6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +Early in April the Mustaufi (whom, it will be remembered, I had +sent to Ghazni to communicate with the Chiefs, and ascertain their +ideas and desires as to the future government of Kabul) returned without +having achieved much success. He had persuaded some of the +leading men to accompany him as far as Maidan, whence a few representatives +came on to Kabul as bearers of a document signed by +Mahomed Jan, twelve other Sirdars, and 189 influential tribesmen, +setting forth their views and wishes; but as these were all based upon +the restoration of Yakub Khan, their proposals could not be entertained.</p> +<p> +On the 13th April I held a durbar, at which I received this deputation; +all the Sirdars, Chiefs, and <i>maliks</i> of Kabul and many Hazaras +being present. Mr. Griffin, on the part of the Government, told them +that Yakub Khan could not be allowed to return to Afghanistan, but +that the names of any Sirdars, approved of by a large proportion of the +people for the Amirship, would be laid before the Viceroy; that there +was no intention of annexing Afghanistan, and that there would be no +occupation of any places except such as were necessary for the safety +of our Indian frontier. They were further informed that the British +army would be withdrawn as soon as the country had settled down +peacefully and an Amir, amicably disposed towards us, had been +selected; but that Kandahar would not again be united to Kabul.</p> +<p> +The effect produced was good. The deputation was greatly disappointed +that Yakub Khan was not to be permitted to return, but all +present felt that they had received a definite reply.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LIX">LIX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p> +Sir Donald Stewart's division, which, I have mentioned, it had been +decided should be sent to Kabul to take part in the pacification of +northern Afghanistan, left <a name="LIX1r">Kandahar</a><a href="#LIX1"><sup>1</sup></a> on the 30th March, and was <span class="page"><a name="463">[Page 463]</a></span> +expected to arrive at Ghazni about the 21st April. On the 16th I +received a letter from Sir Donald, dated six days before, asking me to +send supplies to meet him. I, therefore, that same day despatched a +small column, under the command of Major General Ross, C.B., with +the articles of food required; and as I thought it likely that my object +in sending this force might be misunderstood, the deputation which +attended the durbar was told to explain matters to the Chiefs at +Maidan, and assure them that the advance would be peaceful unless +hostilities should be provoked by their own action. Notwithstanding +this precaution, I thought it quite possible the column would be opposed, +for the news concerning Abdur Rahman's advent was causing considerable +excitement; and whilst the soldiers and a proportion of the +tribesmen were disposed to welcome him as a deliverer, those from +Wardak and Logar resented his appearance on the scene as putting an +end to their hopes of having Yakub Khan reinstated.</p> +<p> +With a view, therefore, to prevent the Logaris from joining any +attack which might be made on General Ross, I sent a party, 1,200 +strong, under Colonel Jenkins, in the direction of Charasia.</p> +<p> +On the 22nd April Ross reached Sar-i-top, forty-one miles from +Ghazni; Sir Donald Stewart having arrived that same day at the latter +place, heliographic communication was at once opened with him, and +the welcome news was signalled that Sir Donald had fought an engagement +at Ahmedkhel on the 19th, and had been entirely successful. On +receipt of this intelligence I ordered a Royal salute to be fired in honour +of the victory, the announcement of which I hoped might have a +quieting effect on the excitement which prevailed around Kabul.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Jenkins attacked near Charasia</span> +In this I was disappointed. On the evening of the 24th, Jenkins, +who was encamped at Charasia, heard that he was about to be attacked +by the Logaris, under Mahomed Hasan Khan. At once striking his +tents, and collecting his baggage in a sheltered spot, he ordered a party +of Cavalry to reconnoitre up the Logar valley, strengthened his piquets, +and sent off an express messenger to inform me of the situation.</p> +<p> +I immediately despatched Brigadier-General Macpherson to Jenkins's +assistance. By 9 a.m. he had started, with four Mountain guns and +962 Infantry, followed later by two more guns and a troop of the 3rd +Punjab Cavalry; and as a support to Macpherson, Brigadier-General +Hugh Gough, with the Cavalry brigade and four Horse Artillery guns, +was ordered to take up a position half-way between Kabul and Charasia.</p> +<p> +At 1 p.m. on the 25th Macpherson arrived on the high ground +beyond the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> gorge, whence he obtained a good view +of Jenkins's position; and seeing that the enemy formed a complete +semicircle round it, he pushed on. Jenkins had stood on the defensive +from the early morning, and the Afghans, who had advanced to within<span class="page"><a name="464">[Page 464]</a></span> +a couple of hundred yards, were only kept at bay by the steadiness of +his fire.</p> +<p> +Macpherson first sent back the baggage to Sherpur, so as to free all +hands for action, and then proceeded to attack the left horn of the +semicircle. The enemy broke, fell back, and were completely scattered +by a well-directed Artillery fire; the surrounding hills were speedily +cleared, and the Cavalry and Horse Artillery pursued for four miles. +By four o'clock not a single living Afghan was to be seen; more than +200 had been killed, while our casualties were only four killed and +thirty-four wounded.</p> +<p> +I came up just as the fight was over; and being sure from the +decisive character of the defeat that a retirement could not be misunderstood, +I ordered the troops to return to Kabul.</p> +<p> +In anticipation of Sir Donald Stewart's arrival, and the consequent +necessity for my making over to him, as my senior, the supreme +command of the Kabul Field Force, I prepared a <a name="LIX2r">report</a><a href="#LIX2"><sup>2</sup></a> for his +information, which explained the general military situation in northern +Afghanistan, and contained a statement of economic details which I +thought would be of use to the Government, and concerning which +an experience of eighteen months in the field enabled me to give an +opinion with some confidence.</p> + <p> +The strength of the Kabul Field Force at the end of April amounted +to nearly 14,000 men and thirty-eight guns, with 12,500 <a name="LIX3r">followers</a>;<a href="#LIX3"><sup>3</sup></a> +besides 15,000 men and thirty guns on the Khyber line, under the +immediate command of Major-General Bright.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sir Donald Stewart reaches Kabul</span> +Sir Donald reached Kabul on the 5th May. On the same day we +heard that the Beaconsfield Administration had come to an end; that +a new Ministry had been formed under Mr. Gladstone; that Lord +Lytton had resigned, and was to be succeeded by the Marquis of +Ripon; and that the Marquis of Hartington had become Secretary of +State for India.</p> +<p> +Notwithstanding the pleasure of meeting an old friend in my new +Commander, that 5th of May was altogether not a happy day for me. +Lord Lytton's approaching departure was a source of real sorrow. +Personally, I felt that I was deeply indebted to him for the confidence +he had reposed in me, and for the warm support he had invariably +accorded me. I had hoped that he would have had the gratification +of seeing, while in office, the campaign in which he was so much +interested satisfactorily concluded, and with the prospect of permanent<span class="page"><a name="465">[Page 465]</a></span> +results; and I dreaded that a change of Government might mean a +reversal of the policy which I believed to be the best for the security of +our position in India. Moreover, it was not in human nature to feel +absolute satisfaction in yielding up the supreme command I had so +greatly delighted in, into the hands of another, even though that other +was one for whom I had so great a personal regard, and under whom +I had already served in the field.</p> +<p> +The amalgamated troops were now styled the Northern Afghanistan +Field Force, and I retained the command of the two divisions at +Kabul, with Major-General John Ross as second in command; while +Major-General Hills was given the brigades from Kandahar, which +now became the third division of the Force.</p> +<p> +The idea in bringing Stewart away from Kandahar was that he +should occupy Ghazni and Kabul; that my divisions should operate in +Kohistan and in the direction of Bamian; that General Bright should +move against the Ghilzais; and that a column from Kuram should +march over the Shutargardan to Kabul. It was hoped that these +operations would have the effect of quieting the country, and, by the +time they had been carried out, it would be possible to evacuate +northern Afghanistan.</p> +<p> +With a view to having my divisions thoroughly efficient and mobile +for the service they were expected to perform, I had largely replenished +the numbers of my transport animals, which had suffered greatly from +the strain put upon them in supplying the troops with food and other +necessaries during the winter months; they had been continuously at +work in the most inclement weather, numbers had died, and those that +remained required to be carefully looked after and given complete +rest to render them fit for the contemplated operations. Major Mark +Heathcote, who had taken, at my particular request, the arduous +charge of this department, wished to revert to regimental duty, so I +applied for, and obtained, the services of Lieutenant Colonel B. <a name="LIX4r">Low</a><a href="#LIX4"><sup>4</sup></a> +as Director of Transport, under whose energetic and intelligent management +the transport service was rendered as perfect as it was possible +to make it. In the end, circumstances prevented the concerted movements +for which these preparations were made being carried out, but +I reaped the benefit of them when later in the year I was required to +undertake a rapid march to Kandahar, which could not possibly have +been successfully accomplished had my transport not been in such +admirable condition.</p> +<p> +In order to relieve the great pressure put upon the Commissariat +Department by having to provide for the increased number of troops +at Kabul, and with a view to opening up the roads upon which traffic +had been more or less impeded for some months, it was considered<span class="page"><a name="466">[Page 466]</a></span> +desirable to send a strong brigade towards Maidan, which I accompanied, +and remained away from Kabul for some weeks. On my +return, I found a considerable change had taken place in the political +situation. The Mustaufi had been deported to India; the correspondence +between Abdur Rahman and Mr. Griffin had taken rather +an unsatisfactory turn, and the Sirdar's dealings with the leading +Chiefs and tribesmen had given cause to fear that, if he came to +Kabul during our occupation, it might be as an enemy rather than a +friend.</p> +<p> +The Mustaufi was a firm adherent of the Sher Ali faction, and, +finding there was no hope of Yakub Khan being reinstated, and that +we were negotiating with Abdur Rahman, he had espoused the cause +of Yakub's younger brother, Ayub Khan, and had been proved guilty +of inciting the Sirdars and Chiefs to oppose us. For this he was very +properly sent out of Afghanistan; nevertheless, I looked upon his +removal as a misfortune, for it broke up the only party that could +possibly be formed to counterbalance Abdur Rahman, who was astute +enough to see that the weaker our position became, the more chance +there was of his being able to get his own terms from us.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Difficulties with Abdur Rahman</span> +From the letters he had written to his friends and relations in +northern Afghanistan (the majority of which had fallen into our hands), +it was evident that he was doing all he could to strengthen himself, +even at our expense, and that he greatly disliked the idea of Kandahar +being separated from the kingdom of Kabul. Indeed, in one of his +communications to Mr. Griffin he had made it clear that he expected +the whole inheritance of his grandfather, Dost Mahomed Khan, to be +made over to him.</p> +<p> +The uncertainty as to the result of the correspondence with Abdur +Rahman, the rumours in circulation regarding his real disposition and +plans, and the general excitement throughout the country, suggested +such grave doubts of the Sirdar's good faith that, in some quarters, the +question was seriously discussed whether it might not be necessary to +break off negotiations with him, and reinstate Yakub Khan, or else set +up his brother, Ayub Khan, as Amir.</p> +<p> +I myself was altogether opposed to Yakub Khan's restoration, and +as to Ayub Khan, we were in total ignorance of his character and proclivities, +even if he had been near enough to treat with. It appeared +to me, moreover, that we had gone too far with Abdur Rahman to +throw him over because, in conformity with Afghan character and +tradition, he was not running quite straight. I, therefore, gave it as +my opinion that we should not change our tactics unless it was found +impossible to come to terms with him, or unless it was made evident +on his nearer approach to Kabul that the majority of his countrymen +were averse to have him as their Ruler.</p> +<p> +Soon after this the situation began to improve, and early in July<span class="page"><a name="467">[Page 467]</a></span> +Mr. Griffin was able to inform the Government of India that 'the +probabilities of a settlement with Abdur Rahman appear far more +favourable than they did last week....' 'Abdur Rahman has seen +that we have been fully informed of the game he has been playing, that +trickery and treachery would not be tolerated, and that, if he intends +coming to a settlement with us at all, he must be prepared to accept +our terms rather than dictate his own.'</p> +<p> +A few days later a letter was received from Abdur Rahman, +announcing his arrival in Kohistan. His near approach, and the +report that he was willing to accept our terms, excited a keen and +hopeful interest throughout the country, for the Afghans had at length +become convinced that the only chance of getting rid of us was by +agreeing to any form of settled government we might establish, and +they had grown heartily tired of perpetual fighting and of having to +maintain bands of <i>ghazis</i> to oppose us, who were eating them out of +house and home. With the exception of the Sher Ali faction, therefore, +whose interests were directly opposed to his, Abdur Rahman's +advent was welcomed by the people, and several of the most influential +amongst them went to meet him.</p> +<p> +Towards the end of July Sir Donald Stewart was empowered to conclude +all political and military arrangements preparatory to withdrawing +from northern Afghanistan. Abdur Rahman was to be +recognized as 'Amir of Kabul'; he was to be provided with a sufficient +number of guns to strengthen effectively his occupation of the city, and +he was to be given as much money (within a maximum of ten lakhs) +as was thought necessary to meet his present wants. It was to be +clearly explained to Abdur Rahman that the Government of India would +not engage to give him a regular subsidy, or a continuous supply of +arms or money, and that after he had taken possession of his capital he +would have to rely upon his own resources for holding it. There was +to be no treaty, and all questions of reciprocal engagements between +the two Governments were to be postponed until some settled and +responsible administration had been consolidated.</p> +<p> +General Stewart was directed to make the best arrangements he +could with Abdur Rahman for the protection of the tribes and individuals +who had assisted us, and the Sirdar was to be informed that, if +he desired our goodwill, he could give no better proof of his friendly +disposition than by his behaviour towards those of his own nation in +whom the British Government were interested.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Abdur Rahman proclaimed Amir</span> +Sir Donald Stewart considered that the best way of giving effect to +these instructions was to publicly proclaim Abdur Rahman as Amir of +Kabul; for this purpose he held a durbar on the 22nd July, at which +the Sirdar's representatives were received. Sir Donald, in a few +words, gave his reasons for summoning them to meet him, and Mr. +Griffin then explained more fully the motives by which the Government<span class="page"><a name="468">[Page 468]</a></span> +of India were actuated in acknowledging the claims of Abdur +Rahman. Immediately after the durbar orders were issued for an +early retirement.</p> +<p> +I was to withdraw my column by the Kuram route; but being +anxious to see something of the Khyber line while I had the opportunity, +I started off the following day to ride through the Jagdalak +Pass to Gandamak, where I was entertained by General Bright and +his staff. The next day I went on to Jalalabad, and was greatly +interested in wandering over the place where Sir Robert Sale in some +measure redeemed the lamentable failures of the first Afghan war.</p> +<p> +My intention, when I left Kabul, was to ride as far as the Khyber +Pass, but suddenly a presentiment, which I have never been able to +explain to myself, made me retrace my steps and hurry back towards +Kabul—a presentiment of coming trouble which I can only characterize +as instinctive.</p> +<p> +The feeling was justified when, about half-way between Butkhak and +Kabul, I was met by Sir Donald Stewart and my Chief of the <a name="LIX5r">Staff</a>,<a href="#LIX5"><sup>5</sup></a> +who brought me the astounding news of the total defeat by Ayub +Khan of Brigadier-General Burrows's brigade at Maiwand, and of +Lieutenant-General <a name="LIX6r">Primrose</a>,<a href="#LIX6"><sup>6</sup></a> with the remainder of his force, being +besieged at Kandahar.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LX">LX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />Affairs at Kandahar</span> +For more than six months rumours had been afloat of Ayub Khan's +determination to advance on Kandahar; but little attention was paid +to them by the authorities at that place until towards the end of May, +when a Sirdar, named <a name="LX1r">Sher Ali</a>,<a href="#LX1"><sup>1</sup></a> who had been a few days before +formally installed as Wali, or Ruler, of Kandahar, informed the political +officer, Lieutenant-Colonel St. John, that the British occupation of +Kabul had had the effect of bringing about a reconciliation between the +various chiefs at Herat, who had placed themselves under the leadership +of Ayub Khan and induced him to proclaim a <i>jahad</i>. Sher Ali, +who evidently considered this news authentic, declared his belief that +his own <a name="LX2r">troops</a>,<a href="#LX2"><sup>2</sup></a> who were then engaged in collecting revenue in +Zamindawar, would desert to Ayub Khan as he approached Kandahar,<span class="page"><a name="469">[Page 469]</a></span> +and he begged that a brigade of British soldiers might be sent to +Girishk to support him.</p> +<p> +On General Primrose communicating this information to the Commander-in-Chief +in India, he recommended to the Government that the +Bombay reserve division, located at Jacobabad, Hyderabad, and +Karachi, should be mobilized so soon as it became certain that Ayub +Khan really contemplated this move, as in his opinion the garrison +at Kandahar would be left dangerously weak after a brigade had been +detached for Girishk.</p> +<p> +Ayub Khan's movements, however, were not ascertained until the +27th June, when he had advanced halfway to the Helmand; it was too +late then to mobilize troops so far off as Jacobabad, Hyderabad, and +Karachi with any chance of their being in time to check his onward +march. The news of his approach spread rapidly, and had the most +disturbing effect in Kandahar and its neighbourhood. The Governor's +authority daily diminished, and many of the inhabitants left the city.</p> +<p> +Ayub Khan had with him, when he started from Herat on the +15th June, 7,500 men and ten guns as the nucleus of an army, which +he calculated, as he moved forward, would be strongly reinforced by +tribesmen, levies, and <i>ghazis</i>.</p> +<p> +On the 4th July a brigade, under the command of Brigadier-General +Burrows, started from Kandahar, and reached the Helmand on the +11th, encamping on the near bank of the river opposite Girishk. On +the further bank Sirdar Sher Ali's troops were located, having with +them six guns. Two days afterwards these troops deserted in a body +to the enemy, but did not succeed in taking their Artillery with them, +as Burrows, on perceiving their intention, crossed the river and captured +the guns.</p> +<p> +Brigadier-General Burrows's position had now entirely changed; +instead of there being a loyal force under the Wali, with which to co-operate +and prevent Ayub Khan crossing the Helmand, he found himself +with an inadequate number of troops, the Wali's men gone over to +the enemy, and the Wali himself a fugitive in the British camp. The +Helmand was fordable everywhere at that season, making it easy for +Ayub to cut off Burrows's retreat; the first twenty-five of the eighty +miles by which he was separated from Kandahar was a desert, and no +supplies were forthcoming owing to the hostile attitude of the people. +Burrows therefore determined to retire to Khushk-i-Nakhud, an important +position half-way to Kandahar, covering the road from Girishk, +and where supplies and water were plentiful.</p> +<p> +Burrows reached Khushk-i-Nakhud on the 16th July. On the 22nd +the Commander-in-Chief in India, who had been inquiring from +General Primrose whether there were 'any routes from the Helmand +passing by the north to Ghazni, by which Ayub Khan might move with +his guns,' telegraphed to Primrose: 'You will understand that you<span class="page"><a name="470">[Page 470]</a></span> +have full liberty to attack Ayub, if you consider you are strong enough +to do so. Government consider it of the highest political importance +that his force should be dispersed, and prevented by all possible means +from passing on to Ghazni.'</p> +<p> +On the afternoon of the 26th information was received by +Brigadier-General +Burrows that 2,000 of the enemy's Cavalry and a large body +of <i>ghazis</i> had arrived at Maiwand, eleven miles off, and that Ayub +Khan was about to follow with the main body of his army.</p> +<p> +To prevent Ayub Khan getting to Ghazni, General Burrows had to +do one of two things, either await him at Khushk-i-Nakhud, or intercept +him at Maiwand. After consulting with Colonel St. John, he +determined to adopt the latter course, as he hoped thus to be able to +deal with the <i>ghazis</i> before they were joined by Ayub Khan.</p> +<p> +The brigade started soon after 6 a.m. on the 27th. It was encumbered +by a large number of baggage animals, which Burrows considered +could not be left behind because of the hostile state of the country, and +the impossibility of detaching any part of his already too small force for +their protection.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Maiwand Disaster</span> +At 10 a.m., when about half-way to Maiwand, a spy brought in +information that Ayub Khan had arrived at that place, and was occupying +it in force; General Burrows, however, considered it then too late +to turn back, and decided to advance. At a quarter to twelve the forces +came into collision, and the fight lasted until past three o'clock. The +Afghans, who, Burrows reported, numbered 25,000, soon outflanked the +British. Our Artillery expended their ammunition, and the Native +portion of the brigade got out of hand, and pressed back on the few +British Infantry, who were unable to hold their own against the overwhelming +numbers of the enemy. Our troops were completely routed, +and had to thank the apathy of the Afghans in not following them up +for escaping total annihilation.</p> +<p> +Of the 2,476 men engaged at Maiwand, 934 were killed and 175 +were wounded and <a name="LX3r">missing</a>;<a href="#LX3"><sup>3</sup></a> the remnant struggled on throughout the +night to Kandahar, where the first of the fugitives arrived early on<span class="page"><a name="471">[Page 471]</a></span> +the morning of the 28th. Brigadier-General Burrows, who had two +horses shot under him during the engagement, was amongst the last to +reach Kandahar.</p> +<p> +This lamentable story imparted to me by Stewart almost took my +breath away, and we eagerly discussed the situation as we rode back +together to Sherpur. It was impossible to predict how the news +would affect the recent arrangements entered into with Abdur +Rahman, or what the attitude of the tribesmen would be; but we +agreed that, whatever might happen in our immediate neighbourhood, +the only means of affording speedy relief to the Kandahar garrison +was by sending a force from Kabul.</p> +<p> +It soon, however, became apparent, by telegrams received from +Simla, that the Government were in doubt as to the best course to +pursue, and looked to Quetta rather than Kabul as the place from +which Kandahar could be most conveniently and rapidly succoured. +This was not altogether surprising, for the authorities naturally +hesitated to weaken Kabul until matters had been finally settled +with Abdur Rahman, and it was only to be expected that, after what +had occurred at Maiwand, they should be alarmed at the idea of a +force being cut off from all communication with India during the four +weeks, or thereabouts, it would take to reach Kandahar. But there +was really no alternative, for, as Major-General <a name="LX4r">Phayre</a><a href="#LX4"><sup>4</sup></a> (commanding +in Baluchistan) <a name="LX5r">reported</a>,<a href="#LX5"><sup>5</sup></a> the troops available for Field Service were +but few in number, it would require at least fifteen days to equip +them, and there was no organized transport at hand, the animals +having been sent to distant grazing grounds on account of the scarcity +of water and forage.</p> +<p> +I knew nothing as to the actual condition of the troops in +Baluchistan, except that, as belonging to the Bombay Presidency, +they could not be composed of the best fighting races, and I had a +strong feeling that it would be extremely unwise to make use of any +but the most proved Native soldiers against Ayub Khan's superior +numbers, elated as his men must be with their victory at Maiwand.</p> +<p> +The disaster to our arms caused, as was to be expected, considerable +excitement all along the border; indeed, throughout India the +announcement produced a certain feeling of uneasiness—a mere +surface ripple—but enough to make those who remembered the days<span class="page"><a name="472">[Page 472]</a></span> +of the Mutiny anxious for better news from the north.</p> +<p> +To me it seemed of such supreme importance that Kandahar should +be relieved without delay, and the reverse to our arms retrieved, that +I made up my mind to communicate my views to the Viceroy through +the Commander-in-Chief, in the hope that, when he realized that a +thoroughly efficient force was ready and willing to start from Kabul, +he would no longer hesitate as to what was best to do.</p> +<p> +On the 30th July, I dined with Stewart, and, leaving his mess-tent +at an early hour, I retired to my own quarters, and wrote out the +following telegram in cipher, but, before despatching it, I showed it to +Stewart, for, although I knew that his views were in accord with +mine, I could not with propriety have sent it without his knowledge:</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Relief from Kabul suggested</span> +'To Major-General <a name="LX6r">Greaves</a>,<a href="#LX6"><sup>6</sup></a> Adjutant-General in India, Simla.</p> + +<p class="rindent4a">'Kabul, + <br /> + +'<i>30th July,</i> 1880.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'Personal and secret. I strongly recommend that a force be sent from this +to Kandahar. Stewart has organized a very complete one consisting of nine +regiments of Infantry, three of Cavalry, and three Mountain batteries. This +will suffice to overcome all opposition <i>en route</i>; it will have the best possible +effect on the country, and will be ready to go anywhere on reaching Kandahar, +being fully equipped in all respects. He proposes sending me in command.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'I am sure that but few Bombay regiments are able to cope with Afghans, +and once the Kabul Field Force leaves this country, the chance of sending a +thoroughly reliable and well-equipped column will be lost. The movement +of the remainder of the Kabul troops towards India should be simultaneous +with the advance of my division towards Kandahar, it being most desirable +to limit the area of our responsibilities as soon as possible; at the same time, +it is imperative that we should now show our strength throughout Afghanistan. +The withdrawal, under existing circumstances, of the whole force from Kabul +to India would certainly be misunderstood, both in Afghanistan and elsewhere. +You need have no fears about my division. It can take care of itself, +and will reach Kandahar under the month. I will answer for the loyalty and +good feeling of the Native portion, and would propose to inform them that, +as soon as matters have been satisfactorily settled at Kandahar, they will be +sent straight back to India. Show this to Lyall.'</p> + +<p> +Exaggerated reports of the Maiwand affair being rife in the Kabul +bazaars, which were daily becoming crowded with armed Afghans +from Abdur Rahman's camp, and the prospect of troops having to +leave at once for Kandahar, made it more than ever necessary to +bring the negotiations with the new Amir to a speedy conclusion. It +was accordingly arranged that Mr. Griffin should meet him at Zimma, +about sixteen miles from Kabul. This interview had the happiest +results, and must have been extremely gratifying to Mr. Griffin, whom +we all heartily congratulated on the successful ending to the very +delicate and difficult negotiations which he had carried on with so<span class="page"><a name="473">[Page 473]</a></span> +much skill and patience.</p> +<p> +In taking leave of His Highness, Mr. Griffin invited him to come +to the British camp the following day to be received by Sir Donald +Stewart. Abdur Rahman himself was quite willing to come, and +some of his supporters were in favour of his doing so, but others +vehemently opposed the idea, and 'swore by their faith they would +leave him if he persisted.' After a stormy meeting with his Chiefs, +the Amir wrote to Mr. Griffin as follows: 'If you really wish me to +come to you, irrespective of the opinion of the people, I am quite +ready to do so. Please write and let me know your wishes. I am in +the hands of ignorant fools, who do not know their own interests, +good or bad. What can I do? I am most anxious to meet you.'</p> +<p> +Upon receipt of this note Stewart decided that it would be impolitic +to press for an interview, for instead of strengthening the Amir, as +had been the intention, it was evident it would have the opposite +effect, so the meeting was given up.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A force ordered from Kabul</span> +On the morning of the 3rd August the telegram arrived from Lord +Ripon, which I had been so anxiously expecting, authorizing the +despatch of a force to Kandahar, and directing that I should be placed +in command.</p> +<p> +I heard afterwards that my message to the Adjutant-General was +received at Simla at a most opportune moment. Lyall took it without +delay to Lord Ripon, who from the first had been in favour of a force +being sent from Kabul, but had refrained from ordering the movement +in deference to the views held by some members of his Council, whose +longer experience of India, His Excellency considered, entitled their +opinions to be treated with respect.</p> +<p> +I set to work at once to organize the column which I was to have +the great honour of commanding. In this most congenial duty I +received every possible assistance and encouragement from Stewart; +he gave me carte-blanche, and I should only have had myself to +blame if every unit had not been as efficiently equipped as circumstances +would admit.</p> +<p> +I wished that the force should be composed, as far as possible, of +those who had served with me throughout the campaign; but as some +of the regiments (more especially Native corps) had been away from +their homes for two years, and had had more than their share of +fighting, besides having suffered heavy losses in action and through +sickness, I considered it right to consult their commanders before +detailing the troops. With the exception of three, who thought that +their regiments had been long enough away from India, all, to my +great delight, eagerly responded to my call, and I took upon myself to +promise the men that they should not be left to garrison Kandahar, +but should be sent back to India as soon as the fighting ceased.</p> +<p> +When the several regiments were decided upon, every man not<span class="page"><a name="474">[Page 474]</a></span> +likely to stand the strain of prolonged forced marches was weeded +out, and the scale of baggage, tents, and impedimenta was reduced to +a <a name="LX7r">minimum</a>.<a href="#LX7"><sup>7</sup></a></p> +<p> +I had no fear as to the officers and men ably and cheerfully +performing their part of the task; we had been long enough together +to enable us thoroughly to understand and trust each other, and I felt +that I could depend upon each and all to respond heartily to whatever +call I might make upon them.</p> +<p> +The question of supplies was my greatest anxiety, and I had many +consultations with my experienced Commissariat officer, Major +Badcock, before I could feel satisfied in this respect.</p> +<p> +The transport, as I have already recorded, was in good order; it +was fortunate that the soldiers had been practised in loading, leading, +and tending the animals, for the Afghan drivers deserted to a man a +march or two from Kabul, and the Hazaras followed their example on +reaching their own country. Sir Donald Stewart's account of the +troubles he had encountered during his march from Kandahar was not +very encouraging, and I should have been glad if I could have taken a +larger amount of <a name="LX8r">supplies</a>;<a href="#LX8"><sup>8</sup></a> but on this point I had to be guided by +the number of animals that could be allotted to the column, which<span class="page"><a name="475">[Page 475]</a></span> +was necessarily limited, as carriage had to be provided simultaneously +for the withdrawal of the rest of the army of occupation.</p> +<p> +The strength of the force placed at my disposal consisted of 9,986 +men of all ranks and eighteen guns, divided into three brigades of +Infantry, one brigade of Cavalry, and three batteries of Mountain +Artillery. There were, besides, over 8,000 <a name="LX9r">followers</a><a href="#LX9"><sup>9</sup></a> and 2,300 horses +and gun-mules.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Kabul-Kandahar Field Force</span> +It was designated the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force.</p> +<p> +Major-General J. Ross, C.B., was given the command of the Infantry +division, his three Brigadier-Generals being Herbert Macpherson, +T.D. Baker, and Charles Macgregor. Brigadier-General Hugh +Gough commanded the Cavalry brigade; Colonel Alured Johnson the +Artillery; while Colonel Æ. Perkins held the position of Commanding +Royal Engineer; Deputy-Surgeon-General J. Hanbury that of Principal +Medical Officer; and Lieutenant-Colonel E.F. Chapman, Chief +of the Staff.</p> +<p> +From the detail of the force given <a name="LX10r">below</a>,<a href="#LX10"><sup>10</sup></a> it will be seen that there +was no wheeled Artillery, and that the number of guns was not in proportion <span class="page"><a name="476">[Page 476]</a></span> +to the strength of the other branches. This was my own +doing; I was pressed to take more and heavier guns, but, after due +consideration, I decided that I would only have Mountain batteries. +We could not tell how long the Kandahar garrison would be able to +hold out, so that our first object must be to reach that place with the +least possible delay, and wheeled Artillery would, in a country where<span class="page"><a name="477">[Page 477]</a></span> +there were practically no roads, have only prevented our moving as +rapidly as we might otherwise have done.</p> +<p> +For the equipment of the force, inclusive of carriage for footsore +<a name="LX11r">soldiers</a><a href="#LX11"><sup>11</sup></a> and followers, and allowing ten per cent. spare, more than +8,000<a href="#LX12"><sup>12</sup></a> <a name="LX12r">animals</a> were required.</p> +<p> +Fortunately, it turned out that a fair amount of Indian corn in the +ear was almost everywhere procurable, which was so nutritious that a +large majority of the Cavalry horses and transport animals reached +Kandahar in excellent condition.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Commissariat and Transport</span> +Throughout the march great difficulties were experienced in procuring +food, but they were always overcome, with the able assistance +of Major Hastings and his political <a name="LX13r">staff</a>,<a href="#LX13"><sup>13</sup></a> and by means of the +admirable arrangements made by the <a name="LX14r">Commissariat</a><a href="#LX14"><sup>14</sup></a> and <a name="LX15r">Transport</a><a href="#LX15"><sup>15</sup></a> +officers, who were quite untiring, and after the longest march, and with +the prospect of having to start again at an early hour the following +morning, had often to work far into the night.</p> +<p> +The want of fuel was our chief drawback. We had on many occasions +to purchase houses and pull them to pieces for the sake of the +wood to be got out of them, and frequently there was nothing to cook +with save tiny roots of southernwood, which had to be dug out and <span class="page"><a name="478">[Page 478]</a></span> +collected after a long day's march before the men could prepare their +food and satisfy their hunger.</p> +<p> +One day's corn was carried by each animal in addition to the +ordinary load, and as far as Ghazni grain was tolerably plentiful; +beyond that we had to depend for forage on the crops still standing. +At the end of the day's march, certain fields were told off to the +several brigades; from these all that was required was cut and carried +away, the fields were then measured and assessed, and compensation +was awarded by the political officers, who also adjusted all claims on +account of wrecked houses, and fruit, vegetables, etc., brought in for the +troops.</p> +<p> +On Sunday, the 8th August, the force moved into camp by brigades, +my Head-Quarters being with the first and third Infantry brigades at +Beni Hissar, on the way to the Logar valley, which route I had chosen +instead of the slightly shorter line by Maidan, on account of the greater +facility it afforded for supplies.</p> +<p> +Sir Donald Stewart paid us a farewell visit in the afternoon, and at +6 a.m. the following morning we began the march to Kandahar.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXI">LXI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p> +Before daybreak on the 11th August, as I was starting from camp, I +received my last communication from the outside world in the shape +of a telegram from my wife, sent off from a little village in Somersetshire, +congratulating me and the force, and wishing us all God's speed. +She had taken our children to England a few months before, thinking +that the war in Afghanistan was over, and that I would soon be able +to follow.</p> +<p> +Four days brought us to the end of the Logar valley, a distance of +forty-six miles. So far the country was easy and supplies plentiful. I +thought it wise, however, not to attempt long distances at first, that +both men and animals might become gradually hardened before entering +on the difficult and scantily cultivated ground between Ghazni and +Kelat-i-Ghilzai, where I knew that forced marches were inevitable, +and that their powers of endurance would be sorely taxed. Moreover, +it was necessary to begin quietly, and organize some system by which +confusion in the crowded camping-grounds might be avoided, and the +physical strain upon everyone lightened as much as possible.</p> +<p> +When it is remembered that the daily supply for over 18,000 men +and 11,000 animals had to be drawn from the country after arrival in +camp, that food had to be distributed to every individual, that the fuel +with which it was cooked had often to be brought from long distances,<span class="page"><a name="479">[Page 479]</a></span> +and that a very limited time was available for the preparation of meals +and for rest, it will readily be understood how essential it was that even +the stupidest follower should be able to find his place in camp speedily, +and that everyone should know exactly what to do and how to set about +doing it.</p> +<p> +On the march and in the formation of the camps the same principles +were, as far as possible, applied each day. The 'rouse' +sounded at 2.45 a.m., and by four o'clock tents had been struck, +baggage loaded up, and everything was ready for a start.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The order of marching</span> +As a general rule, the Cavalry covered the movement at a distance of +about five miles, two of the four regiments being in front, with the +other two on either flank. Two of the Infantry brigades came next, +each accompanied by a Mountain battery; then followed the field +hospitals, Ordnance and Engineer parks, treasure, and the baggage, +massed according to the order in which the brigades were moving. +The third Infantry brigade with its Mountain battery and one or two +troops of Cavalry formed the rear guard.</p> +<p> +A halt of ten minutes was made at the end of each hour, which at +eight o'clock was prolonged to twenty minutes to give time for a hasty +breakfast. Being able to sleep on the shortest notice, I usually took +advantage of these intervals to get a nap, awaking greatly refreshed +after a few minutes' sound sleep.</p> +<p> +On arrival at the resting-place for the night, the front face of the +camp was told off to the brigade on rear guard, and this became the +leading brigade of the column on the next day's march. Thus every +brigade had its turn of rear guard duty, which was very arduous, more +particularly after leaving Ghazni, the troops so employed seldom +reaching the halting-ground before six or seven o'clock in the evening, +and sometimes even later.</p> +<p> +One of the most troublesome duties of the rear guard was to prevent +the followers from lagging behind, for it was certain death for anyone +who strayed from the shelter of the column; numbers of Afghans +always hovered about on the look-out for plunder, or in the hope of +being able to send a Kafir, or an almost equally-detested Hindu, to +eternal perdition. Towards the end of the march particularly, this +duty became most irksome, for the wretched followers were so weary +and footsore that they hid themselves in ravines, making up their +minds to die, and entreating, when discovered and urged to make an +effort, to be left where they were. Every baggage animal that could +possibly be spared was used to carry the worn-out followers; but notwithstanding +this and the care taken by officers and men that none +should be left behind, twenty of these poor creatures were lost, besides +four Native soldiers.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate25">[plate 25]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/25-zamburakkotal.jpg" width="600" height="374" alt="CROSSING THE ZAMBURAK KOTAL." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>CROSSING THE ZAMBURAK KOTAL.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From a painting by the Chevalier Desanges.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +The variation of temperature (at times as much as eighty degrees +between day and night) was most trying to the troops, who had to<span class="page"><a name="480">[Page 480]</a></span> +carry the same clothes whether the thermometer was at freezing-point +at dawn or at 110° Fahr. at mid-day. Scarcity of water, too, was a +great trouble to them, while constant sand-storms, and the suffocating +dust raised by the column in its progress, added greatly to their +discomfort.</p> +<p> +Daily reports regarding the health of the troops, followers, and +transport animals were brought to me each evening, and I made it +my business to ascertain how many men had fallen out during the +day, and what had been the number of casualties amongst the +animals.</p> +<p> +On the 12th August the Head-Quarters and main body of the force +halted to allow the Cavalry and the second Infantry brigade to push +on and get clear over the Zamburak Kotal (8,100 feet high) before the +rest of the column attempted its ascent. This kotal presented a +serious obstacle to our rapid progress, the gradient being in many +places one in four, and most difficult for the baggage animals; but by +posting staff officers at intervals to control the flow of traffic, and by +opening out fresh paths to relieve the pressure, we got over it much +more quickly than I had expected.</p> +<p> +On the 15th we reached Ghazni, ninety-eight miles from Kabul, a +place of peculiar interest to me from the fact that it was for his +share in its capture, forty-one years before, that my father was given +the C.B.</p> +<p> +I was met by the Governor, who handed me the keys of the fortress, +and I placed my own guards and sentries in and around the city to +prevent collisions between the inhabitants and our troops, and also to +make sure that our demands for supplies were complied with. Up to +this point we had been fairly well off for food, forage, and water.</p> +<p> +Our next march was across a barren, inhospitable track for twenty +miles to a place called Yarghati. On the way we passed Ahmedkhel, +where Sir Donald Stewart won his victory; the name had been changed +by the Natives to 'the Resting-place of Martyrs,' and the numerous +freshly-covered-in graves testified to the <i>ghazis</i>' heavy losses. The +remains of the few British soldiers, who had been buried where they +had fallen, had been desecrated, and the bones were exposed to view +and scattered about.</p> +<p> +At Chardeh, our next halting-place, a communication from Colonel +Tanner, Commanding at Kelat-i-Ghilzai, was brought to me by a +Native messenger; it was dated the 12th August, and informed me +that Kandahar was closely invested, but that the garrison had supplies +for two months and forage for fifteen days.</p> +<p> +On the 21st we arrived at a point thirty miles from Kelat-i-Ghilzai, +whence we opened heliograph communication with that place, and +were told of an unsuccessful sortie made from Kandahar five days +before, in which General Brooke and eight other British officers had<span class="page"><a name="481">[Page 481]</a></span> +been killed.</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Ghazni and Kelat-i-Ghilzai</span> +On the 23rd Kelat-i-Ghilzai was reached. The <a name="LXI1r">garrison</a><a href="#LXI1"><sup>1</sup></a> had been +well taken care of by Colonel <a name="LXI2r">Tanner</a>,<a href="#LXI2"><sup>2</sup></a> and a large quantity of food +for man and beast had been collected; but I thought it unadvisable at +present to continue to hold the place, and have to keep open communication +between it and Kandahar, and as I could see no compensating +advantage in doing so, I determined to withdraw the troops and +take them along with me.</p> +<p> +Colonel Tanner's report satisfied me there was no immediate danger +to be apprehended at Kandahar, so I decided to halt for one day; both +men and animals greatly needed rest after a continuous march of 225 +miles.</p> +<p> +I had endeavoured to keep the Government of India informed of my +progress by a message from Ghazni, and one from Oba Karez on the +18th August, but neither reached its destination. I now despatched a +message which was more successful, and was delivered at Simla on +the 30th August. It was as follows:</p> + +<p class="rindent4a"> +'KELAT-I-GHILZAI, <br /> + +'<i>23rd August,</i> 1880.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'The force under my command arrived here this morning. The authorities +at Kandahar having stated on the 17th instant that they have abundant +supplies and can make forage last until 1st September, I halt to-morrow to +rest the troops, and more especially the transport animals and camp-followers. +The force left Ghazni on the 16th, and has marched 136 miles during the last +eight days; the troops are in good health and spirits. From this I purpose +moving by regular-stages, so that the men may arrive fresh at Kandahar. I +hope to be in heliographic communication with Kandahar from Robat, distant +twenty miles, on the 29th. If General Phayre reaches Takht-i-Pul, I should +also hope to communicate with him and arrange a combined movement on +Kandahar. I am taking the Kelat-i-Ghilzai garrison with me, making the +Fort over to Mahomed Sadik Khan, a Toki Chief, who had charge of the +place when we arrived in 1879; the present Governor, Sirdar Sherindil Khan, +refuses to remain. We have met with no opposition during the march, and +have been able to make satisfactory arrangements for supplies, especially +forage, which at this season is plentiful. The Cavalry horses and Artillery +mules are in excellent order; our casualties to date are, one soldier 72nd +Highlanders, one sepoy 23rd Pioneers, one 2nd Sikhs, two sepoys 3rd Sikhs +dead; one sepoy 4th Gurkhas, two sepoys 24th Punjab Native Infantry, one +Duffadar 3rd Punjab Cavalry missing; six camp-followers dead, five missing. +The missing men have, I fear, been murdered. I telegraphed from Ghazni on +the 15th, and from Oba Karez on the 18th August.'</p> + +<p> +I wrote also to Major-General Phayre, telling him of the date on +which I expected to reach Kandahar, and that if I heard of his being +anywhere near I would arrange my movements to suit his, in order<span class="page"><a name="482">[Page 482]</a></span> +that the two forces might make a combined attack on Ayub Khan's +position.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Food required daily for the force</span> +As I was afraid the supplies at Kandahar would be insufficient for +the additional troops about to be collected there, I sent General Phayre +a <a name="LXI3r">memorandum</a><a href="#LXI3"><sup>3</sup></a> of the amount of food required daily by my force, +and begged him to get pushed up from the rear such articles as were +more particularly wanted. I pointed out that we were badly off for +boots, and that the 92nd Highlanders had only one hundred greatcoats +fit for wear, which were used by the men on night duties.</p> +<p> +On the 25th we marched to Jaldak, seventeen miles, and the same +distance the next day to Tirandaz, where I received a letter from +Lieutenant-General Primrose, informing me that Ayub Khan had +raised the siege on the 23rd, and was entrenching himself at Mazra, +beyond the Baba Wali Kotal, in the valley of the Arghandab.</p> +<p> +I awoke on the morning of the 27th feeling very unwell, and soon +found I was in for an attack of fever. The heat during the day was +becoming more and more overpowering as we proceeded south, and I +had lately been feeling somewhat knocked up by it and by exposure to +the sun. I had now to give in for the time being, and was compelled +to perform the march in a doolie, a most ignominious mode of conveyance +for a General on service; but there was no help for it, for I +could not sit a horse.</p> +<p> +That day the 3rd Bengal and 3rd Punjab Cavalry marched thirty-four<span class="page"><a name="483">[Page 483]</a></span> +miles to Robat, in order to establish direct heliographic communication +with Kandahar. The main body halted about half-way, +when I again reported progress as follows:</p> + +<p class="rindent4a"> +SHAHR-I-SAFA, <br /> + +'<i>27th August, 1880.</i></p> +<p class="quote6"> +'My force arrived here to-day. I received a letter yesterday, dated 25th, +from Colonel St. John. He writes: "The rumours of the approach of your +force have been sufficient to relieve the city from investment. On Monday +night the villages on the east and south were abandoned by their mixed +garrisons of <i>ghazis</i> and regulars. Yesterday morning Ayub struck his camp, +and marched to a position on the Arghandab, between Baba Wali and Sheikh +Chela, due north of the city, and separated from it by a range of rocky hills. +He has about 4,000 Infantry regulars, six 12-pounders and two 9-pounders +rifled, four 6-pounder smooth-bore batteries, and one 4-pounder battery, 2,000 +sowars, and perhaps twice that number of <i>ghazis</i>, of whom a third have firearms. +The Kizilbashes and Kohistanis in his army, about 1,200 Infantry +and 300 Cavalry, offered to desert and join us directly we made a show of +attack. They are at last aware of Abdur Rahman's succession, but I think +Ayub will remain unmolested until the arrival of the Kabul force, provided +he waits, which is unlikely. He will, I expect, strike away north into +Khakrez, on which line a vigorous pursuit will give us his guns. Maclaine, +Royal Horse Artillery, is still a prisoner; I am making every effort to obtain +his release, but I am not very hopeful of success. This morning, the 25th, +I went to the field of the unlucky sortie of the 16th, and found the bodies of +the poor fellows who fell there, some forty in number; they will be buried +this afternoon. All the wounded are doing well. No signs or tidings of +Phayre." General Gough, with two regiments of Cavalry, is at Robat; they +are in heliographic communication with Kandahar. General Primrose heliographs +that Ayub Khan has entrenched his camp at Baba Wali. The force +marches for Robat to-morrow, seventeen miles distant from Kandahar.'</p> + +<p> +The following day the column joined the two Cavalry regiments at +Robat, where I was met by Lieutenant-Colonel St. John, from whom +I heard that Ayub Khan was likely to make a stand. I thought it +prudent, therefore, to halt on Sunday, the 29th, and divide the last +twenty miles into two short marches, in order that the men and animals +might arrive as fresh as possible, and fit for any work which might be +required of them; for should Ayub Khan retire towards Herat, he +would have to be followed up, and his army attacked and defeated +wherever we might overtake him.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Letter from General Phayre</span> +Before leaving Robat, a letter arrived from General Phayre, which +put an end to all hope of his force being able to co-operate with mine, +for his leading brigade, he wrote, had only just got to the Kohjak Pass. +This was to be regretted, but it was unavoidable. I was well aware +of the strenuous efforts the gallant Commander had made to relieve +the beleaguered garrison, and I knew if co-operation had been possible +it would have been effected.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map8">[map 8]</a></span> + + <p class="center"> + <span class="left">Click map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map8k-k-3000.jpg"><img src="images/map8k-k-600.jpg" width="600" height="86" alt="SKETCH OF THE ROUTE TAKEN ON THE MARCH FROM KABUL TO KANDAHAR. AUGUST. 1880." border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>SKETCH OF THE ROUTE TAKEN ON THE MARCH FROM KABUL TO KANDAHAR. AUGUST. 1880.</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +We encamped at Momund on the 30th, whence I sent the following<span class="page"><a name="484">[Page 484]</a></span> +telegram to Simla:</p> + +<p class="quote6"> +'My force arrived here to-day; we march to Kandahar to-morrow. General +Primrose heliographs that a letter from Ayub's camp brings information that +the mother of the late Heir-Apparent, Abdulla Jan, with other ladies, has +been sent to Zamindawar. Arrival of the young Musa Jan in Ayub's camp is +confirmed. Hashim Khan is also there. The position is being strengthened, +especially on the Pir Paimal side, where two guns have been placed with two +regiments. From further information, I learn that the Baba Wali Kotal is +occupied by three regiments and two guns. The Kotal-i-Murcha is held by +the Kabul regiments, and Ayub's own camp is at Mazra, where it is said that +the majority of his guns are parked. I propose to encamp the Infantry to the +west of Kandahar immediately under the walls, and the Cavalry under the +walls to the south. Should I hear that Ayub contemplates flight, I shall +attack without delay. If, on the contrary, he intends to resist, I shall take +my own time. The country he is occupying is, from description and map, +extremely difficult and easily defensible, and each separate advance will require +careful study and reconnaissance to prevent unnecessary loss of life.'</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Kandahar</span> +On the morning of the 31st we marched into Kandahar, just over +313 miles from Kabul. The fever, which had attacked me rather +sharply, had left me extremely weak, and I was unable to ride the +whole way. I got on my horse, however, some distance from Kandahar +to meet Generals Primrose, Burrows, and Nuttall, who came out to +receive the column. As we approached the city, the whole garrison +turned out and gave us a hearty welcome; officers and men, Native +and British, crowded round us, loud in their expressions of gratitude +for our having come so quickly to their assistance. We, on our side, +were all anxiety to learn the particulars about Maiwand, how they had +fared while invested, and all they could tell us of Ayub Khan, his +position, strength of his army, etc.</p> +<p> +I confess to being very greatly surprised, not to use a stronger expression, +at the demoralized condition of the greater part of the +<a name="LXI4r">garrison</a>;<a href="#LXI4"><sup>4</sup></a> there were notable <a name="LXI5r">exceptions</a>,<a href="#LXI5"><sup>5</sup></a> but the general bearing of +the troops reminded me of the people at Agra in 1857. They seemed +to consider themselves hopelessly defeated, and were utterly despondent; +they never even hoisted the Union Jack until the relieving +force was close at hand. The same excuses could not, however, be +made for them, who were all soldiers by profession, as we had felt +inclined to make for the residents at Agra, a great majority of whom +were women, children, and civilians. The <a name="LXI6r">walls</a><a href="#LXI6"><sup>6</sup></a> which completely +surrounded Kandahar were so high and thick as to render the city <span class="page"><a name="485">[Page 485]</a></span> +absolutely impregnable to any army not equipped with a regular siege-train. +Scaling-ladders had been prepared by the enemy, and there +was an idea that an assault would be attempted; but for British +soldiers to have contemplated the possibility of Kandahar being taken +by an Afghan army showed what a miserable state of depression and +demoralization they were in.</p> + +<p> +I halted the column for two hours outside the south wall of the city, +where it was sheltered from the enemy's fire, Ayub Khan's position +being within long range directly north of Kandahar. While the men +rested and breakfasted, and the baggage animals were being unloaded, +fed, and watered, I went into the citadel to talk matters over with +General Primrose and Colonel St. John, and inquire whether there +was sufficient accommodation for the sick men of my force, numbering +940, who needed to be taken into hospital. The thermometer now +registered 105° Fahr. in tents during the day, but the nights were still +bitterly cold, and the sudden changes of temperature were extremely +trying to people in bad health.</p> +<p> +On the advice of Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman, whose intimate +acquaintance with the neighbourhood of Kandahar, gained while +serving on Sir Donald Stewart's staff, was now most valuable to me, I +determined to take up a position to the west of the city, with my right +on the cantonment and my left touching Old Kandahar. This enabled +me to cover the city, gave me command of a good supply of water, and +placed me within striking distance of Ayub Khan's camp.</p> +<p> +At 10 a.m. the first and third brigades moved off and occupied +Piquet Hill, Karez Hill, and the north-east spur of the hill above Old +Kandahar. A few shots were fired at the advance guard from distant +orchards, and the ground proved to be within range of some of the +enemy's Field-pieces on the Baba Wali Kotal, but it was a case of +Hobson's choice, as water was not to be found anywhere else at a +come-at-able distance.</p> +<p> +Large numbers of men were to be seen crowning the Baba Wali +Kotal, and constructing shelter-trenches along the crest of the low +black ridge, which jutted out in a south-easterly direction from the +more lofty range on which the kotal is situated. Piquets were immediately +sent to occupy the northern spur of the Kohkeran Hill commanding +the road to Gundigan, the village of Abbasabad, the Karez +Hill, the village of Chihal Dukhtaran, the greater and lesser Piquet +Hills, and the village of Kalachi, all of which were found to be +deserted.</p> +<p> +From a cursory examination of the ground, I satisfied myself that +any attempt to carry the Baba Wali Kotal by direct attack must result +in very severe loss, and I determined to turn it. But before I could +decide how this could best be done, it was necessary to ascertain the +strength and precise extent of the Afghan position. I therefore <span class="page"><a name="486">[Page 486]</a></span> +detailed a small <a name="LXI7r">party</a>,<a href="#LXI7"><sup>7</sup></a> under the command of Brigadier-General +Hugh Gough, to make as complete a reconnaissance as time would +allow. In the meantime I despatched the following telegram to the +authorities at Simla:</p> + +<p class="rindent4a"> +'KANDAHAR, <br /> +<i>31st August,</i> 1880.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'The force under my command arrived here this morning without opposition. +Enemy are said to be in considerable strength at Mazra, but the ridge +of hills which divides Kandahar from the Arghandab completely covers their +position, and at present I have only been able to ascertain that the Baba Wali +Kotal and one or two other points on this ridge are held in great strength, +and that the enemy are busily engaged in defensive works. Reconnaissances +are now being conducted, and I shall soon, I hope, be sufficiently acquainted +with affairs generally to enable me to arrange for an attack. The Kandahar +garrison are in good health; the horses and transport animals appear to be in +good condition. Major Vandeleur, 7th Fusiliers, has died of his wounds; the +remainder of the wounded, both officers and men, are generally doing well. +The troops from Kabul are in famous health and spirits. The assurance of +the safety of this garrison enabled comparatively short marches to be made +from Kelat-i-Ghilzai, which much benefited both men and animals. The +Cavalry horses and Artillery mules are in excellent condition, and the transport +animals are, as a rule, in very fair order. General Primrose has arranged +for the sick of the force from Kabul being accommodated inside the city; +many of the cases are sore feet; none are serious. To-morrow the telegraph +line towards India will commence to be re-constructed, and as General Phayre +is probably on this side of the Kohjak to-day, through communication should +soon be restored.'</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Reconnoitring the enemy's position</span> +The reconnaissance, which started at 1 p.m., proceeded towards the +high ground immediately above the villages of Gundigan and Murghan. +Here the Infantry and guns were halted, while the Cavalry advanced +between two or three miles, avoiding the numerous orchards and enclosures, +and coming out in front of Pir Paimal, which was found to +be strongly entrenched.</p> +<p> +As soon as the enemy's fire along this line had been drawn, the 3rd +Bengal Cavalry fell back, admirably handled by their Commandant, +Lieutenant-Colonel A. Mackenzie. In the meantime, two guns of +No. 11 Battery 9th Brigade were brought into action, partly to test the +range, and partly to check the enemy, who were passing rapidly into +the gardens near Gundigan. The Infantry and Artillery then retired +within the line of piquets, and the moment they began to fall back the +Afghans came after them in great strength; they were so persistent +that I ordered the whole of the 3rd Brigade and part of the 1st Brigade +under arms. The enemy, however, were unable to come to close +quarters owing to the bold front shown by the 15th Sikhs, under the +command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hennessy, and before dark the troops<span class="page"><a name="487">[Page 487]</a></span> +were all back in camp, with a loss of five men killed and fifteen +wounded.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Turning Movement</span> +From the information obtained by this reconnaissance, I found that +it was quite practicable to turn the Afghan right, and thus place myself +in rear of the Baba Wali range; I decided, therefore, to attack the +position the following morning. It was too close to our camp to risk +delay. Moreover, I knew that the retrograde movement of Gough's +small body would be construed into a defeat by the enemy, who, if we +did not move at once, would assuredly think that we were afraid to +take the initiative, and would become correspondingly bold.</p> +<p> +I accordingly issued orders for the troops to breakfast at 7 a.m., and +for one day's cooked rations to be carried by the Infantry and two +days by the Cavalry and Horse Artillery. Brigades were to be in +position by eight o'clock, tents being previously struck and the baggage +stored in a walled enclosure.</p> +<p> +The night passed quietly except for occasional bursts of musketry +along the line of piquets to the west, showing that the Afghans were +holding the villages they had occupied the previous evening.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXII">LXII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p> +The next morning, the 1st September, in accordance with instructions +from Simla, I assumed command of the army in southern Afghanistan. +There was no return to show the strength or composition of General +Phayre's column, but the troops at Kandahar all told now amounted +in round numbers to 3,800 British and 11,000 Native soldiers, with +36 guns.</p> +<p> +An hour before daybreak the whole of the troops were under arms, +and at 6 a.m. I explained to Generals Primrose and Ross and the +officers commanding brigades the plan of operations. Briefly, it was +to threaten the enemy's left (the Baba Wali Kotal), and to attack in +force by the village of Pir Paimal.</p> +<p> +The Infantry belonging to the Kabul column, upon whom devolved +the duty of carrying the enemy's position, were formed up in rear of +the low hills which covered the front of our camp, their right being at +Piquet Hill and their left resting on Chitral Zina. The Cavalry of the +Kabul column were drawn up in rear of the left, ready to operate by +Gundigan towards the head of the Arghandab, so as to threaten the +rear of Ayub Khan's camp and his line of retreat in the direction of +Girishk. Four guns of E Battery Royal Horse Artillery, two companies +of the 2-7th Fusiliers, and four companies of the 28th Bombay Infantry, +were placed at the disposal of Brigadier-General Hugh Gough, whose +orders were to occupy with these troops the position above Gundigan,<span class="page"><a name="488">[Page 488]</a></span> +which had been so useful during the previous day's reconnaissance, +and to push his Cavalry on to the Arghandab.</p> +<p> +Guards having been detailed for the protection of the city, the +remainder of Lieutenant-General Primrose's troops were ordered to +be disposed as follows: Brigadier-General Daubeny's brigade to occupy +the ground between Piquet Hill and Chitral Zina as soon as the +Infantry of the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force advanced to the attack. +The remnant of Brigadier-General Burrows's brigade, with No. 5 +Battery, 11th Brigade Royal Artillery, under Captain Hornsby, and +the Cavalry under Brigadier-General Nuttall, to take up a position +north of the cantonment, from which the 40-pounders could be brought +to bear on the Baba Wali Kotal, while the Cavalry could watch the +pass, called Kotal-i-Murcha, and cover the city.</p> +<p> +From an early hour it was clear that the enemy contemplated an +offensive movement; the villages of Gundigan and Gundi Mulla +Sahibdab were being held in strength, and a desultory fire was brought +to bear on the British front from the orchards connecting these two +villages and from the Baba Wali Kotal.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Commencement of the fight</span> +The Bombay Cavalry moved out at 7.30 a.m., and Daubeny's +brigade at eight o'clock. Burrows's troops followed, and shortly after +9 a.m., their disposition being completed, Captain Hornsby opened fire +upon the kotal, which was one mass of <i>ghazis</i>.</p> +<p> +This feint, made by General Primrose's troops, having had the +effect I had hoped, of attracting the enemy's attention, I gave the +order for Major-General Ross to make the real attack with the 1st and +2nd Brigades of his division. The 3rd Brigade, under Brigadier-General +Macgregor, I placed in front of the village of Abbasabad, +with the double object of being a reserve to the 1st and 2nd Brigades +and of meeting a possible counter-attack from the Baba Wali Kotal.</p> +<p> +Ross's orders were to advance against Gundi Mulla Sahibdad, +capture the village, and then drive the enemy from the enclosures +which lay between it and the low spur of Pir Paimal hill. This duty +he entrusted to Brigadier-General Macpherson, and he directed +Brigadier-General Baker to advance to the west, to keep touch with +the 1st Brigade, and to clear the gardens and orchards in his immediate +front.</p> +<p> +Greig's 9-pounder and Robinson's 7-pounder (screw gun) batteries +covered the attack on Gundi Mulla Sahibdad, which was made by the +2nd Gurkhas, under Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Battye, and the 92nd +Highlanders, under Lieutenant-Colonel G. Parker, supported by the +23rd Pioneers, under Lieutenant-Colonel H. Collett, and the 24th +Punjab Infantry, under Colonel F. Norman. The village was carried +with the utmost gallantry, Highlanders and Gurkhas, always friendly +rivals in the race for glory, by turns outstripping each other in their +efforts to be first within its walls. The enemy sullenly and slowly<span class="page"><a name="489">[Page 489]</a></span> +withdrew, a goodly number of <i>ghazis</i> remaining to the very last to +receive a bayonet charge of the 92nd. Meanwhile, Baker's troops had +been threading their way through the narrow lanes and loop-holed +enclosures which lay in the line of their spirited attack; the resistance +they encountered was most stubborn, and it was during this advance +that the 72nd lost their dashing Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel +F. <a name="LXII1r">Brownlow</a>,<a href="#LXII1"><sup>1</sup></a> Captain Frome, and Lance-Sergeant Cameron, the +latter a grand specimen of a Highland soldier.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">72nd Highlanders and 2nd Sikhs</span> +In the 2nd Brigade, the 72nd Highlanders and the 2nd Sikhs bore +the brunt of the fighting; they were the leading battalions, and +frequently had to fix bayonets to carry different positions or to check +the desperate rushes of the Afghans.</p> +<p> +After continued and severe fighting, both leading brigades emerged +at the point of the hill close to Pir Paimal, and, wheeling to their right, +they pressed rapidly on, sweeping the enemy through the thickly-wooded +gardens which covered the western slopes, until noon, when +the whole of Pir Paimal was in our <a name="LXII2r">possession</a>.<a href="#LXII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +During the early part of the advance the Afghans collected in great +strength on the low hills beneath the Baba Wan Kotal, evidently preparing +for a rush on our guns; their leaders could be seen urging them +on, and a portion of them came down the hill, but the main body +apparently refused to follow, and remained on the crest until the +position was turned, when they at once retreated.</p> +<p> +Having become assured of General Ross's complete success, and +seeing that there was now no necessity for detaining Macgregor's +(the 3rd) brigade to meet a counter-attack, I pushed on with it to join +Ross, who, however, knowing how thoroughly he could depend upon +his troops, without waiting to be reinforced, followed up the retreating +foe, until he reached an entrenched position at the other side of the<span class="page"><a name="490">[Page 490]</a></span> +Baba Wali Kotal, where the Afghans made another most determined +stand. <i>Ghazis</i> in large numbers flocked to this spot from the rear, +while the guns on the kotal were turned round and brought to bear on +our men, already exposed to a heavy Artillery fire from behind the +entrenched camp.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">92nd Highlanders and 2nd Gurkhas</span> +It now became necessary to take this position by storm, and recognizing +the fact with true soldierly instinct, Major White, who was +leading the advanced companies of the 92nd, called upon the men for +just one charge more 'to close the business.' The battery of screw +guns had been shelling the position, and, under cover of its fire and +supported by a portion of the 2nd Gurkhas and 23rd Pioneers, the +Highlanders, responding with alacrity to their leader's call, dashed +forward and drove the enemy from their entrenchments at the point +of the <a name="LXII3r">bayonet</a>.<a href="#LXII3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> +<p> +Major White was the first to reach the guns, being closely followed +by Sepoy Inderbir Lama, who, placing his rifle upon one of them, +exclaimed, 'Captured in the name of the 2nd (Prince of Wales' Own) +Gurkhas!'</p> +<p> +Whilst the 1st Brigade was advancing towards the last position, a +half-battalion of the 3rd Sikhs (belonging to the 2nd Brigade), under +Lieutenant-Colonel G. Money, charged a body of Afghans and captured +three guns.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Ayub Khan's Camp</span> +The enemy were now absolutely routed, but, owing to the nature of +the ground, it was impossible for General Ross to realize how complete +had been his victory, and he fully expected that the enemy would take +up a fresh position further on; he therefore ordered the 1st and 2nd +Brigades to halt while they replenished their ammunition, and then +proceeded for about a mile, when they suddenly came in sight of Ayub +Khan's enormous camp. It was entirely deserted, and apparently +stood as it had been left in the morning when the Afghans moved out +to the attack. With his camp was captured the whole of Ayub Khan's +Artillery, thirty-two pieces, including our two Horse Artillery <a name="LXII4r">guns</a><a href="#LXII4"><sup>4</sup></a> +which had been taken at Maiwand on the 27th July.</p> +<p> +Further pursuit by the Infantry being valueless, the 1st and 2nd<span class="page"><a name="491">[Page 491]</a></span> +Brigades halted on the far side of Mazra, where I with the 3rd Brigade +shortly afterwards joined them.</p> +<p> +Brigadier-General Hugh Gough, having satisfied himself as to the +security of our left flank, scouted as far as Kohkeran, and then proceeded +with the Cavalry of the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force to execute +the extended movement entrusted to him. He crossed the Arghandab, +and pushed round to get in front of the line of the enemy's retreat +towards Khakrez. Some <i>ghazis</i> and Irregular Afghan troops were +overtaken, but no Regular regiments were met with, the soldiers +having, as is their custom, quickly divested themselves of their +uniform and assumed the garb of harmless agriculturists.</p> +<p> +Ayub Khan himself had fled early in the day with his principal +Sirdars.</p> +<p> +As I rode into the abandoned camp, I was horrified to hear that the +body of Maclaine, the Horse Artillery officer who had been taken +prisoner at Maiwand, was lying with the throat cut about forty yards +from Ayub Khan's own tent. From what I could learn, the latter had +not actually ordered the murder, but as a word from him would have +prevented it, he must be held responsible for the assassination of an +officer who had fallen into his hands as a prisoner of war.</p> +<p> +Our losses during the day comprised: killed, 3 British <a name="LXII5r">officers</a>,<a href="#LXII5"><sup>5</sup></a> +1 Native officer, and 36 men; wounded, 11 British officers, 4 Native +officers, and 195 men, 18 of whom succumbed to their wounds. It +was difficult to estimate the loss of the enemy, but it must have been +heavy, as between Kandahar and the village of Pir Paimal alone +600 bodies were buried by us.</p> +<p> +With the exception of the 1st Brigade, which remained at Mazra for +the night to protect the captured guns and stores, the troops all returned +to camp <a name="LXII6r">before</a> 9 p.m.<a href="#LXII6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map9">[map 9]</a></span> + + <p class="center"> + <span class="left">Click map to enlarge</span><br /> + <a href="images/map9kanda-2253.jpg"><img src="images/map9kanda-600.jpg" width="600" height="154" alt="Sketch of the Kandahar BattleField" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>PEN AND INK SKETCH OF BATTLEFIELD OF KANDAHAR</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>1st September, 1880<br />From HILLS overlooking GUNDIGAN</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +Utterly exhausted as I was from the hard day's work and the +weakening effects of my late illness, the cheers with which I was +greeted by the troops as I rode into Ayub Khan's camp and viewed the<span class="page"><a name="492">[Page 492]</a></span> +dead bodies of my gallant soldiers nearly unmanned me, and it was +with a very big lump in my throat that I managed to say a few +words of thanks to each corps in turn. When I returned to Kandahar, +and threw myself on the bed in the little room prepared for me, I was +dead-beat and quite unequal to the effort of reporting our success to +the Queen or to the Viceroy. After an hour's rest, however, knowing +how anxiously news from Kandahar was looked for both in England +and India, I managed to pull myself together sufficiently to write out +and despatch the following telegram:</p> + +<p class="rindent4"> +'KANDAHAR, <br /> +'<i>1st September,</i> 1880 (6 p.m.).</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'Ayub Khan's army was to-day defeated and completely dispersed with, I +hope, comparatively slight loss on our side; his camp was captured, the two +lost guns of E Battery, B Brigade Royal Horse Artillery were recovered, and +several wheeled guns of various calibre fell to the splendid Infantry of this +force; the Cavalry are still in pursuit. Our casualties are: 22nd Foot, +Captain Straton, killed; 72nd Highlanders, Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow, +Captain Frome, killed, Captain Murray and Lieutenant Monro, wounded, +7 men killed, 18 wounded; 92nd Highlanders, Lieutenants Menzies and +Donald Stewart wounded, 11 men killed and 39 wounded; 2nd Gurkhas, +Lieutenant-Colonel Battye, and 2nd Sikhs, Major Slater wounded. It is at +present impossible to ascertain the casualties amongst the Native troops, +but I have no reason to believe they are excessive; full details will be telegraphed +to-morrow. The quite recently murdered remains of Lieutenant +Maclaine, Royal Horse Artillery, were found on the arrival of the British +troops in Ayub Khan's camp. Ayub Khan is supposed to have fled towards +Herat.'</p> + +<p> +It can easily be imagined with what an intense sense of relief I +awoke on the morning of the 2nd September—the march had ended, +Kandahar had been relieved, Ayub Khan's army had been beaten and +dispersed, and there was an adequate force in southern Afghanistan +to prevent further disturbances.</p> +<p> +Amongst the innumerable questions of detail which now confronted +me was the all-important one, and that which caused me greatest +anxiety, of how the large body of troops hastily concentrated at Kandahar, +and for which the produce of the country was quite inadequate, +were to be fed.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Difficulties about Supplies</span> +No supplies and very little forage were procurable between Quetta +and Kandahar, and in the neighbourhood of the latter place there was +now hardly anything in the shape of food for man or beast to be had +for love or money, the resources of this part of the country having been +quite exhausted. Relief could only be obtained by reducing the +number of mouths to be fed, and with this object I scattered the +troops in different directions, to posts as far distant from each other as +possible, consistent with safety; and in accordance with my promise +to the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force, that they should not be required +to garrison Kandahar when the fighting was at an end, I arranged to<span class="page"><a name="493">[Page 493]</a></span> +despatch without delay to India the corps which had come with me +from northern Afghanistan.</p> + +<p> +One column proceeded to Maiwand to inter the bodies of our soldiers +who fell on the 27th July. The Cavalry brigade moved with a number +of sick men and transport animals to Kohkeran. Macgregor's brigade +started for Quetta on the 8th, and was followed soon after by Baker's +and Macpherson's brigades. I accompanied Macgregor in the hope +that the change to Quetta (where I remained about a month) would +pick me up, and enable me to meet Lord Ripon's wish that I should +retain the command in southern Afghanistan until some satisfactory +settlement could be arrived at.</p> +<p> +Before leaving Kandahar I issued an order thanking all ranks of the +Kabul-Kandahar Field Force for the work they had so nobly performed, +and I had the gratification of acknowledging, on their behalf and my +own, congratulatory messages from the Queen, the Duke of Cambridge, +the Marquis of Ripon, and many others. On the way to Quetta I had +the further gratification of being informed by the Viceroy that Her +Majesty had been graciously pleased to make me a G.C.B., and to +appoint me Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army.</p> +<p> +I now heard that Abdur Rahman had been finally nominated Amir +of Kabul on the 10th August, and that immediately after the ceremony +of installation Sir Donald Stewart had marched the whole British force +of 6,678 men of all arms out of Kabul on their return to India. Sir +Donald left Peshawar to take up his appointment of Military Member +of Council at Simla on the 31st August, and by the 7th September the +last of his troops had arrived at the former place, except one brigade +left as a temporary measure in the Khyber Pass.</p> +<p> +At Quetta I stayed with Sir Robert Sandeman, the capable Resident, +who by his great personal influence had done much to allay excitement +amongst the tribes, and to prevent serious trouble in Baluchistan and +along the border. I had never before been to that part of the frontier, +and I was greatly impressed by the hold Sandeman had obtained over +the country; he was intimately acquainted with every leading man, +and there was not a village, however out of the way, which he had not +visited. 'Sinniman <i>sahib</i>,' as the Natives called him, had gained +the confidence of the lawless Baluchis in a very remarkable manner, +and it was mainly owing to his power over them that I was able +to arrange with camel contractors to transport to Quetta and Kandahar +the huge stocks of winter clothing, medical comforts, grain, and the +various requirements of an army in the field, which had been brought +by rail to Sibi, and had there remained for want of transport to take +them further on.</p> +<p> +As the change to Quetta did not benefit me, and as I found that, +owing to indifferent health, I was unable to carry on my duty with +satisfaction to myself, I applied to be relieved. My request was acceded<span class="page"><a name="494">[Page 494]</a></span> +to, and I started on the 12th October for India.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Parting with the Troops</span> +Riding through the Bolan Pass I overtook most of the regiments of +the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force marching towards Sibi, thence to +disperse to their respective destinations. As I parted with each corps +in turn its band played 'Auld Lang Syne,' and I have never since +heard that memory-stirring air without its bringing before my mind's +eye the last view I had of the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force. I fancy +myself crossing and re-crossing the river which winds through the +pass; I hear the martial beat of drums and plaintive music of the +pipes; and I see Riflemen and Gurkhas, Highlanders and Sikhs, guns +and horses, camels and mules, with the endless following of an Indian +army, winding through the narrow gorges, or over the interminable +boulders which made the passage of the Bolan so difficult and wearisome +to man and beast.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Pleasing Memory</span> +I shall never forget the feeling of sadness with which I said good-bye +to the men who had done so much for me. I looked upon them all, +Native as well as British, as my valued friends. And well I might, for +never had a Commander been better served. From first to last a grand +spirit of <i><a name="LXII7r">camaraderie</a></i><a href="#LXII7"><sup>7</sup></a> pervaded all ranks. At the Peiwar Kotal, at +Charasia, and during the fighting round Kabul, all were eager to close +with the enemy, no matter how great the odds against them. Throughout +the march from Kabul all seemed to be animated with but one desire, +to effect, cost what it might in personal risk, fatigue, or discomfort, the +speedy release of their beleaguered fellow-soldiers in Kandahar; and +the unflagging energy and perseverance of my splendid troops seemed +to reach their full height, when they realized they were about to put +forth their strength against a hitherto successful enemy. Their exemplary +conduct, too, under circumstances often of the most trying nature, +cannot be praised in terms too strong or too full. Notwithstanding the +provocation caused by the cruel murder of any stragglers who fell into +the hands of the Afghans, not one act infringing the rules of civilized +warfare was committed by my troops. The persons and property of <span class="page"><a name="495">[Page 495]</a></span> +the Natives were respected, and full compensation for supplies was +everywhere given. In short, the inhabitants of the district through +which we passed could not have been treated with greater consideration +nor with a lighter hand, had they proved themselves friendly allies, +and the conduct of the troops will ever be to me as pleasing a memory +as are the results which they achieved.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXIII">LXIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p> +On the 15th October I handed over my command to Major-General +Phayre, and started for England, making, by the desire of the Viceroy, +a diversion to Simla, where Lord Ripon received me most kindly, and, +to my great pride and pleasure, delivered to me a letter from the +Queen-Empress, written by Her Majesty's own hand, which conveyed +in the most gracious terms the Queen's satisfaction at the manner in +which the service entrusted to me had been performed, thanks to 'the +brave officers and men under my command,' sorrow 'for those of her +gallant soldiers who fell for Queen and country,' and anxiety for the +wounded. Her Majesty also wrote of 'the thrill of horror' with which +the news of the fate of Lieutenant Maclaine had been received, and +concluded with words of hope that my own health and that of the +troops would remain good, and that success might attend us 'till the +blessings of peace are restored.'</p> +<p> +A gracious letter, truly! And to me a deeply appreciated reward +for what I had been able to do.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Reception in England</span> +I landed at Dover on the 17th November. The reception I met with +from my countrymen was as enthusiastic as it was unexpected and +gratifying. After an absence of twelve years there must almost always +be more or less of sadness mingled with the pleasure of the home-coming, +and two vacant places in my family circle—those of my father +and sister—cast a deep shadow upon what would otherwise have been +a most joyous return, for my mother was alive to welcome me, and I +found my children flourishing and my wife well, notwithstanding all +the anxiety she had undergone.</p> +<p> +I was fêted and feasted to almost an alarming extent, considering +that for nearly two years I had been restricted to campaigning diet; +but it surprised me very much to find that the kind people, by whom I +was so greatly honoured, invariably appeared to think the march from +Kabul to Kandahar was a much greater performance than the advance +on Kabul the previous autumn, while, to my mind, the latter operation +was in every particular more difficult, more dangerous, and placed +upon me as the Commander infinitely more responsibility. The force +with which I started from Kuram to avenge the massacre of our<span class="page"><a name="496">[Page 496]</a></span> +fellow-countrymen was little more than half the strength of that with +which I marched to Kandahar. Immediately on crossing the Shutargardan +I found myself in the midst of a hostile and warlike people, +entirely dependent on the country for supplies, heavily handicapped by +want of transport, and practically as completely cut off from communication +with India as I was a year later on the march to Kandahar. +The Afghans' fanatical hatred of Europeans had been augmented by +their defeats the year before, and by the occurrences at Kabul, and they +looked upon my small column as a certain prey delivered into their +hands by a sympathizing and all-powerful Allah.</p> +<p> +Before me was Kabul, with its large and well-equipped arsenal, +defended by an army better organized and more highly trained than +that possessed by any former Ruler of Afghanistan. On all sides of me +were tribesmen hurrying up to defend the approaches to their capital, +and had there been on our part the smallest hesitation or delay, we +should have found ourselves opposed by as formidable a combination +as we had to deal with two months later at Sherpur. Nothing could +then have saved the force, not one man of which I firmly believe +would have ever returned to tell the tale in India. Worse than all, I +had in my own camp a traitor, in the form of the Amir, posing as a +friend to the British Government and a refugee seeking our protection, +while he was at heart our bitterest enemy, and was doing +everything in his power to make my task more difficult and ensure our +defeat.</p> +<p> +The march to Kandahar was certainly much longer, the country was +equally unfriendly, and the feeding of so large a number of men and +animals was a continual source of anxiety. But I had a force capable +of holding its own against any Afghan army that could possibly be +opposed to it, and good and sufficient transport to admit of its being +kept together, with the definite object in view of rescuing our besieged +countrymen and defeating Ayub Khan; instead of, as at Kabul, having +to begin to unravel a difficult political problem after accomplishing the +defeat of the tribesmen and the Afghan army.</p> +<p> +I could only account to myself for the greater amount of interest displayed +in the march to Kandahar, and the larger amount of credit +given to me for that undertaking, by the glamour of romance thrown +around an army of 10,000 men lost to view, as it were, for nearly a +month, about the fate of which uninformed speculation was rife and +pessimistic rumours were spread, until the tension became extreme, +and the corresponding relief proportionably great when that army reappeared +to dispose at once of Ayub and his hitherto victorious troops.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1881</span><span class="rightnote"><br />A Fruitless Journey</span> +I did not return to India until the end of 1881, six weeks out of +these precious months of leave having been spent in a wild-goose +chase to the Cape of Good Hope and back, upon my being nominated +by Mr. Gladstone's Government Governor of Natal and Commander<span class="page"><a name="497">[Page 497]</a></span> +of the Forces in South Africa, on the death of Sir George Colley and +the receipt of the news of the disaster at Majuba Hill. While I was +on my way out to take up my command, peace was made with the +Boers in the most marvellously rapid and unexpected manner, A +peace, alas! 'without honour,' to which may be attributed the recent +regrettable state of affairs in the Transvaal—a state of affairs which +was foreseen and predicted by many at the time. My stay at Cape +Town was limited to twenty-four hours, the Government being +apparently as anxious to get me away from Africa as they had been +to hurry me out there.</p> +<p> +In August I spent three very enjoyable and instructive weeks as +the guest of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Germany, while +the manœuvres at Hanover and Schleswig-Holstein were taking +place.</p> +<p> +Shortly before leaving England for Madras, I was asked by Mr. +Childers, the then Secretary of State for War, whether I would +accept the appointment of Quartermaster-General at the Horse +Guards, in succession to Sir Garnet Wolseley. The offer, in some +ways, was rather a temptation to me, for I had a great wish to take +part in the administration of our army; and had it been made +sooner, before my arrangements for going to Madras had been completed, +I think I should have accepted it at once; as it was, I begged +to be allowed to join my new command, and leave the question of the +Quartermaster-Generalship in abeyance until it was about to become +vacant. This was agreed to, and I started for Madras, taking my +wife and two little daughters with me, the boy being left at school in +England.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Andaman Isles and Burma</span> +On arriving in Madras, on the 27th November, I had the pleasure +to find myself associated as a colleague in Council with Mr. Grant-<a name="LXIII1r">Duff</a>,<a href="#LXIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> +who had recently been appointed Governor of the Presidency. +We spent a few pleasant days with him and Mrs. Grant-Duff at +Government House, before proceeding to deposit our children at +Ootacamund, that Queen of Indian Hill-stations, which was to be our +home for four years. We spent Christmas there, and then went to +Burma, visiting the Andaman Islands on the way. We had on board +our ship some prisoners destined for that convict settlement, amongst +whom cholera unfortunately broke out a few hours after we left +Madras. They were accommodated just outside my wife's cabin, and +their cries and groans were most distressing. Very little could be +done for them on board, for the Native Doctor accompanying us +possessed no remedy but castor oil! and as the disease was spreading +rapidly, I took upon myself to have the party landed at Vizagapatam.</p> +<p> +The cholera patients were put into tents on the sea-shore, under the<span class="page"><a name="498">[Page 498]</a></span> +charge of a medical officer, and every arrangement possible for their +comfort and relief was made before we proceeded on our journey.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1882</span> +During our stay at Port Blair, the Head-Quarters of the Andaman +Administration, we were the guests of the hospitable Superintendent, +Lieutenant-Colonel Protheroe, who had been one of the political +officers on my staff in Afghanistan. The group of islands forming +the settlement are extremely beautiful, but it is tropical beauty, and +one pays the penalty for the luxuriant vegetation in the climate, which +is very much like a Turkish bath, hot and damp. While going +through the prisons, I came across some of the sepoys of the 29th +Punjab Infantry who deserted during the advance on the Peiwar +Kotal. I was told that they were behaving well, and might in time be +allowed some remission of their sentences.</p> +<p> +A voyage of thirty-six hours brought us to Rangoon, where we had +the pleasure of meeting and being entertained by our old friends, +Mr. <a name="LXIII2r">Bernard</a>,<a href="#LXIII2"><sup>2</sup></a> the Chief Commissioner of Burma, and his wife.</p> +<p> +In 1882 Thyetmyo and Tonghu were the two frontier stations of +Burma, and I had been asked to consider the question of the defence +of the proposed railway termini at these places. I accordingly visited +them both, and as I thought I foresaw that the lines of railway could +not end as then contemplated, I recommended that the absolutely +necessary works only should be attempted, and that these should be +as inexpensive as possible. Ere many years had passed, the line, as I +anticipated, was completed to Mandalay.</p> +<p> +The defences of Rangoon had also to be arranged for. An examination +of the approaches, however, satisfied me that no elaborate system +of fortification was necessary, and that Rangoon's best security lay in +her winding, dangerous river; so I gave it as my opinion that, with +two small batteries at Monkey Point and King's Point, and a couple of +torpedo-boats, Rangoon would be reasonably safe against attack.</p> +<p> +Before leaving Burma I received letters from H.R.H. the Duke of +Cambridge and Mr. Childers, in which were repeated the offer of the +Quartermaster-Generalship at the Horse Guards. But I had by this +time begun to like my new work, and had no desire to leave Madras; +I therefore definitely declined the appointment.</p> +<p> +From Burma we returned to Ootacamund, viâ Calcutta, where we +spent a few days with Lord and Lady Ripon and Sir Donald and Lady +Stewart.</p> +<p> +Life at 'Ooty' was very pleasant; such peace and repose I had +never before experienced; I thoroughly enjoyed the rest after the +turmoil of the preceding years, and I quite recovered my health, +which had been somewhat shattered. Unlike other hill-stations, +Ootacamund rests on an undulating tableland, 7,400 feet above the<span class="page"><a name="499">[Page 499]</a></span> +sea, with plenty of room in the neighbourhood for riding, driving, and +hunting; and, although the scenery is nothing like as grand as in the +Himalayas, there are exquisite views to be had, and it is more restful +and homelike. We made many warm friends and agreeable acquaintances, +who when our time in Madras came to an end presented my +wife with a very beautiful clock 'as a token of esteem and affection'; +we were very sorry to bid farewell to our friends and to our Nilgiri +home.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Madras Army</span> +Each cold season I made long tours in order to acquaint myself +with the needs and capabilities of the men of the Madras Army. I +tried hard to discover in them those fighting qualities which had distinguished +their forefathers during the wars of the last and the beginning +of the present century. But long years of peace, and the security +and prosperity attending it, had evidently had upon them, as they +always seem to have on Asiatics, a softening and deteriorating +effect; and I was forced to the conclusion that the ancient military +spirit had died in them, as it had died in the ordinary Hindustani of +Bengal and the Mahratta of Bombay, and that they could no longer +with safety be pitted against warlike races, or employed outside the +limits of southern India.</p> +<p> +It was with extreme reluctance that I formed this opinion with +regard to the successors of the old Coast Army, for which I had always +entertained a great admiration. For the sake of the British officers +belonging to the Madras Army, too, I was very loath to be convinced +of its inferiority, for many of them were devoted to their regiments, +and were justly proud of their traditions.</p> +<p> +However, there was the army, and it was my business as its Commander-in-Chief +to do all that I possibly could towards rendering it an +efficient part of the war establishment of India.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Measures for improving the Madras Army</span> +Madrassies, as a rule, are more intelligent and better educated than +the fighting races of northern India, and I therefore thought it could +not be difficult to teach them the value of musketry, and make them +excel in it. To this end, I encouraged rifle meetings and endeavoured +to get General Officers to take an interest in musketry inspections, and +to make those inspections instructive and entertaining to the men. I +took to rifle-shooting myself, as did the officers on my personal <a name="LXIII3r">staff</a>,<a href="#LXIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> +who were all good shots, and our team held its own in many exciting +matches at the different rifle meetings.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate26">[plate 26]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/26-3c-in-csIndia.jpg" width="600" height="387" alt="THE THREE COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF IN INDIA-GENERAL SIR FREDERICK SLEIGH ROBERTS, GENERAL SIR ARTHUR E. HARDINGE, GENERAL SIR DONALD MARTIN STEWART" border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>THE THREE COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF IN INDIA <br /><br /> +<span style="font-size: 0.8em;">GENERAL SIR FREDERICK SLEIGH ROBERTS.</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: 0.8em; float: left;">GENERAL SIR ARTHUR E. HARDINGE.</span> <span style="font-size: 0.8em; float: right;">GENERAL SIR DONALD MARTIN STEWART.</span></b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +At that time the importance of musketry training was not so +generally recognized as it is now, especially by the senior officers, who +had all entered the service in the days of 'Brown Bess.' Some of<span class="page"><a name="500">[Page 500]</a></span> +them had failed to note the remarkable alteration which the change +from the musket to the rifle necessitated in the system of musketry +instruction, or to study the very different conditions under which we +could hope to win battles in the present day, compared with those +under which some of our most celebrated victories had been won. It +required time and patience to inspire officers with a belief in the +wonderful shooting power of the Martini-Henry rifle, and it was even +more difficult to make them realize that the better the weapon, the +greater the necessity for its being intelligently used.</p> +<p> +I had great faith in the value of Camps of Exercise, and notwithstanding +the difficulty of obtaining an annual grant to defray their cost, +I managed each year, by taking advantage of the movement of troops +in course of relief, to form small camps at the more important stations, +and on one occasion was able to collect 9,000 men together in the +neighbourhood of Bangalore, where the Commanders-in-Chief in India +and of Bombay (Sir Donald Stewart and the Hon. Arthur Hardinge) +were present—the first and last time that the 'three Chiefs' in India +met together at a Camp of Exercise. The Sappers and Miners were a +brilliant exception to the rest of the Madras Army, being indeed a most +useful, efficient body of men, but as no increase to that branch was +considered necessary, I obtained permission to convert two Infantry +regiments into Pioneers on the model of the Pioneer Corps of the +Bengal Army, which had always proved themselves so useful on +service. Promotion amongst the British officers was accelerated, +recruits were not allowed to marry, or, if married, to have their wives +with them, and many other minor changes were made which did much +towards improving the efficiency of the Native portion of the Madras +Army; and I hope I was able to increase the comfort and well-being +of the British portion also by relaxing irksome and useless restrictions, +and by impressing upon commanding officers the advisability of not +punishing young soldiers with the extreme severity which had hitherto +been considered necessary.</p> +<p> +I had been unpleasantly struck by the frequent Courts-Martial on +the younger soldiers, and by the disproportionate number of these lads +to be met with in the military prisons. Even when the prisoners +happened to be of some length of service, I usually found that they +had undergone previous imprisonments, and had been severely +punished within a short time of their enlistment. I urged that, in +the first two or three years of a soldier's service, every allowance +should be made for youth and inexperience, and that during that time +faults should, whenever practicable, be dealt with summarily, and not +visited with the heavier punishment which a Court-Martial sentence +necessarily carries with it, and I pointed out that this procedure might +receive a wider application, and become a guiding principle in the +treatment of soldiers generally. I suggested that all men in possession<span class="page"><a name="501">[Page 501]</a></span> +of a good-conduct badge, or who had had no entry in their company +defaulter sheets for one year, should be granted certain privileges, such +as receiving the fullest indulgence in the grant of passes, consistent +with the requirements of health, duty, and discipline, and being +excused attendance at all roll-calls (including meals), except perhaps at +tattoo. I had often remarked that those corps in which indulgences +were most freely given contained the largest number of well-behaved +men, and I had been assured that such indulgences were seldom +abused, and that, while they were greatly appreciated by those who +received them, they acted as an incentive to less well conducted men +to try and redeem their characters.</p> + +<p><span class="rightnote">1884</span> +The reports of commanding officers, on the results of these small +ameliorations, after a six months' trial, were so favourable that I was +able to authorize still further concessions as a premium on good +behaviour.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Memories of Madras</span> +The Madras Presidency abounds in places of interest connected with +our earlier struggles in India, and it was possible to combine pleasure +with duty in a very delightful manner while travelling about the +country. My wife frequently accompanied me in my tours, and +enjoyed as much as I did our visits to many famous and beautiful +places. Madras itself recalled the struggles for supremacy between +the English and French in the middle of the eighteenth century. +Arcot reminded one that it was in the brilliant capture and still more +brilliant defence of the fort at that place that Clive's soldierly genius +first became conspicuous. Trichinopoly and Wandewash made one +think of Stringer Lawrence's and Eyre Coote's splendid services, and +while standing on the breach at Seringapatam, one was reminded of +Wellington's early life in India, and marvelled how heavily-armed men +could have ventured to cross the single plank which alone spanned the +deep, broad ditch of the inner defences.</p> +<p> +I should like to dwell on the architectural wonders of Tanjore and +the Caves of Ellora; the magnificent entertainments and Princely +hospitality accorded to us by the Nizam of Hyderabad, the late Maharajas +of Mysore and Travancore, the Maharaja of Vizianagram, the +Raja of Cochin, and many other Rulers of Native States; the delights +of a trip along the west coast by the beautiful 'back-water,' and the +return journey through the glorious forests of Cannara and Mysore; +the pleasure of visiting the lovely 'White <a name="LXIII4r">Lady</a>'<a href="#LXIII4"><sup>4</sup></a> and the wonderful +Kaveri falls; but to give my readers any idea of their marvels would +be to put too great a strain upon their patience, which I fear has +already been severely taxed.</p> +<p> +The late Maharaja of Travancore was an unusually enlightened +Native. He spoke and wrote English fluently; his appearance was<span class="page"><a name="502">[Page 502]</a></span> +distinguished, and his manners those of a well-bred, courteous English +gentleman of the old school. His speech on proposing the Queen's +health was a model of fine feeling and fine expression, and yet this man +was steeped in superstition. His Highness sat, slightly retired from +the table, between my wife and myself while dinner was going on; +he partook of no food or wine, but his close contact with us (he led my +wife in to dinner and took her out on his arm) necessitated his undergoing +a severe course of purification at the hands of the Brahmins as +soon as the entertainment was over; he dared not do anything without +the sanction of the priests, and he spent enormous sums in propitiating +them.</p> +<p> +Notwithstanding the high civilization, luxury, and refinement to be +found in these Native States, my visits to them strengthened my +opinion that, however capable and enlightened the Ruler, he could +have no chance of holding his country if deprived of the guiding hand +of the British Government as embodied in the Resident. It is just that +control, so light in ordinary times as to be hardly perceptible, but firm +enough when occasion demands, which saves the State from being rent +by factions and internal intrigue, or swallowed up by a more powerful +neighbour, for, owing to the influence of the Brahmins and the practical +seclusion which caste prejudices entail, involving ignorance of +what is taking place immediately outside their own palaces, the Native +Princes of the less warlike peoples would have no chance amidst the +anarchy and confusion that would follow the withdrawal of British +influence.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">An allegory</span> +A remark made to me by the late Sir Madhava Rao, ex-Minister of +the Baroda State, which exemplifies my meaning, comes back to me +at this moment. Sir Madhava was one of the most astute Hindu +gentlemen in India, and when discussing with him the excitement +produced by the 'Ilbert Bill,' he said: 'Why do you English raise +these unnecessary questions? It is your doing, not ours. We have +heard of the cry, "India for the Indians," which some of your philanthropists +have raised in England; but you have only to go to the +Zoological Gardens and open the doors of the cages, and you will very +soon see what would be the result of putting that theory into practice. +There would be a terrific fight amongst the animals, which would end +in the tiger walking proudly over the dead bodies of the rest.' 'Whom,' +I inquired, 'do you consider to be the tiger?' 'The Mahomedan from +the North,' was his reply.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate27">[plate 27]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/27-marquisdufferin.jpg" width="351" height="470" alt="THE MARQUIS OF DUFFERIN, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., VICEROY OF INDIA." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>THE MARQUIS OF DUFFERIN, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 0.8em;">VICEROY OF INDIA.</span></b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br /> + an engraving by the Fine Art Society of a portrait by the late Frank Holl, R. A.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="503">[Page 503]</a></span><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXIV">LXIV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1885</span> + +<p> +In March, 1885, we again visited Calcutta. The Marquis of Ripon had +departed, and the Earl of Dufferin reigned in his stead.</p> +<p> +Affairs on our north-west and south-east frontiers were at this time +in a very unsettled state. Indeed, the political outlook altogether had +assumed rather a gloomy aspect. Our relations with the French had +become somewhat strained in consequence of their interference with +Upper Burma and our occupation of Egypt; while Russia's activity +in the valley of the Oxus necessitated our looking after our interests in +Afghanistan. These considerations rendered it advisable to increase +the army in India by 11,000 British and 12,000 Native troops, bringing +the strength of the former up to nearly 70,000, with 414 guns, +and that of the latter to 128,636.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Disturbing Action of Russia</span> +Russia's movements could not be regarded with indifference, for, +while we had retreated from our dominating position at Kandahar, she +had approached considerably nearer to Afghanistan, and in a direction +infinitely more advantageous than before for a further onward move. +Up to 1881 a Russian army advancing on Afghanistan would have had +to solve the difficult problem of the formidable Hindu Kush barrier, or +if it took the Herat line it must have faced the deserts of Khiva and +Bokhara. But all this was changed by Skobeloff's victories over the +Tekke Turkomans, which gave Merv and Sarakhs to Russia, and enabled +her to transfer her base from Orenburg to the Caspian—by far +the most important step ever made by Russia in her advance towards +India. I had some years before pointed out to the Government of +India how immeasurably Russia would gain, if by the conquest of +Merv—a conquest which I then looked upon as certain to be accomplished +in the near future—she should be able to make this transfer. +My words were unheeded or ridiculed at the time, and I, like others +who thought as I did, was supposed to be suffering from a disease +diagnosed by a distinguished politician as 'Mervousness.' But a little +later those words were verified. Merv had become a Russian possession, +and Turkestan was in direct communication by rail and steamer with +St. Petersburg. And can it be denied that this fact, which would have +enabled the army in the Caucasus to be rapidly transported to the +scene of operations, made it possible for General Komaroff practically +to dictate terms to the Boundary Commission which was sent to define +the northern limits of Afghanistan, and to forcibly eject an Afghan +garrison from Panjdeh under the eyes of British officers?</p> +<p> +Lord Dufferin took up the reins of the Government of India at a +time when things had come to such a pass that a personal conference +with the Amir was considered necessary to arrange for the defence +and demarcation of His Highness's frontier, the strengthening of +Herat, the extension of the Sakkur-Sibi railway to Quetta, and the<span class="page"><a name="504">[Page 504]</a></span> +discussion of the general situation. Abdur Rahman was therefore +invited to meet the Viceroy at Rawal Pindi, where a large standing +camp was prepared, and my wife and I were bidden amongst a +numerous company, including Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and +Duchess of Connaught, the Ruling Punjab Chiefs, and the high officers +of Government from various parts of India, to be the guests of His +Excellency and Lady Dufferin on the interesting occasion.</p> +<p> +The meeting was fixed for the end of March, and as there was +scarcely time for us to return to Madras and get back again before +then, we proceeded leisurely up country, visiting different places and +one or two old friends on the way.</p> +<p> +At Multan I received a cipher telegram from Sir Donald Stewart +informing me that it had been decided to mobilize two Army Corps, +and that I was to have command of the first. This was exciting news, +and we lost no time in making our way to Rawal Pindi, where we +should be in direct communication with Head-Quarters, and hoped to +hear what had taken place since we left Calcutta to make it necessary +to prepare for war.</p> +<p> +I soon found out that this action on the part of the Government +was forced on them by the representatives of Russia on the Boundary +Commission, who were persistent in their attempts to encroach on +Afghan territory, in order that they might be in a position to control +the approaches to Herat, a Russian occupation of which fortress we +could not permit.</p> +<p> +Abdur Rahman arrived at Rawal Pindi on the last day of March; +he was about forty-five years of age, and although he required a stick +to walk with, being a martyr to rheumatism, and very stout, his +appearance was decidedly dignified and imposing. He had a manly, +clever, and rather handsome face, marred only by the cruel expression +of the mouth, and his manner was sufficiently courteous though somewhat +abrupt.</p> +<p> +Several semi-private meetings took place between the Viceroy and +the Amir, at the first of which His Highness, after expressing his +appreciation of the flattering and cordial reception he had met with, +reminded Lord Dufferin that he had consistently warned the British +Government of the approach of the Russians towards Afghanistan and +of the unsettling effect their advance was producing on the minds of +his countrymen; and he advocated the necessity for timely action. +No attention, he said, had been paid to his warnings, owing, probably, +to the strife of parties in England, and to the excessive caution of the +British Government.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate28">[plate 28]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/28-hhabdurrahman.jpg" width="350" height="470" alt="HIS HIGHNESS ABDUR RAHMAN, AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b><span style="font-size: 0.8em;">HIS HIGHNESS</span> <br />ABDUR RAHMAN, AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN.</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +Lord Dufferin, in reply, pointed out that the Amir had been advised +to strengthen northern Afghanistan, and that the services of Engineer +officers had been offered to him for the purpose of putting Herat into +a satisfactory state of defence. His Excellency declared that England <span class="page"><a name="505">[Page 505]</a></span> +was resolved that a Russian advance on Herat should be met by a +declaration of war; that preparations were then being made to give +effect to that resolve; and that it was now absolutely necessary for +His Highness to make up his mind which of his two powerful +neighbours he would elect to choose as his ally.</p> + +<p> +Abdur Rahman thanked the Viceroy for his offer of help, but +showed plainly that he had no intention of availing himself of the +services of our Engineers. He vowed that his own personal wishes +were entirely in favour of a close and practical alliance with the +British, but that his subjects did not share his feelings towards us. +They were 'rude, uneducated, and suspicious.' He hoped that in +time they might become more disposed to be friendly, but at present +he could not pretend to rely upon them. He then disclosed the real +reason for his ready response to the Viceroy's invitation by saying that +he would gratefully receive the assistance of the British Government +in the shape of money, arms, and munitions of war.</p> +<p> +At a later visit the conversation turned upon the difficulty of the +position in which the British members of the Boundary Commission +were placed, and the impossibility of the Afghan posts being able to +hold their own in the face of a Russian advance was explained to the +Amir. A map was produced, on which the country to the north of +Herat was carefully examined, and Russia's claims were made known +to him. Abdur Rahman's ideas of topography were not very accurate, +but he displayed considerable intelligence in his questions and perception +of the meaning of the answers, and eventually expressed his +willingness to leave the question of the delimitation of his northern +frontier in the hands of the British Government.</p> +<p> +On the 6th April there was a parade of the troops, 17,000 in number, +and that evening the Amir was present at a state banquet, at which, +after the usual loyal toasts, the Viceroy proposed the Amir's health. +His Highness, in reply, expressed a fervent hope that the prosperity +of the British Empire might long endure, as with it the welfare of +Afghanistan was bound up. He had watched, he said, the progress of +India under British rule, and he hoped that Afghanistan might flourish +in like manner; and he ended with a prayer that the Almighty would +preserve Her Majesty's troops in safety, honour, and efficiency.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Rawal Pindi Durbar</span> +Two days later the Amir was publicly received in durbar by the +Viceroy, on whose right hand he was placed, while the Duke of +Connaught occupied the seat on his left. After a few words had been +exchanged, Abdur Rahman rose, and spoke as follows: 'I am deeply +sensible of the kindness which I have received from His Excellency +the Viceroy, and of the favour shown me by Her Majesty the Queen-Empress. +In return for this kindness and favour, I am ready with my +army and people to render any services that may be required of me or +of the Afghan nation. As the British Government has declared that it<span class="page"><a name="506">[Page 506]</a></span> +will assist me in repelling any foreign enemy, so it is right and proper +that Afghanistan should unite in the firmest manner, and side by side +by the British Government.'</p> +<p> +On being presented, amongst other gifts, with a sword of honour, he +said in a loud and determined voice: 'With this sword I hope to smite +any enemy of the British Government.'</p> +<p> +That same evening the Viceroy received news of the Russian attack +on Panjdeh, and communicated it to the Amir, who heard it with +extraordinary equanimity, not appearing to attach any great importance +to the matter, and attributing the defeat of his troops to the inferiority +of their weapons. He observed that the excuse given by the Russians, +that the Afghans intended to attack them, was a frivolous pretext, and +declared all that his men had done was very properly to make preparations +to defend themselves.</p> +<p> +Abdur Rahman had expressed a desire for a British decoration, so +shortly before his departure from India he was invested, informally, +with the G.C.S.I. As the train was moving off, he said to the British +officers assembled on the platform: 'I wish you all farewell, and commend +you to the care of God. May your Government endure and your +honour increase. I have been greatly pleased and gratified by the +sight of the British Army. I hope and am certain that the friendship +now existing between us will last for ever.'</p> +<p> +Abdur Rahman had, indeed, every reason to be satisfied with the +result of his visit, for not only was Lord Ripon's promise that England +would defend his kingdom against foreign aggression ratified by Lord +Dufferin, but the Amir was given, in addition to the large sums of +money and the considerable amount of munitions of war already +received by him, ten lakhs of rupees, 20,000 breech-loading rifles, a +Heavy battery of four guns and two howitzers, a Mountain battery, +and a liberal supply of ammunition for both guns and rifles.</p> +<p> +On the Amir's departure the great camp was broken up, and the +troops returned to their respective stations, all prepared to move +towards the Quetta frontier at a moment's notice. The Native Chiefs, +in taking their leave of the Viceroy, were profuse in their offers and +promises of help should a recourse to arms be found necessary; and +Lord and Lady Dufferin's numerous guests, who, like my wife and +myself, had for more than a fortnight been recipients of the most +profuse hospitality, wished their generous host and hostess a hearty +good-bye.</p> + + <br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="map10">[map 10]</a></span> +Click map to enlarge + <p class="center"> + <a href="images/map10-russianfrontiers-1800.jpg"><img src="images/map10-russianfrontiers-600.jpg" width="600" height="433" alt="Map of the Russian Frontiers in Central Asia." border="0" /></a><br /><br /> +<b>MAP of THE RUSSIAN FRONTIERS in CENTRAL ASIA.</b><br /><br /> + </p> + <br /><br /> + +<p><span class="rightnote">Unmistakable Loyalty of the Natives</span> +Interesting as the whole proceeding had been, by far the most +gratifying result of the gathering was the unmistakable loyalty displayed +by the Native Rulers who were present, as well as by those in +distant parts of India, on hearing of the unprovoked attack made by +the Russians on the Afghan troops at Panjdeh, and our consequent +preparations for war. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and the<span class="page"><a name="507">[Page 507]</a></span> +various military camps at Rawal Pindi were crowded with men desirous +of joining the ranks of our army. I was literally besieged by old +soldiers, begging that they might be allowed to return to the colours +and fight once more for the <i>Sirkar</i>; and one Native officer, who had +been with me in Afghanistan, came to me and said: 'I am afraid, +<i>sahib</i>, I am too old and infirm to do more work myself; but you must +take my two sons with you—they are ready to die for the <i><a name="LXIV1r">Angrese</a></i>.'<a href="#LXIV1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> + +<p> +We hastened back to Madras, and reached Ootacamund after seven +consecutive nights in the train, with a thermometer at 104° in the +daytime, the only pause in our journey being at Poona, where we +spent a few hours with our friend General Sir John Ross.</p> +<p> +I left my horses at Lahore, and for some weeks lived in daily +expectation of being ordered back to the Punjab to take command of +the 1st Army Corps. A change of Government, however, took place +just in time to prevent the war. Lord Salisbury's determined attitude +convinced Russia that no further encroachments on the Afghan frontier +would be permitted; she ceased the 'game of brag' she had been +allowed to play, and the Boundary Commission were enabled to proceed +with the work of delimitation.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXV">LXV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1885</span> + +<p> +We only remained three months at 'Ooty,' for on the 8th July a +telegram arrived from Lord Dufferin announcing the Queen's approval +of my being appointed to succeed Sir Donald Stewart as Commander-in-Chief +in India, and granting me leave to visit England before taking +up the appointment.</p> +<p> +At the end of a fortnight all our preparations for departure had been +made, and on the 18th August we left Bombay, in the teeth of the +monsoon.</p> +<p> +Our boy, whose holidays had just commenced, met us at Venice, +and we loitered in Italy and Switzerland on our way home. I spent +but six weeks in England, returning to the East at the end of November, +to join my new command. I met Lord Dufferin at Agra, and accompanied +him to Gwalior, whither his Excellency went for the purpose of +formally restoring to the Maharaja Sindhia the much coveted fortress +of Gwalior, which had been occupied by us since 1858—an act of sound +policy, enabling us to withdraw a brigade which could be far more +usefully employed elsewhere.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Burma Expedition</span> +At Gwalior we received the news of the capture of Mandalay, and I +sent a telegram to Lieutenant-General <a name="LXV1r">Prendergast</a>,<a href="#LXV1"><sup>1</sup></a> to congratulate<span class="page"><a name="508">[Page 508]</a></span> +him on the successful conduct of the Burma Expedition.</p> +<p> +Affairs in Burma had been going from bad to worse from the time +King Thebaw came to the throne in 1878. Wholesale murders were of +constant occurrence within the precincts of the palace; dacoity was +rife throughout the country, and British officers were insulted to such +an extent that the Resident had to be withdrawn. In 1883 a special +Mission was sent by the King of Burma to Paris, with a view to +making such a treaty with the French Government as would enable +him to appeal to France for assistance, in the event of his being +involved in difficulties with England. The Mission remained eighteen +months in Paris, and succeeded in ratifying what the French called a +'Commercial Convention,' under the terms of which a French Consul +was located at Mandalay, who soon gained sufficient ascendancy over +King Thebaw to enable him to arrange for the construction of a railway +between Mandalay and Tonghu, and the establishment of a +French bank at Mandalay, by means of which France would speedily +have gained full control over the principal sources of Burmese revenue, +and power to exclude British trade from the valley of the Irrawaddy. +In furtherance of these designs, the King picked a quarrel with a +British trading company, threatened to cancel their leases for cutting +timber, and demanded a fine of ten lakhs of rupees.</p> +<p> +The Chief Commissioner proposed arbitration, but this was declined, +and the King refusing to modify his action with regard to the trading +company, the Viceroy proposed to the Secretary of State for India that +an <a name="LXV2r">ultimatum</a><a href="#LXV2"><sup>2</sup></a> should be sent to King Thebaw.</p> +<p> +In approving of the ultimatum, Lord Randolph Churchill expressed +his opinion that its despatch should be concurrent with the movement +of troops and ships to Rangoon, that an answer should be demanded +within a specified time, and that if the ultimatum were rejected, an +immediate advance on Mandalay should be made.</p> +<p> +A <a name="LXV3r">force</a><a href="#LXV3"><sup>3</sup></a> of nearly 10,000 men and 77 guns, under the command of +Lieutenant-General Prendergast, was accordingly ordered to be in +readiness at Thyetmyo by the 14th November, and as the reply of the +Burmese Government was tantamount to a refusal, Prendergast was<span class="page"><a name="509">[Page 509]</a></span> +instructed to advance on Mandalay, with the result which it was my +pleasant duty to congratulate him upon in my capacity of Commander-in-Chief +of the Army in India.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Camp of Exercise at Delhi</span> +From Gwalior I went to Delhi to prepare for a Camp of Exercise on +a much larger scale than had ever before been held. Many weak +points in the Commissariat and Transport Department having become +only too apparent when the mobilization of the two Army Corps had +been imminent the previous spring, it was considered necessary to test +our readiness for war, and orders for the strength and composition of +the force to be manœuvred had been issued before Sir Donald Stewart +left India.</p> +<p> +The troops were divided into two Army Corps. The northern +assembled at Umballa, and the southern at Gurgaon, 25 miles from +Delhi, the points of concentration being 150 miles apart.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1886</span> +After a fortnight passed in brigade and divisional movements, the +opposing forces advanced, and on the 7th January they came into +contact on the historic battlefield of <a name="LXV4r">Panipat</a>.<a href="#LXV4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> +<p> +Lord Dufferin, whose interest in the efficiency of the army induced +him to come all the way from Calcutta to witness the last two days' +manœuvres, was present—with the twelve 'foreign <a name="LXV5r">officers</a>'<a href="#LXV5"><sup>5</sup></a> from the +principal armies of Europe and America, who had been invited to +attend the camp—at a march-past of the whole force of 35,000 men on +the 18th. It was a fine sight, though marred by a heavy thunderstorm +and a perfect deluge of rain, and was really a greater test of what the +troops could do than if we had had the perfect weather we had hoped +for. The 'foreign officers' were, apparently, somewhat surprised at +the fine physique and efficiency of our Native soldiers, but they all +remarked on the paucity of British officers with the Indian regiments, +which I could not but acknowledge was, as it still is, a weak point in +our military organization.</p> +<p> +When the camp was broken up, I accompanied the Viceroy to +Burma, where we arrived early in February, 1886. Lord Dufferin +must, I think, have been pleased at the reception he met with at +Rangoon. The people generally tried in every possible way to show +their gratitude to the Viceroy, under whose auspices the annexation of<span class="page"><a name="510">[Page 510]</a></span> +Upper Burma had been carried out, and each nationality had erected a +triumphal arch in its own particular quarter of the town.</p> +<p> +From Rangoon we went to Mandalay, where Lord Dufferin formally +announced the annexation by England of all that part of Upper Burma +over which King Thebaw had held sway. We then proceeded to +Madras, where I parted from the Viceregal party and travelled to +Bombay to meet my wife. Leaving her at Simla to arrange our +house, which had been considerably altered and added to, I proceeded +to the North-West Frontier, for the question of its defence was one +which interested me very deeply, and I hoped that, from the position +I now held as a member of the Government of India, I should be able +to get my ideas on this, to India, all-important subject listened to, if +not altogether carried out.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Defence of the North-West Frontier</span> +The defence of the frontier had been considered under the orders of +my predecessor by a Committee, the members of which had recorded +their several opinions as to the means which should be adopted to +make India secure. But Sir Donald Stewart relinquished his command +before anything could be done to give effect to the measures they +advised. </p> +<p> +The matter had therefore to be taken up afresh by me, and I +carefully studied the recommendations of the 'Defence Committee' +before visiting the frontier to refresh my memory by personal +inspection as to the points to be defended.</p> +<p> +It seemed to me that none of the members, with the exception of +Sir Charles Macgregor and the secretary, Major W.G. Nicholson, at +all appreciated the great change which had taken place in our position +since the near approach of Russia, and our consequent promise to the +Amir to preserve the integrity of his kingdom, had widened the limit +of our responsibilities from the southern to the northern boundary of +Afghanistan.</p> +<p> +Less than a year before we had been on the point of declaring war +with Russia because of her active interference with 'the authority of +a sovereign—our protected ally—who had committed no <a name="LXV6r">offence</a><a href="#LXV6"><sup>6</sup></a>;' +and even now it was not certain that peace could be preserved, by +reason of the outrageous demands made by the Russian members of +the Boundary Commission as to the direction which the line of +delimitation between Russian and Afghan territory should take.</p> +<p> +It was this widening of our responsibilities which prevented me +from agreeing with the recommendations of the Defence Committee, +for the majority of the members laid greater stress on the necessity +for constructing numerous fortifications, than upon lines of communication, +which I conceived to be of infinitely greater importance, +as affording the means of bringing all the strategical points on the<span class="page"><a name="511">[Page 511]</a></span> +frontier into direct communication with the railway system of India, +and enabling us to mass our troops rapidly, should we be called upon +to aid Afghanistan in repelling attack from a foreign Power.</p> +<p> +Fortifications, of the nature of entrenched positions, were no doubt, +to some extent, necessary, not to guard against our immediate +neighbours, for experience had taught us that without outside +assistance they are incapable of a combined movement, but for the +protection of such depots and storehouses as would have to be +constructed, and as a support to the army in the field.</p> +<p> +The line chosen at that time for an advance was by Quetta and +Kandahar. In the first instance, therefore, I wended my way to +Baluchistan, where I met and consulted with the Governor-General's +Agent, Sir Robert Sandeman, and the Chief Engineer of the Sind-Pishin +Railway, Brigadier-General <a name="LXV7r">Browne</a>.<a href="#LXV7"><sup>7</sup></a></p> +<p> +We together inspected the Kwaja-Amran range, through which the +Kohjak tunnel now runs, and I decided that the best position for an +entrenched camp was to the rear of that range, in the space between +the Takatu and Mashalik mountains. This open ground was less +than four miles broad; nature had made its flanks perfectly secure, +and in front was a network of ravines capable of being made quite +impassable by simply flooding them. It was unfortunate that the +railway had been marked out in front instead of in rear of the +Takatu range, and that its construction was too far advanced before +the question of defence came to be considered to admit of its being +altered, otherwise this position would have been a complete protection +for the line of rail also.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Quetta and Peshawar</span> +Having come to a definite conclusion as to the measures to be taken +for meeting the offensive and defensive requirements of Quetta and +the Bolan Pass, I turned my attention to Peshawar and the Khyber +Pass, which were infinitely more difficult to deal with, because of the +political considerations involved.</p> +<p> +Over the whole of Baluchistan we had entire control, so that in the +event of an army moving in that direction we could depend upon the +resources of the country being at our disposal, and the people +remaining, at least, neutral. But on the Peshawar side the circumstances +were altogether different: the tribes were hostile to a degree, +and no European's life was safe across the frontier. Except in the +Khyber itself (where the policy of establishing friendly relations with +the Afridis, and utilizing them to keep open the pass, had been most +successfully practised by the political officer, Lieutenant-Colonel +Warburton), we could not depend on the tribesmen remaining passive, +much less helping us if we advanced into Afghanistan. While, should<span class="page"><a name="512">[Page 512]</a></span> +an army attempt to invade India from that direction, we should to a +certainty have every man of the 200,000 warlike people who inhabit +the mountainous district from Chitral to Baluchistan combining +against us, and pouring into India from every outlet.</p> +<p> +For these reasons I recorded a strong opinion in opposition to the +proposals of the Defence Committee, which were in favour of the +construction of a large magazine at Peshawar and extensive entrenched +works at the mouth of the Khyber. I pointed out the extreme danger +of a position communication with which could be cut off, and which +could be more or less easily turned, for it was clear to me that until +we had succeeded in inducing the border tribes to be on friendly terms +with us, and to believe that their interests were identical with ours, the +Peshawar valley would become untenable should any general disturbance +take place; and that, instead of entrenchments close to the +Khyber Pass, we required a position upon which the garrisons of +Peshawar and Nowshera could fall back and await the arrival of +reinforcements.</p> +<p> +For this position I selected a spot on the right bank of the Kabul +river, between Khairabad and the Indus; it commanded the passage +of the latter river, and could easily be strengthened by defensive +works outside the old fort of Attock.</p> +<p> +It will be readily understood by those of my readers who have any +knowledge of our North-West Frontier, or are interested in the +question of the defence of India, that other routes exist between the +Bolan and the Khyber Passes which might be made use of either by +an army invading India, or by a force sent from India to the assistance +of Afghanistan; and by such it will probably be asked, as was +the case when my recommendations were being discussed, why I did +not advise these lines to be similarly guarded. My reply was, and is, +that there are no arsenals or depots near these passes to be protected, +as at Quetta and Rawul Pindi; that we should not be likely to use +them for an army moving into Afghanistan; that, although small +parties of the enemy might come by them, the main body of a force +operating towards India is bound to advance by the Khyber, for the +reason that it would debouch directly on highly cultivated country +and good roads leading to all the great cities of the Punjab; and +finally that, even if our finances would admit of the construction of +such a long line of forts, it would be impossible for our limited army +to supply the garrisons for them.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Communications <i>versus</i> fortifications</span> +Having completed my inspection of the frontier, I returned to Simla +and drew up a memorandum declaring the conviction I had arrived at +after careful deliberation, that the improvement of our communications +was of far greater importance than the immediate construction of forts +and entrenchments, and that, while I would not spare money in +strengthening well-defined positions, the strategical value of which was<span class="page"><a name="513">[Page 513]</a></span> +unmistakable, I would not trouble about those places the primary importance +of fortifying which was open to argument, and which might +never be required to be defended; these, I contended, might be left +alone, except so far as to make a careful study of their localities and +determine how they could best be taken advantage of should occasion +require. My note ended with the following words: 'Meanwhile I +would push on our communications with all possible speed; we must +have roads, and we must have railways; they cannot be made on short +notice, and every rupee spent upon them now will repay us tenfold +hereafter. Nothing will tend to secure the safety of the frontier so +much as the power of rapidly concentrating troops on any threatened +point, and nothing will strengthen our military position more than to +open out the country and improve our relations with the frontier tribes. +There are no better civilizers than roads and railways; and although +some of those recommended to be made may never be required for +military purposes, they will be of the greatest assistance to the civil +power in the administration of the country.'</p> +<p> +Accompanying this paper was a statement of the defensive works +which, in my opinion, should be taken in hand without delay; also of +the positions which required careful study, and the roads and railways +which should be constructed, to make the scheme of defence +complete.</p> +<p> +Seven years later, when I gave up my command of the Army in +India, I had the supreme satisfaction of knowing that I left our North-West +Frontier secure, so far as it was possible to make it so, hampered +as we were by want of money. The necessary fortifications had been +completed, schemes for the defence of the various less important +positions had been prepared, and the roads and railways, in my estimation +of such vast importance, had either been finished or were well +advanced.</p> +<p> +Moreover, our position with regard to the border tribes had gradually +come to be better understood, and it had been realized that they would +be a powerful support to whichever side might be able to count upon +their aid; the policy of keeping them at arm's length had been abandoned, +and the advantages of reciprocal communication were becoming +more appreciated by them and by us.</p> +<p> +It was not to be expected that these results could be achieved without +a considerable amount of opposition, owing partly to the majority of +our countrymen (even amongst those who had spent the greater part +of their lives in India) failing to recognize the change that had taken +place in the relative positions of Great Britain and Russia in Asia, and +to their disbelief in the steady advance of Russia towards Afghanistan +being in any way connected with India, or in Russia's wish or power +to threaten our Eastern <a name="LXV8r">Empire</a>.<a href="#LXV8"><sup>8</sup></a> +The idea was very common, too,<span class="page"><a name="514">[Page 514]</a></span> +amongst people who had not deeply considered the subject, that all +proposals for gaining control over our troublesome neighbours on the +border, or for facilitating the massing of troops, meant an aggressive +policy, and were made with the idea of annexing more territory, instead +of for the purpose of securing the safety of India, and enabling us to +fulfil our engagements.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Sir George Chesney</span> +Happily, the Viceroys who governed India while I was Commander-in-Chief +were not amongst those who held these opinions; and while +they had no expectation of India being invaded in the near future, they +realized that we could not unconcernedly look on while a great Power +was, step by step, creeping closer to our possessions. It was a fortunate +circumstance, too, that, for the first five years I was at the head of the +Army in India, I had as my military colleague in Council the late +General Sir George Chesney, a man of unquestionable talent and sound +judgment, to whose cordial support, not only in frontier affairs, but in +all my efforts to promote the efficiency and welfare of the soldier, I +was very greatly indebted.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXVI">LXVI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1886</span> + +<p><span class="rightnote"><br />Nursing for the Soldier</span> +Many interesting and important questions had to be dealt with during +this my first year as a member of the Viceroy's Council, and it was +pleasant to me to be able to bring before the Government of India a +scheme which my wife had had very much at heart for many years—for +supplying skilled nursing to the military hospitals in India. That +our sick soldiers (officers and men) should be entirely dependent for +nursing, even in times of the most dangerous illness, on the tender +mercies of 'the orderly on duty,' who, whether kind-hearted or the +reverse, was necessarily utterly untrained and ignorant of the requirements +of sickness, was a source of unhappiness to her, and had been +felt as a cruel want by many; but whenever she had discussed the +subject with those who might have helped her, she was told that proposals +for supplying this want had already been made, that the +Government could not, nor would they ever be able to, act on such +proposals, on account of the prohibitory expense, so she felt there was +no use in making any appeal until I might be in a position to see that +any suggestions made by her would be certain to receive the careful +consideration of Government. This time had now arrived, and almost<span class="page"><a name="515">[Page 515]</a></span> +directly Lady Roberts returned to India in 1886 she drew up a scheme +for supplying lady nurses to the military hospitals throughout India, +and set to work to try and get the support of some of the principal +Medical officers. To her great joy, her recommendations were +accepted by Lord Dufferin and his Council, and her note upon the +subject was sent home to the Secretary of State, strongly backed up +by the Government of India. Lord Cross happily viewed the matter +in a favourable light, and consented, not only to a certain number of +nurses being sent out the following year as an experiment, but to the +whole of the cost of the movement being borne by the State, with the +exception of the provision of 'Homes in the Hills' for the nursing +sisters as health resorts, and to prevent the expense to Government of +their having to be sent home on sick-leave when worn out by their +trying work in the plains. The Secretary of State, however, declared +these Homes to be 'an important part' of the nursing scheme, 'and +indispensable to its practical working,' but considered that they should +be provided by private subscription, a condition my wife undertook to +carry out. She appealed to the Army in India to help her, and with +scarcely an exception every regiment and battery generously responded—even +the private soldiers subscribed largely in proportion to their +small means—so that by the beginning of the following year my wife +was able to set about purchasing and building suitable houses.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate29">[plate 29]</a></span> + <p class="center"> + <img src="images/29-lyrobertskandahar.jpg" width="334" height="470" alt="LADY ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>LADY ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR.</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br /> a photograph by Messrs. Johnson and Hoffmann.</i></span></p> + <br /><br /> + +<p> +'Homes' were established at Murree, Kasauli and Quetta, in +Bengal, and at <a name="LXVI1r">Wellington</a><a href="#LXVI1"><sup>1</sup></a> in Madras, and by making a further +appeal to the officers of the army, and with the assistance of kind and +liberal friends in England and India, and the proceeds of various entertainments, +Lady Roberts was able to supply, in connexion with the +'Homes' at Murree and Kasauli, wards for the reception of sick +officers, with a staff of <a name="LXVI2r">nurses</a><a href="#LXVI2"><sup>2</sup></a> in attendance, whose salaries, passages, +etc., are all paid out of 'Lady Roberts's Fund.' My wife was induced +to do this from having known many young officers succumb owing to +want of care and improper food at hotels or clubs on being sent to the +Hills after a hard fight for life in the plains, if they were not fortunate +enough to have personal friends to look after them. Although it is +anticipating events, I may as well say here that the nursing experiment +proved a complete success, and now every large military hospital in +India has its staff of nurses, and there are altogether 4 superintendents, +9 deputy superintendents, and 39 nursing sisters, in India. There are<span class="page"><a name="516">[Page 516]</a></span> +many more wanted in the smaller stations, where there is often great +loss of life from lack of proper nursing, and surely, as my wife pointed +out in her first appeal, 'when one considers what an expensive article +the British soldier is, costing, as he does, £100 before landing in India, +it seems certain that on the score of economy alone, altogether setting +aside the humane aspect of the question, it is well worth the State's +while to provide him with the skilled nursing care' which has up to +now saved so many lives.</p> +<p> +That officers as well as men might benefit by the devotion of the +'nursing sister,' I was able to arrange in all the large hospitals for +some room, or rooms, used until then for other purposes, to be appropriated +for an officers' ward or wards, and these have proved a great +boon to the younger officers whose income does not admit of their +obtaining the expensive care of a nurse from one of the large civil +hospitals in the Presidency towns.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Pacification of Burma considered</span> +The next most interesting question, and also the most pressing, +which had to be considered by the Viceroy's Council during the +summer of 1886, was the pacification of Upper Burma. People in +England had expressed surprise at this being so long delayed. It is +extremely easy, however, to sit at home and talk of what should be +done, but very difficult to say how to do it, and more difficult still to +carry it out. To establish law and order in a country nearly as large +as France, in which dacoity is looked upon as an honourable profession, +would be no light task even in Europe: but when the country to be +settled has a deadly climate for several months in the year, is covered +to a great extent with jungle, and is without a vestige of a road, the +task assumes gigantic proportions. In Upper Burma the garrison was +only sufficient to keep open communication along the line of the +Irrawaddy, and, to add to the embarrassment of the situation, disaffection +had spread to Lower Burma, and disturbances had broken +out in the almost unknown district between Upper Burma and Assam.</p> +<p> +It was arranged to send strong reinforcements to Burma so soon as +the unhealthy season should be over and it would be safe for the troops +to go there, and Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Macpherson (who had +succeeded me as Commander-in-Chief in Madras) was directed to +proceed thither.</p> +<p> +In October my wife and I, with some of my staff, started from Simla +on a trip across the Hills, with the object of inspecting the stations of +Dhurmsala and Dalhousie before it was cool enough to begin my +winter tour in the plains. We crossed the Jalaurie Pass, between +11,000 and 12,000 feet high, and travelling through the beautiful Kulu +valley and over the Bubbu mountain, we finally arrived at Palampur, +the centre of the tea industry in the Kangra valley. Having been cut +off from telegraphic communication for some time, we went straight +to the telegraph-office for news, and found at the moment a message<span class="page"><a name="517">[Page 517]</a></span> +being deciphered which brought me the terribly sad information that +General Macpherson had died of fever in Burma. In him the country +had lost a good soldier, and I a friend and comrade for whom I had a +great regard and admiration. We were discussing his untimely end, +and I was considering who should replace him, when a second message +arrived. This was from Lord Dufferin, telling me that he wished me +to transfer my Head-Quarters to Burma, and arrange to remain there +until 'the neck of the business was broken.'</p> +<p> +I hurried to Calcutta, embarked in the first mail-steamer, and landed +at Rangoon on the 9th November.</p> +<p> +Sir Charles Bernard (the Chief Commissioner) and General White +had done well under very difficult circumstances; but owing partly to +large districts being impassable from months of heavy rain, and partly +to the change in Commanders, unavoidable inaction had been forced +upon our troops, and the dacoits had in consequence made head +against us.</p> +<p> +Having been in constant correspondence with General White, I had +been kept informed of his plans, and, as his responsible Chief, I had +approved of them; I therefore had the somewhat complicated military +situation at my fingers' ends, and did not need to lose a single day in +arranging for a series of combined movements being carried on all +over the country.</p> +<p> +It was hoped that the recently arrived reinforcements would be +sufficient for all requirements, but it soon became apparent that the +difficulties connected with the pacification of Burma had been under-rated, +and that, in addition to more troops, an efficient civil administration +would have to be provided, to take the place of military authority +so soon as anything like organized resistance had been crushed; for to +deal with ordinary robbers I conceived to be work more suited to police +than to soldiers. Upwards of thirty years' experience had proved that +the Burmese could not be relied upon for this kind of service; I therefore +recommended that a large body of police should be raised in India +without delay, and given a semi-military organization, and in the +meantime I asked for, and was given, five additional regiments.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Measures recommended</span> +I felt very confident of success, for I had taken great care in the +selection of the brigade commanders and staff officers, and I knew the +troops could be depended upon in any emergency that was likely to +arise. Nevertheless, as the work they would have to perform was of +rather an unusual character, irksome as well as difficult, I thought it +advisable to issue some general instructions for the guidance of the +officers in command of the different <a name="LXVI3r">columns</a>.<a href="#LXVI3"><sup>3</sup></a> These instructions <span class="rightnote">1887</span> +were carried out so intelligently, and the troops did such good service, +especially a very fine body of Mounted Infantry raised and organized <span class="page"><a name="518">[Page 518]</a></span> +by Major Symons, of the South Wales Borderers, that before I returned +to India in February, 1887, I was able to report that the country was +gradually becoming quiet and the Burmese reconciled to our rule. +Most of the principal dacoit leaders had been killed or captured, and +villages which had been in their hands for months were being reoccupied +by their legitimate inhabitants; caravans were coming into +Mandalay almost daily from districts on the Chinese borders; contracts +for making roads were readily taken up, and there was no difficulty in +obtaining labour for the railway then being constructed between Lower +Burma and Mandalay, the first sod of which was turned within a +month of my arrival at that place.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Buddhist priesthood</span> +In achieving these satisfactory results I was materially aided by +the hearty co-operation of Sir Charles Bernard and the civil officers +serving under him; while the entire absence of fanaticism amongst the +Burmese, and their cheerful, happy natures, facilitated our intercourse +with them. I received, besides, most valuable assistance from the +Buddhist <i>Poonghies</i>, or monks, with many of whom I made friends. +From the fact that education, secular and religious, is imparted by +these monks, and that every male, from the King to the humblest +peasant, was obliged to enter a monastery and wear the saffron garb of +a monk for a certain period, the priesthood had enormous influence +with the Burmese. There are no hereditary Chiefs or Nobles in +Burma, the <i>Poonghies</i> being the advisers of the people and the centre +round which Native society revolves.</p> +<p> +Our occupation of Upper Burma was necessarily a great blow to the +Buddhist priesthood, for many of the <a name="LXVI4r">monasteries</a><a href="#LXVI4"><sup>4</sup></a> were kept up +entirely by the King, Queen, and Ministers of State; and, as it was +most advisable to have the influence of the monks in our favour, I +recommended that a monthly stipend should be paid to the Archbishop +and two senior Bishops of Mandalay. They showed their gratitude by +doing all they could to help me, and when I was leaving the country +the old <i>Thathanabain</i> (Archbishop) accompanied me as far as +Rangoon. We corresponded till his death, and I still hear occasionally +from one or other of my <i>Poonghie</i> friends.</p> +<p> +I remained only a short time in Calcutta on my return to India, and +then started off again for the North-West Frontier, in company with +General Chesney, who had previously expressed his general concurrence +in my defence proposals, but was anxious to see the several positions +and judge for himself, from an Engineer's point of view, of their +suitability to be treated as I suggested. It was a great source of contentment +to me to find that the sites chosen and the style of entrenchments +I had advocated commended themselves to my expert companion.</p><span class="page"><a name="519">[Page 519]</a></span> +<p> +Simla was more than usually gay during the summer of 1887, in consequence +of the numerous entertainments given in celebration of Her +Majesty's Jubilee. We had just added a ballroom to 'Snowdon,' and +we inaugurated its opening by a fancy ball on the 21st June, in honour +of the auspicious anniversary.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Regimental Institute</span> +My name appeared in the Jubilee <i>Gazette</i> as having been given the +Grand Cross of the Indian Empire, but what I valued still more was +the acceptance by the Government of India of my strong recommendation +for the establishment of a Club or Institute in every British +regiment and battery in India. In urging that this measure should be +favourably considered, I had said that the British Army in India could +have no better or more generally beneficial memorial of the Queen's +Jubilee than the abolition of that relic of barbarism, the canteen, and +its supersession by an Institute, in which the soldier would have under +the same roof a reading-room, recreation room, and a decently-managed +refreshment-room.</p> +<p> +Lord Dufferin's Government met my views in the most liberal spirit, +and with the sanction of Lord Cross 'The Regimental Institute' +became a recognized establishment, a fact which my colleagues in +Council referred to as a second Jubilee honour for me!</p> +<p> +At a time when nearly every soldier could read and write, and when +we hoped to attract to the army men of a better stamp and more +respectable antecedents than those of which it was composed in 'the +good old days,' it appeared to me a humiliating anachronism that the +degrading system of the canteen should still prevail, and that it was +impossible for any man to retain his self-respect if he were driven to +take his glass of beer under the rules by which regimental canteens +were governed. I believed, too, that the more the status of the rank +and file could be raised, and the greater the efforts made to provide +them with rational recreation and occupation in their leisure hours, the +less there would be of drunkenness, and consequently of crime, the less +immorality and the greater the number of efficient soldiers in the army. +Funds having been granted, a scheme was drawn up for the erection +of buildings and for the management of the Institutes. Canteens were +reduced in size, and such attractions as musical instruments were +removed to the recreation-rooms; the name 'liquor bar' was substituted +for that of 'canteen,' and, that there should be no excuse for frequenting +the 'liquor bar,' I authorized a moderate and limited amount +of beer to be served, if required, with the men's suppers in the refreshment-room—an +arrangement which has been followed by the happiest +results.</p> +<p> +At first it was thought that these changes would cause a great falling +off in regimental funds, but experience has proved the reverse. With +good management, the profits from the coffee-shop and the soda-water<span class="page"><a name="520">[Page 520]</a></span> +manufactory far exceed those to be derived from the canteen, and this +without permitting anyone outside the regiment to purchase from the +coffee-shop and without interfering at all with local tradesmen.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Army Temperance Association</span> +Another measure which I succeeded in carrying through the same +year was the amalgamation of the various sectarian societies that +existed in India for the prevention of drunkenness in the army into one +undenominational society, under the name of the Army Temperance +Association, which I hoped would admit of more united action and a +more advantageous use of funds, besides making it easier for the +Government to assist the movement. The different religious and 'total +abstinence' associations had no doubt done much towards the object +they had in view, but their work was necessarily spasmodic, and being +carried on independently of regimental authority, it was not always +looked upon with favour by officers.</p> +<p> +There was of necessity at first a good deal of opposition on the part +of the promoters of the older societies, but those who were loudest in +denouncing my proposals soon came to understand that there was +nothing in the constitution of the Army Temperance Association which +could in any way interfere with total abstinence, and that the only +difference between their systems and mine consisted in mine being +regimental in its character, and including men for whom it was not +necessary or expedient to forego stimulants altogether, but who earnestly +desired to lead temperate lives, and to be strengthened in their +resolve by being allowed to share in the advantages of the new +Institution.</p> +<p> +To make the movement a complete success, it was above all things +important to secure the active co-operation of the ministers of the +various religions. To this end I addressed the heads of the different +churches, explaining my reasons and the results I hoped to attain in +establishing the amalgamated association, and I invited them to testify +their approval of the scheme by becoming patrons of it. With two +exceptions, the dignitaries to whom I appealed accepted my invitation, +and expressed sympathy with my aims and efforts, an encouragement +I had hardly dared to hope for, and a proof of liberal-mindedness on +the part of the prelates which was extremely refreshing.</p> +<p> +The Government of India were good enough to sanction the allotment +of a separate room in each soldiers' Institute for the exclusive +use of the Association, where alcohol in any shape was not admitted, +and to the grant of this room I attribute, in a great measure, the +success of the undertaking. The success was proved by the fact that, +when I left India, nearly one third of the 70,000 British soldiers in +that country were members or honorary members of the Army Temperance +Association.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="521">[Page 521]</a></span> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXVII">LXVII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1887</span> + +<p> +In December I made a prolonged tour along the North-West Frontier, +accompanied by my wife, who was greatly delighted at being able at +last to see many places and meet many people of whom she had often +heard me speak. Part of this trip was made in company with the +Viceroy and Lady Dufferin, who visited all the principal stations on +the frontier, including Quetta. I rode with Lord Dufferin through the +Khyber Pass, and to the top of the Kwaja Amran range, our visit to +this latter point resulting, as I earnestly hoped it would, in His +Excellency being convinced by personal inspection of the advantage to +be gained by making the Kohjak tunnel, and of the necessity for our +endeavouring to cultivate more friendly relations with the border +tribes. We ended this very enjoyable tour at Rawal Pindi in order to +be present at the winding-up of a Cavalry Camp of Exercise in the +neighbourhood. There were assembled together under the direction +of Major-General Luck one regiment of British and eight regiments of +Native Cavalry, with two batteries of Royal Horse Artillery, and it was +a pretty sight, their advance at full gallop, and the halt, as of one man, +of that long line of Cavalry within a few yards of the Viceroy, for the +Royal salute. The spectators were much impressed with Lord Dufferin's +nerve in being able to remain perfectly calm and still on his horse in +the face of such an onslaught, and it certainly did seem rather close +quarters; but General Luck knew his regiments, and had confidence +in his men, and we knew General Luck.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1888</span> +In the early part of 1888 I visited all the chief military stations in +the Bengal Presidency, and attended Camps of Exercise for all arms, +held at Rawal Pindi, Umballa, Meerut, and Lucknow, before going to +Calcutta for the usual discussion on the Budget; after which the +Government generally breaks up for the hot weather, and assembles in +Simla two or three weeks later.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Defence and Mobilization Committees</span> +During 1887 and 1888 much useful work was got through by the +Defence Committee, and by another Committee which was assembled +for the consideration of all questions bearing upon the mobilization of +the army. As Commander-in-Chief I presided over both, and was +fortunate in being able to secure as my secretaries two officers of +exceptional ability, Lieutenant-Colonel W. Nicholson, R.E., for defence, +and Lieutenant-Colonel E. Elles, R.A., for mobilisation. It was in a +great measure due to Colonel Nicholson's clear-sighted judgment on +the many knotty questions which came before us, and to his technical +knowledge, that the schemes for the defence of the frontier, and for +the ports of Bombay, Karachi, Calcutta, Rangoon and Madras, were +carried out so rapidly, thoroughly and economically as they <a name="LXVII1r">were</a>;<a href="#LXVII1"><sup>1</sup></a> +and with regard to measures for rendering the army mobile, Colonel<span class="page"><a name="522">[Page 522]</a></span> +Elles proved himself equally capable and practical. The Secretary to +Government in the Military Department, Major-General Edwin Collen, +was a particularly helpful member of the <a name="LXVII2r">Committees</a><a href="#LXVII2"><sup>2</sup></a> from his intimate +acquaintance with the various subjects which had to be discussed.</p> +<p> +If my readers have had the patience to follow in detail the several +campaigns in which I took part, they will have grasped the fact that +our greatest difficulties on all occasions arose from the want of a +properly organized Transport Department, and they will understand +that I was able to make this very apparent when the necessity for +mobilizing rapidly only one Army Corps came to be seriously considered. +We were able to demonstrate conclusively the impossibility +of putting a force into the field, sufficiently strong to cope with a +European enemy, without a considerable increase to the existing +number of transport animals, and without some description of light +cart strong enough to stand the rough work of a campaign in a country +without roads; for it is no exaggeration to say that in the autumn of +1880, when I left Kandahar, it would have been possible to have picked +out the road thence to Quetta, and onward to Sibi, a distance of 250 +miles, with no other guide than that of the line of dead animals and +broken-down carts left behind by the several columns and convoys +that had marched into Afghanistan by that route.</p> +<p> +Soon after I took over the command of the Army in India, while +voyaging to Burma, I had brought this most pressing question of +transport to the notice of Lord Dufferin, who, with his usual quick +appreciation of a situation, at once fully recognized its urgency, and +promised to give me all possible help in my endeavour to render the +army mobile—a promise which he amply fulfilled by taking a keen +personal interest in the proceedings of the Committee, and giving his +hearty support to our various <a name="LXVII3r">recommendations</a>.<a href="#LXVII3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Transport Department</span> +Our labours resulted in several thousand good pack animals (chiefly +mules) being purchased, and information collected and recorded as to +the districts where others could be rapidly procured in case of emergency. +A transport service was established, for which officers had to go through +a regular course of instruction, and pass an examination in the loading<span class="page"><a name="523">[Page 523]</a></span> +and general management of the animals. A prize was offered for a +strong, useful light cart; and when the most suitable had been selected, +large numbers were made up of the same <a name="LXVII4r">pattern</a>.<a href="#LXVII4"><sup>4</sup></a> The constitution +of two Army Corps, to be in readiness for taking the field on short +notice, was decided upon, and the units to form the several divisions +and brigades were told off and provided with the necessary equipment. +A railway time-table was prepared, giving the hours at which the +troops should leave their stations so as to avoid any block <i>en route</i>. +Special platforms were constructed for training and detraining Cavalry +and Artillery, and storehouses were erected and stocked at those +stations where road marching would probably commence. Finally the +conclusions we had arrived at were embodied in a manual entitled +'General Regulations for Mobilization.' It was extremely gratifying +to me to learn from India that this manual, with such additions and +alterations as our subsequent experience in Burma and various frontier +expeditions proved would be advantageous, was the guide by which the +Chitral relieving force was last year so expeditiously and completely +equipped and despatched.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Utilization of Native States' armies</span> +Of the many subjects discussed and measures adopted during this +the last year of Lord Dufferin's Viceroyalty, I think the scheme for +utilizing the armies of Native States, as an auxiliary force for the +service of the Empire, was the most important both from a political and +military point of view.</p> +<p> +The idea was, in the first instance, propounded by Lord Lytton, who +appointed a committee to consider the pros and cons of the question. I +was a member of that committee, but at that time I, in common with +many others, was doubtful as to the wisdom of encouraging a high +state of efficiency amongst the troops of independent States; the excellent +work, however, done by the Native Contingent I had with me in +Kuram, and the genuine desire of all ranks to be allowed to serve side +by side with our own soldiers, together with the unmistakable spirit of +loyalty displayed by Native Rulers when war with Russia was imminent<span class="page"><a name="524">[Page 524]</a></span> +in 1885, convinced me that the time had arrived for us to prove to the +people of India that we had faith in their loyalty, and in their recognition +of the fact that their concern in the defence of the Empire was at +least as great as ours, and that we looked to them to take their part in +strengthening our rule and in keeping out all intruders. I believed, too, +that we had now little to fear from internal trouble so long as our Government +continued just and sympathetic, but that, on the other hand, we +could not expect to remain free from outside interference, and that it +would be wise to prepare ourselves for a struggle which, as my readers +must be aware, I consider to be inevitable in the end. We have done +much, and may still do more, to delay it, but when that struggle comes +it will be incumbent upon us, both for political and military reasons, +to make use of all the troops and war material that the Native States +can place at our disposal, and it is therefore to our advantage to render +both as efficient and useful as possible.</p> +<p> +The subject was, of course, most delicate and complex, and had to be +treated with the greatest caution, for not only was the measure adapted +to materially strengthen our military position in India, but I was convinced +it was politically sound, and likely to be generally acceptable to +the Native Rulers, provided we studied their wishes, and were careful +not to offend their prejudices and susceptibilities by unnecessary interference.</p> +<p> +It was very satisfactory to find how cordially the Chiefs responded +to Lord Dufferin's proposals, and extremely interesting to watch the +steady improvement in their armies under the guidance of carefully +selected British officers. Substantial results have been already obtained, +valuable help having been afforded to the Chitral expedition by the +transport trains organized by the Maharajas of Gwalior and Jaipur, and +by the gallantry of the Imperial Service Troops belonging to His Highness +the Maharaja of Kashmir at Hunza-Naga and during the siege and +relief of Chitral.</p> +<p> +Two minor expeditions took place this year: one against the Thibetans +in retaliation for their having invaded the territory of our ally, +the Raja of Sikim; the other to punish the Black Mountain tribes for +the murder of two British officers. Both were a success from a military +point of view, but in the Black Mountain the determination of the Punjab +Government to limit the sphere of action of the troops, and to hurry +out of the country, prevented our reaping any political advantage. We +lost a grand opportunity for gaining control over this lawless and +troublesome district; no survey was made, no roads opened out, the +tribesmen were not made to feel our power, and, consequently, very +soon another costly expedition had to be undertaken.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate30">[plate 30]</a></span> + <p class="center"> +<img src="images/30-marquesslansdowne.jpg" width="323" height="470" alt="THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE, K.G., G.C.M.G., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., VICEROY OF INDIA." border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE, K.G., G.C.M.G., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E. <br /> +<span style="font-size: 0.8em;">VICEROY OF INDIA.</span></b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From<br />a photograph by Cowell, Simla.</i></span></p> +<br /><br /> + + <p><span class="rightnote">Marquis of Lansdowne becomes Viceroy</span> +In November, 1888, Lord Dufferin left India amidst a storm of +regret from all classes of Her Majesty's subjects. He was succeeded +by Lord Lansdowne, one of whose earliest communications to me <span class="page"><a name="525">[Page 525]</a></span> +rejoiced my heart, for in it His Excellency inquired whether anything +could be done towards improving our relations with the frontier tribes. +This augured well for the abandonment of the traditional, selfish, and, +to my mind, short-sighted policy of keeping aloof, and I hoped that endeavours +would at last be made to turn the tribesmen into friendly +neighbours, to their advantage and ours, instead of being obliged to +have recourse to useless blockades or constant and expensive expeditions +for their punishment, or else to induce them to refrain from +troubling us by the payment of a heavy blackmail.</p> + +<p> +After a visit to the frontier in the autumn to see how the defences +were advancing, I attended a Cavalry Camp of Exercise at Delhi, and +an Artillery Practice Camp at Gurgaon, and then went to Meerut to be +present at the first meeting of the Bengal Presidency Rifle Association, +which was most interesting and successful. We spent Christmas in +camp—the first Christmas we had all been together for ten years. +Our boy, having left Eton, came out in the early part of the year with +a tutor, to be with us for eighteen months before entering Sandhurst.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1889</span> +At the end of December I proceeded to Calcutta rather earlier than +usual, to pay my respects to the new Viceroy, and in January of the +following year, accompanied by my wife and daughter, I started off on +a long tour to inspect the local regiments in Central India and Rajputana, +and to ascertain what progress had been made in organizing the +Imperial Service Troops in that part of India.</p> +<p> +Did space permit, I should like to tell my readers of the beauties of +Udaipur and the magnificent hospitality accorded to us there, as well as +at Bhopal, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Ulwar, but, if I once began, it would +be difficult to stop, and I feel I have already made an unconscionably +heavy demand on the interest of the public in things Indian, and must +soon cease my 'labour of love.' I must therefore confine myself to +those subjects which I am desirous should be better understood in +England than they generally are.</p> +<p> +Upon seeing the troops of the Begum of Bhopal and the Maharana +of Udaipur, I recommended that Their Highnesses should be invited to +allow their share of Imperial defence to take the form of paying for +the services of an increased number of officers with their respective +local <a name="LXVII5r">corps</a>,<a href="#LXVII5"><sup>5</sup></a> for I did not think it would be possible to make any +useful addition to our strength out of the material of which their small +armies were composed. The men were relics of a past age, fit only for<span class="page"><a name="526">[Page 526]</a></span> +police purposes, and it would have been a waste of time and money to +give them any special training. My recommendation, however, was +not accepted, and neither of these States takes any part in the defence +scheme.</p> +<p> +At Jodhpur, on the contrary, there was splendid material, and a +most useful force was being organized by the Maharaja's brother, +Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Pertap Sing, himself a Rajput, and of the +bluest blood of India. The Cavalry were specially fine. The gallant +Rajput horsemen of Jodhpur had always been famous for their chivalrous +bravery, unswerving fidelity, and fearless self-devotion in their +wars with the Mahrattas and the armies of the Mogul Emperors, and +I felt, as the superbly mounted squadrons passed before me, that they +had lost none of their characteristics, and that blood and breeding +must tell, and would, if put to the test, achieve the same results now +as of old. There could be but one opinion as to the value of the +'Sirdar <a name="LXVII6r">Rissala</a>,'<a href="#LXVII6"><sup>6</sup></a> so named after the Maharaja's son and heir, Sirdar +Sing, a lad of only nine years old, who led the little army past the +saluting flag mounted on a beautiful thorough-bred Arab.</p> +<p> +The Jaipur troops were much on a par with those of Bhopal and +Udaipur. I was glad, therefore, that in lieu of troops, the Maharaja +had agreed to organize, as his contribution to the Imperial service, a +transport corps of 1,000 fully-equipped animals.</p> +<p> +At Ulwar I found the 600 Cavalry and 1,000 Infantry (all Rajputs) +well advanced in their drill and training; this was evidently owing to +the personal interest taken in them by the Maharaja, who seldom +allowed a day to pass without visiting the parade grounds.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Rajputana and Kashmir</span> +By the end of March I had finished my tour in Central India and +Rajputana, and as the heat was every day becoming more intense, I +was not sorry to turn my steps northwards towards Kashmir, the +army of which State still remained to be inspected, and the measures +most suitable for its re-organization determined upon.</p> +<p> +Our whole family party re-assembled at Murree early in April, and +we all went into the 'Happy Valley' together, where between business +and pleasure we spent a most delightful six weeks. The Maharaja +personally superintended the arrangements for our comfort. Our +travelling was made easy—indeed luxurious—and everything that the +greatest care and forethought and the most lavish hospitality could +accomplish to make our visit happy was done by the Maharaja and by +the popular Resident, Colonel Nisbet.</p> +<p> +The Kashmir army was much larger than any of those belonging to +the Native States I had lately visited; it consisted of 18,000 men and +66 guns—more than was needed, even with the Gilgit frontier to guard. +Some of the regiments were composed of excellent material, chiefly<span class="page"><a name="527">[Page 527]</a></span> +Dogras; but as the cost of such a force was a heavy drain upon the +State, and as many of the men were old and decrepit, I recommended +that the Maharaja should be invited to get rid of all who were +physically unfit, and to reduce his army to a total of 10,000 thoroughly +reliable men and 30 guns. I knew this would be a very difficult, +and perhaps distasteful, task for the Commander-in-Chief (who was +also the Maharaja's brother), Raja Ram Sing, to perform, so I recommended +that a British officer should be appointed military adviser to +the Kashmir Government, under whose supervision the work of +reformation should be carried out.</p> +<p> +At that time we had none of our own troops in the neighbourhood of +Gilgit, and as I thought it advisable, in case of disturbance, that the +Kashmir troops should be speedily put into such a state of efficiency +as would enable us to depend upon them to hold the passes until help +could arrive from India, I urged that the military adviser should be +given three British officers to assist him in carrying out his difficult and +troublesome duty; and at the same time I pointed out that it was +absolutely essential to construct at an early date a serviceable road +between Kashmir and Gilgit, as the sole approach to that strategic +position was not only difficult, but very dangerous.</p> +<p> +All these proposals commended themselves to, and were acted upon +by, the Viceroy.</p> +<p> +Lieutenant-Colonel Neville Chamberlain—a <i>persona grata</i> to the +Kashmir authorities—was appointed Military Secretary to the Kashmir +State, and by his ability, tact, and happy way of dealing with Natives, +quickly overcame all obstacles. The Maharaja and his two brothers, +Rajas Ram Sing and Amar Sing, entered heartily into the scheme; the +army was remodelled and rendered fit for service; and an excellent +road was made to Gilgit.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Musketry instruction</span> +During the summer of 1889 I was able to introduce several much +needed reforms in the annual course of musketry for the Native Army. +The necessity for these reforms had not been overlooked by my distinguished +predecessors, nor by the able officers who served under +them in the Musketry Department, but it had not been possible to +do much with a system which dated from a period when fire discipline +was not thought of, and when the whole object of the course was +to make soldiers individually good shots. After the Delhi Camp of +Exercise in 1885-86, when the want of fire control was almost the only +point unfavourably criticized by the foreign officers, the Army in India +made a great advance in this important branch of musketry training; +nevertheless, I felt that further progress was possible, and that the +course of instruction was not altogether as practical as it might be. I +therefore gave over the work of improvement in this respect to an +enthusiast in the matter of rifle-shooting and an officer of exceptional +energy and intelligence, Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Hamilton, and directed <span class="page"><a name="528">[Page 528]</a></span> +him, as Assistant Adjutant-General of Musketry, to arrange a course +of instruction, in which the conditions should resemble as nearly as +possible those of field service, and in which fire discipline should be +developed to the utmost extent. He was most successful in carrying +out my wishes, and the results from the first year's trial of the new +system were infinitely better than even I had anticipated.</p> +<p> +Simultaneously with the improvement in musketry, a great advance +was made in gunnery. Artillery, like Infantry officers, had failed to +realize the value of the new weapon, and it required the teaching of a +man who himself thoroughly believed in and understood the breech-loading +gun to arouse Artillerymen to a sense of the tremendous power +placed in their hands, and to the importance of devoting much more +care and attention to practice than had hitherto been thought necessary. +Such a man was Major-General Nairne, and I was happily able +to induce the Government to revive in him the appointment of +Inspector-General of Artillery.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Artillery and Cavalry Training</span> +Under the unwearying supervision of this officer, there was quite as +remarkable an improvement in Artillery shooting as Colonel Hamilton +had effected in musketry. Practice camps were annually formed at +convenient localities, and all ranks began to take as much pride in +belonging to the 'best shooting battery' as they had hitherto taken +in belonging to the 'smartest,' the 'best-horsed,' or the 'best-turned-out' +battery. I impressed upon officers and men that the two +things were quite compatible; that, according to my experience, the +smartest and best turned-out men made the best soldiers; and while I +urged every detail being most carefully attended to which could enable +them to become proficient gunners and take their proper place on a field +of battle, I expressed my earnest hope that the Royal Artillery would +always maintain its hitherto high reputation for turn-out and smartness. +The improvement in the Cavalry was equally apparent. For this +arm of the service also the Government consented to an Inspector-General +being appointed, and I was fortunate enough to be able to +secure for the post the services of Major-General Luck, an officer as +eminently fitted for this position as was General Nairne for his.</p> +<p> +Just at first the British officers belonging to Native Cavalry were +apprehensive that their sowars would be turned into dragoons, but +they soon found that there was no intention of changing any of their +traditional characteristics, and that the only object of giving them an +Inspector-General was to make them even better in their own way than +they had been before, the finest Irregular Cavalry in the world, as +I have not the slightest doubt they will always prove themselves to be. +Towards the end of the Simla season of 1889, Lord Lansdowne, to +my great satisfaction, announced his intention of visiting the frontier, +and asked me to accompany him.</p> +<p> +We rode through the Khyber and Gomal Passes, visited Peshawar,<span class="page"><a name="529">[Page 529]</a></span> +Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Quetta, looked into the Kohjak +tunnel, and attended some interesting manœuvres, carried out with a +view of testing, in as practical a manner as possible, the defensive power +of the recently-finished Takatu-Mashalik entrenchment. The principal +works were fired upon by Artillery and Infantry, and, notwithstanding +the excellent practice made, infinitesimal damage was done, which +proved the suitability of the particular design adopted for the defences.</p> +<p> +Lord Lansdowne expressed himself greatly interested, and much impressed +by all he saw of the frontier; and he was confirmed in his +opinion as to the desirability of establishing British influence amongst +the border tribes. With this object in view, His Excellency authorized +Sir Robert Sandeman (the Governor-General's Agent at Quetta) to +establish a series of police posts in the Gomal Pass, and encourage +intercourse between the people of the Zhob district and ourselves.</p> +<p> +It was high time that something should be done in this direction, for +the Amir's attitude towards us was becoming day by day more unaccountably +antagonistic. He was gradually encroaching on territory +and occupying places altogether outside the limits of Afghan control; +and every movement of ours—made quite as much in His Highness's +interest as in our own—for strengthening the frontier and improving +the communications, evidently aroused in him distrust and suspicion as +to our motives.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>CHAPTER <a name="LXVIII">LXVIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1890</span> + +<p> +New Year's Day, 1890, found me in Calcutta, where I went to meet +Prince Albert Victor on his arrival in India. On my way thither I +received a letter from Mr. Edward Stanhope, Secretary of State for +War, telling me that he had heard from Lord Cross, the Secretary of +State for India, that there was a proposal to ask me to retain my +appointment of Commander-in-Chief in India for some time after the +expiration of the usual term of office; but that, while such an arrangement +would have his hearty approval, he thought the question +should be considered from another point of view, and that it would +be extremely agreeable to himself, and he felt to the Duke of Cambridge +also, if he could secure me for the post of Adjutant-General in succession +to Lord Wolseley. Mr. Stanhope went on to say he would like +to know whether I would be willing to accept the appointment, or +whatever position Lord Wolseley's successor would fill, should the +report of Lord Hartington's Commission cause a change to be made +in the staff at the Horse Guards.</p> +<p> +I was pleased, though somewhat surprised, at this communication, +and I replied to the Right Honourable gentleman that I would gladly<span class="page"><a name="530">[Page 530]</a></span> +accept the offer, and that I could arrange to join on the 1st October, +when the appointment would become vacant, but that, as Lord Lansdowne +had expressed a wish that I should remain in India over the +next cold season, I hoped, if it were possible, some arrangement +might be made to admit of my doing so. The idea of employment in +England, now that I allowed myself to dwell upon it, was very +attractive, for dearly as I loved my Indian command, and bitterly as +I knew I should grieve at leaving the country, the peoples, and the +grand army, which were all sources of such intense interest to me, +I felt that the evil day at longest could only be postponed for a few +years, and that there is a limit to the time that even the strongest +European can with impunity live in an eastern climate, while I was +glad to think I should still be in a position to work for my country +and for the benefit of the army.</p> +<p> +From Calcutta I travelled north to Muridki, where a large force of +Horse Artillery and Cavalry was assembled for practice, and where +we had a standing camp, at which Prince Albert Victor did us the +honour of being our guest for the final manœuvres. I think His Royal +Highness enjoyed the novelty of camp life, and was greatly attracted +by the picturesque and soldier-like appearance of the Native troops. +The Native officers were very proud at being presented to the grandson +of their Empress, and at His Royal Highness being appointed +Honorary Colonel of the 1st Punjab Cavalry.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Extension of Command</span> +Towards the end of April I returned to Simla for what I thought +was to be our last season in that place; and shortly after I got up +there, a telegram from Mr. Stanhope informed me that my appointment +had been accepted by the Cabinet, and that my presence in +England was strongly desired in the autumn. It was therefore with +very great surprise that I received a second telegram three weeks later +from the Secretary of State, telling me that, as it was then found to +be impossible to choose my successor, and as the exigencies of the +public service urgently required my presence in India, the Cabinet, +with the approval of Her Majesty and the concurrence of the Duke of +Cambridge, had decided to ask me to retain my command for two +more years.</p> +<p> +I felt it my duty to obey the wishes of the Queen, Her Majesty's +Government, and the Commander-in-Chief; but I fully realized that +in doing so I was forfeiting my chance of employment in England, +and that a long and irksome term of enforced idleness would in all +probability follow on my return home, and I did not attempt to +conceal from Mr. Stanhope that I was disappointed.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="plate31">[plate 31]</a></span> + <p class="center"> +<img src="images/31-ldroberts-onvonolel.jpg" width="600" height="419" alt="FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS ON HIS ARAB CHARGER 'VONOLEL.'" border="0" /><br /><br /> +<b>FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS ON HIS ARAB CHARGER 'VONOLEL.'</b><br /><br /> + <span class="note"><i>From an oil-painting by Charles Furze.</i></span></p> +<br /><br /> + +<p><span class="rightnote">1891</span> +At the latter end of this year, and in the early part of 1891, it was +found necessary to undertake three small expeditions: one to Zhob, +under the leadership of Sir George White, for the protection of our +newly-acquired subjects in that valley; one on the Kohat border,<span class="page"><a name="531">[Page 531]</a></span> +commanded by Sir William Lockhart, to punish the people of the +Miranzai valley for repeated acts of hostility; and the third, under +Major-General <a name="LXVIII1r">Elles</a>,<a href="#LXVIII1"><sup>1</sup></a> against the Black Mountain tribes, who, quite +unsubdued by the fruitless expedition of 1888, had given trouble almost +immediately afterwards. All these were as completely successful in +their political results as in their military conduct. The columns were +not withdrawn until the tribesmen had become convinced that they +were powerless to sustain a hostile attitude towards us, and that it was +their interest, as it was our wish, that they should henceforth be on +amicable terms with us.</p> + +<p> +While a considerable number of troops were thus employed, a fourth +expedition had to be hurriedly equipped and despatched in quite the +opposite direction to punish the Raja of Manipur, a petty State on the +confines of Assam, for the treacherous murder of Mr. Quinton, the +Chief Commissioner of Assam, and four other British officers.</p> +<p> +Notwithstanding its inaccessibility, two columns, one from Burma, +the other from Cachar, quickly and simultaneously reached Manipur, +our countrymen were avenged, and the administration of the State was +taken over for a time by the Government of <a name="LXVIII2r">India</a>.<a href="#LXVIII2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> +<p> +Towards the end of January the Cesarewitch came to Calcutta, +where I had the honour of being introduced to our august visitor, who +expressed himself as pleased with what he had seen of the country +and the arrangements made for His Imperial Highness's somewhat +hurried journey through India.</p> +<p> +In April my military colleague in the Viceroy's Council for five +years, and my personal friend, General Sir George Chesney, left India, +to my great regret. We had worked together most harmoniously, and, +as he wrote in his farewell letter, there was scarcely a point in regard +to the Army in India about which he and I did not agree.</p> +<p> +Sir George was succeeded by Lieutenant-General Brackenbury, who +had been Director of Military Intelligence at the War Office. I was +relieved to find that, although in some particulars my new coadjutor's +views differed from mine, we were in accord upon all essential points, +particularly as to the value of the Indian Army and the necessity for +its being maintained in a state of preparedness for war.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Efficiency of the Native Army</span> +From the time I became Commander-in-Chief in Madras until I +left India the question of how to render the army in that country as +perfect a fighting machine as it was possible to make it, was the one +which caused me the most anxious thought, and to its solution my +most earnest efforts had been at all times directed.</p> +<p> +The first step to be taken towards this end was, it seemed to me, to +substitute men of the more warlike and hardy races for the Hindustani<span class="page"><a name="532">[Page 532]</a></span> +sepoys of Bengal, the Tamils and Telagus of Madras, and the so-called +Mahrattas of Bombay; but I found it difficult to get my views +accepted, because of the theory which prevailed that it was necessary +to maintain an equilibrium between the armies of the three Presidencies, +and because of the ignorance that was only too universal +with respect to the characteristics of the different races, which +encouraged the erroneous belief that one Native was as good as +another for purposes of war.</p> +<p> +In former days, when the Native Army in India was so much +stronger in point of numbers than the British Army, and there +existed no means of rapid communication, it was only prudent to +guard against a predominance of soldiers of any one creed or +nationality; but with British troops nearly doubled and the Native +Army reduced by more than one-third, with all the forts and arsenals +protected, and nearly the whole of the Artillery manned by British +soldiers, with railway and telegraph communication from one end of +India to the other, with the risk of internal trouble greatly diminished, +and the possibility of external complications becoming daily more +apparent, circumstances and our requirements were completely altered, +and it had become essential to have in the ranks of our Native Army +men who might confidently be trusted to take their share of fighting +against a European foe.</p> +<p> +In the British Army the superiority of one regiment over another is +mainly a matter of training; the same courage and military instinct +are inherent in English, Scotch, and Irish alike, but no comparison +can be made between the martial value of a regiment recruited +amongst the Gurkhas of Nepal or the warlike races of northern India, +and of one recruited from the effeminate peoples of the south.</p> +<p> +How little this was understood, even by those who had spent a great +part of their service in India, was a marvel to me; but, then, I had +had peculiar opportunities of judging of the relative fighting qualities +of Natives, and I was in despair at not being able to get people to see +the matter with my eyes, for I knew that nothing was more sure to +lead to disaster than to imagine that the whole Indian Army, as it was +then constituted, could be relied on in time of war.</p> +<p> +General Chesney fortunately shared my opinions, and as Lords +Dufferin and Lansdowne trusted us, we were able to do a great deal +towards increasing the efficiency of the Native Army and improving +the status and prospects of the Native soldier. Several companies and +regiments composed of doubtful material were disbanded, and men of +well-known fighting castes entertained instead. Class regiments were +formed, as being more congenial to the men and more conducive to +<i>esprit de corps</i>; recruiting was made the business of carefully selected +officers who understood Native character, and whose duty it was to +become acquainted with the various tribes inhabiting the districts<span class="page"><a name="533">[Page 533]</a></span> +from which the recruits for their own regiments were drawn; and +special arrangements were made with the Nepalese Government by +which a sufficient number of the best class of men could be obtained +for our thirteen Gurkha regiments.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Concessions to the Native Army</span> +The pay of Cavalry soldiers was improved, and it was pointed out +to the Government that an increase to the Infantry soldiers' pay +could not be long <a name="LXVIII3r">deferred</a>;<a href="#LXVIII3"><sup>3</sup></a> the issue of good-conduct pay was +accelerated; <i><a name="LXVIII4r">jagirs</a></i>,<a href="#LXVIII4"><sup>4</sup></a> were sanctioned annually for a limited number of +specially distinguished Native officers; full pay was authorized for +recruits from date of enlistment instead of from the date of joining +their regiments; field <i><a name="LXVIII5r">batta</a></i>,<a href="#LXVIII5"><sup>5</sup></a> was sanctioned whenever troops should +be employed beyond sea or on service; pensions were granted after a +shorter period of service than heretofore; medals for meritorious +service and good conduct were given in commemoration of Her +Majesty's Jubilee; bronze war medals were sanctioned for all +authorized Government followers; a reserve, which it was arranged +should undergo an annual course of training, was formed for the +Artillery and Infantry; and a system of linked battalions was +organized, three battalions being grouped together, and the men +being interchangeable during war-time.</p> +<p> +While the tendency of these alterations and concessions was to +make all ranks happy and contented, their training was carefully +attended to, and, as I have before mentioned, musketry particularly +reached a very high standard.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Officering of the Native Army</span> +The one thing left undone, and which I should like to have been +able to accomplish before leaving India, was to induce the Government +to arrange for more British officers to be given to the Native regiments +in time of war. Nine to a Cavalry and eight to an Infantry corps +may be sufficient in time of peace, but that number is quite too small +to stand the strain of war. Indian soldiers, like soldiers of every +nationality, require to be led; and history and experience teach us +that eastern races (fortunately for us), however brave and accustomed +to war, do not possess the qualities that go to make leaders of men, +and that Native officers in this respect can never take the place of +British officers. I have known many Natives whose gallantry and +devotion could not be surpassed, but I have never known one who +would not have looked to the youngest British officer for support in +time of difficulty and danger. It is therefore most unwise to allow +Native regiments to enter upon a war with so much smaller a +proportion of British officers than is considered necessary for<span class="page"><a name="534">[Page 534]</a></span> +European regiments. I have no doubt whatever of the fighting +powers of our best Indian troops; I have a thorough belief in, and +admiration for, Gurkhas, Sikhs, Dogras, Rajputs, Jats, and selected +Mahomedans; I thoroughly appreciate their soldierly qualities; +brigaded with British troops, I would be proud to lead them against +any European enemy; but we cannot expect them to do with less +leading than our own soldiers require, and it is, I maintain, trying +them too highly to send them into action with the present establishment +of British <a name="LXVIII6r">officers</a>.<a href="#LXVIII6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> +<p> +In the late autumn of 1891 our latest acquisition, the Zhob Valley, +was included in my frontier tour, which I had the pleasure of making, +for the greater part of the way, in the company of General Brackenbury. +He was prevented from getting as far as Quetta by an accident +which laid him up for some time, but not, as he told me, before he had +seen enough of the frontier to satisfy him that the tribes were a factor +in our system of defence which could not be ignored, and that I had +not exaggerated the importance of having them on our side.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">The Hunza-Naga Campaign</span> +During this winter the brilliant little Hunza-Naga campaign took +place, which has been so graphically described in Mr. Knight's 'Where <span class="page"><a name="535">[Page 535]</a></span> +Three Empires Meet.' It was brought about by Russia's intrigues +with the Rulers of the petty States on the northern boundary of +Kashmir; and our attention was first roused to the necessity for action +by two British officers, who were journeying to India by way of the +Pamirs and Gilgit, being forced by Russian soldiers to leave what the +leader of the party called 'newly-acquired Russian <a name="LXVIII7r">territory</a>'<a href="#LXVIII7"><sup>7</sup></a>—territory +to which Russia had not the shadow of a claim.</p> +<p> +In addition to this unjustifiable treatment of Captain Younghusband +and Lieutenant Davison, Colonel Yanoff crossed the Hindu Kush with +his Cossacks by the Korabhut Pass, and, after reconnoitring the country +on the borders of Kashmir, re-crossed the range by the Baroghil Pass. +As this was a distinct breach of the promises made by the Russian +Government, and an infringement of the boundary line as agreed to +between England and Russia in 1873, it was necessary to take steps to +prevent any recurrence of such interference, and a small force was +accordingly sent against the Chief of Hunza, who had openly declared +himself in favour of Russia. He made a desperate stand, but was +eventually driven from his almost inaccessible position by the determined +gallantry of our Indian troops, assisted by a Contingent from +Kashmir. Three Victoria Crosses were given for this business, and +many more were earned, but of necessity there must be a limit to the +disposal of decorations; and in an affair of this kind, in which all +proved themselves heroes, each individual must have felt himself +honoured by the small force being awarded such a large number of the +coveted reward, in proportion to its size.</p> +<p> +We reaped the benefit of having taken this district under our own +control when Chitral required to be relieved, and the Hunza-Naga +people afforded Colonel Kelly such valuable help.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1892</span> +On the 1st January, 1892, I received an intimation that Her Majesty +had been graciously pleased to bestow a peerage upon me, and the +same day the Secretary of State for India offered me a further +extension of my appointment as Commander-in-Chief—an offer I would +gladly have accepted, as I knew it had been made with the concurrence +of the Viceroy, if I could have taken even a few months' leave to +England. But during a quarter of a century I had only been able to +spend eighteen months out of India, and I felt the need of change of +climate and a little rest after so many years of continued hard work. +Under the existing regulations a Commander-in-Chief could have no +leave. Lord Cross had tried to remedy this hard rule by bringing in +the 'Officers' Leave Bill'; but as he informed Lord Lansdowne it was +impossible to get it through the House of Commons that session, I was +obliged very reluctantly to beg to be allowed to resign my command in<span class="page"><a name="536">[Page 536]</a></span> +the spring of 1893.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Visit to Nepal</span> +Before returning to Simla for really the last time, my wife and I +made another trip to Burma as far as Mandalay, and after this was +over we paid a most interesting visit to Nepal, having received the very +unusual honour of an invitation to Khatmandu from Maharaja Bir +Shumsher Jung Rana Bahadur.</p> +<p> +Khatmandu is about a hundred miles from our frontier station of +Segowli, by a very rough road over a succession of steep, high hills and +along deep, narrow valleys, which would have been quite impossible +for a lady to travel by but for the excellent arrangements made by the +Nepalese officials; the last descent was the worst of all; we literally +dropped from one rock to the next in some places. But on reaching +the base of the mountain all was changed. A beautifully cultivated +valley spread itself out before us; comfortable tents were prepared for +our reception, where we were met by some of the State officials; and +a perfectly appointed carriage-and-four was waiting to carry us on to +Khatmandu, where we were received by the Resident, Lieutenant-Colonel +Wylie, and his wife, old friends of ours. That afternoon the +Maharaja paid me a private visit.</p> +<p> +The next morning the official call was made, which I returned soon +afterwards; and in the evening the Maharaja, accompanied by his +eldest son and eight of his brothers, all high officers of state, were +present at Mrs. Wylie's reception, wearing military frock-coats and +forage-caps. They all spoke English fluently; their manners were +those of well-bred gentlemen, easy and quiet, as free from awkwardness +as from forwardness; each, coming up in turn, talked very pleasantly +to Lady Roberts for a time, and then made way for someone else. +The Maharaja is extremely musical, and has several well-trained bands, +taught by an English bandmaster; three of them were in attendance, +and were directed to play selections from our favourite operas, and +then a number of the beautiful plaintive Nepalese airs. Altogether, +we passed a most agreeable evening.</p> +<p> +The following day a review of all the troops (18,000 men and 78 +<a name="LXVIII8r">guns</a>),<a href="#LXVIII8"><sup>8</sup></a> was held on a ground one mile in length by half a mile in +breadth, perfectly level and well turfed. It would be considered a fine +parade-ground for the plains of India, and must have entailed a considerable +expenditure of time, labour, and money to make in such a +hilly place as Khatmandu.</p> +<p> +On reaching the ground, I was received by the Maharaja and Deb +Shamsher Jung, the eldest of his many brothers, and the nominal<span class="page"><a name="537">[Page 537]</a></span> +Commander-in-Chief of the army; we rode along the line together, and +the march past then began. Everything was done with the utmost +precision; there was no fuss or talking, and from first to last not a +single bugle sound was heard, showing how carefully officers and men +had been drilled. I was told that the executive Commander-in-Chief, +the third brother, by name Chandra Shamsher, had almost lived on the +parade-ground for weeks before my arrival. The Maharaja's sons and +brothers, who all knew their work, and were evidently fond of soldiering, +commanded the several divisions and brigades.</p> +<p> +The troops were not, perhaps, turned out quite so smartly as those in +our service, and several of the officers were old and feeble; but these +were the only faults perceptible, and I came to the conclusion that the +great majority of the 18,000 men were quite as good as the Gurkhas +we enlist; and I could not help thinking that they would be a valuable +addition to our strength in the event of war.</p> +<p> +General Chandra Shamsher is a very red-hot soldier. He said to my +wife: 'Lady Roberts, when are the Russians coming? I wish they +would make haste. We have 40,000 soldiers in Nepal ready for war, +and there is no one to fight!'</p> +<p> +The next day a grand durbar was held, at which the King (the +Maharaja Dhiraj, as he is called) presided; he was an unusually +handsome lad of about eighteen years of age, fairer than most Nepalese, +and very refined looking. As on all previous occasions, everyone wore +uniform except the King, who had on a perfectly plain dress of spotless +white. Great deference is outwardly paid to the Dhiraj, but he has no +power, and is never consulted in matters of State, being considered too +sacred to be troubled with mundane affairs. Although a mere boy, he +had four wives, two of them daughters of the Maharaja Bir Shamsher +Jung.</p> +<p> +After the durbar, I was shown over the principal school and hospital; +both appeared to be well conducted, and evidently no expense was +spared upon them. I was then taken to a magazine, in which were a +number of guns of various calibre and any amount of ammunition. I +was told there were several other magazines, which I had not time to +see, and a few miles from Khatmandu extensive workshops, where all +kinds of munitions of war were manufactured.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Nepalese entertainment</span> +That evening, accompanied by Colonel and Mrs. Wylie, we attended +a reception at the Maharaja's palace. The durbar hall, which was +filled with men in uniform, was of beautiful proportions, and very +handsomely decorated and furnished. After the usual introductions +and some conversation with the chief officers, we were invited to visit +the Maharani in her own apartments, and having ascended a flight of +steps and passed through numerous corridors and luxuriously furnished +rooms, we were shown into a spacious apartment, the prevailing colour +of which was rose, lighted by lamps of the same colour. The Maharani<span class="page"><a name="538">[Page 538]</a></span> +was sitting on a sofa at the further end of the room, gorgeously +apparelled in rose-coloured gauze dotted over with golden spangles; +her skirts were very voluminous, and she wore magnificent jewels on +her head and about her person. Two Maids of Honour stood behind +her, holding fans, and dressed in the same colour as their mistress, but +without jewels. On each side of her, forming a semicircle, were +grouped the ladies of the Court, all arrayed in artistically contrasting +colours; they were more or less pretty and refined looking, and the +Maharani herself was extremely handsome. My wife was placed by +her side on the sofa, and carried on a long conversation with her +through one of the ladies who spoke Hindustani and acted as Interpreter. +The Maharani presented Lady Roberts with a beautiful little +Chinese pug-dog, and the Maharaja gave me a gold-mounted <i>kookri</i> +(Gurkha knife). After this little ceremony there was a grand display +of fireworks, and we took our leave.</p> +<p> +Nothing could exceed the kindness we met with during our stay in +Nepal. The Maharaja endeavoured in every way to make our visit +enjoyable, and his brothers vied with each other in their efforts to do +us honour. It was impressed upon me that the Nepalese army was at +the disposal of the Queen-Empress, and hopes were repeatedly expressed +that we would make use of it in the event of war.</p> +<p> +Notwithstanding the occasional differences which have occurred +between our Government and the Nepal Durbar, I believe that, ever +since 1817, when the Nepal war was brought to a successful conclusion +by Sir David Ochterlony, the Gurkhas have had a great respect and +liking for us: but they are in perpetual dread of our taking their +country, and they think the only way to prevent this is not to allow +anyone to enter it except by invitation, and to insist upon the few thus +favoured travelling by the difficult route that we traversed. Nepal can +never be required by us for defensive purposes, and as we get our best +class of Native soldiers thence, everything should, I think, be done to +show our confidence in the Nepalese alliance, and convince them that +we have no ulterior designs on the independence of their kingdom.</p> +<p> +On leaving Nepal we made a short tour in the Punjab, and then +went to Simla for the season.</p> +<p> +One of the subjects which chiefly occupied the attention of the +Government at this time was the unfriendly attitude of the Ruler of +Afghanistan towards us. Abdur Rahman Khan appeared to have +entirely forgotten that he owed everything to us, and that, but for our +support and lavish aid in money and munitions of war, he could +neither have gained nor held the throne of Kabul. We refused to Sher +Ali much that we could have gracefully granted and that would have +made him a firm friend, but in our dealings with Abdur Rahman we +rushed into the other extreme, and showered favours upon him; in +fact, we made too much of him, and allowed him to get out of hand.<span class="page"><a name="539">[Page 539]</a></span> +The result was that he mistook the patience and forbearance with +which we bore his fits of temper for weakness, and was encouraged in +an overweening and altogether unjustifiable idea of his own importance; +he considered that he ought to be treated as the equal of the Shah of +Persia, and keenly resented not being allowed to communicate direct +with Her Majesty's Ministers.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Proposed Mission to the Amir</span> +In the hope of being able to establish more satisfactory relations +with the Amir, Lord Lansdowne invited him to come to India, and, on +His Highness pleading that his country was in too disturbed a condition +to admit of his leaving it, the Viceroy expressed his willingness +to meet him on the frontier, but Abdur Rahman evaded this arrangement +also under one pretext or another. It was at last proposed to +send me with a Mission as far as Jalalabad, a proposal I gladly +accepted, for I was sanguine enough to hope that, by personal explanation, +I should be able to remove the suspicions which the Amir +evidently entertained as to the motives for our action on the frontier, +and to convince him that our help in the time of his need must depend +upon our mutually agreeing in what manner that help should be +given, and on arrangements being completed beforehand to enable our +troops to be rapidly transported to the threatened points.</p> +<p> +Abdur Rahman agreed to receive me in the autumn, and expressed +pleasure at the prospect of meeting me, but eventually he apparently +became alarmed at the size of the escort by which the Government +thought it necessary that I, as Commander-in-Chief, should be accompanied; +and, as the time approached for the Mission to start, he +informed Lord Lansdowne that his health would not permit of his +undertaking the journey to Jalalabad.</p> +<p> +Thus the opportunity was lost to which I had looked forward as a +chance for settling many vexed questions, and I am afraid that there +has been very little improvement in our relations with Abdur Rahman +since then, and that we are no nearer the completion of our plans for +the defence of his kingdom than we were four years <a name="LXVIII9r">ago</a><a href="#LXVIII9"><sup>9</sup></a>—a defence +which (and this cannot be too strongly impressed upon the Amir) it +would be impossible for us to aid him to carry through unless Kabul +and Kandahar are brought into connexion with the railway system of +India.</p> +<p> +In the autumn, just before we left Simla, our friends bestowed upon +my wife a farewell gift in the shape of a very beautiful diamond +bracelet and a sum of money for her fund for 'Homes in the Hills, and +Officers' Hospitals,' made doubly acceptable by the kind words with +which Lord Lansdowne, on behalf of the donors, presented it. Shortly +afterwards we bade a regretful adieu to our happy home of so many<span class="page"><a name="540">[Page 540]</a></span> +years, and made our way to the Punjab for a final visit.</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">A Last Tour</span> +We spent a few days at Peshawar, and then went to Rawal Pindi to +be present at a Camp of Exercise, and see how the works under construction +for the protection of the arsenal were progressing. These +works had been put in hand in 1890, when, according to my recommendation, +it had been decided not to fortify Multan. No place in the +Punjab appeared to my mind to possess the same military value as +Rawal Pindi, its strategical importance with regard to the right flank +of the frontier line being hardly inferior to that of Quetta in relation to +the left flank; but of late the advisability of completing the works had +been questioned by my colleagues in Council, greatly to my concern, +for I felt that it would be unwise to leave the elaboration of the +defences of such a position until war should be <a name="LXVIII10r">imminent</a>.<a href="#LXVIII10"><sup>10</sup></a></p> +<p><span class="rightnote">1893</span> <span class="rightnote"><br />Farewell Entertainments</span> +In January, 1893, a series of farewell entertainments were organized +for me at Lahore by the people of the Punjab, as touching as they +were highly appreciated, and intensely gratifying. Amongst the +crowds assembled in the Town Hall to bid me good-bye, I was +greatly pleased to see, besides the Maharaja of Kashmir, Chiefs and +men from beyond our frontier, from Kuram, from the confines of +Baluchistan, even from the wilds of Waziristan; for their presence +on this occasion I felt to be, not only a proof of their kindly feeling +towards me personally, and of their approval of the measures for their +safety and welfare that I had always advocated, but a very distinct sign +of the much to be desired change that was taking place in the sentiments +of the border tribes towards us as a nation.</p> +<p> +Four addresses were presented to me, from the Sikh<a href="#AppXII">*</a>, Hindu<a href="#AppXIII">*</a>, +Mahomedan<a href="#AppXIV">*</a>, and European<a href="#AppXV">*</a> communities of the Punjab, respectively, +which I will venture to give in the Appendix, as I feel sure that the +spirit of loyalty which pervades them will be a revelation to many, and<span class="page"><a name="541">[Page 541]</a></span> +a source of satisfaction to all who are interested in the country to +which we owe so much of our present greatness, and which I conceive +to be the brightest jewel in England's crown.</p> +<p class="footnote">Note*: See Appendices <a class="footnote" href="#XII">XII</a>, <a class="footnote" href="#XIII">XIII</a>, <a class="footnote" href="#XIV">XIV</a>and <a class="footnote" href="#XV">XV</a>.</p> + +<p> +It was a wonderful and moving scene upon which we looked from +the platform of the Town Hall on this memorable occasion, made up +as it was of such different elements, each race and creed easily recognizable +from their different costumes and characteristics, but all united +by the same kindly desire to do honour to their departing friend, or +comrade, for there were a great number of old soldiers present.</p> +<p> +At each place that we visited on our way to Calcutta there was the +same display of kindly regret at our departure; friends assembled to +see us off at the railway-stations, bands played 'Auld lang syne,' and +hearty cheers speeded us on our way.</p> +<p> +In February we went to Lucknow for a few days, when the Talukdars +of Oudh gave my wife and me an entertainment on a very +splendid scale in the Wingfield Park, and presented me with an +<a name="LXVIII11r">address</a><a href="#LXVIII11"><sup>11</sup></a> and a sword of honour.</p> +<p> +On our return to Calcutta, just before we left for England, the European +community entertained me at a dinner, at which more than two +hundred were present, presided over by Sir James Mackay, K.C.I.E., +Chairman of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce. Sir James was far +too kind and eulogistic in speaking of my services, but for his appreciative +allusion to my wife I could only feel deeply gratified and +thankful. After dinner a reception was given to Lady Roberts and +myself, at which the Viceroy and Lady Lansdowne and all the principal +Native and European residents of Calcutta were assembled. An +<a name="LXVIII12r">address</a><a href="#LXVIII12"><sup>12</sup></a> was presented to me on this never-to be-forgotten occasion, +in which, to my supreme satisfaction, the Native noblemen and gentlemen +expressed their hearty approval of what had been done during my +tenure of office as Commander-in-Chief to strengthen the defences of +the frontier and render the army in India efficient, and declared that +'we cheerfully bear our share of the cost, as in possession of these +protections against aggressions from without we believe all who dwell +within the borders of the land will find their best guarantee for peace, +and in peace the best safeguard they and their children can possess to +enable them to pass their lives in happiness and prosperity, and escape +the misery and ruin which follow war and invasion.'</p> +<p><span class="rightnote">Last Days in India</span> +We travelled to Bombay <i>viâ</i> Jeypur and Jodhpur. At both places we +were royally entertained by the Rulers of those states, and my staff +and I were given excellent sport amongst the wild boar, which was +much enjoyed by all, particularly by my son, who, having joined the +King's Royal Rifles at Rawal Pindi, was attached to me as A.D.C. +during my last six months in India, and had not before had an opportunity<span class="page"><a name="542">[Page 542]</a></span> +of tasting the joys of pig-sticking.</p> +<p> +At Jodhpur my friend the Maharaja Sir Pertap Sing gave us a signal +proof that the ancient valour of the Rajputs had not deteriorated in the +present day. I had wounded a fine boar, and on his making for some +rocky ground, where I could hardly have followed him on horseback, I +shouted to Sir Pertap to get between him and the rocks, and turn him +in my direction. The Maharaja promptly responded, but just as he +came face-to-face with the boar, his horse put his foot into a hole and +fell; the infuriated animal rushed on the fallen rider, and, before the +latter could extricate himself, gave him a severe wound in the leg with +his formidable tushes. On going to his assistance, I found Sir Pertap +bleeding profusely, but standing erect, facing the boar and holding the +creature (who was upright on his hind-legs) at arms' length by his +mouth. The spear without the impetus given by the horse at full speed +is not a very effective weapon against the tough hide of a boar's back, +and on realizing that mine did not make much impression, Pertap Sing, +letting go his hold of the boar's mouth, quickly seized his hind-legs, +and turned him over on his back, crying: '<i>Maro, sahib, maro!</i>' +('Strike, sir, strike!') which I instantly did, and killed him. Anyone +who is able to realize the strength and weight of a wild boar will appreciate +the pluck and presence of mind of Sir Pertap Sing in this performance. +Fortunately, my wife and daughter, who had been following the +pig-stickers in a light cart, were close at hand, and we were able to +drive my friend home at once. The wound was found to be rather a +bad one, but it did not prevent Sir Pertap from attending some tent-pegging +and other amusements in the afternoon, though he had to be +carried to the scene.</p> +<p> +A few months after my return to England the boar's head arrived, +set up, and with a silver plate attached to it, on which was an inscription +commemorating the adventure.</p> +<p> +At Ahmedabad, where the train stopped while we lunched, I was +presented with an address by the President and members of the Municipality, +who, 'with loyal devotion to Her Imperial Majesty the Queen +and Empress of India, to whose glorious reign we sincerely wish a +continuance of brilliant prosperity,' expressed their hope that Lady +Roberts and I would have 'a happy voyage home and enjoyment of +perfect health and prosperity in future.'</p> +<p> +The day before we left Bombay for England, the members of the +Byculla Club gave me a parting dinner. It was with great difficulty I +could get through my speech in response to the toast of my health on +that occasion, for, pleased and grateful as I was at this last mark of +friendship and approval from my countrymen, I could not help feeling +inexpressibly sad and deeply depressed at the thought uppermost in my +mind, that the time had come to separate myself from India and my <span class="page"><a name="543">[Page 543]</a></span> +gallant comrades and friends, British and Native.</p> +<p> +In dwelling on the long list of farewell addresses and entertainments +with which I was honoured on leaving India, I feel that I may be laying +myself open to the charge of egotism; but in writing of one's own +experiences it is difficult to avoid being egotistical, and distasteful as it +is to me to think that I may be considered so, I would rather that, than +that those who treated me so kindly and generously should deem me +unmindful or ungrateful.</p> +<p> +Thus ended forty-one years in India. No one can, I think, wonder +that I left the country with heartfelt regret. The greater number of +my most valued friendships had been formed there; from almost everyone +with whom I had been associated, whether European or Native, +civilian or soldier, I had experienced unfailing kindness, sympathy, and +support; and to the discipline, bravery, and devotion to duty of the +Army in India, in peace and war, I felt that I owed whatever success it +was my good fortune to achieve.</p> + +<br /> + <hr class="full" /> +<br /><br /> + +<span class="page"><a name="544">[Page 544]</a></span><br /> +<h1><a name="APPEND">APPENDIX</a></h1><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppI">I.</a></h2> +<h5>(See <a class="footnote" href="#Stewart">p. 97</a>)</h5> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> +<p class="appendix"> +The 9th Native Infantry, to which Captain Donald Stewart belonged, was +divided between Aligarh, Mainpuri, Bulandshahr, and Etawa, Stewart being +with the Head-Quarters of the regiment at Aligarh.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The news from Meerut and Delhi had caused a certain amount of alarm +amongst the residents at Aligarh, and arrangements had been made for +sending away the ladies and children, but, owing to the confidence placed in +the men of the 9th, none of them had left the station. Happen what might +in other regiments, the officers were certain that the 9th could never be faithless +to their salt! The Native officers and men were profuse in their expressions +of loyalty, and as a proof of their sincerity they arrested and disarmed +several rebel sepoys, who were making for their homes in Oudh and the +adjoining districts. As a further proof, they gave up the regimental pandit +for endeavouring to persuade them to mutiny. He was tried by a Court-Martial +composed of European and Native officers, found guilty, and sentenced +to be hanged. The sentence was carried out that same afternoon. It was +intended that the regiment should witness the execution, but it did not reach +the gaol in time; the men were therefore marched back to their lines, and +Stewart, in his capacity of Interpreter, was ordered to explain to them the +purpose for which they had been paraded. While he was speaking a man of +his own company shouted out something. Stewart did not hear the words, +and no one would repeat them. The parade was then dismissed, when the +same man, tearing off his uniform, called upon his comrades not to serve a +Government which had hanged a Brahmin. A general uproar ensued. The +Commanding Officer ordered the few Sikhs in the regiment to seize the ringleader; +they did so, but not being supported by the rest they released him. +The Subadar Major was then told to arrest the mutineer, but he took no +notice whatever of the order. This Native officer had been upwards of forty +years in the regiment and was entitled to his full pension. He had been a +member of the Court-Martial which tried the pandit, and, though a +Brahmin himself, had given his vote in favour of the prisoner being hanged; +moreover he was a personal friend of all the officers. Stewart, who had been +for many years Adjutant, knew him intimately, and believed implicitly in his +loyalty. The man had constantly discussed the situation with Stewart and +others, and had been mainly instrumental in disarming the sepoys who had +passed through Aligarh; and yet when the hour of trial came he failed as +completely as the last-joined recruit.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The British officers went amongst their men and tried to keep order, but +the excitement rapidly spread; some of the young soldiers began to load, and +the older ones warned the officers that it was time for them to be off. The<span class="page"><a name="545">[Page 545]</a></span> +sepoys then plundered the treasury, broke open the gaol doors, released the +prisoners, and marched in a body towards <a name="AppI1rf">Delhi</a>.<a href="#AppI1f"><sup>1</sup></a></p> +<p class="appendix"> +Stewart, being thus left without a regiment, attached himself to the +magistrate of the district, and took command of a small body of volunteers +sent from Agra by the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Provinces, to +aid the civil authorities in restoring order. Not caring for this work, and +thinking he might be more usefully employed, Stewart made up his mind to +find his way to Delhi; his idea was to try and get there <i>viâ</i> Meerut, but before +deciding on the route, he went to Agra, where he had been invited by the +Lieutenant-Governor. At the interview, Mr. Colvin advised Stewart to +travel <i>viâ</i> Muttra, as the safer of the two routes, and told him that +despatches had been received from the Government in Calcutta for the +Commander-in-Chief, then understood to be with the army before Delhi. At +the same time the Lieutenant-Governor impressed upon Stewart that he was +not giving him any order to go, and that if he undertook to carry the +despatches it must be a voluntary act on his part, entailing no responsibility +on the Government of the North-West Provinces.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Stewart accepted the duty, and took his leave of Mr. Colvin as the sun was +setting on the 18th June, delighted at the chance of being able to join the +army before Delhi. He reached Muttra, thirty-five miles distant, without +mishap. The streets of this city were crowded with men, all carrying arms +of some sort; they showed no signs of hostility, however, and even pointed +out to Stewart the house of which he was in search. The owner of this +house, to whose care he had been commended by the Agra authorities, was a +Brahmin holding an official position in the town. This Native gentleman +behaved with civility, but did not attempt to conceal his embarrassment at +the presence of a British officer, or his relief when Stewart announced his +intention of resuming his journey an hour or so before daybreak.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The Brahmin provided him with two sowars belonging to the Raja of +Bhartpur with orders to accompany him as far as Kosi. They were cut-throat-looking +individuals, and Stewart felt rather inclined to dispense with +their services, but, thinking it unwise to show any signs of distrust, he +accepted them with the best grace he could.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +After riding fifteen or sixteen miles, Stewart's horse fell from exhaustion, +on which his so-called escort laughed uproariously, and galloped off, leaving +our poor traveller to his own devices.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Believing the horse could not recover, Stewart took off the saddle and +bridle and tramped to the nearest village, where he hoped to be able to buy +or hire an animal of some kind on which to continue his journey. No one, +however, would help him, and he was forced to seize a donkey which he found +grazing in a field hard by. About sunset he reached Kosi, thirty-seven miles +from Muttra. The <i><a name="AppI2rf">tehsildar</a></i><a href="#AppI2f"><sup>2</sup></a> received him courteously, and gave him some +bread and milk, but would not hear of his staying for the night. He told +him that his appearance in the town was causing considerable excitement, and +that he could not be responsible for his safety. Stewart was much exhausted +after his hot ride, but as the <i>tehsildar</i> stood firm there was nothing for him to +do but to continue his journey, and he consented to start if he were provided +with a horse. The <i>tehsildar</i> promptly offered his own pony, and as soon as it +was dark Stewart set out for the Jaipur camp. His progress during the night<span class="page"><a name="546">[Page 546]</a></span> +was slow, and it was not until eight o'clock the next morning that he reached +his destination, where he was hospitably received by the Political Agent, +Major Eden, who introduced him to the Maharaja's Wazir. This official at +first promised to give Stewart a small escort as far as Delhi, but on various +pretexts he put him off from day to day. At the end of a week Stewart saw +that the Wazir either could not or would not give him an escort, and thinking +it useless to delay any longer, he made up his mind to start without one.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +There were several refugees in the camp, and one of them, Mr. Ford, +collector and magistrate of Gurgaon, offered to join Stewart in his venture.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Stewart and his companion left the Jaipur camp on the afternoon of the +27th June, and reached Palwal soon after dark. Ford sent for the <i><a name="AppI3rf">kotwal</a></i>,<a href="#AppI3f"><sup>3</sup></a> +who was one of his own district officials, and asked him for food. This was +produced, but the <i>kotwal</i> besought the <i>sahibs</i> to move on without delay, +telling them that their lives were in imminent danger, as there was a rebel +regiment in the town, and he was quite unable to protect them. So they +continued their journey, and, escaping from one or two threatened attacks by +robbers, reached Badshahpur in the morning. Here they rested during the +heat of the day, being kindly treated by the villagers, who were mostly +Hindus.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The travellers were now not far from Delhi, but could hardly proceed +further without a guide, and the people of Badshahpur declined to provide +one. They pleaded that they were men of peace, and could not possibly +leave their village in such evil times. Suddenly a man from the crowd, +offered his services. His appearance was against him, and the villagers +declared that he was a notorious cattle-lifter, who was strongly suspected of +having set fire to the collector's (Mr. Ford's) office at Gurgaon, in order that +the evidences of his offences might be destroyed. Not a pleasant <i>compagnon +de voyage</i>, but there was nothing for it but to accept his offer.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +As soon as it was dark a start was made, and at daybreak on the 29th the +minarets of Delhi rose out of the morning mist, while an occasional shell +might be seen bursting near the city.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +On reaching the Hansi road, the guide, by name Jumna Das, who, in spite +of appearances, had proved true to his word, stopped and said he could go no +further. He would not take any reward that it was then in the power of +Stewart or Ford to offer him, but he expressed a hope that, when the country +became settled, the slight service he had performed would not be forgotten. +They gratefully assured him on this point, and thanked him cordially, giving +him at the same time a letter testifying to his valuable service. Stewart then +went to the nearest village, and for a small reward found a man who undertook +to conduct them safely to one of our piquets.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +One curious circumstance remarked by Stewart throughout the ride was +that the peasants and villagers, though not generally hostile to him, had +evidently made up their minds that the British <i>raj</i> was at an end, and were +busily engaged in rendering their villages defensible, to meet the troubles and +disturbances which they considered would surely follow on the resumption of +Native rule.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +It is difficult to over-estimate the pluck and enterprise displayed by Stewart +during this most adventurous ride. It was a marvel that he ever reached +Delhi. His coming there turned out to be the best thing that ever happened +to him, for the qualities which prompted him to undertake and carried him +through his dangerous journey, marked him as a man worthy of advancement +and likely to do well.</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppI1rf">[Footnote 1:</a> <a name="AppI1f">While</a> the regiment was in the act of mutinying one of the sepoys left the +parade-ground, and running round to all the civilians' houses, told the occupants +what had happened, and warned them to make their escape. He asked +for no reward, and was never seen again.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppI2rf">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="AppI2f">Native</a> magistrate.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppI3rf">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="AppI3f">City</a> magistrate.]</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#Stewart">p. 97</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> + +<span class="page"><a name="547">[Page 547]</a></span><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppII">II.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1857</span> + +<p class="center3">(These two memoranda are referred to in the note on page <a class="footnote" href="#Lawrence">196.</a>)</p> + +<p class="center3"><i>Memorandum by Lieutenant McLeod Innes.</i></p> + +<p class="indent2a"> +'1. Sir H. Lawrence joined at Lucknow about the end of March, 1857, +succeeding Mr. Coverley Jackson in the Chief Commissionership.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'2. On his arrival he found himself in the midst of troubles, of which the +most important were these:</p> + +<p class="indent3a"> +I. A general agitation of the empire, from the discontent of the soldiery.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +II. A weak European force at Oudh, with all the military arrangements +defective.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +III. Grievous discontent among several classes of the population of Oudh, +viz., the nobility of Lucknow and the members and retainers of the +Royal Family, the official classes, the old soldiery, and the entire +country population, noble and peasant alike.</p> + +<p class="indent2a"> +'3. This third was due to disobedience of, or departure from, the instructions +laid down by Government at the annexation, as very clearly shown in +Lord Stanley's letter of October 13, 1858. The promised pensions had either +been entirely withheld or very sparingly doled out; the old officials were +entirely without employment; three-quarters of the army the same; while +the country Barons had, by forced interpretation of rules, been deprived of +the mass of their estates, which had been parcelled out among their followers, +who, for clannish reasons, were more indignant at the spoliation and loss of +power and place of their Chiefs than they were glad for their own individual +acquisitions.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'4. The weakness of the European force could not be helped; it was +deemed politic to show the country that the annexation did not require force.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'5. But the inefficiency of the military arrangements arose from mere +want of skill, and was serious, under the threatening aspect of the political +horizon.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'6. The discontent of the province, and the coming general storm, had +already found vent in the brigandage of Fuzl Ali, and the seditions of the +Fyzabad Moulvie.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'7. And with all these Sir H. Lawrence had to grapple immediately on his +arrival.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'8. But I may safely say that ten days saw the mass of them disappear. +The Fyzabad Moulvie had been seized and imprisoned. Fuzl Ali had been +surrounded and slain. The promised pensions had been paid, by Sir H. +Lawrence's peremptory orders, to the members and retainers of the Royal +Family. A recognition had been published of the fair rights of the old Oudh +officials to employment in preference to immigrants from our old provinces, +and instructions had been issued for giving it effect. The disbanded soldiers +of the Royal Army of Oudh were promised preference in enlistment in the +local corps and the police, and a reorganization and increase to the latter, +which were almost immediately sanctioned, gave instant opportunities for the +fulfilment of the first instalment of these promises. While last, but not least, +durbars were held, in which Sir Henry Lawrence was able to proclaim his +views and policy, by which the landholders should be reinstated in the +possessions which they held at the annexation, the basis on which the +instructions had been originally issued, which had been hitherto practically +ignored, but to which he pledged himself to give effect.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'9. To strengthen his military position, he placed Artillery with the +European Infantry; he distributed his Irregular Cavalry; he examined +the city, decided on taking possession of the Muchee Bawn and garrisoning +it as a fort; and summoned in Colonel Fisher and Captain George Hardinge;<span class="page"><a name="548">[Page 548]</a></span><br /> +and with them, Brigadier Handscombe and Major Anderson, consulted and +arranged for future plans against the storms which he saw to be impending.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'10. Much of this, and his policy for remaining in Oudh, and the conduct +of the defence of Lucknow, I know from recollections of what he occasionally +let drop to me in his confidential conversations while inspecting the Muchee +Bawn. He told me that nearly the whole army would go; that he did not +think the Sikhs would go; that in every regiment there were men that, with +proper management, would remain entirely on our side; and that, therefore, +he meant to segregate from the rest of the troops the Sikhs and selected men, +and to do his best to keep them faithful allies when the rest should go; that, +if Cawnpore should hold out, we would not be attacked; but that if it should +fall, we would be invested, and more or less closely besieged; that no troops +could come to our relief before the middle of August; that the besieging +forces would, he thought, be confined to the sepoys, for the people of the +country had always liked our European officers, whom they had frequently +had to bless for the safety of their lives and the honour of their families; and +the whole Hindu population had a lively recollection of our friendly line of +conduct in the late quarrel with the Mussulmans regarding the Hunnooman +Gurhee; that to hold out where we were was necessary, for the slightest +appearance of yielding, or of not showing a bold front, would result in +annihilation; that to hold out we must get provisions; that to got provisions +and prepare for an efficient defence we must keep open our communication +with the country, and keep the city quiet; that to the former end the +retention of the cantonment was necessary, and of the Muchee Bawn to the +latter, while the site of the permanent defences, in case of the need of concentration, +should be the Residency.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'11. All this I know, as before said, from Sir Henry Lawrence's own +casual and hurried remarks to me. Whether they are officially recorded +anywhere I do not know; but they must have been written in letters to +various persons, and repeated to others of his subordinates at Lucknow. I +mention these matters thus early, as although the facts on which they bear +did not immediately occur, still, Sir Henry Lawrence had prescience of them, +and had decided on his line of policy.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'12. I understand, further, but not on authentic grounds, that Sir Henry +wrote at a very early stage to Sir H. Wheeler, urging him to construct +entrenchments at the magazine at Cawnpore, and to ensure his command +of the boats, whatever might happen; that he wrote early to the Government, +entreating them to divert one of the European regiments in the course of relief, +and divide it between Cawnpore and Allahabad; and that subsequently he +urged on Government to employ the troops of the Persian expedition in +Bengal, and to stop the Chinese force for the same end, and to subsidize +some of the Nepal troops for the protection of our older provinces east of +Oudh.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'13. To revert to the narrative, the measures already mentioned so entirely +pacified the province, that, in spite of the previous discontent, the previous +troubles, the proverbial turbulence of its inhabitants, and the increasing +agitation throughout the empire, there was no difficulty experienced in +collecting the revenue by the close of April. And the subsequent disturbances +were, as will be shown, entirely due to the soldiery, and, till +long after Sir Henry's death, participated in only by them, by the city +ruffians, and by a few of the Mussulman families of the country population. +The mass of the city people and the entire Hindu population held aloof, and +would have nothing to say to the outbreak; and, with one single exception, +every Talookdar, to whom the chance offered itself, aided, more or less +actively, in the protection of European fugitives. This phase in the<span class="page"><a name="549">[Page 549]</a></span> +character of the disturbances in Oudh is not generally known; but it is +nevertheless true, and is due emphatically and solely, under Divine Providence, +to the benignant personal character and the popular policy of Sir +Henry Lawrence.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'14. The 1st of May saw our disturbances commence with the mutiny +of the 7th Oudh Irregular Infantry. This, its suppression, and the durbar +in which he distributed rewards and delivered a speech on the aspect of +affairs, have been fully described elsewhere, and need not be repeated by me.</p> +<p class="indent2a"> +'15. The durbar was held on the twelfth. I am not aware whether he had +any intelligence at that time of the Meerut outbreak. The telegrams, when +they did arrive, were vague; but he indubitably kept on his guard immediately +on receiving them. The Cavalry were piqueted between the cantonments +and the Residency, and the Infantry and Artillery were kept prepared +for movement. His plans were evidently already decided; but they were to +be effected simultaneously and not successively, and the movements of the +Europeans were somewhat dependent on the arrangements of the Quarter-master-General's +Department. It was not until the sixteenth that the tents +required for the 32nd were ready; and the morning of the 17th May saw an +entirely new and effective disposition of the troops. Half the Europeans +were at the Residency, commanding the Iron Bridge; half, with the Artillery, +were at the south end of the cantonments; the bridge of boats was moved and +under control, while the Muchee Bawn, not yet sufficiently cleansed from its +old conglomeration of filth, was garrisoned by a selected body of Native +troops. The whole of these dispositions could not have been effected at an +earlier date, and Sir Henry would not do them piecemeal or successively. +Simultaneous, they were effective, and tended to paralyze any seditious plots +that may have been hatching. Successive and piecemeal, they would have +incited the sepoys to mutiny and the turbulent to insurrection.'</p> +<br /> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>Memorandum, 18th May, inserted in Sir Henry's own hand in his ledger book.</i></p> +<p class="appendix"> +'Time is everything just now. Time, firmness, promptness, conciliation, +and prudence; every officer, each individual European, high and low, may at +this crisis prove most useful, or even dangerous. A firm and cheerful aspect +must be maintained—there must be no bustle, no appearance of alarm, still +less of panic; but, at the same time, there must be the utmost watchfulness +and promptness; everywhere the first germ of insurrection must be put down +instantly. Ten men may in an hour quell a row which, after a day's delay, +may take weeks to put down. I wish this point to be well understood. In +preserving internal tranquillity, the Chiefs and people of substance may be +most usefully employed at this juncture; many of them have as much to +lose as we have. Their property, at least, is at stake. Many of them have +armed retainers—some few are good shots and have double-barrelled guns. +For instance [name illegible], can hit a bottle at 100 yards. He is with the +ordinary soldiers. I want a dozen such men, European or Native, to arm +their own people and to make <i>thannahs</i> of their own houses, or some near +position, and preserve tranquillity within a circuit around them.'</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#Lawrence">p. 196</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> + +<span class="page"><a name="550">[Page 550]</a></span><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppIII">III.</a></h2> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#XLVI">p. 351.</a>)</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +The column was composed as follows:</p> + +<table width="96%" align="center" summary="Composition of the Column" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="main" width="80%"> </td> + <td class="main" width="10%"> <i>Men.</i></td> + <td class="main" width="10%"><i>Guns.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">F Battery, A Brigade, R.H.A., commanded by Colonel W.Sterling</td> + <td class="main"> 135</td> + <td class="main"> 6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">One squadron 10th Hussars, commanded by Major Bulkeley</td> + <td class="main"> 102</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">G Battery, 3rd Brigade, R.A., commanded by Major Sydney Parry </td> + <td class="main"> 83</td> + <td class="main"> 3</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">2nd Battalion 8th Foot, commanded by Colonel Barry Drew</td> + <td class="main"> 620</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">Wing 72nd Highlanders, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel F. Brownlow</td> + <td class="main"> 405</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main"> </td> + <td class="main">——–</td> + <td class="main"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">Total British troops </td> + <td class="main">1,345</td> + <td class="main"> 9</td> +</tr> +</table> +<br /><br /> +<table width="96%" align="center" summary="Troop numbers" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="main" width="80%">12th Bengal Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Hugh Gough, V.C.</td> + <td class="main" width="10%"> 337</td> + <td class="main" width="10%"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">No. 1 Mountain Battery, commanded by Captain Kelso</td> + <td class="main"> 136</td> + <td class="main"> 4</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">7th Company Bengal Sappers and Miners</td> + <td class="main"> 113</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">2nd (Punjab Frontier Force) Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tyndall </td> + <td class="main"> 647</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">5th (Punjab Frontier Force) Infantry, commanded by Major McQueen </td> + <td class="main"> 502</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">5th (Punjab Frontier Force) Gurkhas, commanded by Major Fitz-Hugh</td> + <td class="main"> 438</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">21st Punjab Infantry, commanded by Major Collis</td> + <td class="main"> 496</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">23rd Pioneers, commanded by Colonel Currie</td> + <td class="main"> 650</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">29th Punjab Infantry, commanded by Colonel J.J. Gordon</td> + <td class="main"> 671</td> + <td class="main"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main"> </td> + <td class="main">——– </td> + <td class="main"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">Total Natives</td> + <td class="main">3,990</td> + <td class="main"> 4</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main"> </td> + <td class="main">——– </td> + <td class="main"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="main">Grand total </td> + <td class="main">5,335 </td> + <td class="main"> 13</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="appendix"> +Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Lindsay commanded the Artillery, Colonel +Æneas Perkins was Commanding Royal Engineer. Colonel Hugh Gough commanded +the Cavalry, Brigadier-Generals Cobbe (17th Foot) and Thelwall (21st +Punjab Infantry) the two Infantry brigades. Major W. Galbraith (85th Foot) +was Assistant-Adjutant-General; Major H. Collett, Assistant, and Captains +'Dick' Kennedy and F. Carr, Deputy-Assistant-Quartermasters-General. +Captains G. de C. Morton and A. Scott, V.C, Brigade-Majors. Captain A. +Badcock, Chief Commissariat officer; Captain J. Colquhoun, R.A., Commissary +of Ordnance; Major Moriarty, Captain Goad, and Lieutenant F. +Maisey, Transport officers; Captain A. Wynne (51st Foot), Superintendent of +Field Telegraphs; Captain R. Woodthorpe, R.E., Superintendent of Surveys; +Deputy-Surgeon-General F. Allen, Principal Medical officer; Rev. J. W. +Adams, Chaplain.]</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#XLVI">p. 351</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="551">[Page 551]</a></span><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX IV. <a name="AppIV"></a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#391">p. 391.</a>)</p> + +<p class="appendix"><i>Translation of a letter from</i> MAJOR-GENERAL SIR FREDERICK ROBERTS<br /> +<i>to His Highness</i> THE AMIR OF KABUL.</p> + + +<p class="rindent4a">ALIKHEL, <i>18th September</i>, 1879.</p> + +<p class="quote4a">(After the usual compliments.) Your Highness's letter of the 28th Ramazan, +with the enclosures from Herat and Turkestan, reached me last night. I have +acquainted myself with the contents. I am glad to find your Highness is in +good health, but sorry to hear of the unfortunate disturbances in your Highness's +dominions. Your Highness's letter, in original, has been sent with +enclosures to His Excellency the Viceroy. I have already informed your +Highness of the wishes of His Excellency the Viceroy, and the reasons for +the movements of the British troops, and I have requested your Highness to +send a confidential representative to my camp. I am awaiting a reply to that +letter, and the arrival of your Highness's confidential representative.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +In the meantime I have sent a Proclamation to the tribes, and letters to +some of the Logar <i>maliks</i>, your Highness's subjects, to assure those not concerned +in the hateful massacre, and asking them for assistance in carriage and +supplies on payment. As it appears to me proper I should inform your Highness +of what I have done, I enclose copies of the Proclamation to the tribes +and of my letter to the Logar <i>maliks</i>, and hope that your Highness may also +issue necessary orders for the furtherance of our plans. Rest assured of the +support of the Government of India.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#391">p. 391</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>APPENDIX V.<a name="AppV"></a></h2> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#391">p. 391.</a>)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>Notes of an interview between</i> GENERAL SIR FREDERICK ROBERTS<i> and the</i> +AMIR'S AGENTS, MUSTAUFI HABIBULLA KHAN <i>and</i> WAZIR SHAH +MAHOMED KHAN. <br /> +<i>Dated</i> ALIKHEL, <i>23rd September</i>, 1879.</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +After compliments, General Roberts intimated to the Agents that at their +desire he had granted them a second interview. He now requested them to +be good enough to speak freely all that they wished him to know.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The MUSTAUFI then spoke in the following sense: The interests of England +and Afghanistan are the same, and the Amir and his officials are deeply +grieved at the late occurrences in Kabul. Moreover, the Amir is anxious to +do whatever the British Government wishes, and most desirous that the +dignity of the British Government should be maintained by any means which +may seem proper to the Viceroy. But His Highness cannot conceal from +himself that the mutinous troops and his people in general, ryots as well as +soldiers, are in fear of an indiscriminate revenge, which will fall alike upon +innocent and guilty. He hopes, therefore, that measures will be taken to +guard against the possibility of a general rising consequent on fear.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The Mustaufi was here reminded of the tenor of General Roberts's Proclamation +on 15th September. He answered that the people were too ignorant +to be acted upon by a Proclamation, and then went on as follows:</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Of course, it is possible that no such combination may take place. The +Afghans are selfish, and divided against themselves. Still, lest he should be<span class="page"><a name="552">[Page 552]</a></span> +blamed if it should occur, the Amir thinks it right to express his opinion, +and give the British Government all the information in his power. On the +whole, his advice, as an earnest friend, is that the advance of a British force +on Kabul should be delayed for a short time ('<i>Panjroz</i>'). In the interval +he will endeavour to disarm the Regular troops, raise new levies, and, by the +aid of the latter, punish all concerned in the late abominable outrage. His +idea is to get rid of Sher Ali's soldiery—always a source of danger—and keep +only 15,000 men for the future. It would be very desirable to delay the +advance until he could establish his power. The Amir does not mean to +imply that any Afghan army, were it 50,000 strong, could resist the British. +The mutinous troops have neither organization nor leaders. But the mutinous +troops are of all tribes; and if the British army destroys them, as it would +undoubtedly do in case of resistance, the whole country may combine against +the British and the Amir. It is for this reason that he advises delay, and +that the punishment of the guilty be left to him. The Viceroy may rest +assured that he will show no mercy. He will make an example which will be +conspicuous in the eyes of the world as the sun at noonday. Already everyone +in Kabul regards the Amir as an infidel, because of the way in which he and +his have thrown in their lot with the British Government.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Notwithstanding all that has been said, however, things might go right if +the mutinous troops would keep together and attempt a stand. But the Amir +fears they will not do so. They are more likely to scatter here and there, and +raise the country. In that case there will be constant attacks on the communications +of the force, and the gathering of supplies will be difficult. +They would come chiefly from the direction of Ghazni, partly also from Logar. +If the tribes rise it would be hard to collect them. Only one month remains +before the setting in of winter. Of course, it is impossible to say what may +happen. There may be no opposition, and the Amir is in any case ready to +do what the British Government desires. But he feels it is his duty to +express his strong opinion that the present season is unsuited for a forward +movement.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +General Roberts replied that on behalf of the Viceroy he thanked the Amir +for his kind advice, which he was confident was the advice of a friend. He +said the matter was important, and required careful consideration, and asked +whether the Agents had anything more to bring forward.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The Mustaufi then spoke as follows: The Amir's advice to delay the +advance is that of a sincere friend, and it is the best he can give. But if the +British Army is to march on Kabul, there is one thing more which I am +desired to say: let it march in such strength as to crush all hopes of mischief, +and put down all rebellion throughout the country. You cannot wait for +reinforcements. If you come, you must come in full strength—in sufficient +strength to put down all opposition. There may be no opposition, but you +cannot count on this.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +General Roberts replied: The Amir's advice is of great importance, and +must be carefully considered. When His Highness first wrote, announcing +the outbreak at Kabul and asking for help, the first desire of the Viceroy was +to send British forces without delay. I was ordered to Kuram at once to lead +the force here. Simultaneously the Kandahar force was ordered by telegram +to return to Kandahar, which it was then leaving, and to advance towards +Kelat-i-Ghilzai, and instructions were issued to collect a third force at +Peshawar; all this was to help the Amir. The Viceroy from the first contemplated +the possibility of such a general rising as the Amir now fears, and +the several armies were, therefore, by His Excellency's order, made up to such +strength that all Afghanistan combined could not stand against them for a +moment. The Kandahar troops were ready in a very short time, and are now<span class="page"><a name="553">[Page 553]</a></span> +beyond Kandahar, on the road to <a name="f1r">Kabul</a>.<a href="#f1"><sup>1</sup></a> The Peshawar force was rapidly +collected and pushed on; and the Amir may rest assured that the British +army is advancing in ample strength. I will think over the Amir's advice, +nevertheless, for it is important. But His Highness must remember that the +late occurrences at Kabul do not affect only the English officers and the fifty +or sixty men who were treacherously killed—the honour of the English +Government is concerned; and so long as the bodies of these officers and men +remain unburied or uncared for in Kabul, I do not believe the English people +will ever be satisfied. They will require the advance of a British force, and +the adequate punishment of the crime. Still, the Amir's advice, which I am +convinced is that of a friend, must be carefully considered, and I will think +over it and give an answer later.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The MUSTAUFI then said: We quite understand what has been said +about the strength of the British army. Doubtless it is sufficient, and all +Afghanistan could not stand against it. But the Amir asked us to mention, +what I have hitherto forgotten, that there are in Turkestan 24 regiments of +Infantry, 6 of Cavalry, and 56 guns. These troops were the first to show a +disaffected spirit at Mazar-i-Sharif; and putting aside external enemies, there +are Abdur Rahman and the sons of Azim Khan waiting their chance. Herat +again is doubtful; when the troops there hear what has occurred at Kabul, +there is no saying what they may do. If Abdur Rahman ingratiates himself +with these people, Herat and Turkestan will be permanently severed from the +Afghan dominions. This is another reason why the advance of the British +force should be delayed, in order that the Amir may have time to gain over +the Herat and Turkestan troops.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +GENERAL ROBERTS replied: All these reasons will have full consideration. +The Viceroy's first order was to push on at once to help the Amir; but I am +sure His Highness's advice is friendly, and that in any case he will do his +utmost to co-operate with the British Government. Therefore every consideration +will be given to what His Highness has desired you to say.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The MUSTAUFI: The Viceroy may be sure the Amir will do what he pleases.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The WAZIR: When the Amir learnt from General Roberts's letter that the +Viceroy had given General Roberts power to deal with the whole matter, he +was very pleased, knowing General Roberts's character as a soldier and his +kindness of heart.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +GENERAL ROBERTS replied that he would carefully consider the proposals +brought forward, and give an answer later on. Meanwhile, he must request +the Agents to stay a day or two in camp until he should have thoroughly +weighed the Amir's advice, which was of the utmost importance to both the +British and Afghan Governments.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The interview then came to an end. </p> + +<p class="rindent4a"> + (Signed) H. M. DURAND,<br /> + Political Secretary to General Roberts, K.C.B., V.C.,<br /> + Commanding Kabul Field Force. </p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#f1r">[Footnote 1:</a> <a name="f1">The</a> Agents here seemed surprised and anxious.—H.M.D.]</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#391">p. 391</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="554">[Page 554]</a></span><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppVI">VI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1879</span> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#421">p. 421.</a>)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>From</i> LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR F. ROBERTS, K.C.B., V.C., <i>Commanding +Kabul Field Force, to</i> A.C. LYALL, ESQ., C.B., <i>Secretary to the Government +of India, Foreign Department.</i></p> +<p class="rindent4a"> +KABUL, <i>22nd November,</i> 1879.</p> +<p class="quote"> +1. I Have the honour to submit a brief account of an interview which +took place between the Amir Yakub Khan and myself on the 22nd October. +The interview was a private and informal one; but recent events have lent +some interest to what passed on the occasion, and I have, therefore, thought +it desirable that a report should be prepared for the information of the +Governor-General in Council.</p> +<p class="quote"> +2. After some conversation upon matters of no special importance, the Amir +introduced his father's name, and thus gave me the opportunity I had often +wished to have of leading him on to speak naturally and unconstrainedly +about Sher Ali Khan's feelings and policy during the last ten years. I was +most careful to avoid any expression of my own views upon the subject in +order that I might, if possible, obtain from the Amir a perfectly spontaneous +and truthful account of the circumstances which led, in his opinion, to Sher +Ali's estrangement from ourselves and <i>rapprochement</i> to Russia. In this I +think I succeeded. Yakub Khan spoke readily and freely of all that had +passed, and needed no question or suggestion from me to declare his conviction +regarding the cause of his father's unfriendly attitude towards us during the +past few years.</p> +<p class="quote"> +3. The substance of the Amir's statement was as follows:</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'In 1869 my father was fully prepared to throw in his lot with you. He +had suffered many reverses before making himself secure on the throne of +Afghanistan; and he had come to the conclusion that his best chance of holding +what he had won lay in an alliance with the British Government. He +did not receive from Lord Mayo as large a supply of arms and ammunition as +he had hoped, but, nevertheless, he returned to Kabul fairly satisfied, and so +he remained until the visit of Saiyad Nur Muhammud to India in 1873. +This visit brought matters to a head. The diaries received from Saiyad Nur +Mahomed during his stay in India, and the report which he brought back on +his return, convinced my father that he could no longer hope to obtain from +the British Government all the aid that he wanted; and from that time he +began to turn his attention to the thoughts of a Russian alliance. You know +how this ended.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'When my father received from the Government of India the letter informing +him that a British Mission was about to proceed to Kabul, he read it out +in durbar. The members of the Russian Embassy were present. After the +reading was finished, Colonel Stolietoff rose, saluted the Amir and asked permission +to leave Kabul. If permitted, he would, he said, travel without +delay to Tashkent, and report the state of affairs to General Kauffmann, who +would inform the Czar, and thus bring pressure to bear on England. He +promised to return in six weeks or two months, and urged the Amir to do +everything in his power meanwhile to prevent the British Mission from +reaching Kabul.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'Colonel Stolietoff never returned to Kabul. He lost no time in reaching +Tashkent, where he remained for a few weeks, and he then started for Russia.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'The Afghan official, Mirza Mahomed Hassan Khan, generally known as +the "Dabir-ul-Mulk," who had travelled with Colonel Stolietoff from the<span class="page"><a name="555">[Page 555]</a></span> +Oxus to Kabul, accompanied him on his return journey to Tashkent. Here the +Mirza was detained under pretence that orders would shortly be received +from the Emperor, until the news of my father's flight from Kabul reached +General Kauffmann. He was then permitted to leave. Two Aides-de-Camp +were sent with him, one a European, the other a Native of Bokhara.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'My father was strongly urged by General Kauffmann not to leave Kabul. +At the same time the members of the Embassy were ordered to return to +Tashkent, the Doctor being permitted to remain with my father if his services +were required.</p> +<p class="quote6"> +'Throughout, the Russian Embassy was treated with great honour, and at +all stations between Mazar-i-Shariff and Kabul, orders were given for the +troops to turn out, and for a salute to be fired on their arrival and departure.'</p> +<p class="quote"> +4. I cannot, of course, vouch for the exact words used by Yakub Khan, but +I am confident that the foregoing paragraph, which is written from notes +taken at the time, contains a substantially accurate record of the conversation.</p> +<p class="quote"> +5. It would be superfluous for me to advance any proof of the fact that for +one reason or another Sher Ali did during the latter part of his reign fall +away from us and incline towards an alliance with Russia. But I think the +closeness of the connection between Russia and Kabul, and the extent of the +Amir's hostility towards ourselves, has not hitherto been fully recognized. +Yakub Khan's statements throw some light upon this question, and they are +confirmed by various circumstances which have lately come to my knowledge. +The prevalence of Russian coin and wares in Kabul, and the extensive military +preparations made by Sher Ali of late years, appear to me to afford an instructive +comment upon Yakub Khan's assertions. Our recent rupture with +Sher Ali has, in fact, been the means of unmasking and checking a very +serious conspiracy against the peace and security of our Indian Empire.</p> +<p class="quote"> +6. The magnitude of Sher Ali's military preparations is, in my opinion, a +fact of peculiar significance. I have already touched upon this point in a +former letter, but I shall perhaps be excused for noticing it again. Before the +outbreak of hostilities last year the Amir had raised and equipped with arms +of precision 68 regiments of Infantry and 16 of Cavalry. The Afghan +Artillery amounted to nearly 300 guns. Numbers of skilled artizans were +constantly employed in the manufacture of rifled cannon and breach-loading +small arms. More than a million pounds of powder, and I believe several +million rounds of home-made Snider ammunition, were in the Bala Hissar at +the time of the late explosion. Swords, helmets, uniforms, and other articles +of military equipment were stored in proportionate quantities. Finally, Sher +Ali had expended upon the construction of the Sherpur cantonments an +astonishing amount of labour and money. The extent and cost of this work +may be judged of from the fact that the whole of the troops under my command +will find cover during the winter within the cantonment, and the bulk +of them in the main line of rampart itself, which extends to a length of nearly +two miles under the southern and western slopes of the Bimaru hills. Sher +Ali's original design was apparently to carry the wall entirely round the hills, +a distance of nearly five miles, and the foundations were already laid for a +considerable portion of this length. All these military preparations were +quite unnecessary except as a provision for contemplated hostilities with ourselves, +and it is difficult to understand how their entire cost could have been +met from the Afghan treasury, the gross revenue of the country amounting +only to about eighty lakhs of rupees per annum.</p> +<p class="quote"> +7. I have referred to the prevalence of Russian coin and wares in Kabul as +evidence of the growing connexion between Russia and Afghanistan. I am +unable to find proof that the Czar's coin was introduced in any other way +than by the usual channels of trade. It is quite possible that the bulk of it,<span class="page"><a name="556">[Page 556]</a></span> +if not the whole, came in gradually by this means, the accumulation of +foreign gold in particular being considerable in this country, where little gold +is coined. Nevertheless, it seems to me a curious fact that the amount of +Russian money in circulation should be so large. No less than 13,000 gold +pieces were found among the Amir's treasure alone; similar coins are exceedingly +common in the city bazaar; and great numbers of them are known to +be in possession of the Sirdars. Of course English goods of all kinds are +plentiful here—that is inevitable, particularly with a considerable body of +Hindu merchants settled in the city, but Russian goods also abound. Glass, +crockery, silks, tea, and many other things which would seem to be far more +easily procurable from India than from Russian territory, are to be found in +great quantities. A habit, too, seems to have been growing up among the +Sirdars and others of wearing uniforms of Russian cut, Russian buttons, +Russian boots, and the like. Russian goods and Russian ways seem, in fact, +to have become the fashion in Afghanistan.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#421">p. 421</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppVII">VII.</a></h2> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#421">p. 421.</a>)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>Translations of letters from </i>GENERAL-ADJUTANT VON KAUFFMANN, <i>Governor-General +of Turkestan, to the address of the</i> AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, +<i>received on 10th, Shaban, 1295, through</i> GENERAL STOLIETOFF, <i>9th +August, 1878.</i></p> + +<p class="appendix"> +Be it known to you that in these days the relations between the British +Government and ours with regard to your kingdom require deep consideration. +As I am unable to communicate my opinion verbally to you, I have deputed +my agent, Major-General Stolietoff. This gentleman is a near friend of mine, +and performed excellent services in the Russo-Turkish war, by which he +earned favour of the Emperor. The Emperor has always had a regard for +him. He will inform you of all that is hidden in my mind. I hope you will +pay great attention to what he says, and believe him as you would myself, +and, after due consideration, you will give him your reply. Meanwhile, be it +known to you that your union and friendship with the Russian Government +will be beneficial to the latter, and still more so to you. The advantages of a +close alliance with the Russian Government will be permanently evident.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +This friendly letter is written by the Governor-General of Turkestan and +Adjutant-General to the Emperor, Von Kauffmann, Tashkent, Jamadial +Akbar, 1295 ( = June, 1878).</p> +<br /><br /> + +<p class="center3"> +<i>To the</i> AMIR <i>of the whole of Afghanistan</i>, SHER ALI KHAN.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +(After compliments.) Be it known to you that our relations with the +British Government are of great importance to Afghanistan and its dependencies. +As I am unable to see you, I have deputed my trustworthy (official) +General Stolietoff to you. The General is an old friend of mine, and during +the late Russo-Turkish war earned the favour of the Emperor by his spirit and +bravery. He has become well known to the Emperor. This trustworthy +person will communicate to you what he thinks best. I hope you will pay +attention to what he says, and repose as much confidence in his words as if +they were my own; and that you will give your answer in this matter through +him. In the meantime, be it known to you that if a friendly treaty will be<span class="page"><a name="557">[Page 557]</a></span> +of benefit to us, it will be of far greater benefit to yourself.</p> +<br /><br /> +<p class="appendix"> +GENERAL STOLIETOFF <i>sent the following letter, on his return to Tashkent from +Kabul, to the address of the Foreign Minister, </i>WAZIR SHAH MAHOMED +KHAN, <i>dated 23rd of the holy month of Ramazan, 1295 ( = 21st September, +1878).</i></p> +<p class="appendix"> +Thank God, I reached Tashkent safely, and at an auspicious moment paid +my respects to the Viceroy (Yaroni Padishah means 'half king'). I am trying +day and night to gain our objects, and hope I shall be successful. I am +starting to see the Emperor to-day, in order to inform His Majesty personally +of our affairs. If God pleases, everything that is necessary will be done and +affirmed. <i>I hope that those who want to enter the gate of Kabul from the east +will see that the door is closed; then, please God, they will tremble.</i> I hope you +will give my respects to His Highness the Amir. May God make his life long +and increase his wealth! May you remain in good health, and know that the +protection of God will arrange our affairs!</p> +<p class="rindent"> +(Signed) GENERAL STOLIETOFF.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<p class="center3"> +<i>From</i> GENERAL KAUFFMANN <i>to the</i> AMIR, <i>dated Tashkent, 8th Zekada,<br /> +1295 ( = 22nd October, 1878).</i></p> +<p class="appendix"> +(After compliments.) Be it known to you that your letter, dated 12th +Shawal, reached me at Tashkent on the 16th October, <i>i.e.</i>, 3rd Zekada, and +I understood its contents. I have telegraphed an abstract of your letter to the +address of the Emperor, and have sent the letter itself, as also that addressed +to General Stolietoff, by post to Livadia, where the Emperor now is. I am +informed on good authority that the English want to come to terms with you; +and, as a friend, I advise you to make peace with them if they offer it.</p> +<br /><br /> + +<p class="center3"> +<i>From</i> GENERAL STOLIETOFF <i>to</i> WAZIR SHAH MAHOMED KHAN, <i>dated<br /> +8th October 1878.</i></p> +<p class="appendix"> +First of all, I hope you will be kind enough to give my respects to the +Amir. May God make his life long and increase his wealth! I shall always +remember his royal hospitality. I am busy day and night in his affairs, and, +thank God, my labours have not been without result. The great Emperor is +a true friend of the Amir's and of Afghanistan, and His Majesty will do whatever +he may think necessary. Of course, you have not forgotten what I told +you, that the affairs of kingdoms are like a country which has many mountains, +valleys, and rivers. One who sits on a high mountain can see things well. +By the power and order of God, there is no empire equal to that of our great +Emperor. May God make his life long! Therefore, whatever our Government +advises you, you should give ear to it. I tell you the truth that our +Government is wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. There are many +things which you cannot understand, but our Government understands them +well. It often happens that a thing which is unpleasant at first is regarded +as a blessing afterwards. Now, my kind friend, I inform you that the enemy +of your famous religion wants to make peace with you through the Kaisar +(Sultan) of Turkey. Therefore you should look to your brothers who live on +the other side of the river. If God stirs them up, and gives the sword of +fight into their hands, then go on, in the name of God (Bismilla), otherwise +you should be as a serpent; make peace openly, and in secret prepare for war, +and when God reveals His order to you, declare yourself. It will be well, +when the Envoy of your enemy wants to enter the country, if you send an +able emissary, possessing the tongue of a serpent and full of deceit, to the +enemy's country, so that he may with sweet words perplex the enemy's mind,<span class="page"><a name="558">[Page 558]</a></span> +and induce him to give up the intention of fighting with you.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +My kind friend, I entrust you to the protection of God. May God be the +protector of the Amir's kingdom, and may trembling fall upon the limbs of +your enemies! Amen.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Write to me soon, and send the letter to the capital. Please write in +Arabic characters, so that I may be able to read your letter.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<p class="center3"> +<i>From</i>, GENERAL KAUFFMANN <i>to the </i> AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, <i>dated 30th<br /> +Zekada (=26th November,</i> 1878).</p> +<p class="appendix"> +(After compliments.) I was much pleased to receive your letter, dated +24th Zekada, 1295 (=18th November, 1878), and to hear of your good health. +I have also received a copy of the letter which you sent to the Governor-General. +May God be pleased with you. The British Ministers have given a +pledge to our Ambassador in London that they will not interfere with the +independence of Afghanistan. I am directed by His Majesty the Emperor to +communicate this news to you, and then, after forming friendship, to go to +His Majesty. I intend to go to the Russian capital after I have arranged the +affairs of this country (Turkestan). As I do not consider it advisable to keep +your trusted officials, whom you are in want of, here any more, I send +Mahomed Hassan Khan, Kamuah (Deputy-Governor), and Gholam Haidar +Khan, with two officers, back to you. I hope you will consider me a well-wisher +of your kingdom, and write to me now and then. I have given +instructions that, until my return, every letter of yours which they receive at +Turkestan should be forwarded to the capital. Your good fortune is a cause +of happiness to me, and if any troubles come upon you, I also shall be grieved. +Some presents have been sent by me through Mirza Mahomed Hassan, +Kamuah; perhaps they may be accepted.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<p class="center3"><span class="page"><a name="559">[Page 559]</a></span> +<i>Translation of a letter from,</i> GENERAL KAUFFMANN <i>to</i> GENERAL VOZGONOFF,<br /> +<i>dated Zel Hijja,</i> 1295 <i>(=December,</i> 1878).</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The Amir knows perfectly well that it is impossible for me to assist him +with troops in winter. Therefore it is necessary that war should not be commenced +at this unseasonable time. If the English, in spite of the Amir's +exertions to avoid the war, commence it, you must then take leave of the +Amir and start for Tashkent, because your presence in Afghanistan in winter +is useless. Moreover, at such a juncture as the commencement of war in +Afghanistan, you ought to come here and explain the whole thing to me, so +that I may communicate it to the Emperor. This will be of great benefit to +Afghanistan and to Russia.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<p class="center3"> +<i>From</i> GENERAL KAUFFMANN <i>to the</i> AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, dated <i>25th +December,</i> 1878 <i>(Russian, 13th Muharram,</i> 1296).</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Your letter, dated 27th Zel Hijja (=20th November), 1878, has reached me. +I was pleased to hear tidings of your good health. The Emperor has caused +the British Government to agree to the continuance of Afghan independence. +The English Ministers have promised this. I earnestly request you not to +leave your kingdom. As far as possible, consider your own interests, and do +not lose your independence. For the present come to terms with the British +Government. If you do not want to go back to Kabul for this purpose, you +can write to your son, Mahomed Yakub Khan, to make peace with the English +as you may direct him. Do not leave the soil of Afghanistan at this time, +because it will be of benefit to you. My words are not without truth, because +your arrival in Russian territory will make things worse.</p> +<br /><br /> + +<p class="center3"> +<i>From</i> GENERAL KAUFFMANN <i>to the</i> AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, <i>received at Mazir-i-Sharif<br /> +on the 17th January, 1879</i>.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +I have received your friendly letter, dated 13th Zel Hijja (=8th December, +1878). In that letter you asked me to send you as many troops as could be +got ready. I have written to you a letter to the effect that the Emperor, on +account of your troubles, had communicated with the British Government, +and that the Russian Ambassador at London had obtained a promise from the +British Ministers to the effect that they would not injure the independence of +Afghanistan. Perhaps you sent your letter before you got mine. Now, I +have heard that you have appointed your son, Mahomed Yakub, as your +Regent, and have come out of Kabul with some troops. I have received an +order from the Emperor to the effect that it is impossible to assist you with +troops now. I hope you will be fortunate. It all depends on the decree of +God. Believe me, that the friendship which I made with you will be perpetual. +It is necessary to send back General Vozgonoff and his companions. +You can keep Dr. Yuralski with you if you please. No doubt the doctor will +be of use to you and to your dependents. I hope our friendship will continue +to be strengthened, and that intercourse will be carried on between us.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<p class="center3"> +<i>From</i> GENERAL KAUFFMANN <i>to the</i> AMIR SHER ALI, <i>dated 29th December,<br /> +1878 (=17th Muharram, 1296)</i>.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +(After compliments.) The Foreign Minister, General Gortchakoff, has +informed me by telegraph that the Emperor has directed me to trouble you to +come to Tashkent for the present. I therefore communicate this news to you +with great pleasure; at the same time, I may mention that I have received +no instructions about your journey to St. Petersburg. My personal interview +with you will increase our friendship greatly.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<p class="center3"> +<i>Translation of a letter from</i> MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF, <i>Governor of Zarafshan,<br /> +to the Heir-Apparent, </i>MAHOMED MUSA KHAN, <i>and others</i>.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +On the 26th of Rabi-ul-Awul, at an auspicious moment, I received your +letter which you sent me, and understood its contents. I was very much +pleased, and at once communicated it to General Kauffmann, the Governor-General. +With regard to what you wrote about the friendly relations between +the Russian and Afghan Governments, and your own desire for friendship, I +have the honour to state that we are also desirous of being friends. The +friendship between the two Governments existed in the time of the late Amir, +and I hope that it will be increased and strengthened by Amir Mahomed +Yakub Khan.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +May God change the wars in your country to happiness; may peace reign +in it; and may your Government be strengthened! I have been forwarding +all your letters to the Governor-General, General Kauffmann. May God keep +you safe!</p> + +<p class="rindent4a"> +The Zarafshan Province Governor, <br /> +MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF.</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +Written and sealed by the General.<br /> +Written on 29th Mart (March), 1879 (=5th Rabi-ul-Saui, 1296).</p> +<br /><br /> + +<p class="center3"> +<i>Treaty between the</i> RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT <i>and</i> AMIR SHER ALI KHAN;<br /> +<i>written from memory by</i> MIRZA MAHOMED NABBI.</p> +<p class="quote"> +1. The Russian Government engages that the friendship of the Russian +Government with the Government of Amir Sher Ali Khan, Amir of all +Afghanistan, will be a permanent and perpetual one.</p> +<p class="quote"> +2. The Russian Government engages that, as Sirdar Abdulla Khan, son of +the Amir, is dead, the friendship of the Russian Government with any person <span class="page"><a name="560">[Page 560]</a></span> +whom the Amir may appoint Heir-Apparent to the throne of Afghanistan, +and with the heir of the Heir-Apparent, will remain firm and perpetual.</p> +<p class="quote"> +3. The Russian Government engages that if any foreign enemy attacks +Afghanistan, and the Amir is unable to drive him out, and asks the assistance +of the Russian Government, the Russian Government will repel the enemy, +either by means of advice, or by such other means as it may consider proper.</p> +<p class="quote"> +4. The Amir of Afghanistan will not wage war with any foreign power without +consulting the Russian Government, and without its permission.</p> +<p class="quote"> +5. The Amir of Afghanistan engages that he will always report in a friendly +manner to the Russian Government what goes on in his kingdom.</p> +<p class="quote"> +6. The Amir of Afghanistan will communicate every wish and important +affair of his to General Kauffmann, Governor-General of Turkestan, and the +Governor-General will be authorized by the Russian Government to fulfil the +wishes of the Amir.</p> +<p class="quote"> +7. The Russian Government engages that the Afghan merchants who may +trade and sojourn in Russian territory will be safe from wrong, and that they +will be allowed to carry away their profits.</p> +<p class="quote"> +8. The Amir of Afghanistan will have the power to send his servants to +Russia to learn arts and trades, and the Russian officers will treat them with +consideration and respect as men of rank.</p> +<p class="quote"> +9. (Does not remember.)</p> +<p class="quote"> +10. I, Major-General Stolietoff Nicholas, being a trusted Agent of the +Russian Government, have made the above-mentioned Articles between the +Russian Government and the Government of Amir Sher Ali Khan, and have +put my seal to them.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#421">p. 421</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppVIII">VIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#461">p. 461.</a>)</p> +<p class="center3"> +<i>Letter from</i> SIRDAR ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN <i>to</i> LEPEL GRIFFIN, ESQ.,<br /> +<i>dated 15th April, 1880.</i></p> +<p class="quote4a"> +Whereas at this happy time I have received your kind letter. In a spirit of +justice and friendship you wrote to inquire what I wished in Afghanistan. +My honoured friend, the servants of the great [British] Government know +well that, throughout these twelve years of exile in the territories of the +Emperor of Russia, night and day I have cherished the hope of revisiting my +native land. When the late Amir Sher Ali Khan died, and there was no one to +rule our tribes, I proposed to return to Afghanistan, but it was not fated [that +I should do so]; then I went to Tashkent. Consequently, Amir Mahomed +Yakub Khan, having come to terms and made peace with the British Government, +was appointed Amir of Afghanistan; but since, after he had left you, +he listened to the advice of every interested [dishonest] person, and raised +fools to power, until the ignorant men directed the affairs of Afghanistan, +which during the reign of my grandfather, who had eighteen able sons, was +so managed that night was bright like day, Afghanistan was, in consequence, +disgraced before all States, and ruined. Now, therefore, that you seek to +learn my hopes and wishes, they are these: that as long as your Empire and +that of Russia exist, my countrymen, the tribes of Afghanistan, should live +quietly in ease and peace; that these two States should find us true and +faithful, and that we should rest at peace between them [England and +Russia], for my tribesmen are unable to struggle with Empires, and are ruined<span class="page"><a name="561">[Page 561]</a></span> +by want of commerce; and we hope of your friendship that, sympathizing +with and assisting the people of Afghanistan, you will place them under +the honourable protection of the two Powers. This would redound to the +credit of both, would give peace to Afghanistan, and quiet and comfort to +God's people. +This is my wish; for the rest, it is yours to decide.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#461">p. 461</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppIX">IX.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#462">p. 462</a>.)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>Letter from</i> A. C. LYALL, ESQ., C.B., <i>Secretary to the Government of India, +Foreign Department, to</i> LEPEL H. GRIFFIN, Esq., C.S.I., <i>Chief Political +Officer, Kabul, dated Simla, April</i>, 1880.</p> + +<p class="quote4a"> +I have the honour to inform you that the Governor-General has received and +considered in council your telegrams of the 22nd and 23rd instant, forwarding +the translation of a letter received by you from Sirdar Abdur Rahman on the +21st instant, together with a summary of certain oral explanations which +accompanied that letter, and a statement of the recommendations suggested +by it to Lieutenaut-General Sir Frederick Roberts and yourself.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +In conveying to you its instructions on the subject of this important communication, +the Government of India considers it expedient to recapitulate +the principles on which it has hitherto been acting in northern Afghanistan, +and clearly to define the point of view from which it contemplates the present +situation of affairs in that country. The single object to which, as you are well +aware, the Afghan policy of this Government has at all times been directed +and limited, is the security of the North-West frontier of India. The Government +of India has, however, no less invariably held and acted on the conviction +that the security of this frontier is incompatible with the intrusion of +any foreign influence into the great border State of Afghanistan. To exclude +or eject such influence the Government of India has frequently subsidized +and otherwise assisted the Amirs of Kabul. It has also, more than once, +taken up arms against them. But it has never interfered, for any other +purpose, in the affairs of their kingdom. Regulating on this principle and +limiting to this object the conduct of our relations with the rulers of Kabul, +it was our long-continued endeavour to find in their friendship and their +strength the requisite guarantees for the security of our own frontier. Failing +in that endeavour, we were compelled to seek the attainment of the object to +which our Afghan policy was, and is still, exclusively directed, by rendering +the permanent security of our frontier as much as possible independent of +such conditions.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +This obligation was not accepted without reluctance. Not even when +forced into hostilities by the late Amir Sher Ali Khan's espousal of a Russian +alliance, proposed by Russia in contemplation of a rupture with the British +Government, did we relinquish our desire for the renewal of relations with a +strong and friendly Afghan Power, and, when the son of Sher Ali subsequently +sought our alliance and protection, they were at once accorded to him, on +conditions of which His Highness professed to appreciate the generosity. The +crime, however, which dissolved the Treaty of Gandamak, and the disclosures +which followed that event, finally convinced the Government of India that +the interests committed to its care could not but be gravely imperilled by<span class="page"><a name="562">[Page 562]</a></span> +further adhesion to a policy dependent for its fruition on the gratitude, the +good faith, the assumed self-interest, or the personal character of any Afghan +Prince.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +When, therefore, Her Majesty's troops re-entered Afghanistan in September +last, it was with two well-defined and plainly-avowed objects. The first was +to avenge the treacherous massacre of the British Mission at Kabul; the +second was to maintain the safeguards sought through the Treaty of Gandamak, +by providing for their maintenance guarantees of a more substantial +and less precarious character.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +These two objects have been maintained: the first by the capture of Kabul +and the punishment of the crime committed there, the second by the severance +of Kandahar from the Kabul power.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +Satisfied with their attainment, the Government of India has no longer any +motive or desire to enter into fresh treaty engagements with the Rulers of +Kabul. The arrangements and exchange of friendly assurances with the Amir +Sher Ali, though supplemented on the part of the Government of India by +subsidies and favours of various kinds, wholly failed to secure the object of +them, which was, nevertheless, a thoroughly friendly one, and no less conducive +to the security and advantage of the Afghan than to those of the +British Power. The treaty with Yakub Khan, which secured to him our +friendship and material support, was equally ineffectual. Moreover, recent +events and arrangements have fundamentally changed the situation to which +our correspondence and engagements with the Amir of Afghanistan formally +applied. Our advance frontier positions at Kandahar and Kuram have +materially diminished the political importance of Kabul in relation to India, +and although we shall always appreciate the friendship of its Ruler, our +relations with him are now of so little importance to the paramount objects of +our policy that we no longer require to maintain British agents in any part of +his dominions.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +Our only reasons, therefore, for not immediately withdrawing our forces +from northern Afghanistan have hitherto been—<i>first</i>, the excited and unsettled +condition of the country round Kabul, with the attitude of hostility assumed +by some leaders of armed gatherings near Ghazni; and, <i>secondly</i>, the inability +of the Kabul Sirdars to agree among themselves on the selection of a Ruler +strong enough to maintain order after our evacuation of the country.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The first-named of these reasons has now ceased to exist. In a minute +dated the 30th ultimo the Viceroy and Governor-General stated that 'the +Government is anxious to withdraw as soon as possible the troops from Kabul +and from all points beyond those to be occupied under the Treaty of Gandamak, +except Kandahar. In order that this may be done, it is desirable to find a +Ruler for Kabul, which will be separated from Kandahar. Steps,' continued +His Excellency, 'are being taken for this purpose. Meanwhile, it is essential +that we should make such a display of strength in Afghanistan as will show +that we are masters of the situation, and will overawe disaffection.'... +'All that is necessary, from a political point of view, is for General Stewart +to march to Ghazni, break up any opposition he may find there or in the +neighbourhood, and open up direct communication with General Sir Frederick +Roberts at Kabul.' The military operations thus defined have been accomplished +by General Stewart's successful action before Ghazni.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +With regard to the second reason mentioned for the retention of our troops +in northern Afghanistan, the appearance of Abdur Rahman as a candidate for +the throne of Kabul, whose claims the Government of India has no cause to +oppose, and who seems to be approved, and likely to be supported, by at least +a majority of the population, affords fair ground for anticipating that our +wishes in regard to the restoration, before our departure, of order in that part<span class="page"><a name="563">[Page 563]</a></span> +of the country will now be fulfilled.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The Governor-General in Council has consequently decided that the evacuation +of Kabul shall be effected not later than October next, and it is with +special reference to this decision that the letter and message addressed to you +by Sirdar Abdur Rahman have been carefully considered by His Excellency +in Council.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +What first claims notice in the consideration of that letter is the desire that +it expresses for the permanent establishment of Afghanistan with our assistance +and sympathy under the joint protection of the British and Russian +Empires. This suggestion, which is more fully developed in the Sirdar's +unwritten message, cannot be entertained or discussed.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +As already stated, the primary object and declared determination of the +Government of India have been the exclusion of foreign influence or interference +from Afghanistan. This cardinal condition of amicable relations with +Afghanistan has, at all times and in all circumstances, been deemed essential +for the permanent security of Her Majesty's Indian Empire. As such, it has +hitherto been firmly maintained by successive Governors-General of India +under the explicit instructions of Her Majesty's Government. Nor has it +ever been ignored, or officially contested, by the Russian Government. That +Government, on the contrary, has repeatedly, and under every recent change +of circumstances in Afghanistan, renewed the assurances solemnly given to the +British Government that 'Russia considers Afghanistan as entirely beyond the +sphere of her influence.'</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +It is true that negotiations at one time passed between the two Governments +with a view to the mutual recognition of certain territories as constituting a +neutral zone between their respective spheres of legitimate influence and +action, and that at one time it was proposed by Russia to treat Afghanistan +itself as a neutral territory. Those negotiations, however, having proved +fruitless, the northern frontier of Afghanistan was finally determined by +mutual agreement, and in 1876 the Russian Government formally reiterated +its adherence to the conclusion that, 'while maintaining on either side the +arrangement come to as regards the limits of Afghanistan, which is to +remain outside the sphere of Russian action, the two Cabinets should regard +as terminated the discussions relative to the intermediate zone, which promised +no practical result.'</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The position of Afghanistan as defined and settled by these engagements +was again distinctly affirmed on behalf of the Queen's Government by the +Marquis of Salisbury in 1879, and the Government of India unreservedly +maintains it in the fullest conviction of its essential necessity for the peaceable +protection of Her Majesty's Indian dominions. It is therefore desirable +that you should take occasion to inform Abdur Rahman that the relations of +Afghanistan to the British and Russian Empires are matters which the +Government of India must decline to bring into discussion with the Sirdar. +The Afghan states and tribes are too contiguous with India, whose North-Western +frontier they surround, for the Government of India ever willingly to +accept partnership with any other Power in the exercise of its legitimate and +recognized influence over those tribes and States.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The Governor-General in Council is, nevertheless, most anxious that the +Sirdar should not misunderstand the light in which his personal sentiments +and obligations towards Russia are regarded by the Government of India. So +long as the Rulers of Kabul were amenable to its advice, this Government has +never ceased to impress on them the international duty of scrupulously respecting +all the recognized rights and interests of their Russian neighbour, +refraining from every act calculated to afford the Russian authorities in +Central Asia any just cause of umbrage or complaint. The intelligence and<span class="page"><a name="564">[Page 564]</a></span> +good sense which are conspicuous in the Sirdar's letter and messages to you +will enable him to appreciate the difference between conduct regulated on +these principles and that which cost Sher Ali the loss of his throne. This +Government does not desire, nor has it ever desired, to impose on any Ruler +of Kabul conditions incompatible with that behaviour which Russia, as a +powerful and neighbouring Empire, is entitled to expect from him; least of +all can we desire to impose such conditions on a Prince who has received +hospitality and protection in Russian territory. I am therefore to observe +that, in the natural repugnance expressed by Abdur Rahman to conditions +which 'might make him appear ungrateful' to those 'whose salt he has +eaten,' the Governor-General in Council recognizes a sentiment altogether +honourable to the Sirdar, and perfectly consistent with the sincerity of his +professed goodwill towards ourselves.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +These observations will furnish you with a sufficient answer to the question +asked by Abdur Rahman as to the 'nature of our friendship' and 'its conditions.'</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The frankness with which he has explained his position entitles him to +receive from us a no less unreserved statement of our own. The Government +of India cordially shares the wish expressed by Abdur Rahman that, between +the British and Russian Empires, his 'tribes and countrymen may live quietly +in ease and peace.' We do not desire to place them in a position of unfriendliness +towards a Power which is pledged to us to regard their country +as 'entirely beyond the sphere of its action.' The injury to Afghan commerce +caused by the present condition of Afghanistan, to which the Sirdar has +alluded, is fully appreciated by the Government of India, and on the restoration +of peace between the two countries the revival and development of trade +intercourse need present no difficulty. As regards our own friendship, it will, +if sincerely sought, be freely given, and fully continued so long as it is loyally +reciprocated. But we attach to it no other condition. We have no concessions +to ask or make, and the Sirdar will therefore perceive that there is really no +matter for negotiation or bargain between him and us.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +On this point your reply to Abdur Rahman cannot be too explicit. Previous +to the Sirdar's arrival in Turkestan, the hostility and treachery of those whose +misconduct he admits and deplores had compelled the Government of India +to make territorial arrangements of a material and permanent character for +the better protection of our frontier. The maintenance of these arrangements +is in no wise dependent on the assent or dissent, on the good will or ill-will, +of any Chief at Kabul. The character of them has been so fully explained by +you to all the other Kabul Sirdars that it is probably well known to Abdur +Rahman. But in order that our present intercourse and future relations with +the Sirdar may be perfectly clear of doubt on a point affecting the position he +aspires to fill, the Governor-General in Council authorizes you, if necessary, +to make him plainly understand that neither the district assigned to us by +the Treaty of Gandamak, nor any part of the province of Kandahar, will ever +be restored to the Kabul Power.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +As regards this last-mentioned province, the Government of India has been +authorized by that of Her Majesty to give to Sher Ali Khan, the present Wali +of Kandahar, a distinct assurance that he will be not only recognized, but +maintained, by the British Government as the Ruler of that province. Sher +Ali Khan is one of the Native nobles of Kandahar. He is administering the +province with ability, good sense, and complete loyalty to the British +Government, which has promised him the support of a British garrison +so long as he requires such support. The Governor-General in Council +cannot doubt that Sirdar Abdur Rahman will readily recognize the obligation +incumbent on the honour of the British Government to keep faith with all<span class="page"><a name="565">[Page 565]</a></span> +who, whether at Kandahar or elsewhere, have proved themselves true and +loyal adherents. Yakub Khan forfeited our alliance, and with it his throne, +by mistrusting the assurances we gave him, and falsifying those which he had +given to us. If, misled by his example, Yakub Khan's successor attempts to +injure or oppress the friends of the British Government, its power will again +be put forth to protect or avenge them. Similarly, if the next Kabul Ruler +reintroduces into his Court or country foreign influences adverse to our own, +the Government of India will again take such steps as it may deem expedient +to deal with such a case. These contingencies, however, cannot occur if the +sentiments of Abdur Rahman are such as he represents them to be. Meanwhile, +the territorial and administrative arrangements already completed by +us for the permanent protection of our own interests are not susceptible of +negotiation or discussion with Abdur Rahman or any other claimant to the +throne of Kabul.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +To the settlement of Herat, which is not included in these completed +arrangements, the Governor-General in Council cannot authorize you to make +or invite any reference in your reply to Abdur Rahman. The settlement of +the future administration of Herat has been undertaken by Her Majesty's +Government; with those present views in regard to this important question, +the Government of India is not yet acquainted.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +Nor can our evacuation of Kabul constitute any subject for proposals in +your correspondence with the Sirdar. This measure was determined on by +the Government of India long before the appearance of Abdur Rahman as a +candidate for the government of the country we are about to evacuate. It +has not been caused by the hostility, and is not, therefore, conditional on the +goodwill, of any Afghan Power.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The Government of India is, however, very willing to carry out the +evacuation of Kabul in the manner most conducive to the personal advantage +of Abdur Rahman, whose interests we believe to be, more than those of any +other Sirdar, in accordance with the general interests of the Afghan people. +For this reason it is desirable that you should inform Abdur Rahman of our +intention to evacuate Kabul, and our desire to take that opportunity of unconditionally +transferring to his authority the whole of the country from +which our troops will be withdrawn. You are authorized to add that our +military and political officers at Kabul will be empowered to facilitate any +practical arrangement suggested by the Sirdar for promptly and peaceably +effecting, in co-operation with him, the transfer thus contemplated on his +behalf. Such arrangement must, however, be consistent with our obligations +towards those who have served and aided the British Government during our +occupation of those territories.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +For this purpose, it appears to the Governor-General in Council desirable +that the Sirdar should lose no time in proceeding to Kabul, and there settling, +in conference with General Stewart and yourself, such preliminary arrangements +as may best promote the undisturbed establishment of his future +government.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The Governor-General in Council has, however, no desire to press this +suggestion, should it appear to the Sirdar that his presence at Kabul, previous +to the withdrawal of our troops for the purpose of personal conference with +the British authorities, might have the effect of weakening his popularity, or +compromising his position in the eyes of his future subjects.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The point is one which must be left entirely to the Sirdar's own judgment +and inclination.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +But Abdur Rahman is doubtless aware that there are at present, in and +around Kabul, personages not destitute of influence, who themselves aspire to +the sovereignty he seeks, and that the family of Yakub has still numerous <span class="page"><a name="566">[Page 566]</a></span> +personal adherents, who may possibly take advantage of the withdrawal of +our troops to oppose the Sirdar's authority if he is not personally present to +assert it.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +It should on both sides he remembered and understood that it is not the +policy of this Government to impose upon the Afghan people an unpopular +Ruler or to interfere uninvited in the administration of a friendly one. If +Abdur Rahman proves able and disposed to conciliate the confidence of his +countrymen, without forfeiting the good understanding which he seeks with +us, he will assuredly find his best support in our political appreciation of that +fact. Our reason for unconditionally transferring to him the government of +the country, from which our forces will in any case be withdrawn a few +months hence, is that, on the whole, he appears to be the Chief best able to +restore order in that country, and also best entitled to undertake such a task. +In his performance of it he will receive, if he requires it, our assistance. But +we neither need nor wish to hamper, by preliminary stipulations or provisoes, +his independent exercise of a sovereignty which he declares himself anxious +to maintain on a footing of peace and friendship with the British Government.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +The present statement of the views and intentions of His Excellency the +Governor-General in Council respecting Abdur Rahman will enable you to +represent them with adequate accuracy in your reply to the Sirdar's friendly +overtures, and it will now be your duty to convey to Abdur Rahman, without +any avoidable delay, the answer of the Government of India to the letter and +message received from him. His Excellency feels assured that you will give +full expression to the spirit of candour and goodwill in which these communications +have been received and are reciprocated.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +But I am to impress on your attention the importance of avoiding any +expression which might appear to suggest or admit matter for negotiation or +discussion in reference to the relative positions of the Sirdar and the Government +of India.</p> +<p class="quote4a"> +In conclusion, I am to request that on receipt of this letter you will be so +good as to lose no time in submitting its contents to General Sir Donald +Stewart, should he then have reached Kabul. In any case, you will, of +course, communicate them to General Roberts, and act upon them in consultation +with the chief military authority on the spot.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#462">p. 462</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> + +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppX">X.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1880</span> + +<p class="center3">(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#464">p. 464</a>.)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>Extract from a Report by </i>LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR FREDERICK ROBERTS, +V.C., K.C.B., <i>to the </i>QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL IN INDIA, <i>dated Kabul, +17th April, </i>1880.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +25. I think I have now dealt with all the points of military importance connected +with the military position in northern Afghanistan, but there are a +few questions of more general interest which I desire to bring to the notice of +His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief and the Government of India.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +26. First with regard to rations. The daily scale of issue to Native troops<span class="page"><a name="567">[Page 567]</a></span> +is given in the margin.</p> + +<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" align="left" summary="Daily ration of Native soldiers" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="note1" colspan="2"> +<i><a name="AppXf1r">Daily</a> ration of<br /> Native soldiers:</i></td></tr> +<tr> +<td class="note1"> +Atta<a href="#AppXf1"><sup>1</sup></a> - - - <br /> +Dall<a href="#AppXf3"><sup>3</sup></a> - - - <br /> +Ghi<a href="#AppXf4"><sup>4</sup></a> - - - <br /> +Salt - - - <br /> +Meat - - - <br /> +Rum - - - <br /> +</td> +<td class="note1"> +12 chittacks <a href="#AppXf2"><sup>2</sup></a><br /> +2 chittacks<br /> +1 chittack<br /> +<span style="font-size:0.9em"><sup>1</sup></span>⁄<span style="font-size:0.6em">3</span> chittack<br /> +1 lb. bi-weekly<br /> +1 dram "<br /> +</td></tr></table> +<p class="appendix"> +It has been found +throughout the campaign, even when the +men were employed upon hard work, that +'12 chittacks' of 'atta' daily are amply +sufficient for the Native troops, supplemented, +as of late, through the liberality of Government, +by a bi-weekly issue of 1 lb. of meat. +In a climate like Afghanistan, where the inhabitants are all meat-eaters, this +liberality has been most wise. Every endeavour was made, before this sanction +was granted, to supply the Native portion of the force with meat on payment, +and I attribute to this in great measure the sound health and excellent +stamina which they now exhibit.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +With regard to the issue of rum, I would suggest that it should not be +issued free to Native troops, except under exceptional circumstances of fatigue +and weather, but that the Commissariat Department should be authorized to +have in store a sufficiency of rum to admit of a bi-weekly issue to such troops +as drink the spirit, <i>on payment</i>, and then only on the recommendation of the +Medical Officer, and under the sanction of the General Officer commanding. +On all occasions when rum is sanctioned, either free or on payment, those +who do not partake of spirits should he allowed a ration of tea and sugar +under similar conditions.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +27. The scale of rations for Native followers requires no alteration.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +28. The European rations now under issue in Kabul are as per margin, and with reference to them I would make the following +remarks:</p> + +<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" align="left" summary="Daily ration of Native soldiers" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="note1" colspan="2"> +<i>Daily ration of<br /> +European soldiers:</i></td></tr> +<tr> +<td class="note1c"> +Meat - - -<br /> +Bread - - <br /> +Vegetables - - -<br /> +Rice - - -<br /> +Salt - - - <br /> +Tea - - -<br /> +Sugar - - -<br /> +Rum - - -<br /> +</td><td class="note1"> +1¼ lb.<br /> +1¼ lb.<br /> +1¼ lb.<br /> + 4 oz.<br /> + <span style="font-size:0.9em"><sup>2</sup></span>⁄<span style="font-size:0.6em">3</span> oz.<br /> + ¾ oz.<br /> + 3 oz.<br /> + 1 dr.<br /> +</td></tr></table> +<p class="appendix"> + + The increase of ¼ lb. in bread and meat is, +in my opinion, very desirable, for not only is the +meat, as a rule, on service inferior to that served in +cantonments, but the extras which can be procured +from the coffee-shop are not here forthcoming. When +the vegetable ration consists of potatoes, 1 lb. is +sufficient, but when it is made of mixed vegetables +1¼ lb. is necessary. The substitution of <i>dall</i> for any +portion of the vegetable ration I consider undesirable.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Tinned soups and meats and biscuits are most valuable, and should be +liberally supplied to every force in the field. They are portable and liked by +the men, to whom they furnish a very welcome change of diet. I would very +strongly recommend that a much larger issue of these articles than has +hitherto been sanctioned should be provided.</p> + + + +<p class="appendix"> +29. A question which has arisen during this campaign, and which may +<span class="left"><br /><i>Firewood.</i> <br /><br /></span> +crop up again, has been the provision of firewood for cooking to +Native troops and followers. Throughout the winter firewood +could not be purchased at Kabul, and it was absolutely necessary +to issue it to these men. This was done at the rate of one <i><a name="AppXf5r">seer</a></i><a href="#AppXf5"><sup>5</sup></a> per man, +but this amount is not arbitrary, and might, under certain circumstances, be +diminished. Since roads were re-opened and markets re-established the issue +of wood has been discontinued. In framing any future rules for the guidance +of a force in the field, the question of providing firewood through the Commissariat +Department for Native troops and followers, free or on payment, +should be vested in the General Officers commanding.</p> + + +<p class="appendix"> +30. The scale of clothing authorized by Government for Native troops and<span class="page"><a name="568">[Page 568]</a></span> +followers was found, even in the rigorous climate of Afghanistan, to be most +liberal, except that during the very coldest weather a second blanket was +required. This want I was able to meet from stock in hand, and as the +weather became milder these extra blankets were withdrawn and returned +into store. Warm stockings, too, are very necessary in a climate where frostbite +is not uncommon; fortunately, some thousands were procured locally +<span class="left"><br /><i>Shoes.</i> <br /><br /></span> +and issued to followers. The ordinary Native shoe of India, as provided by +the Commissariat Department, is utterly unfitted for a country such +as Afghanistan. Major Badcock will send to Peshawar (where they +can easily be made up) a pattern Kabali shoe, which I am convinced +would be found admirably suited for Native troops and followers crossing the +frontier. We are now almost entirely dependent on the local market for our +shoes.</p> + + +<p class="appendix"> +A large supply of English-made ammunition boots should always accompany +<span class="left"><br /><i>Ammunition boots.</i> <br /><br /></span> +a force in the field, in order to allow those Natives +who use them, and who are often crippled by wearing other +descriptions of shoe, to obtain them on payment at the +moderate rate now fixed, viz., Rs. 4 per pair.</p> + + +<p class="appendix"> +The country-made waterproof sheets, though slightly heavier, have proved +<span class="left"><br /><i>Waterproof sheets.</i> <br /><br /></span> +themselves quite as serviceable, if not more so, than the +English-made ones.</p> +<br /> +<p class="appendix"> +At the close of the campaign, I would very strongly recommend +that an intelligent committee should be required to go thoroughly +into these questions of clothing for troops, British and Native, and for +followers. I would also suggest that when a decision is arrived at, sealed +patterns of every article approved should be deposited at all manufacturing +centres and in all the large jails, so that when certain articles are required +they need only be called for, and precious time (often wasted in reference and +correspondence) saved.</p> + + +<p class="appendix"> +31. The number of doolie-bearers with the two divisions of the Kabul +<span class="left"><br /><i>Doolie-bearers.</i> <br /><br /></span> +Field Force now at Kabul is 3,536, with the very moderate +sick report of 35, or 1 per cent. of strength.</p> +<br /> +<p class="appendix"> +Doolies and dandies are distributed as follows:</p> +<p class="appendix">British troops {doolies, 3 per cent.<br /> + + {dandies, 2 per cent.<br /> + Native troops {doolies, 2 per cent.<br /> + + {dandies, 3 per cent.<br /> +</p> +<p class="appendix"> +—a percentage which I consider sufficient for field-service, as, in the event of +any unusual number of casualties, transport animals could and would be made +use of, and it is most undesirable to increase the number of followers.</p> + +<br /> +<p class="appendix"> +<span class="left"><br /><i>The Lushai dandy.</i> <br /><br /></span> +The Lushai dandy for this sort of warfare is much preferable to the carpet +or dhurrie dandy, as it can be made into a bed, and men +are not so liable to fall out of it.</p> +<br /> + +<p class="appendix"> +<span class="left"><br /><i>Bourke's doolie.</i> <br /><br /></span> +Bourke's doolie is very good, but liable to get out of +order, and difficult to repair when broken; the ordinary +kind is fairly good and serviceable.</p> + +<br /> +<p class="appendix"> +32. I would urge that in future all field-service tents should be made after +<span class="left"><br /><i>Field-service tents.</i> <br /><br /></span> +the pattern of the Mountain Battery tent, single fly for +Natives, double for Europeans, and that the poles should +be constructed on the telescopic principle: that is, that +no thinning of the wood where it enters the socket should be allowed either +on uprights or ridge-pole, and that the old system of paring away should be +abandoned. Instead, the upper section should sit flat on the lower. Doubtless +the sockets will have to be longer and stronger than those now in use, +but this is the only means by which tents can be adapted to mule and pony<span class="page"><a name="569">[Page 569]</a></span> +carriage, which will no doubt in future wars be our chief means of transport.</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +33. The Waler horses of the Cavalry and Artillery have stood the strain +<span class="left"><br /><i>Waler horses.</i> <br /><br /></span> +remarkably well, considering the hard work and great exposure +they have had to bear, and also that for a considerable +time they were entirely deprived of green food. I feel sure +this information will be most satisfactory, seeing that, for the future, the +Artillery and Cavalry in India must mainly depend upon the Australian +market for their remounts.</p> + + <p class="appendix"> +34. As there are some minor points of detail which might advantageously +<span class="left"><br /><i>Committee to record <br /> suggestions on <br />equipment.</i><br /><br /></span> +be considered by those who have had the experience +of recent service, I have convened a committee, with +Colonel MacGregor, C.B., as President, which will +take suggestions and record opinions regarding packing transport animals, +equipment, kit, dress, etc., of both officers and men of the several branches +of the service. From the constitution of the committee, I feel certain that +their recommendations cannot but be valuable, and I hope to have the honour +of submitting them shortly for the consideration of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppXf1r">[Footnote 1:</a> <a name="AppXf1">Flour</a>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppXf1r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="AppXf2">A</a> chittack = 2 ounces.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppXf1r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="AppXf3">A</a> kind of pea.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppXf1r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="AppXf4">Clarified</a> butter.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#AppXf5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="AppXf5">A</a> seer = 2 lb.]</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#464">p. 464</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppXI">XI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1886</span> +<p class="center3"> +(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#517">p. 517.</a>)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF GENERAL AND OTHER OFFICERS +COMMANDING COLUMNS IN BURMA.</p> +<p class="rindent4a"> +MANDALAY, <br /> +20<i>th. November</i>, 1886.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The following general instructions for the guidance of Brigadier-Generals +and Officers in command of columns are published by order of His Excellency +the Commander-in-Chief in India:</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">1<i>st</i>.—</span>Columns sent out for the pacification of a district, or in pursuit of a +particular gang of dacoits, must be amply provided and able to +keep the field for ten days at least. To enable this to be done +without employing an undue number of transport animals, it is +necessary that every endeavour be made to obtain grain for Cavalry +horses and Transport ponies from the villages passed through; +careful inquiry must be made as to where supplies can be obtained +locally, and the line of advance determined accordingly. Arrangements +must be made for replenishing the supply when necessary +from depots which must be formed at convenient centres when the +nature of the operations may necessitate it. These depots should +be pushed forward from time to time as the troops advance. The +work of a column obliged to return to its base of supply before it +has had an opportunity of completing the object of the expedition +must be more harmful than beneficial, as its failure emboldens the +enemy and weakens the confidence of the people in our power to +protect them and to reach the offenders.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">2<i>nd</i>.—</span>Where two or more columns are acting in concert, the details of time +and place of movement should be settled beforehand with the +greatest nicety, and the commanding officers of all such columns +should be provided with the same maps, or tracings from them, so <span class="page"><a name="570">[Page 570]</a></span> +that subsequent changes of plan, rendered necessary by later information, +may be understood and conformed to by all. Officers +commanding columns must do their utmost to get into, and keep +up, communication with one another. This can be effected by:</p> + +<p class="indent1b"> + Visual signalling,<br /> + Spies and scouts,<br /> + Patrolling.</p> + +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">3<i>rd</i>.—</span>Movements to be executed in concert with the troops in other +brigades or commands, or likely to tell directly or indirectly on +the districts commanded by other officers, will be fully communicated +to those officers, both beforehand and when in progress.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">4<i>th</i>.—</span>Brigadier-Generals are empowered to give very liberal remuneration +for the effective service of guides and for information involving +danger to those who give it. They may delegate this power to +selected officers in detached commands, but a close watch must be +kept on expenditure under this head. Opportunities should be +afforded to timid informers who are afraid to compromise themselves +by entering camp to interview officers at some distance out +and in secrecy.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">5<i>th</i>.—</span>Cavalry horses and Mounted Infantry ponies must be saved as much +as is compatible with occasional forced and rapid marches. On +ordinary occasions the riders should dismount, from time to time, +and march alongside of their horses or ponies.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">6<i>th</i>.—</span>The special attention of all officers is called to the careful treatment +of pack-animals, and officers in command of columns and parties +will be held strictly responsible that the animals are properly +loaded for the march, saved as much as possible during it, and +carefully attended to and fed after it. Officers in command will +ascertain by daily personal supervision and inspection that these +orders are carried out.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">7<i>th</i>.—</span>It must be remembered that the chief object of traversing the country +with columns is to cultivate friendly relations with the inhabitants, +and at the same time to put before them evidences of our power, +thus gaining their good-will and their confidence. It is therefore +the bounden duty of commanding officers to ascertain that the +troops under their command are not permitted to injure the +property of the people or to wound their susceptibilities.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">8<i>th</i>.—</span>The most injurious accounts of our intentions have been circulated +amongst, and believed by, the people, and too much pains cannot +be taken to eradicate this impression, and to assure the people both +by act and word of our good-will towards the law-abiding. Chief +men of districts should he treated with consideration and distinction. +The success of the present operations will much depend on +the tact with which the inhabitants are treated.</p> +<p class="indent3a"><span class="left2"> +9<i>th</i>.—</span>When there is an enemy in arms against British rule, all arrangements +must be made not only to drive him from his position, but also to +surround the position so as to inflict the heaviest loss possible. +Resistance overcome without inflicting punishment on the enemy +only emboldens him to repeat the game, and thus, by protracting +operations, costs more lives than a severe lesson promptly administered, +even though that lesson may cause some casualties on +our side. Arrangements should be made to surround villages and +jungle retreats with Cavalry, and afterwards to hunt them closely +with Infantry. In the pursuit the broadest margin possible will +be drawn between leaders of rebellion and the professional dacoit<span class="page"><a name="571">[Page 571]</a></span> +on the one part, and the villagers who have been forced into combinations +against us. <i>Bohs</i> and leaders will generally be found +heading the column of fugitives, and a portion of the Cavalry +should be directed to pursue them without wasting time over the +rank and file of the enemy.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">10<i>th</i>.—</span>Unless otherwise ordered, columns of occupation should move in short +marches, halting at the principal towns and villages. This will +give civil officers opportunities for becoming thoroughly acquainted +with their districts, and give military officers time to reconnoitre +and sketch the country.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">11<i>th</i>.—</span>Where troops are likely to be quartered for some time, bamboo platforms +should be erected to keep the men off the ground. Tents, +if afterwards provided, can be pitched on the platforms.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">12<i>th</i>.—</span>The greatest latitude will be allowed to Brigadier-Generals and +officers in local command in ordering and carrying out movements +for the pacification of their districts. They will, however, report +as fully as possible all movements intended and in progress, +through the regular channel, for the information of His Excellency +the Commander-in-Chief.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">13<i>th</i>.—</span>Civil officers will be detailed under the orders of the Chief Commissioner +to accompany columns. As they are in a position to reward +loyalty and good service, they will be able to obtain more reliable +guides and intelligence than the military officers can hope to get. +The Chief Commissioner has authorized selected Burmans, men of +position who may look for official appointments, being employed +as scouts by the civil officers of districts and being attached to +columns. These scouts should wear some distinguishing and conspicuous +mark or badge to prevent them being fired on by the +troops. They should not be called upon to take the front when +approaching an unbroken enemy, or where ambuscades may be +expected, but their services will be most valuable in gaining +information, and later in hunting down the individuals of a +broken-up gang.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">14<i>th</i>.—</span>Absolute secrecy must be maintained regarding movements against +the enemy and every device resorted to to mislead him.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">15<i>th</i>.—</span>When civil officers accompany columns, all prisoners will be handed +over to them for disposal. When no civil officer is present, the +officer commanding the column will, <i>ex officio</i>, have magisterial +powers to inflict punishment up to two years' imprisonment, or +30 lashes. Offenders deserving heavier punishment must be +reserved for disposal by the civil officers.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">16<i>th</i>.—</span>Officers commanding columns will be held responsible that the troops +are not kept in unhealthy districts, and that, when a locality has +proved itself unhealthy, the troops are removed at the earliest +possible opportunity. Military officers are responsible for the +location of the troops. The requisitions of civil officers will be +complied with, whenever practicable, but military officers are to +judge in all matters involving the military or sanitary suitability +of a position.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">17<i>th</i>.—</span>In the class of warfare in which we are now engaged, where night +surprises and ambuscades are the only formidable tactics of the +enemy, the greatest care must be taken to ensure the safety of the +camp at night. To meet ambuscades, which usually take the +form of a volley followed by flight, and which, in very dense +jungle, it may be impossible to discover or guard against by means<span class="page"><a name="572">[Page 572]</a></span> +of flankers, His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief would wish +the following plan to be tried: Supposing, for instance, the fire +of the enemy to be delivered from the right, a portion of the force +in front should be ready to dash along the road for 100 yards, or +so, or until some opening in the jungle offers itself. The party +should then turn to the right and sweep round with a view to +intercepting the enemy in his flight. A party in rear should +similarly enter the jungle to their right with the same object. +The centre of the column would hold the ground and protect the +baggage or any wounded men. The different parties must be +previously told off, put under the command of selected leaders, +and must act with promptitude and dash. Each party must be +kept in compact order, and individual firing must be prohibited, +except when there is a clear prospect. Past experience suggests +the adoption of some such plan as the above, but in guerilla warfare +officers must suit their tactics to the peculiar and ever-varying +circumstances in which they may find themselves engaged.</p> +<p class="indent3a"> +<span class="left2">18<i>th</i>.—</span>The Government have ordered a general disarmament of the country, +as soon as the large bands of rebels and dacoits are dispersed. +The orders for this disarmament direct that all firearms are to be +taken from the people, but that a moderate number may be returned +to responsible villagers who are loyal and are able to defend themselves. +No firearms will be returned save under registered licenses; +and licenses will be given only for villages which can produce a +certain number (5 to 10) guns, and are either stockaded or fenced +against sudden attack. The duty of disarming lies on civil officers +and the police; but as it is desirable that the disarmament should +be effected as quickly as possible, officers commanding posts and +columns will give such assistance as may be in their power in +carrying it out.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#517">p. 517</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppXII">XII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1892</span> +<p class="center3"> +(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540.</a>)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>To</i> His EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK BARON ROBERTS +OF KANDAHAR AND WATERFORD, BART., V.C., G.C.B., G.C.I.E., R.A., +<i>Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Forces in India.</i></p> +<p class="indent2a"> +MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,</p> +<p class="appendix"> +We, the undersigned, representing the Sikhs of the Punjab, most respectfully +beg to approach Your Excellency with this humble address of farewell +on Your Lordship's approaching departure from this country. We cannot +give adequate expression to the various ideas which are agitating our minds +at this juncture, relating as they do to the past, present, and future, making +us feel, at one and the same time, grateful, happy, and sorrowful. The +success which Your Excellency has achieved in Asia is such as makes India +and England proud of it. The history of the British Empire in India has +not, at least for the last thirty years, produced a hero like Your Lordship, +whose soldier-like qualities are fully known to the world. The country which +had been the cradle of Indian invasions came to realize the extent of your +power and recognized your generalship. The victories gained by Sale, Nott, +and Pollock in the plains of Afghanistan have been shadowed by those gained<span class="page"><a name="573">[Page 573]</a></span> +by Your Excellency. The occupation of Kabul and the glorious battle of +Kandahar are among the brightest jewels in the diadem of Your Lordship's +Baronage. Your Excellency's achievements checked the aggressive advance +of the Great Northern Bear, whose ambitious progress received a check from +the roar of a lion in the person of Your Lordship; and a zone of neutral +ground has now been fixed, and a line of peace marked by the Boundary +Commission. The strong defences which Your Excellency has provided on +the frontier add another bright stone to the building of your fame, and constitute +in themselves a lasting memorial of Your Excellency's martial skill. +Never had any British General to face more arduous tasks, and none has +proved more completely successful in overcoming them than Your Lordship. +The result is that India has been rendered safe from the fear of invasion from +without. Your Excellency is not only adorned with heroic qualifications, but +the love and affection with which the people of India regard Your Lordship +show what admirable qualities are exhibited in the person of Your Excellency. +Terrible in war and merciful in peace, Your Excellency's name has become a +dread to the enemies of England and lovely to your friends. The interest +which Your Lordship has always taken in the welfare of those with whom +you have worked in India is well known to everybody. The Sikhs in +particular are, more than any other community in India, indebted to Your +Lordship. We find in Your Excellency a true friend of the Sikh community—a +community which is always devoted heart and soul to the service of Her +Most Gracious Majesty the Empress of India. No one understands better +than Your Excellency the value of a Sikh soldier, and we feel very grateful +that the military authorities recognize the necessity of requiring every Sikh +recruit to be baptized according to the Sikh religion before admission to the +Army—a practice which makes the Sikhs more true and faithful, and which +preserves the existence of a very useful community. The Sikhs are said to +be born soldiers, but they undoubtedly make very good citizens in time of +peace also. Unfortunately, however, they have had no opportunity of fully +developing their mental powers, so as to enable them to advance with the +spirit of the age. We thank God that Your Excellency was among those who +most desired to see the Sikhs refined and educated by establishing a Central +College in the Punjab for the use of the Sikh people, and we confidently hope +that the Sikhs, of whom a large portion is under Your Excellency's command, +will give their mite in support of this national seminary. The subscriptions +given by Your Lordship, His Excellency the Viceroy, and His Honour the +late Lieutenant-Governor, were very valuable to the Institution, and the +Sikhs are highly gratified by the honour Your Excellency has lately given to +the Khalsa Diwan by becoming its honorary patron. In conclusion, we beg only +to repeat that it is quite beyond our power to state how much we are indebted +to Your Excellency, and how much we are affected by the news that Your +Lordship will shortly leave this land. The very idea of our separation from +the direct contact of so strong and affectionate a leader, as Your Excellency +undoubtedly is, makes us feel very sorrowful; but as our hearts and prayers +will always be with you and Lady Roberts, we shall be consoled if Your +Excellency would only keep us in your memory, and on arrival in England +assure Her Most Gracious Majesty, the Mother-Empress, that all Sikhs, +whether high or low, strong or weak, old or young, are heartily devoted to +her Crown and her representatives in this country. Before retiring, we thank +Your Excellency for the very great honour that has been done to the people of +Lahore by Your Lordship's visit to this city.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="574">[Page 574]</a></span><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppXIII">XIII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1892</span> +<p class="center3"> +(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540.</a>)</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +<i>To</i> HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK BARON +ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR AND WATERFORD, BART., V.C., G.C.B., +G.C.I.E., R.A., <i>Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Forces in India.</i></p> +<p class="indent2a"> +MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,</p> +<p class="appendix"> +We are proud to stand in Your Lordship's presence to-day on behalf +of the Hindus of the Punjab, the loyal subjects of the Queen-Empress, who +appreciate the countless blessings which British Rule has conferred upon this +country, to give expression to the feelings of gratitude which are uppermost +in their hearts. We feel it really an honour that we are able to show our +appreciation of British Rule in the presence of the eminent soldier and +statesman who has taken an important part in making the India of to-day +what it is—contented within and strengthened against aggression from abroad. +The Punjab is the province where the military strength of the Empire is being +concentrated, and the bravery of the warlike races inhabiting it, which furnish +the flower of Her Gracious Majesty's forces of the Army in India, has been +conspicuously displayed on several occasions during the last thirty years. We +Hindus have availed ourselves the most of the facilities which British Rule +has provided for the progress of the people in commercial enterprise, educational +advance, and political progress. We are, therefore, all the more proud +that we have been allowed to-day to greet in person the mighty soldier, the +sympathetic Commander, and the sagacious Statesman, the record of whose +distinguished career in the East is virtually the history of nearly half a +century of glorious victories—victories both of peace and war—achieved by +the British Power in Asia, to show how intense is our gratitude towards the +Queen-Empress and one of her eminent representatives in India, who have +striven to do their duty by the people of this country, and done it to the +satisfaction of the people and of their Gracious Sovereign. The interests of +India and England are identical, and the Hindus of the Punjab regard British +Rule as a Providential gift to this country—an agency sent to raise the +people in the scale of civilization. Anything that is done to guarantee the +continuance of the present profoundly peaceful condition of the country is +highly appreciated by us, and we are, therefore, all the more grateful to Your +Lordship for all that your courage, foresight, sagacity, and high statesmanship +have been able to achieve. At a time when all the races and communities +inhabiting this frontier province, which has been truly described as the +sword-hand in India, are vying with each other in showing their high appreciation +of the good work done by Your Excellency, of which not the least +significant proof lies in the arrangement for the defence of the country at all +vulnerable points of the frontier, the Hindus are anxious to show that they +yield to none in the enthusiasm which marks the demonstrations held in your +honour. But Your Excellency commands our esteem and regard on other +grounds also. The deep interest that you have throughout your career felt in +the welfare of the sepoy, and the closest ties of genuine friendship which you +have established with many a notable of our community, have laid us under +deep obligations to Your Excellency. The encouragement that you have +given to the organization of the Imperial Service Troops of the Native States +is also gratefully appreciated by us; and only the other day we were gratified +to learn the high opinion Your Excellency entertained of the appearance and +military equipment of the Imperial Service Troops of Jammu and Kashmir,<span class="page"><a name="575">[Page 575]</a></span> +the most important Hindu State in this part of India. We should be wanting +in duty, we feel, did we not on this occasion give expression to the great +regret which the news of your approaching departure from India has caused +among the Hindus of the Punjab, who feel that they are parting from a kind +friend and a sympathetic Ruler. At the same time, we feel that the country +will not lose the benefit of your mature experience and wise counsel for long; +for we are hopeful that you may some day be called upon to guide the helm +of the State in India, a work for which you are so specially fitted. In conclusion, +we have only to pray to the Father of All Good that He may shower +His choicest blessings upon you and your consort—that noble lady who has, +in addition to cheering you in your hard and onerous work in India, herself +done a great deal for the comfort of the soldier and the sepoy, and that He +may grant you many years of happy life—a life which has done so much for +the Queen-Empress's dominions, and which may yet do much more.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppXIV">XIV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1892</span> +<p class="center3"> +(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540.</a>)</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +<i>To</i> HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK BARON +ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR AND WATERFORD, BART., V.C., G.C.B., +G.C.I.E., R.A., <i>Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Forces in India.</i></p> +<p class="indent2a"> +MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,</p> +<p class="appendix"> +We, the Mahomedans of the Punjab, have dared to approach Your +Excellency with this address with eyes tear-bedimmed, but a face smiling. The +departure of a noble and well-beloved General like yourself from our country +is in itself a fact that naturally fills our eyes with tears. What could be +more sorrowful than this, our farewell to an old officer and patron of ours, +who has passed the prominent portion of his life in our country, developed +our young progeny to bravery and regular soldiery, decorated them with +honours, and created them to high titles? Your Excellency's separation is +the harder to bear for the men of the Punjab because it is our Punjab that +is proud of the fact that about forty years ago the foundation stone of all +your famous and noble achievements, which not only India, but England, +rightly boasts of, was laid down in one of its frontier cities, and that the +greater part of your indomitable energies was spent in the Punjab frontier +defence. If, therefore, we are sad at separating from Your Excellency, it will +not in any way be looked upon as strange. But these feelings of sorrow are +mixed with joy when we see that the useful officer whom in 1852 we had +welcomed at Peshawar, when the star of his merits was beginning to rise, +departs from us in splendour and glory in the capacity of the Commander-in-Chief +of the Armies of a vast Empire like India, and is an example of the +highest type to all soldiers. This address is too brief for a detail of all the +meritorious services rendered by your Excellency in the Punjab, India and +other foreign countries from that early epoch to this date. Your zeal in the +Mutiny of 1857, your heroic achievements in the Abyssinian and Afghan wars, +your repeated victories of Kandahar, and your statesmanlike conduct of the +Burma wars—all these are facts which deserve to be written in golden +characters in the annals of Indian history. Your appointment as legislative +and executive member of the Supreme Council of the Government of India for +a considerable period has proved a source of blessings to the whole of India,<span class="page"><a name="576">[Page 576]</a></span> +and Your Excellency deserves an ample share of the credit due to the Council +for all its useful regulations and reforms. The great liking that men of noble +birth in India have been showing for some time towards military service is a +clear demonstration of the excellent treatment received at your hands by +military officers, as in the reforms made by you in the military pay and +pension and other regulations. Another boon for which the Natives of India +will always remember your name with gratitude, is that you have fully relied +upon, and placed your confidence in, the Natives, thus uniting them the +more firmly to the British Crown, making them more loyal, and establishing +the good relations between the Rulers and the ruled on a firmer footing to +their mutual good. Especially as Mussalmans of the Punjab are we proud +that before Your Excellency's departure you have had the opportunity of +reviewing the Imperial Service Troops of the Mahomedan State of Bhawalpur, +one of the leading Native States of the Punjab, whose Ruler's efforts to make +his troops worthy to take their place by the side of British troops for the +defence of India is only one instance of the spirit of active loyalty which we +are glad to say animates the entire Mussalman community of the Punjab. +Disturbances arising from foreign intrusions are not unknown to us, and we +have not sufficient words to thank your Lordship for the admirable management +of the frontier defence work carried on to protect our country from all +possible encroachments. The greatest pleasure and satisfaction, however, +that we Mahomedans feel in presenting this address to Your Lordship +emanates from the idea that you go on your way home to your native +country with a high and favourable opinion of the Mahomedans of India, +true and loyal subjects to Her Majesty the Queen-Empress, whose number +exceeds six crores, and who are rapidly growing. During the Mutiny of 1857 +the Chieftains and soldiers of our nation spared neither money nor arms in +the reduction and submission of the rebels. Your Lordship is also aware +what loyalty was displayed by the Mahomedans of India during the Afghan +and Egyptian wars, waged against their own co-religionists, and the cheerfulness +shown by them in following your Lordship in all your victories. +Frontier services, such as the Kabul Embassy and the Delimitation Commission, +rendered by the officers of our creed are also well known to you. +We are therefore sanguine that Your Lordship's own observation will enable +all the members of the Ruling race in India to form an opinion of the relations +that exist between us and the British Crown. The Mahomedans of India +and the Punjab are proud of being the devoted subjects of the Queen-Empress. +In so acting we perform our religious duties, for our sacred religion +enjoins upon us faithfulness and obedience towards our Ruling monarch, and +teaches us to regard the Christians as our own brethren. The regard and +esteem which we should have, therefore, for a Christian Government, as that +of our kind mother the Queen-Empress, needs no demonstration. Although, +for certain reasons which we need not detail here, our nation has been deficient +in education, and we have been left much behind in obtaining civil employment, +we hope that your long experience of our service will prove a good +testimonial in favour of the warlike spirit, military genius, and loyalty of our +nation, and if the circle of civil employment has become too straitened for us, +the military line will be generously opened to us. We do not want to +encroach upon Your Lordship's valuable time any further. We therefore +finish our address, offering our heartfelt thanks to your Lordship for all those +kindnesses you have been wont to show during your time towards India and +Indians in general, and the Punjab and Punjabis in particular, and take leave +of Your Lordship with the following prayer: 'May God bless thee wherever +thou mayest be, and may thy generosities continue to prevail upon us for a +long time.' While actuated by these feelings, we are not the less aware that<span class="page"><a name="577">[Page 577]</a></span> +our country owes a great deal to Lady Roberts, to whom we beg that Your +Excellency will convey our heartfelt thanks for her lively interest in the +welfare of Indian soldiers in particular and the people generally. In conclusion, +we wish Your Excellencies God-speed and a pleasant and safe voyage. +That Your Excellencies may have long, happy, and prosperous lives, and +achieve ever so many more distinctions and honours, and return to us very +shortly in a still higher position, to confer upon the Empire the blessings of a +beneficent Rule, is our heartfelt and most sincere prayer.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppXV">XV.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1892</span> +<p class="center3"> +(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540.</a>)</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +<i>To</i> His EXCELLENCY GENERAL THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK +BARON ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR AND WATERFORD, BART., V.C., +G.C.B., G.C.I.E., R.A., <i>Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Forces +in India.</i></p> +<p class="indent2a"> +MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,</p> +<p class="appendix"> +We, the representatives of the European community in the Punjab, are +the prouder to-day of our British blood, in that it links us in close kinship, to +one who has so bravely maintained the honour of the British Empire alike in +the years of peace and storm that India has seen during the last three decades. +During the Mutiny Your Excellency performed feats of gallantry that are +historic. Since then your career has been one of brilliant success and +growing military renown. Whenever, in the histories of war, men speak +of famous marches, that from Kabul to Kandahar comes straightway to the +lips. When our mind turns to military administration, we remember the +unqualified success of Your Excellency's career as Quartermaster-General and +as Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Forces in India, in both of which +high offices you have added honour and glory to your great name, which will +never be forgotten in India. When the private soldier, rightly or wrongly, +thinks he has a grievance, his desire is only that somehow it may be brought +to the notice of Your Excellency, from whom, through experience, he expects +full justice and generous sympathy. When we look towards our frontier and +see the strategic railways and roads, and the strong places of arms that +threaten the invader, we know that for those safeguards the Empire is in no +small degree indebted to the resolute wisdom of Your Excellency as military +adviser to the Government of India. Last, but not least, as a Statesman, +Your Excellency ranks second to none in the Empire in the opinion of your +countrymen in this North-West frontier province; and we should gladly +welcome the day, if it might ever arrive, when Your Excellency returned to +India. It is here that we see most clearly the passage of events beyond our +borders and mark the signs of brooding trouble; and our hope has always +been that, when that trouble should break forth, yours might be the hand to +guide England's flag to victory again. The Punjab is the sword of India, +and Your Excellency has had the courage to lean most strongly upon that +sword. It is here that the pulse of the army beats in India; it is hence that +the enemies of our country shall feel the downright blow; and it is here that +the greatest grief is felt in parting from so true a soldier and so far-seeing a +Statesman as Your Excellency. It is meet, therefore, that here we should +assemble upon this occasion of farewell to express the great sorrow which we, +the representatives of the Europeans in the Punjab, feel at the prospect of<span class="page"><a name="578">[Page 578]</a></span> +losing so soon the clear brain and strong hand that Your Excellency has +always brought to the control of the Army in India and to the solution of all +questions of political or military moment. In doing so, we mourn for the loss +of one of the best statesmen, the best general, and the best friend to the +soldier in India. We say nothing of the kindly relations Your Excellency +has always been able to establish with the other races in India; our fellow-subjects +here will doubtless do so in their turn. We say nothing of Your +Excellency's and Lady Roberts' charming social qualities, nor Her Ladyship's +philanthropic work in India. We are here only to express our grief at parting +with one whom we value so highly for the sake of our common country, and +our hope that as your past has been full of glory to the Empire and honour to +yourself, so may your future be; and that you may be spared for many years +to wield the sword and guide the counsels of our country.</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#540">p. 540</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppXVI">XVI.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1892</span> +<p class="center3"> +(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#541">p. 541</a>)</p> + +<p class="appendix"> +<i>To</i> His EXCELLENCY GENERAL THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK +BARON ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR AND WATERFORD, BART., V.C., +G.C.B., G.C.I.E., R.A., <i>Commander-in-Chief of Her Imperial Majesty's +Army in India.</i></p> +<p class="indent2a"> +MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,</p> +<p class="appendix"> +We, the Talukdars of Oudh, as loyal and faithful subjects of the +Empress of India, avail ourselves of the present opportunity of offering +Your Excellency a most cordial and respectful welcome to the Capital of +Oudh.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +The long and valuable services rendered by Your Excellency to the Crown +and the country are well known to, and are deeply appreciated by, us. Your +Excellency's wise and vigorous administration of Her Majesty's Army in India +has won for you our respectful admiration; while your prowess in the battlefield, +and your wisdom in Council during the eventful period of your supreme +command of Her Majesty's Indian Forces, have inspired us with confidence in +your great military talents and your single-minded and earnest devotion to +duty. In many a battle you have led the British Army to victory, and the +brilliant success which has invariably attended the British Arms under Your +Excellency's command has added to the glory of the British Empire.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +But the pride and pleasure we feel at being honoured by Your Excellency's +presence in our capital town give place to sorrow and regret at the approaching +retirement of Your Excellency from the great service of which you are an +ornament.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +In grateful acknowledgment of the most important services rendered by +Your Excellency to our Empress and our country, we beg to be allowed the +privilege of presenting you with a Sword of Indian manufacture, which will, +we hope, from time to time, remind you of us and of Oudh.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Wishing Your Lordship a safe and pleasant voyage home, and a long and +happy life,</p> + +<p class="indent4a"> + <span class="indent4a">We subscribe ourselves,</span><br /> + <span class="indent4a">Your Lordship's most humble</span><br /> + <span class="indent4b">and obedient servants,</span><br /> + <span class="indent4c">THE TALUKDARS OF OUDH.</span></p> + + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#541">p. 541</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> +<br /><br /> +<span class="page"><a name="579">[Page 579]</a></span><br /> +<h2>APPENDIX <a name="AppXVII">XVII.</a></h2> +<span class="rightnote">1893</span> +<p class="center3"> +(Referred to at <a class="footnote" href="#">p. 541.</a>)</p> +<p class="appendix"> +<i>To</i> His EXCELLENCY GENERAL THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR FREDERICK +SLEIGH, BARON ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR AND WATERFORD, BART., +V.C., G.C.B., G.C.I.E., D.C.L., LL.D., R.A., <i>Commander-in-Chief in +India</i>.</p> + +<p class="indent2a"> +YOUR EXCELLENCY,</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Viewing with concern and regret your approaching departure from +India, we beg—in bidding you farewell—to express our admiration of your +life and work as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Forces in India, and to +request you to permit your portrait to be placed in the Town Hall of Calcutta, +in token for the present generation of their high appreciation of your eminent +services, and in witness to a future generation of the esteem in which you +were held by your contemporaries.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +With foresight denoting wise statesmanship, Governments which you have +served have initiated and maintained a policy of Frontier Defence, and encouraged +the increased efficiency of the Forces.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +In the furtherance of these objects we recognize the salient points of your +career and character whilst holding the high rank of Commander-in-Chief.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +In your continued efforts to ameliorate the condition of the private soldier +we recognize broad humanity. In the increasing efficiency of the Army, +which, in our belief, characterizes your tenure of command, we recognize high +soldierly qualities. In the state of strength which the Frontier Defences have +attained, mainly due, we believe, to you, we recognize practical sagacity, conspicuous +ability in discernment of requirements, and in pursuit of your aims +an unwearying industry, a resolute persistence, and a determination that no +difficulty can turn, in which a noble example for all true workers may be +found.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +In a word, your life and work are to us identified with Frontier Defence +and Efficient Forces. We cheerfully bear our share of the cost, as in possession +of these protections against aggression from without, we believe all who +dwell within the borders of the land will find their best guarantee for peace, +and in peace the best safeguard they and their children can possess to enable +them to pass their lives in happiness and prosperity, and escape the misery +and ruin which follow war and invasion. For all that you have done to give +them such security, we feel you deserve, and we freely give, our heartfelt +thanks.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +Within the limitations of a farewell address, we hardly feel justified in +personal allusions trenching on your private life, but we cannot refrain from +noticing with responsive sympathy the feeling of personal attachment to +yourself which is widespread throughout India, and assuring you that we +share in it to the fullest extent that private feeling can be affected by public +services. We endorse our assurance with an expression of the wish that, +in whatever part of the British Empire your future life may be spent, it +may be attended, as in the past, with honour, and, by the blessing of God, +with health and happiness for yourself and all those you hold dear.</p> +<p class="appendix"> +It is the prerogative of the Crown alone to bestow honours on those who +have served their country well, and none have been better merited than those +which you enjoy, and to which, we trust, additions may be made. It is the +privilege of a community to make public profession of merit in a fellow-citizen +where they consider it is due, and in availing ourselves of the privilege<span class="page"><a name="580">[Page 580]</a></span> +to make this public recognition of the great services which, in our opinion, +you have rendered to India, we beg with all sincerity to add a hearty God-speed +and a regretful Farewell.</p> + +<p class="indent4a"> + <span class="indent4a">We have the honour to be,</span><br /> + <span class="indent4b">Your Excellency,</span><br /> + <span class="indent4c">Your obedient servants.</span><br /></p> +<p class="indent2a"> +CALCUTTA,<br /> +<span class="indent3">11<i>th March</i>, 1893.</span> +</p> + +<p class="center3">[Return to <a class="footnote" href="#541">p. 541</a>]</p> +<br /> + <hr class="medium" /> + +<span class="page"><a name="581">[Page 581]</a></span> + +<h2><a name="INDEX">INDEX</a></h2> +<h3>PERSONS</h3> +<hr /> + +<p class="center"> +<a href="#A">A</a> | <a href="#B">B</a> | <a href="#C">C</a> | <a href="#D">D</a> | +<a href="#E">E</a> | <a href="#F">F</a> | <a href="#G">G</a> | <a href="#H">H</a> | +<a href="#Im">I</a> | <a href="#J">J</a> | <a href="#K">K</a> | <a href="#La">L</a> | +<a href="#M">M</a> | <a href="#N">N</a> | <a href="#O">O</a> | <a href="#P">P</a> | +<a href="#Q">Q</a> | <a href="#R">R</a> | <a href="#S">S</a> | <a href="#T">T</a> | +<a href="#U">U</a> | <a href="#Va">V</a> | <a href="#W">W</a> | +<a href="#Y">Y</a> | <a href="#Z">Z</a><br /><br /> + +(Note: The Page number is the link to the reference.<br /> +Page<sup>x</sup> indicates that the reference is (only) in the Footnote).<br /> +</p> + +<br /> + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="A">Abbott</a>, General Sir James, K.C.B., <a href="#19">19</a>, <a href="#28">28</a></li> +<li>Abdulla Jan, <a href="#330">330</a>, <a href="#343">343</a>, <a href="#484">484</a>, <a href="#559">559</a></li> +<li>Abdur Rahman, <a href="#303">303</a>, <a href="#304">304</a>, <a href="#305">305</a>, <a href="#306">306</a>, +<a href="#422">422</a>, <a href="#458">458</a>, <a href="#459">459</a>, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#461">461</a>, +<a href="#462">462</a>, <a href="#463">463</a>, <a href="#466">466</a>, <a href="#467">467</a>, <a href="#468">468</a>, +<a href="#471">471</a>, <a href="#472">472</a>, <a href="#473">473</a>, <a href="#483">483</a>, <a href="#493">493</a>, +<a href="#503">503</a>, <a href="#504">504</a>, <a href="#505">505</a>, <a href="#506">506</a>, <a href="#510">510</a>, +<a href="#529">529</a>, <a href="#538">538</a>, <a href="#539">539</a>, <a href="#553">553</a>, <a href="#560">560</a>, +<a href="#562">562</a>, <a href="#563">563</a>, <a href="#564">564</a>, <a href="#565">565</a>, <a href="#566">566</a></li> +<li>Adams, Rev. W.J., <a href="#360">360</a>, <a href="#361">361</a>, <a href="#436">436</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Adye, General Sir John, G.C.B., <a href="#285">285</a>, <a href="#287">287</a>, <a href="#289">289</a>, <a href="#291">291</a></li> +<li>Afzal Khan, <a href="#303">303</a>, <a href="#304">304</a>, <a href="#305">305</a></li> +<li>Ahmed Shah Durani, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>4</sup></li> +<li>Aitken, Major, <a href="#189">189</a></li> +<li>Akbar, The Emperor, <a href="#20">20</a>, <a href="#148">148</a>, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>4</sup></li> +<li>Akram Khan, <a href="#370">370</a></li> +<li>Albert Victor, H.R.H. Prince, <a href="#529">529</a>, <a href="#530">530</a></li> +<li>Ali, <a href="#183">183</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Ali Khan, <a href="#304">304</a></li> +<li>Alison, Sir Archibald, <a href="#185">185</a></li> +<li>Alla Sing, Jemadar, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Allen, Surgeon-General, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Allgood, Captain, <a href="#185">185</a>, <a href="#264">264</a></li> +<li>Amar Sing, Raja, <a href="#527">527</a></li> +<li>Anderson, Captain, <a href="#361">361</a>, <a href="#362">362</a></li> +<li>Anderson, Major, <a href="#548">548</a></li> +<li>Anson, Major Augustus, <a href="#144">144</a>, <a href="#179">179</a>, <a href="#182">182</a>, <a href="#207">207</a>, +<a href="#218">218</a>, <a href="#220">220</a>, <a href="#224">224</a></li> +<li>Anson, General the Hon. G., <a href="#38">38</a>, <a href="#44">44</a>, <a href="#45">45</a>, <a href="#50">50</a>, +<a href="#51">51</a>, <a href="#52">52</a>, <a href="#53">53</a>, <a href="#54">54</a>, <a href="#55">55</a>, <a href="#56">56</a>, +<a href="#57">57</a>, <a href="#58">58</a>, <a href="#63">63</a>, <a href="#79">79</a>, <a href="#82">82</a>, <a href="#83">83</a>, +<a href="#87">87</a>, <a href="#138">138</a></li> +<li>Aslam Khan, Lieutenant-Colonel, C.I.E., <a href="#10">10</a></li> +<li>Asmatulla Khan, <a href="#420">420</a></li> +<li>Ata Mahomed Khan, Nawab, <a href="#329">329</a></li> +<li>Auckland, Lord, <a href="#306">306</a>, <a href="#338">338</a>, <a href="#339">339</a></li> +<li>Ayub Khan, <a href="#422">422</a>, <a href="#459">459</a>, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#466">466</a>, +<a href="#468">468</a>, <a href="#469">469</a>, <a href="#470">470</a>, <a href="#471">471</a>, <a href="#482">482</a>, +<a href="#483">483</a>, <a href="#484">484</a>, <a href="#485">485</a>, +<a href="#487">487</a>, <a href="#490">490</a>, <a href="#491">491</a>, <a href="#492">492</a></li> +<li>Azim Khan, <a href="#303">303</a>, <a href="#304">304</a>, <a href="#305">305</a>, <a href="#553">553</a></li> +<li>Azimulla Khan, <a href="#162">162</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#210">210</a>, <a href="#238">238</a>, <a href="#239">239</a></li> +<li>Aziz Khan, Subadar Major, <a href="#354">354</a><sup>4</sup></li> +</ul><br /> + +<ul class="index"> +<li><a name="B">Baber</a>, The Emperor, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>4</sup></li> +<li>Badcock, Major, <a href="#350">350</a>, <a href="#368">368</a>, <a href="#388">388</a>, <a href="#439">439</a>, +<a href="#474">474</a>, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#482">482</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#550">550</a>, <a href="#568">568</a></li> +<li>Badshah Khan, <a href="#387">387</a></li> +<li>Bahadur Shah, <a href="#237">237</a></li> +<li>Baigrie, Colonel, <a href="#323">323</a>, <a href="#324">324</a></li> +<li>Baird, Sir David, <a href="#187">187</a></li> +<li>Baird-Smith, Colonel, <a href="#88">88</a><sup>10</sup>, <a href="#89">89</a><sup>10</sup>, <a href="#100">100</a>, <a href="#102">102</a>, +<a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#119">119</a>, <a href="#120">120</a>, <a href="#122">122</a>, <a href="#123">123</a>, +<a href="#131">131</a>, <a href="#134">134</a></li> +<li>Baker, Brigadier-General Sir Thomas, K.C.B., <a href="#385">385</a>, <a href="#391">391</a>, <a href="#394">394</a>, +<a href="#395">395</a>, <a href="#403">403</a>, <a href="#404">404</a>, <a href="#405">405</a>, <a href="#406">406</a>, +<a href="#408">408</a>, <a href="#409">409</a>, <a href="#410">410</a>, <a href="#426">426</a>, <a href="#427">427</a>, +<a href="#430">430</a>, <a href="#432">432</a>, <a href="#433">433</a>, <a href="#438">438</a>, <a href="#439">439</a>, +<a href="#440">440</a>, <a href="#441">441</a>, <a href="#443">443</a>, <a href="#444">444</a>, <a href="#445">445</a>, +<a href="#446">446</a>, <a href="#447">447</a>, <a href="#449">449</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#456">456</a>, +<a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#488">488</a>, <a href="#489">489</a>, <a href="#493">493</a></li> +<li>Baker, Colonel Valentine, <a href="#323">323</a></li> +<li>Bakram Khan, <a href="#420">420</a></li> +<li>Bannatyne, Captain, <a href="#142">142</a></li> +<li>Barnard, Major-General Sir Henry, <a href="#52">52</a>, <a href="#53">53</a>, <a href="#54">54</a>, <a href="#55">55</a>, +<a href="#58">58</a>, <a href="#70">70</a>, <a href="#78">78</a>, <a href="#82">82</a>, <a href="#83">83</a>, <a href="#84">84</a>, +<a href="#85">85</a>, <a href="#86">86</a>, <a href="#89">89</a>, <a href="#90">90</a>, <a href="#92">92</a>, <a href="#93">93</a>, +<a href="#94">94</a>, <a href="#95">95</a>, <a href="#97">97</a>, <a href="#98">98</a>, <a href="#99">99</a>, <a href="#101">101</a>, +<a href="#102">102</a>, <a href="#108">108</a>, <a href="#327">327</a></li> +<li>Barnston, Major Roger, <a href="#180">180</a>, <a href="#184">184</a>, <a href="#187">187</a></li> +<li>Barr, Captain, <a href="#23">23</a>, <a href="#30">30</a></li> +<li>Barter, Major Richard, <a href="#122">122</a>, <a href="#123">123</a>, <a href="#126">126</a>, <a href="#171">171</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mrs., <a href="#123">123</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Battye, Captain Wigram, <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#447">447<sup>7</sup></a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Colonel Arthur, <a href="#488">488</a>, <a href="#492">492</a></li> + <li>Frederick, Captain, <a href="#447">447</a><sup>7</sup></li> + <li>Quintin, Lieutenant, <a href="#90">90</a>, <a href="#447">447</a><sup>7</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Beaconsfield, The Earl of, <a href="#328">328</a>, <a href="#458">458</a>, <a href="#464">464</a> <span class="page"><a name="582">[Page 582]</a></span></li> +<li>Beadon, Sir Cecil, <a href="#258">258</a></li> +<li>Becher, Captain, <a href="#19">19</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major-General Arthur, <a href="#24">24</a>, <a href="#97">97</a>, <a href="#263">263</a>, + <a href="#280">280</a></li> + <li>Major Sullivan, <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Bellew, Dr., <a href="#31">31</a>, <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#417">417</a>, <a href="#422">422</a><sup>5</sup></li> +<li>Benares, Maharaja of, <a href="#259">259</a></li> +<li>Bentinck, Lord William, <a href="#235">235</a>, <a href="#241">241</a></li> +<li>Bernard, Sir Charles, K.C.S.I., <a href="#498">498</a>, <a href="#508">508</a>, <a href="#517">517</a>, +<a href="#518">518</a></li> +<li>Bertrand, Father, <a href="#123">123</a></li> +<li>Bhartpur, Raja of, <a href="#545">545</a></li> +<li>Bhopal, Begum of, <a href="#272">272</a>, <a href="#273">273</a>, <a href="#274">274</a>, <a href="#525">525</a></li> +<li>Biddulph, Brigadier-General M., <a href="#">346</a></li> +<li>Biddulph, Colonel, <a href="#191">191</a></li> +<li>Birbul, <a href="#362">362</a></li> +<li>Birsing, Sepoy, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Blackwood, Major, <a href="#316">316</a></li> +<li>Blanc, Dr., <a href="#298">298</a></li> +<li>Blunt, Colonel, <a href="#120">120</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#144">144</a>, <a href="#151">151</a>, <a href="#152">152</a>, +<a href="#178">178</a><sup>10</sup>, <a href="#179">179</a>, <a href="#180">180</a>, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Bogle, Captain, <a href="#298">298</a></li> +<li>Booth, Lieutenant, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>15</sup></li> +<li>Bourchier, General Sir George, K.C.B., <a href="#63">63</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#151">151</a>, +<a href="#170">170</a>, <a href="#172">172</a>, <a href="#173">173</a>, +<a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#180">180</a><sup>13</sup>, <a href="#191">191</a>, <a href="#203">203</a>, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup>, +<a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#206">206</a>, <a href="#310">310</a>, <a href="#311">311</a>, <a href="#315">315</a>, +<a href="#316">316</a>, <a href="#317">317</a>, <a href="#318">318</a></li> +<li>Bowring, Mr. Lewin, <a href="#263">263</a></li> +<li>Brabazon, Lieutenant, <a href="#362">362</a>, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Brackenbury, General, <a href="#531">531</a>, <a href="#534">534</a></li> +<li>Bradshaw, Dr., <a href="#332">332</a></li> +<li>Brasyer, Colonel, <a href="#226">226</a>, <a href="#227">227</a></li> +<li>Bridge, Captain, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Bright, John, The Right Hon., <a href="#514">514</a><sup>8</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>General Sir Robert, G.C.B., <a href="#392">392</a>, <a href="#418">418</a>, <a href="#424">424</a>, <a href="#430">430</a>, + <a href="#440">440</a>, <a href="#443">443</a>, <a href="#448">448</a>, <a href="#452">452</a>, <a href="#464">464</a>, + <a href="#465">465</a>, <a href="#468">468</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Brind, Brigadier Frederick, <a href="#59">59</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>General Sir James, G.C.B., <a href="#120">120</a>, <a href="#136">136</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Broadfoot, Captain, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Brooke, Brigadier-General, <a href="#481">481</a></li> +<li>Brown, Major-General Rodney, <a href="#19">19</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major Tod, <a href="#52">52</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#176">176</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Browne, Dr. John Campbell, <a href="#107">107</a>, <a href="#229">229</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir James, <a href="#511">511</a></li> + <li>General Sir Samuel, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.S.I., <a href="#175">175</a><sup>8</sup>, <a href="#228">228</a>, <a href="#229">229</a>, + <a href="#346">346</a>, <a href="#351">351</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#369">369</a>, <a href="#373">373</a>, <a href="#378">378</a>, + <a href="#384">384</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Brownlow, Colonel F., <a href="#358">358</a>, <a href="#359">359</a>, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#437">437</a>, +<a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#489">489</a>, <a href="#492">492</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Brownlow, General Sir Charles, G.C.B., <a href="#283">283</a>, <a href="#286">286</a>, <a href="#289">289</a>, +<a href="#310">310</a>, <a href="#317">317</a></li> +<li>Bruce, Major-General H. Legeyt, C.B., <a href="#208">208</a>, <a href="#215">215</a></li> +<li>Brunow, Baron, <a href="#340">340</a></li> +<li>Budgen, Lieutenant, <a href="#201">201</a>, <a href="#202">202</a></li> +<li>Bukhtiar Khan, <a href="#377">377</a>, <a href="#378">378</a></li> +<li>Bulkeley, Major, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Bunny, Lieutenant Arthur, <a href="#174">174</a></li> +<li>Burgess, Corporal, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Burn-Murdoch, Lieutenant, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Burnes, Sir Alexander, <a href="#338">338</a>, <a href="#339">339</a></li> +<li>Burroughs, Captain, <a href="#181">181</a></li> +<li>Burrows, Brigadier, <a href="#468">468</a>, <a href="#469">469</a>, <a href="#470">470</a>, <a href="#471">471</a>, +<a href="#484">484</a>, <a href="#488">488</a></li> +<li>Bushman, Colonel, <a href="#437">437</a><sup>14</sup></li> +<li>Butler, Colonel Thomas. V.C., <a href="#223">223</a></li> +<li>Butson, Captain, <a href="#443">443</a></li> +</ul><br /> + +<ul class="index"> +<li><a name="C">Cambridge</a>, H.R.H. the Duke of, <a href="#217">217</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#301">301</a>, <a href="#302">302</a>, +<a href="#493">493</a>, <a href="#498">498</a>, <a href="#529">529</a>, <a href="#530">530</a></li> +<li>Cameron, Captain, <a href="#298">298</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lance-Sergeant, <a href="#489">489</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Campbell, Colonel (Bays), <a href="#226">226</a>, <a href="#227">227</a></li> +<li>Campbell, Colonel, <a href="#63">63</a>, <a href="#64">64</a>, <a href="#67">67</a>, <a href="#73">73</a>, +<a href="#118">118</a>, <a href="#124">124</a>, <a href="#127">127</a>, <a href="#128">128</a>, <a href="#129">129</a>, +<a href="#131">131</a></li> +<li>Campbell, Lady, <a href="#263">263</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major, <a href="#120">120</a>, <a href="#121">121</a></li> + <li>Sir Colin. <i>See</i> Clyde</li> + <li>Sir Edward, <a href="#262">262</a>, <a href="#263">263</a></li> + <li>Sir George, <a href="#84">84</a>, <a href="#231">231</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Canning, Lady, <a href="#255">255</a>, <a href="#257">257</a>, <a href="#259">259</a>, <a href="#262">262</a>, +<a href="#263">263</a>, <a href="#264">264</a>, <a href="#267">267</a>, <a href="#271">271</a>, <a href="#272">272</a>, +<a href="#273">273</a>, <a href="#274">274</a>, <a href="#275">275</a></li> +<li>Canning, Viscount, Governor-General and Viceroy, + <ul class="index1"><li>succeeds Lord Dalhousie, <a href="#30">30</a>;</li> + <li>condemns action of Meerut authorities, <a href="#45">45</a>;</li> + <li>praises General Wilson and the Army of Delhi, <a href="#140">140</a>;</li> + <li>advised by Sir Henry Lawrence, <a href="#195">195</a>, <a href="#196">196</a>;</li> + <li>not in accord with Sir Colin Campbell, <a href="#215">215</a>;</li> + <li>insists on employment of Nepalese troops, <a href="#216">216</a>;</li> + <li>proposals regarding native recruits, <a href="#243">243</a>;</li> + <li>Viceregal progress, <a href="#255">255</a>-267;</li> + <li>passes the income tax against much opposition, <a href="#268">268</a>, <a href="#269">269</a>;</li> + <li>marches through Central India, <a href="#271">271</a>-273;</li> + <li>durbar at Jubbulpore, <a href="#272">272</a>;</li> + <li>durbar at Lucknow, <a href="#273">273</a>;</li> + <li>durbar at Allahabad, <a href="#274">274</a>;</li> + <li>third durbar at Lucknow, <a href="#274">274</a>;</li> + <li>loses his wife, <a href="#275">275</a>;</li> + <li>leaves India, <a href="#277">277</a>;</li> + <li>unjustly criticized, <a href="#277">277</a>;</li> + <li>his character, <a href="#277">277</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#42">42</a>, <a href="#44">44</a>, <a href="#51">51</a>, <a href="#57">57</a>, + <a href="#125">125</a>, <a href="#157">157</a>, <a href="#195">195</a>, <a href="#196">196</a>, <a href="#215">215</a>, + <a href="#216">216</a>, <a href="#217">217</a>, <a href="#243">243</a>, <a href="#254">254</a>, <a href="#271">271</a>, + <a href="#272">272</a>, <a href="#276">276</a>, + <a href="#331">331</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Carey, Captain, <a href="#159">159</a>, <a href="#160">160</a></li> +<li>Carmichael, Sergeant, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Carr, Captain, <a href="#355">355</a>, <a href="#550">550</a> <span class="page"><a name="583">[Page 583]</a></span></li> +<li>Case, Major, <a href="#189">189</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mrs., <a href="#189">189</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Cavagnari, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Louis, K.C.B., C.S.I., <a href="#341">341</a>, <a href="#343">343</a>, <a href="#344">344</a>, + <a href="#345">345</a>, <a href="#369">369</a>, <a href="#373">373</a>, <a href="#376">376</a>, <a href="#377">377</a>, + <a href="#378">378</a>, <a href="#380">380</a>, <a href="#381">381</a>, <a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#386">386</a>, + <a href="#388">388</a>, <a href="#389">389</a>, <a href="#401">401</a>, <a href="#420">420</a>, <a href="#425">425</a>, + <a href="#459">459</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Cavagnari, Lady, <a href="#381">381</a></li> +<li>Cesarewitch, H.I.H. the, <a href="#531">531</a></li> +<li>Chalmers, Major Henry, <a href="#155">155</a></li> +<li>Chamberlain, General Crawford, C.S.I., <a href="#9">9</a>, <a href="#70">70</a>, <a href="#71">71</a>, <a href="#72">72</a>, +<a href="#103">103</a></li> +<li>Chamberlain, General Sir Neville, <a href="#9">9</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#35">35</a>, <a href="#36">36</a>, +<a href="#38">38</a>, +<a href="#39">39</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#63">63</a>, <a href="#64">64</a>, <a href="#67">67</a>, +<a href="#68">68</a>, +<a href="#73">73</a>, <a href="#97">97</a>, <a href="#103">103</a>, <a href="#105">105</a>, <a href="#106">106</a>, +<a href="#112">112</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#118">118</a>, <a href="#131">131</a>, <a href="#134">134</a>, +<a href="#137">137</a>, <a href="#138">138</a>, <a href="#276">276</a>, <a href="#280">280</a>, <a href="#282">282</a>, +<a href="#283">283</a>, <a href="#284">284</a>, <a href="#285">285</a>, <a href="#343">343</a>, <a href="#344">344</a>, +<a href="#345">345</a>, <a href="#350">350</a></li> +<li>Chamberlain, Colonel Neville, <a href="#350">350</a>, <a href="#423">423</a><sup>7</sup>, <a href="#438">438</a>, +<a href="#499">499</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#527">527</a></li> +<li>Chamberlain, Mrs., <a href="#9">9</a></li> +<li>Chandra Shamsher, <a href="#537">537</a></li> +<li>Channer, Major-General, V.C., C.B., <a href="#361">361</a></li> +<li>Chapman, Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#468">468</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#485">485</a>, +<a href="#486">486</a><sup>7</sup></li> +<li>Chelmsford, General Lord, G.C.B., <a href="#325">325</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Chesney, Sir George, <a href="#514">514</a>, <a href="#518">518</a>, <a href="#531">531</a>, <a href="#532">532</a></li> +<li>Chester, Colonel, <a href="#54">54</a><sup>7</sup>, <a href="#73">73</a>, <a href="#86">86</a></li> +<li>Childers, The Right Hon. Hugh, <a href="#497">497</a>, <a href="#498">498</a></li> +<li>Chisholme, Captain, <a href="#443">443</a></li> +<li>Christie, Mr., <a href="#384">384</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Churchill, Lord Randolph, <a href="#508">508</a></li> +<li>Clarendon, The Earl of, <a href="#340">340</a></li> +<li>Clarke, Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#405">405</a>, <a href="#444">444</a>, <a href="#445">445</a></li> +<li>Cleland, Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#434">434</a>, <a href="#435">435</a>, +<a href="#436">436</a>, +<a href="#437">437</a><sup>14</sup></li> +<li>Clerk, Sir George, <a href="#246">246</a></li> +<li>Clive, Lord, <a href="#56">56</a>, <a href="#94">94</a>, <a href="#132">132</a><sup>1</sup>, +<a href="#194">194</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#309">309</a>, +<a href="#501">501</a></li> +<li>Clyde, Lord (Sir Colin Campbell), + <ul class="index1"><li>lays out cantonment of Peshawar, <a href="#11">11</a>, <a href="#12">12</a>;</li> + <li>substituted helmets for cocked hats, <a href="#104">104</a>;</li> + <li>orders to his men at the Alma, <a href="#115">115</a>;</li> + <li>appointed Commander-in-Chief in India, <a href="#142">142</a>;</li> + <li>starts for relief of Lucknow, <a href="#164">164</a>;</li> + <li>takes command of relieving force, <a href="#166">166</a>; </li> + <li>plans and preparations for the relief, <a href="#168">168</a>-170;</li> + <li>his personal attention to details, <a href="#170">170</a>;</li> + <li>fixes his Head-Quarters in the Martinière, <a href="#173">173</a>; </li> + <li>makes a feint, <a href="#174">174</a>;</li> + <li>orders more ammunition, <a href="#175">175</a>, <a href="#176">176</a>;</li> + <li>wounded, <a href="#179">179</a>;</li> + <li>selects point for breach, <a href="#180">180</a>; </li> + <li>orders assault of Sikandarbagh, <a href="#180">180</a>;</li> + <li>leads the 93rd to the attack, <a href="#184">184</a>;</li> + <li>his aide-de-camp wounded, <a href="#185">185</a>; </li> + <li>quartered in the Shah Najaf, <a href="#186">186</a>;</li> + <li>his prudence, <a href="#187">187</a>;</li> + <li>orders second assault, <a href="#187">187</a>; </li> + <li>orders colours to be planted on mess-house, <a href="#187">187</a>;</li> + <li>meeting with Havelock and Outram, <a href="#188">188</a>;</li> + <li>his soldierly instincts, <a href="#189">189</a>;</li> + <li>evacuation of the Residency, <a href="#190">190</a>-193;</li> + <li>thanks the troops for their services, <a href="#199">199</a>;</li> + <li>march to Cawnpore, <a href="#200">200</a>-203;</li> + <li>defeats Nana Sahib and Tantia Topi at Cawnpore, <a href="#204">204</a>-207;</li> + <li>high opinion of Hope Grant, <a href="#209">209</a>;</li> + <li>favoured Highlanders unduly, <a href="#213">213</a>;</li> + <li>action at Khudaganj, <a href="#213">213</a>-215; </li> + <li>invidious selection of commanders, <a href="#217">217</a>;</li> + <li>prepares for siege of Lucknow, <a href="#217">217</a>;</li> + <li>adopts Napier's plan of attack, <a href="#221">221</a>;</li> + <li>interview with Jung Bahadur, <a href="#224">224</a>;</li> + <li>makes an error of judgment, <a href="#226">226</a>, <a href="#227">227</a>; </li> + <li>his good use of artillery, <a href="#229">229</a>;</li> + <li>kindness of heart, <a href="#264">264</a>, <a href="#265">265</a>;</li> + <li>accompanies Lord Canning to Peshawar, <a href="#267">267</a>;</li> + <li>succeeded by Sir Hugh Rose, <a href="#269">269</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#171">171</a>, <a href="#177">177</a>, <a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#181">181</a><sup>19</sup>, + <a href="#197">197</a>, <a href="#208">208</a>, <a href="#210">210</a>, + <a href="#211">211</a>, <a href="#212">212</a>, <a href="#216">216</a>, <a href="#217">217</a>, <a href="#220">220</a>, + <a href="#222">222</a>, <a href="#230">230</a>, <a href="#255">255</a>, <a href="#256">256</a>, <a href="#257">257</a>, + <a href="#259">259</a>, <a href="#263">263</a>, <a href="#266">266</a>, + <a href="#267">267</a>, <a href="#279">279</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Cobbe, Brigadier, <a href="#357">357</a>, <a href="#360">360</a>, <a href="#362">362</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Cochin, Raja of, <a href="#501">501</a></li> +<li>Coke, General Sir John, G.C.B., <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#68">68</a>, <a href="#100">100</a>, <a href="#101">101</a>, +<a href="#110">110</a>, <a href="#111">111</a>, <a href="#114">114</a>, <a href="#130">130</a>, +<a href="#139">139</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Collen, Major-General Sir Edwin, K.C.I.E., <a href="#298">298</a>, <a href="#522">522</a></li> +<li>Collett, Colonel, <a href="#350">350</a>, <a href="#355">355</a>, <a href="#356">356</a>, <a href="#388">388</a>, +<a href="#488">488</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Colley, Major-General Sir George, K.C.B., <a href="#377">377</a>, <a href="#497">497</a></li> +<li>Collis, Major, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Colquhoun, Captain, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Colvin, Mr., <a href="#156">156</a>, <a href="#157">157</a>, +<a href="#545">545</a></li> +<li>Combe, Major-General, C.B., <a href="#386">386</a></li> +<li>Congreve, Colonel, <a href="#108">108</a></li> +<li>Connaught, H.R.H. the Duchess of, <a href="#504">504</a></li> +<li>Connaught, H.R.H. the Duke of, <a href="#504">504</a>, <a href="#505">505</a></li> +<li>Conolly, Captain, <a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#384">384</a>, <a href="#387">387</a></li> +<li>Cook, Major, <a href="#378">378</a>-379<sup>3</sup>, <a href="#404">404</a>, <a href="#431">431</a>, +<a href="#438">438</a>, <a href="#439">439</a></li> +<li>Cooper, Lieutenant, <a href="#181">181</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir George, <a href="#324">324</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Coote, Sir Eyre, <a href="#501">501</a> <span class="page"><a name="584">[Page 584]</a></span></li> +<li>Corbett, Brigadier, <a href="#65">65</a>, <a href="#66">66</a>, <a href="#67">67</a>, <a href="#68">68</a></li> +<li>Cosserat, Captain, <a href="#175">175</a>, <a href="#228">228</a>, <a href="#229">229</a></li> +<li>Cotton, Captain, <a href="#405">405</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>General Sir Sydney, G.C.B., <a href="#13">13</a>, <a href="#25">25</a>, <a href="#26">26</a>, + <a href="#27">27</a>, <a href="#35">35</a>, <a href="#36">36</a>, <a href="#37">37</a>, <a href="#38">38</a>, + <a href="#39">39</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#60">60</a></li> + <li>Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#152">152</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Courtney, Mr., <a href="#11">11</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Cowie, Rev. W.G., <a href="#287">287</a></li> +<li>Cracklow, Lieutenant, <a href="#144">144</a></li> +<li>Cranbrook, Earl of, <a href="#347">347</a>, <a href="#348">348</a>, <a href="#351">351</a><sup>2</sup>, +<a href="#417">417</a><sup>4</sup>, +<a href="#458">458</a>, <a href="#461">461</a></li> +<li>Craster, Major, <a href="#454">454</a></li> +<li>Cross, The Viscount, <a href="#515">515</a>, <a href="#519">519</a>, <a href="#529">529</a>, <a href="#535">535</a></li> +<li>Crosse, Captain, <a href="#127">127</a></li> +<li>Crutchley, Captain, <a href="#203">203</a></li> +<li>Cunnyngham, Lieutenant Dick, <a href="#442">442</a></li> +<li>Currie, Colonel, <a href="#361">361</a>, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +</ul><br /> + +<ul class="index"> +<li><a name="D">D'Aguilar</a>, Major, <a href="#222">222</a><sup>8</sup></li> +<li>Dalhousie, The Marquess of (Governor-General of India), + <ul class="index1"><li>his epitaph on Colonel Mackeson, <a href="#15">15</a>;</li> + <li>his Afghan policy, <a href="#27">27</a>-28;</li> + <li>treaty with Dost Mahomed, <a href="#29">29</a>;</li> + <li>resigns, <a href="#30">30</a>; </li> + <li><a href="#11">11</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#33">33</a>, <a href="#234">234</a>, <a href="#235">235</a>, <a href="#236">236</a>, + <a href="#237">237</a>, <a href="#242">242</a>,</li></ul></li> +<li>Dal Sing, Jemadar, <a href="#139">139</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Daly, General Sir Henry, G.C.B., <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#93">93</a>, <a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#131">131</a></li> +<li>Daubeny, Brigadier-General, <a href="#488">488</a></li> +<li>Daud Shah, <a href="#388">388</a><sup>11</sup>, <a href="#395">395</a>, <a href="#413">413</a>, <a href="#424">424</a>, +<a href="#426">426</a>, <a href="#451">451</a></li> +<li>Davidson, Colonel, <a href="#35">35</a></li> +<li>Davison, Lieutenant, <a href="#535">535</a></li> +<li>Dawes, Major, <a href="#63">63</a></li> +<li>Deb Shamsher Jung, <a href="#536">536</a></li> +<li>Delafosse, Lieutenant, <a href="#162">162</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Delhi, King of, <a href="#88">88</a>, <a href="#110">110</a>, <a href="#111">111</a>, <a href="#136">136</a>, +<a href="#137">137</a>, <a href="#143">143</a>, <a href="#237">237</a>, <a href="#238">238</a>, <a href="#239">239</a>, +<a href="#260">260</a></li> +<li>Denison, Sir William, <a href="#285">285</a>, <a href="#287">287</a></li> +<li>Denniss, Colonel, <a href="#73">73</a></li> +<li>Dholpur, Raja of, <a href="#261">261</a></li> +<li>Dinkar Rao, <a href="#154">154</a>, <a href="#261">261</a></li> +<li>Dir Sing, Naick, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Disney, Lieutenant, <a href="#298">298</a></li> +<li>Dost Mahomed Khan, <a href="#10">10</a>, <a href="#11">11</a>, <a href="#27">27</a>, <a href="#28">28</a>, +<a href="#29">29</a>, <a href="#30">30</a>, <a href="#31">31</a>, <a href="#238">238</a>, <a href="#303">303</a>, +<a href="#304">304</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#305">305</a>, <a href="#306">306</a>, <a href="#338">338</a>, <a href="#339">339</a>, +<a href="#457">457</a>, <a href="#461">461</a>, <a href="#466">466</a></li> +<li>Douglas, Brigadier, <a href="#227">227</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant C., <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Drew, Colonel Barry, <a href="#362">362</a>, <a href="#371">371</a>,<a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Drummond, Colour-Sergeant, <a href="#442">442</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mr., <a href="#155">155</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Drysdale, General Sir William, K.C.B., <a href="#143">143</a>, <a href="#144">144</a></li> +<li>Dufferin, The Marchioness of, <a href="#504">504</a>, <a href="#506">506</a>, <a href="#521">521</a></li> +<li>Dufferin, The Marquess of, <a href="#503">503</a>, <a href="#504">504</a>, <a href="#505">505</a>, +<a href="#506">506</a>, <a href="#507">507</a>, <a href="#508">508</a>, <a href="#509">509</a>, <a href="#510">510</a>, +<a href="#514">514</a>, <a href="#515">515</a>, <a href="#516">516</a>, <a href="#517">517</a>, <a href="#519">519</a>, +<a href="#521">521</a>, <a href="#522">522</a>, <a href="#523">523</a>, <a href="#524">524</a>, <a href="#525">525</a>, +<a href="#532">532</a></li> +<li>Duke, Dr. Joshua, <a href="#445">445</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Dunbar, Captain, <a href="#91">91</a></li> +<li>Dundas, Captain, V.C., <a href="#454">454</a></li> +<li>Dundu Pant. <i>See</i> Nana Sahib</li> +<li>Dupuis, Major-General, <a href="#204">204</a></li> +<li>Durand, Sir Henry Marion, K.C.S.I., C.B., <a href="#284">284</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Mortimer, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E., <a href="#386">386</a>, <a href="#414">414</a><sup>2</sup>, + <a href="#422">422</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#439">439</a>, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#539">539</a><sup>9</sup>, + <a href="#553">553</a></li></ul></li> + </ul><br /> + +<ul class="index"> +<li><a name="E">Earle</a>, Captain, <a href="#113">113</a></li> +<li>Eden, Major, <a href="#546">546</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Ashley, <a href="#382">382</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Edgar, Sir John, K.C.S.I., <a href="#311">311</a>, <a href="#318">318</a></li> +<li>Edwardes, Sir Herbert, Commissioner of Peshawar, <a href="#11">11</a>; + <ul class="index1"><li>his remarkable character, <a href="#27">27</a>;</li> + <li>advocates friendly relations with Kabul, <a href="#27">27</a>;</li> + <li>strongly supported by Lord Dalhousie, <a href="#28">28</a>;</li> + <li>his magnanimity, <a href="#29">29</a>;</li> + <li>Lawrence's counsellor, <a href="#58">58</a>; </li> + <li>John Nicholson's dearest friend, <a href="#138">138</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#11">11</a>, <a href="#17">17</a>, <a href="#18">18</a>, <a href="#35">35</a>, <a href="#36">36</a>, + <a href="#37">37</a>, <a href="#39">39</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#60">60</a>, <a href="#61">61</a>, <a href="#125">125</a>, + <a href="#138">138</a>, <a href="#246">246</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Egerton, Lieutenant, <a href="#447">447</a></li> +<li>Elgin, The Earl of, Viceroy of India, <a href="#112">112</a>, <a href="#227">277</a>, <a href="#280">280</a>, +<a href="#285">285</a></li> +<li>Eli Bux, <a href="#453">453</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Eliot, Captain, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>15</sup></li> +<li>Ellenborough, Lord, <a href="#259">259</a></li> +<li>Elles, Lieutenant-Colonel E., <a href="#521">521</a>, <a href="#522">522</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant-General Sir W.K., K.C.B., <a href="#531">531</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Elphinstone, General, <a href="#419">419</a>, <a href="#449">449</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lord, <a href="#269">269</a></li> + <li>Mountstuart, <a href="#246">246</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Elverson, Lieutenant, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>15</sup></li> +<li>English, Colonel, <a href="#218">218</a></li> +<li>Ewart, General Sir John, K.C.B., <a href="#174">174</a>, <a href="#180">180</a>, <a href="#181">181</a>, +<a href="#203">203</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="F">Faiz</a> Mahomed Khan, <a href="#303">303</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#344">344</a>, <a href="#345">345</a></li> +<li>Farakabad, Nawab of, <a href="#212">212</a></li> +<li>Farwell, Major, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Finnis, Colonel, <a href="#46">46</a>, <a href="#47">47</a></li> +<li>Fisher, Colonel, <a href="#548">548</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>15</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Fitzgerald, Lieutenant, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Fitzgerald, Lieutenant Mordaunt, <a href="#26">26</a> <span class="page"><a name="585">[Page 585]</a></span> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant C., <a href="#477">477</a><sup>14</sup></li> + <li>Major, <a href="#71">71</a><sup>3</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Fitz-Hugh, Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#354">354</a>, <a href="#358">358</a>, <a href="#359">359</a>, +<a href="#379">379</a>, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#404">404</a>, <a href="#405">405</a>, +<a href="#431">431</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Forbes, Lieutenant, <a href="#442">442</a></li> +<li>Ford, Mr., <a href="#546">546</a></li> +<li>Forrest, Mr. George, <a href="#86">86</a>, <a href="#91">91</a><sup>14</sup>, <a href="#94">94</a><sup>17</sup>, +<a href="#110">110</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#120">120</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#241">241</a></li> +<li>Forsyth, Sir Douglas, C.B., K.C.S.I., <a href="#57">57</a>, <a href="#81">81</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, +<a href="#323">323</a>, <a href="#330">330</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Franks, Major-General, <a href="#217">217</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#220">220</a><sup>6</sup>, <a href="#226">226</a></li> +<li>Fraser, Colonel, <a href="#157">157</a>, <a href="#158">158</a></li> +<li>Fraser-Tytler, Colonel, <a href="#113">113</a></li> +<li>French, Captain, <a href="#152">152</a></li> +<li>Frere, Sir Bartle, Bart., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., <a href="#274">274</a>, <a href="#328">328</a></li> +<li>Frome, Captain, <a href="#489">489</a>, <a href="#492">492</a></li> +<li>Futteh Khan, <a href="#440">440</a></li> +<li>Fuzl Ali, <a href="#547">547</a></li> +<li>Fyzabad, Moulvie of, <a href="#228">228</a>, <a href="#547">547</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="G">Gaisford</a>, Lieutenant, <a href="#447">447</a></li> +<li>Galbraith, Major, <a href="#350">350</a>, <a href="#356">356</a>, <a href="#359">359</a>, <a href="#379">379</a>, +<a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Ganda Sing, Captain, <a href="#227">227</a><sup>15</sup>, <a href="#228">228</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Bakshi, <a href="#375">375</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Garvock, General Sir John, G.C.B., <a href="#287">287</a>, <a href="#288">288</a>, <a href="#290">290</a></li> +<li>Gawler, Colonel, <a href="#278">278</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mrs., <a href="#278">278</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Ghazi-ud-din Haidar, <a href="#183">183</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Ghulam Haidar Khan, Sardar, <a href="#29">29</a></li> +<li>Ghulam Hussein Khan, Nawab Sir, K.C.S.I., <a href="#344">344</a>, <a href="#346">346</a><sup>7</sup>, +<a href="#351">351</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#389">389</a>, +<a href="#416">416</a>, <a href="#422">422</a><sup>5</sup></li> +<li>Ghulam Hyder, <a href="#455">455</a></li> +<li>Gibbon, Major, <a href="#222">222</a><sup>8</sup></li> +<li>Gladstone, The Right Hon. W.E., <a href="#464">464</a>, <a href="#496">496</a>, <a href="#510">510</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Goad, Captain, <a href="#367">367</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Gokal Sing, Jemadar, <a href="#181">181</a><sup>19</sup></li> +<li>Goldsmid, General Sir Frederick, K.C.M.G., <a href="#321">321</a></li> +<li>Gomm, Sir William, <a href="#24">24</a></li> +<li>Gopal Borah, Havildar, <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Gordon, Captain, <a href="#134">134</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Captain, <a href="#447">447</a></li> + <li>Colonel B., <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#385">385</a>, <a href="#431">431</a>, + <a href="#433">433</a><sup>9</sup>, <a href="#434">434</a>, <a href="#449">449</a><sup>2</sup></li> + <li>General John, <a href="#354">354</a>, <a href="#355">355</a>, <a href="#358">358</a>, <a href="#364">364</a>, + <a href="#550">550</a></li> + <li>Brigadier-General T., <a href="#394">394</a></li> + <li>Lance-Corporal, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>2</sup></li> + <li>Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#180">180</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Gortchakoff, Prince, <a href="#323">323</a>, <a href="#339">339</a></li> +<li>Gough, Brigadier-General Charles, <a href="#424">424</a>, <a href="#440">440</a>, <a href="#443">443</a>, +<a href="#448">448</a>, <a href="#452">452</a>, <a href="#454">454</a>, <a href="#455">455</a>, +<a href="#456">456</a></li> +<li>Gough, Captain Bloomfield, <a href="#434">434</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh, V.C., G.C.B., <a href="#48">48</a>, <a href="#49">49</a>, + <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#144">144</a>, <a href="#151">151</a>, + <a href="#170">170</a>, <a href="#176">176</a>, <a href="#177">177</a>, <a href="#178">178</a><sup>10</sup>, + <a href="#214">214</a>, <a href="#230">230</a>, <a href="#362">362</a>, <a href="#363">363</a>, + <a href="#371">371</a>, <a href="#373">373</a>, + <a href="#377">377</a>, <a href="#386">386</a>, <a href="#417">417</a>, + <a href="#435">435</a>, <a href="#439">439</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#453">453</a>, <a href="#463">463</a>, + <a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#483">483</a>, <a href="#486">486</a>, <a href="#487">487</a>-488, <a href="#491">491</a>, + <a href="#550">550</a></li> + <li>Lord, <a href="#2">2</a></li> + <li>Sir John, <a href="#2">2</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Grant, Lieutenant, <a href="#406">406</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>General Sir Hope, G.C.B., <a href="#85">85</a>, <a href="#93">93</a>, <a href="#94">94</a>, + <a href="#127">127</a>, <a href="#129">129</a>, <a href="#130">130</a>, <a href="#142">142</a>, <a href="#159">159</a>, + <a href="#164">164</a>, <a href="#165">165</a>, <a href="#166">166</a>, <a href="#169">169</a>, <a href="#172">172</a>, + <a href="#173">173</a>, <a href="#176">176</a>, <a href="#179">179</a>, <a href="#184">184</a>, <a href="#186">186</a>, + <a href="#190">190</a>, <a href="#197">197</a>, <a href="#198">198</a>, <a href="#199">199</a>, <a href="#202">202</a>, + <a href="#206">206</a>, <a href="#207">207</a>, <a href="#208">208</a>, <a href="#209">209</a>, <a href="#212">212</a>, + <a href="#213">213</a>, <a href="#214">214</a>, <a href="#216">216</a>, <a href="#217">217</a>, <a href="#218">218</a>, + <a href="#220">220</a>, <a href="#221">221</a>, <a href="#222">222</a>, <a href="#223">223</a>, <a href="#224">224</a>, + <a href="#227">227</a>, <a href="#228">228</a>, <a href="#229">229</a>, <a href="#230">230</a>, <a href="#256">256</a>, + <a href="#257">257</a>, <a href="#264">264</a></li> + <li>Field-Marshal Sir Patrick, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., <a href="#24">24</a>, <a href="#112">112</a>, <a href="#113">113</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Grant-Duff, Lady, <a href="#497">497</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Mount Stewart, G.C.S.I. <a href="#497">497</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Grantham, Captain Frank, <a href="#12">12</a></li> +<li>Graves, Brigadier, <a href="#85">85</a>, <a href="#108">108</a></li> +<li>Greathed, Brigadier-General, <a href="#142">142</a>, <a href="#143">143</a>, <a href="#146">146</a>, +<a href="#150">150</a>, <a href="#151">151</a>, <a href="#152">152</a>, <a href="#158">158</a>, <a href="#159">159</a>, +<a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#183">183</a>, <a href="#203">203</a>, +<a href="#204">204</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#214">214</a></li> +<li>Greathed, Lieutenant, <a href="#121">121</a>, <a href="#122">122</a>, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Greaves, General Sir George, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., <a href="#472">472</a></li> +<li>Green, Major, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#452">452</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major-General Sir George, K.C.B., <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, + <a href="#187">187</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Greensill, Captain, <a href="#109">109</a></li> +<li>Greer, Sergeant, <a href="#367">367</a></li> +<li>Greig, Lieutenant, <a href="#488">488</a></li> +<li>Grey, Sir George, <a href="#112">112</a><sup>3</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Private, <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Grieve, Private, <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Griffin, Sir Lepel, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#462">462</a>, <a href="#466">466</a>, +<a href="#467">467</a>, <a href="#468">468</a>, <a href="#472">472</a>, <a href="#473">473</a>, <a href="#560">560</a>, +<a href="#561">561</a></li> +<li>Griffiths, Major, <a href="#399">399</a>, <a href="#400">400</a>, <a href="#431">431</a>, <a href="#438">438</a></li> +<li>Guise, Captain, <a href="#187">187,</a></li> +<li>Gurbaj Sing, Subadar-Major, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Gwalior, Maharaja of, <a href="#261">261</a>, <a href="#524">524</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="H">Habibulla</a> Khan, Mirza, <a href="#346">346</a> <sup>7</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mustaufi, <a href="#391">391</a>, <a href="#392">392</a>, <a href="#393">393</a>, + <a href="#413">413</a>, <a href="#427">427</a>, <a href="#459">459</a>, <a href="#462">462</a>, <a href="#466">466</a>, + <a href="#551">551</a>, <a href="#552">552</a>, <a href="#553">553</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Hagenau, Major von, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>5</sup></li> +<li>Haines, Sir Frederick, <a href="#328">328</a>, <a href="#332">332</a>, <a href="#335">335</a>, <a href="#350">350</a>, +<a href="#367">367</a>, <a href="#384">384</a>, <a href="#385">385</a>, <a href="#418">418</a>, <a href="#448">448</a>,<span class="page"><a name="586">[Page 586]</a></span> +<a href="#469">469</a>, <a href="#472">472</a>, <a href="#566">566</a>, <a href="#569">569</a></li> +<li>Hakim, Sepoy, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Hale, Brigadier, <a href="#191">191</a>, <a href="#197">197</a>, <a href="#198">198</a></li> +<li>Hall, Captain, <a href="#404">404</a>, <a href="#445">445</a></li> +<li>Hallifax, Brigadier, <a href="#54">54</a><sup>7</sup>, <a href="#57">57</a>, <a href="#85">85</a></li> +<li>Hammick, Captain St. V., <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Hamilton, Lieutenant, <a href="#380">380</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Colonel Ian, <a href="#499">499</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#528">528</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Hammond, Major, <a href="#406">406</a>, <a href="#443">443</a>, <a href="#447">447</a></li> +<li>Hanbury, Surgeon-General, <a href="#475">475</a></li> +<li>Handscombe, Brigadier, <a href="#548">548</a></li> +<li>Hardinge, Captain George, <a href="#548">548</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>General the Hon. A.E., <a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#327">327</a>, <a href="#500">500</a></li> + <li>The Viscount, <a href="#235">235</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Hardy, Captain, <a href="#172">172</a>, <a href="#180">180</a></li> +<li>Harness, Colonel, <a href="#204">204</a>, <a href="#229">229</a></li> +<li>Harris, Rev. J., <a href="#189">189</a></li> +<li>Hartington, The Marquis of, <a href="#464">464</a>, <a href="#529">529</a></li> +<li>Hashim Khan, <a href="#484">484</a></li> +<li>Hastings, Major, <a href="#386">386</a>, <a href="#414">414</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#422">422</a><sup>5</sup>, +<a href="#477">477</a></li> +<li>Havelock, General Sir Henry, K.C.B., + <ul class="index1"><li>letter from, <a href="#112">112</a>, <a href="#113">113</a>;</li> + <li>fails to force his way to Lucknow, <a href="#141">141</a>;</li> + <li>note from, in Greek character, <a href="#146">146</a>;</li> + <li>made K.C.B., <a href="#188">188</a>;</li> + <li>meeting with Sir Colin Campbell, <a href="#188">188</a>;</li> + <li>his death, <a href="#199">199</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#114">114</a>, <a href="#148">148</a>, <a href="#158">158</a>, +<a href="#163">163</a>, <a href="#164">164</a>, <a href="#167">167</a>, <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, +<a href="#173">173</a>, <a href="#188">188</a>, <a href="#194">194</a>, <a href="#195">195</a>, <a href="#197">197</a>, +<a href="#209">209</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#209">209</a>, <a href="#256">256</a> + </li></ul></li> +<li>Hawkes, Lieutenant, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>14</sup></li> +<li>Hawthorne, Bugler, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Hay, Lord William. <i>See</i> Tweeddale + <ul class="index1"><li>Major, <a href="#406">406</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Hayes, Captain Fletcher, <a href="#159">159</a>, <a href="#160">160</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mrs., <a href="#189">189</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Haythorne, General Sir Edmund, K.C.B., <a href="#280">280</a></li> +<li>Hearsay, General, <a href="#41">41</a>, <a href="#42">42</a>, <a href="#43">43</a></li> +<li>Heath, Admiral Sir Leopold, K.C.B., <a href="#301">301</a></li> +<li>Heathcote, Lieutenant A., <a href="#136">136</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major Mark, <a href="#386">386</a>, <a href="#465">465</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Hennessy, Colonel, <a href="#487">487</a></li> +<li>Hewitt, General, <a href="#44">44</a>, <a href="#45">45</a>, <a href="#47">47</a>, <a href="#48">48</a>, +<a href="#55">55</a>, <a href="#57">57</a></li> +<li>Hills-Johnes, Lieutenant-General Sir James, V.C., G.C.B., <a href="#96">96</a>, <a href="#102">102</a>, +<a href="#103">103</a>, <a href="#263">263</a>, <a href="#298">298</a>, <a href="#394">394</a>, <a href="#416">416</a>, +<a href="#435">435</a>, <a href="#440">440</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#455">455</a>, <a href="#465">465</a></li> +<li>Hinde, Major, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Hodson, Major, <a href="#84">84</a>, <a href="#85">85</a>, <a href="#105">105</a>, <a href="#115">115</a>, +<a href="#130">130</a>, <a href="#137">137</a>, <a href="#138">138</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, +<a href="#144">144</a>, <a href="#148">148</a>, <a href="#151">151</a>, +<a href="#178">178</a><sup>10</sup>, <a href="#224">224</a>, <a href="#225">225</a></li> +<li>Holkar, Maharaja, <a href="#261">261</a>, <a href="#272">272</a></li> +<li>Home, Lieutenant, <a href="#121">121</a>, <a href="#122">122</a>, <a href="#126">126</a>, <a href="#136">136</a>, +<a href="#145">145</a></li> +<li>Hood, General Cockburn, C.B., <a href="#228">228</a><sup>17</sup></li> +<li>Hope, Colonel the Hon. Adrian, <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#170">170</a>, <a href="#173">173</a>, +<a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#179">179</a>, <a href="#180">180</a>, <a href="#184">184</a>, +<a href="#185">185</a>, <a href="#203">203</a>, <a href="#204">204</a>, <a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#206">206</a>, +<a href="#210">210</a>, <a href="#212">212</a>, <a href="#213">213</a>, <a href="#214">214</a>, <a href="#223">223</a></li> +<li>Hopkins, Captain, <a href="#187">187</a>, <a href="#218">218</a></li> +<li>Hornsby, Captain, <a href="#488">488</a></li> +<li>Hovenden, Lieutenant, <a href="#33">33</a>, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Hudson, Lieutenant-General Sir John, K.C.B., <a href="#371">371</a>, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, +<a href="#443">443</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#451">451</a>, <a href="#452">452</a></li> +<li>Huene, Major von, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>5</sup></li> +<li>Hughes, General Sir W.T., K.C.B., <a href="#71">71</a></li> +<li>Hughes, Major-General T.E., C.B., <a href="#286">286</a>, <a href="#289">289</a></li> +<li>Hunt, Captain, <a href="#404">404</a></li> +<li>Hyderabad, Nizam of, <a href="#334">334</a>, <a href="#501">501</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Im">Ibrahim Khan</a>, <a href="#303">303</a><sup>2</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sultan, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>4</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Inderbir Lama, Sepoy, <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Inge, Captain, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Inglis, Brigadier, <a href="#160">160</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#203">203</a>, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>1</sup>, +<a href="#205">205</a>, +<a href="#206">206</a>, <a href="#207">207</a></li> +<li>Inglis, Lady, <a href="#189">189</a></li> +<li>Innes, Lieutenant-General McLeod, V.C., <a href="#193">193</a>, <a href="#196">196</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Ivanoff, General, <a href="#559">559</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="J">Jacob</a>, Major, <a href="#129">129</a></li> +<li>Jacobs, Colour-Sergeant, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Jackson, Mr. Coverley, <a href="#547">547</a></li> +<li>Jaipur, Maharaja of, <a href="#261">261</a>, <a href="#262">262</a>, <a href="#334">334</a>, +<a href="#524">524</a>, <a href="#526">526</a>, <a href="#541">541</a>, <a href="#546">546</a></li> +<li>James, Captain, <a href="#160">160</a><sup>1</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major, <a href="#285">285</a>, <a href="#287">287</a>, <a href="#288">288</a>, + <a href="#290">290</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Jaora, Nawab of, <a href="#261">261</a></li> +<li>Jelaladin Ghilzai, <a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Jenkins, Colonel F., <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#441">441</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#451">451</a>, +<a href="#453">453</a>, <a href="#463">463</a></li> +<li>Jenkins, Mr. William, <a href="#380">380</a></li> +<li>Jervis, Ensign, <a href="#223">223</a></li> +<li>Jhansi, Rani of, <a href="#168">168</a>, <a href="#204">204</a>, <a href="#279">279</a></li> +<li>Jhind, Raja of, <a href="#57">57</a>, <a href="#81">81</a>, <a href="#100">100</a>, <a href="#114">114</a>, +<a href="#116">116</a>, <a href="#260">260</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#265">265</a></li> +<li>Jodhpur, Maharaja of, <a href="#526">526</a>, <a href="#541">541</a>, <a href="#542">542</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Colonel Alured, <a href="#475">475</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major Charles, <a href="#280">280</a></li> + <li>General Sir Edwin, G.C.B., <a href="#96">96</a>, <a href="#97">97</a>, <a href="#121">121</a>, + <a href="#129">129</a>, <a href="#132">132</a>, <a href="#263">263</a>, <a href="#276">276</a>, + <a href="#280">280</a>, <a href="#301">301</a>, <a href="#320">320</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, + <a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#327">327</a><sup>3</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Johnstone, Brigadier, <a href="#74">74</a></li> +<li>Jones, Captain Oliver, <a href="#218">218</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Jones, Lieutenant, <a href="#152">152</a><span class="page"><a name="587">[Page 587]</a></span> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant-Colonel John, <a href="#57">57</a>, <a href="#109">109</a>, <a href="#110">110</a></li> + <li>Brigadier, <a href="#85">85</a>, <a href="#124">124</a>, <a href="#127">127</a>, <a href="#128">128</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Jumna Das, <a href="#546">546</a></li> +<li>Jung Bahadur, <a href="#216">216</a>, <a href="#224">224</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Salar, <a href="#334">334</a></li></ul></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="K">Kapurthala</a>, Raja of, <a href="#8">8</a>, <a href="#74">74</a>, <a href="#75">75</a>, +<a href="#76">76</a>, <a href="#265">265</a>-266</li> +<li>Karaoli, Raja, <a href="#261">261</a></li> +<li>Kashmir, Maharaja of, <a href="#267">267</a>, <a href="#275">275</a>, <a href="#320">320</a>, <a href="#335">335</a>, +<a href="#524">524</a>, <a href="#526">526</a>, <a href="#527">527</a></li> +<li>Kauffmann, General, <a href="#329">329</a>, <a href="#341">341</a>, <a href="#342">342</a>, <a href="#421">421</a>, +<a href="#554">554</a>, <a href="#555">555</a>, <a href="#556">556</a>, <a href="#557">557</a>, <a href="#558">558</a>, +<a href="#559">559</a></li> +<li>Kavanagh, Mr., <a href="#167">167</a>, <a href="#169">169</a>, <a href="#173">173</a>, <a href="#178">178</a></li> +<li>Kaye, Major, <a href="#120">120</a></li> +<li>Kaye, Sir John, <a href="#51">51</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#55">55</a><sup>8</sup>, <a href="#97">97</a><sup>1</sup>, +<a href="#221">221</a><sup>7</sup>, <a href="#424">424</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Keen, Major-General, C.B., <a href="#186">186</a></li> +<li>Kelly, Dr., <a href="#380">380</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Colonel, <a href="#535">535</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Kelso, Captain, <a href="#359">359</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Kennedy, Captain 'Dick', <a href="#350">350</a>, <a href="#400">400</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Keyes, General Sir Charles, G.C.B., <a href="#286">286</a>, <a href="#289">289</a>, <a href="#337">337</a></li> +<li>Khan Sing Rosa, <a href="#131">131</a></li> +<li>Khelat, Khan of, <a href="#328">328</a></li> +<li>Kinleside, Major, <a href="#175">175</a><sup>8</sup></li> +<li>Kiunthal, Raja of, <a href="#54">54</a></li> +<li>Knight, Mr., <a href="#535">535</a></li> +<li>Knowles, Colonel, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Knox, Captain, <a href="#91">91</a></li> +<li>Komaroff, General, <a href="#503">503</a></li> + </ul><br /> + +<br /><ul class="index"> +<li><a name="La">Lafont</a>, A., <a href="#239">239</a></li> +<li>Lake, Colonel Edward, <a href="#74">74</a>, <a href="#75">75</a>, <a href="#76">76</a>, <a href="#265">265</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lord, <a href="#89">89</a>, <a href="#132">132</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Lalbura, Chief, <a href="#314">314</a>, <a href="#315">315</a>, <a href="#317">317</a></li> +<li>Lalla Joti Persâd, <a href="#155">155</a></li> +<li>Lally, Count de, <a href="#167">167</a><sup>7</sup></li> +<li>Lang, Colonel, <a href="#121">121</a> <a href="#122">122</a>, <a href="#134">134</a>, <a href="#135">135</a>, +<a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Lansdowne, The Marquis of, <a href="#525">525</a>, <a href="#527">527</a>, <a href="#528">528</a>, +<a href="#529">529</a>, <a href="#530">530</a>, <a href="#532">532</a>, <a href="#535">535</a>, <a href="#539">539</a>, +<a href="#541">541</a></li> +<li>Lansdowne, The Marchioness of, <a href="#541">541</a></li> +<li>Lauder, Colour-Sergeant, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Law, Captain, <a href="#81">81</a>, <a href="#110">110</a></li> +<li>Lawrence, Lord, Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, <a href="#27">27</a>; + <ul class="index1"><li>made K.C.B., <a href="#27">27</a>;</li> + <li>opposed to Edwardes' frontier policy, <a href="#28">28</a>, <a href="#30">30</a>; </li> + <li>meets Dost Mahomed, <a href="#30">30</a>;</li> + <li>hopeful of affairs in Punjab, <a href="#43">43</a>;</li> + <li>urges advance on Delhi, <a href="#55">55</a>, <a href="#56">56</a>;</li> + <li>trusts the Phulkian Rajas, <a href="#57">57</a>;</li> + <li>his wise measures for preserving order in the Punjab, <a href="#58">58</a>, <a href="#59">59</a>;</li> + <li>gratitude of Army of Delhi to, <a href="#138">138</a>;</li> + <li>begs for return of troops to Punjab, <a href="#141">141</a>;</li> + <li>favours a retirement cis-Indus, <a href="#267">267</a>;</li> + <li>appointed Viceroy, <a href="#293">293</a>;</li> + <li>leaves India for good, <a href="#303">303</a>;</li> + <li>his unique career, <a href="#303">303</a>;</li> + <li>neutrality towards rival Amirs, <a href="#304">304</a>;</li> + <li>his policy of 'masterly inaction', <a href="#306">306</a>;</li> + <li>subsidizes Sher Ali, <a href="#305">305</a>;</li> + <li>farewell letter to the Amir, <a href="#307">307</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#17">17</a>, <a href="#18">18</a>, <a href="#29">29</a>, <a href="#32">32</a>, <a href="#36">36</a>, + <a href="#37">37</a>, <a href="#38">38</a>, <a href="#39">39</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#43">43</a>, <a href="#57">57</a>, + <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#63">63</a>, <a href="#64">64</a>, <a href="#70">70</a>, <a href="#71">71</a>, + <a href="#83">83</a>, <a href="#97">97</a>, <a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#138">138</a>, <a href="#141">141</a>, + <a href="#246">246</a>, <a href="#340">340</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Lawrence, Sir Henry, K.C.B., + <ul class="index1"><li>Corps of Guides raised under his auspices, <a href="#25">25</a>;</li> + <li>first British ruler of the Punjab, <a href="#113">113</a>;</li> + <li>foresight in provisioning the Lucknow Residency, <a href="#160">160</a><sup>1</sup>;</li> + <li>his admirable arrangements for its defence, <a href="#173">173</a>;</li> + <li>predicted the Mutiny fourteen years before its occurrence, <a href="#194">194</a>;</li> + <li>his character as a Statesman and Ruler, <a href="#195">195</a>, <a href="#196">196</a>;</li> + <li>friendliness for Natives, <a href="#196">196</a>;</li> + <li>suggests employment of Nepalese troops, <a href="#216">216</a>;</li> + <li>opposed to annexation of Oudh, <a href="#235">235</a>;</li> + <li>letter to Lord Canning, <a href="#243">243</a><sup>6</sup></li> + <li>his dispositions for coping with the Mutiny, <a href="#547">547</a>-549;</li> + <li>memorandum in his ledger-book, <a href="#549">549</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#74">74</a>, <a href="#112">112</a>, <a href="#113">113</a>, <a href="#159">159</a>, + <a href="#160">160</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#173">173</a>, <a href="#193">193</a>, <a href="#200">200</a><sup>1</sup>, + <a href="#216">216</a>, <a href="#246">246</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Lawrence, Captain Samuel, V.C., <a href="#193">193</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major Stringer, <a href="#501">501</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Lennox, General Sir Wilbraham, V.C., K.C.B., <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#187">187</a>, +<a href="#188">188</a></li> +<li>Liddell, Lieutenant, <a href="#445">445</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Lindsay, Colonel, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Little, Brigadier, <a href="#173">173</a>, <a href="#174">174</a>, <a href="#204">204</a></li> +<li>Lockhart, Lieutenant-General Sir William, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., <a href="#430">430</a>, <a href="#531">531</a></li> +<li>Longden, Captain, <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#187">187</a>, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup>, +<a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#206">206</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Longfield, Brigadier, <a href="#108">108</a>, <a href="#124">124</a></li> +<li>Longhurst, Dr., <a href="#276">276</a></li> +<li>Loughman, Captain, <a href="#189">189</a></li> +<li>Low, Colonel, <a href="#11">11</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Low, General, <a href="#235">235</a></li> +<li>Low, Major-General Sir Robert, G.C.B., <a href="#465">465</a>, <a href="#477">477</a></li> +<li>Lowther, Commissioner, <a href="#6">6</a></li> +<li>Luck, General, <a href="#521">521</a>, <a href="#528">528</a></li> +<li>Lugard, General the Right Hon. Sir Edward, G.C.B., <a href="#217">217</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#228">228</a></li> +<li>Luke, Mr., <a href="#426">426</a></li> +<li>Lumsden, Captain, <a href="#181">181</a><span class="page"><a name="588">[Page 588]</a></span> + <ul class="index1"><li>General Sir Harry, K.C.S.I., K.C.B., <a href="#25">25</a>, <a href="#31">31</a>, + <a href="#304">304</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#417">417</a><sup>3</sup></li> + <li>General Sir Peter, G.C.B., <a href="#13">13</a>, <a href="#25">25</a>, <a href="#27">27</a>, <a href="#31">31</a>, + <a href="#264">264</a>, <a href="#280">280</a>, <a href="#302">302</a>, <a href="#304">304</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#320">320</a>, +<a href="#327">327</a>, <a href="#332">332</a>, <a href="#417">417</a><sup>3</sup></li> + <li>Lady, <a href="#320">320</a>, <a href="#332">332</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Lyall, Sir Alfred, G.C.I.E., K.C.B., <a href="#143">143</a>, <a href="#145">145</a>, <a href="#380">380</a>, +<a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#472">472</a>, <a href="#473">473</a>, +<a href="#554">554</a>, <a href="#561">561</a></li> +<li>Lyons-Montgomery, Lieutenant, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>14</sup></li> +<li>Lytton, The Earl of, <a href="#262">262</a><sup>6</sup>, <a href="#328">328</a>, <a href="#329">329</a>, <a href="#330">330</a>, +<a href="#331">331</a>, <a href="#332">332</a>, <a href="#333">333</a>, <a href="#334">334</a>, <a href="#335">335</a>, +<a href="#336">336</a>, <a href="#337">337</a>, <a href="#342">342</a>, <a href="#343">343</a>, <a href="#344">344</a><sup>4</sup>, +<a href="#345">345</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#346">346</a>-347, <a href="#348">348</a>, <a href="#350">350</a>, +<a href="#351">351</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#365">365</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#369">369</a>, +<a href="#375">375</a>, <a href="#376">376</a>, <a href="#377">377</a>, <a href="#378">378</a>, <a href="#379">379</a>, +<a href="#381">381</a>, <a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#384">384</a>, <a href="#386">386</a>, <a href="#391">391</a>, +<a href="#392">392</a>, <a href="#393">393</a>, <a href="#397">397</a>, <a href="#411">411</a>, <a href="#413">413</a>, +<a href="#414">414</a>, <a href="#415">415</a>, <a href="#418">418</a>, <a href="#420">420</a>, <a href="#448">448</a>, +<a href="#458">458</a>, <a href="#459">459</a>, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#461">461</a>, <a href="#462">462</a>, +<a href="#464">464</a>, <a href="#523">523</a>, <a href="#551">551</a>, <a href="#552">552</a>, <a href="#553">553</a>, +<a href="#554">554</a>, <a href="#562">562</a>, <a href="#563">563</a>, <a href="#564">564</a>, <a href="#565">565</a>, +<a href="#566">566</a></li> +<li>Lytton, The Countess of, <a href="#332">332</a>, <a href="#334">334</a></li> + </ul><br /> + +<br /><ul class="index"> +<li><a name="M">Macdonald</a>, Colour-Sergeant, <a href="#394">394</a>, <a href="#406">406</a></li> +<li>Macdonnell, Captain, <a href="#229">229</a></li> +<li>Macdonnell, Major-General, <a href="#326">326</a></li> +<li>MacGregor, Captain C.R., <a href="#477">477</a><sup>15</sup></li> +<li>MacGregor, Sir Charles, K.C.B., <a href="#227">227</a><sup>15</sup>, <a href="#386">386</a>, <a href="#417">417</a>, +<a href="#422">422</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#439">439</a>, <a href="#459">459</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#468">468</a><sup>5</sup>, +<a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#488">488</a>, <a href="#489">489</a>, <a href="#493">493</a>, +<a href="#510">510</a>, <a href="#569">569</a></li> +<li>Mackay, Sir James, K.C.I.E., <a href="#541">541</a></li> +<li>Mackenzie, Lieutenant-Colonel A., <a href="#486">486</a></li> +<li>Mackeson, Colonel, <a href="#11">11</a>, <a href="#14">14</a>, <a href="#15">15</a>, <a href="#16">16</a>, +<a href="#19">19</a>, <a href="#27">27</a></li> +<li>Mackinnon, Major, <a href="#222">222</a><sup>8</sup></li> +<li>Maclaine, Lieutenant, <a href="#483">483</a>, <a href="#491">491</a>, <a href="#492">492</a>, <a href="#495">495</a></li> +<li>MacMahon, Private, <a href="#405">405</a></li> +<li>Macnabb, Sir Donald, K.C.S.I., <a href="#321">321</a></li> +<li>Macpherson, Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert, V.C., K.C.B., <a href="#385">385</a>, <a href="#401">401</a>, +<a href="#402">402</a>, <a href="#403">403</a>, <a href="#407">407</a>, <a href="#409">409</a>, <a href="#410">410</a>, +<a href="#424">424</a>, <a href="#426">426</a>, <a href="#430">430</a>, <a href="#431">431</a>, <a href="#432">432</a>, +<a href="#433">433</a>, <a href="#434">434</a>, <a href="#435">435</a>, <a href="#437">437</a>, <a href="#438">438</a>, +<a href="#439">439</a>, <a href="#440">440</a>, <a href="#441">441</a>, <a href="#442">442</a>, <a href="#444">444</a>, +<a href="#446">446</a>, <a href="#447">447</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#463">463</a>, <a href="#464">464</a>, +<a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#488">488</a>, <a href="#493">493</a>, <a href="#516">516</a>, <a href="#517">517</a></li> +<li>Macqueen, Colonel, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Madhoo, Havildar, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Mahomed, The Prophet, <a href="#183">183</a><sup>1, 2</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Hussein Khan, Mirza, <a href="#427">427</a>, <a href="#455">455</a>, <a href="#463">463</a>, + <a href="#554">554,</a> <a href="#558">558</a></li> + <li>Nabbi, Mirza, <a href="#559">559</a></li> + <li>Hyat Khan, <a href="#417">417</a></li> + <li>Jan, <a href="#409">409</a>, <a href="#432">432</a>, <a href="#433">433</a>, <a href="#434">434</a>, + <a href="#435">435</a>, <a href="#437">437</a>, <a href="#439">439</a>, <a href="#440">440</a>, <a href="#441">441</a>, + <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#451">451</a>, <a href="#455">455</a>, <a href="#462">462</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Mahomed, Sadik Khan, <a href="#481">481</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Usman Khan, <a href="#10">10</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Mainpuri, Raja of, <a href="#159">159</a></li> +<li>Maisey, Lieutenant, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Malcolm, Sir John, <a href="#236">236</a>, <a href="#246">246</a></li> +<li>Mangal Pandy, <a href="#34">34</a>, <a href="#43">43</a></li> +<li>Manipur, Raja of, <a href="#531">531</a></li> +<li>Manners-Smith, Lieutenant, <a href="#386">386</a></li> +<li>Mansfield, Sir William. <i>See</i> Sandhurst</li> +<li>Martin, Claude, <a href="#167">167</a><sup>7</sup>, + <ul class="index1"><li>Captain Gerald, <a href="#439">439</a></li> + <li>Lieutenant, <a href="#405">405</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Martindale, Miss, <a href="#146">146</a></li> +<li>Massy, Brigadier-General, <a href="#384">384</a>, <a href="#385">385</a>, <a href="#386">386</a>, +<a href="#408">408</a>, <a href="#409">409</a>, <a href="#410">410</a>, <a href="#417">417</a>, +<a href="#432">432</a>, <a href="#433">433</a>, <a href="#434">434</a>, <a href="#435">435</a>, +<a href="#437">437</a>, <a href="#438">438</a>, <a href="#439">439</a>, <a href="#440">440</a>, +<a href="#443">443</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#454">454</a></li> +<li>Matthew, Bishop, <a href="#295">295</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mrs., <a href="#295">295</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Maxwell, Major Henry Hamilton, <a href="#213">213</a></li> +<li>Mayne, Lieutenant Otway, <a href="#164">164</a>, <a href="#166">166</a>, <a href="#173">173</a>, +<a href="#174">174</a></li> +<li>Mayo, Lord, <a href="#303">303</a>, <a href="#307">307</a>, <a href="#308">308</a>, <a href="#310">310</a>, +<a href="#318">318</a>, <a href="#319">319</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, <a href="#340">340</a>, +<a href="#421">421</a>, <a href="#554">554</a></li> +<li>Mazr Ali, Jemadar, <a href="#436">436</a><sup>12</sup></li> +<li>McGillivray, Corporal, <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>McQueen, Sir John, <a href="#136">136</a>, <a href="#183">183</a><sup>22</sup>, <a href="#362">362</a>, +<a href="#451">451</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Medley, Lieutenant, <a href="#121">121</a>, <a href="#122">122</a></li> +<li>Mehtab Sing, General, <a href="#75">75</a>, <a href="#76">76</a></li> +<li>Menzies, Lieutenant, <a href="#492">492</a></li> +<li>Merewether, Colonel, <a href="#298">298</a></li> +<li>Metcalfe, Sir Charles, <a href="#246">246</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Theophilus, <a href="#129">129</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Middleton, Major, <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#185">185</a>, +<a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#206">206</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#222">222</a><sup>8</sup>, +<a href="#227">227</a></li> +<li>Mir Bacha, <a href="#455">455</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mubarak Shah, <a href="#101">101</a></li> + <li>Jaffir, <a href="#101">101</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Moir, Captain, <a href="#171">171</a></li> +<li>Money, Colonel G.N., <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#395">395</a>, <a href="#399">399</a>, +<a href="#417">417</a>, <a href="#431">431</a>, <a href="#441">441</a>, <a href="#442">442</a>, +<a href="#443">443</a>, <a href="#490">490</a></li> +<li>Monro, Lieutenant, <a href="#492">492</a></li> +<li>Montanaro, Lieutenant, <a href="#445">445</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Montgomery, Sir Robert, G.C.B., <a href="#65">65</a>, <a href="#66">66</a>, <a href="#67">67</a>, +<a href="#83">83</a>, <a href="#281">281</a>,</li> +<li>Moore, Major Henry, <a href="#312">312</a>, <a href="#332">332</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Rev. Thomas, <a href="#230">230</a></li> + <li>Mrs., <a href="#230">230</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Moresby, Captain, <a href="#1">1</a></li> +<li>Morgan, Captain, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#431">431</a></li> +<li>Moriarty, Major, <a href="#423">423</a><sup>7</sup>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Morton, Captain G. de C., <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Mowatt, Colonel, <a href="#54">54</a><sup>7</sup></li> +<li>Mukarrab Khan, Sepoy, <a href="#181">181</a>, <a href="#182">182</a></li> +<li>Munro, Sir Thomas, <a href="#246">246</a><span class="page"><a name="589">[Page 589]</a></span></li> +<li>Murphy, Private, <a href="#162">162</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Murray, Lieutenant, <a href="#405">405</a>, <a href="#492">492</a></li> +<li>Musa Khan, <a href="#395">395</a>, <a href="#414">414</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#415">415</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, +<a href="#458">458</a>, <a href="#459">459</a>, <a href="#560">560</a></li> +<li>Mushk-i-Alam, <a href="#429">429</a>, <a href="#451">451</a>, <a href="#453">453</a>,</li> +<li>Mysore, Maharaja of, <a href="#501">501</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="N">Nabha</a>, Raja of, <a href="#57">57</a>, <a href="#79">79</a>, <a href="#260">260</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#265">265</a></li> +<li>Nadir Shah, <a href="#263">263</a>, <a href="#435">435</a><sup>10</sup></li> +<li>Nairne, Major-General, <a href="#528">528</a></li> +<li>Nana Sahib, <a href="#113">113</a>, <a href="#161">161</a>, <a href="#162">162</a>, <a href="#168">168</a>, +<a href="#204">204</a>, <a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#206">206</a>, <a href="#208">208</a>, <a href="#209">209</a>, +<a href="#217">217</a>, <a href="#236">236</a>, <a href="#238">238</a>, <a href="#239">239</a></li> +<li>Napier, Ensign, <a href="#84">84</a></li> +<li>Napier (of Magdāla), Field-Marshal Lord, G.C.B., K.C.S.I., <a href="#89">89</a>, <a href="#120">120</a><sup>6</sup>, +<a href="#188">188</a>, <a href="#192">192</a>, <a href="#216">216</a>, <a href="#217">217</a><sup>1</sup>, +<a href="#221">221</a><sup>7</sup>, <a href="#229">229</a>, <a href="#253">253</a>, <a href="#299">299</a>, +<a href="#300">300</a>, <a href="#301">301</a>, <a href="#309">309</a>, <a href="#310">310</a>, <a href="#315">315</a>, +<a href="#319">319</a>, <a href="#320">320</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, <a href="#324">324</a>, <a href="#325">325</a>, +<a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#327">327</a>, <a href="#328">328</a></li> +<li>Napier, Lord (of Murchiston), <a href="#319">319</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Charles, <a href="#335">335</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Nek Mahomed Khan, <a href="#400">400</a>, <a href="#401">401</a></li> +<li>Nepal, Maharaja of, <a href="#536">536</a>, <a href="#537">537</a>, <a href="#538">538</a></li> +<li>Nepal, Maharani of, <a href="#537">537</a>, <a href="#538">538</a></li> +<li>Neville, Captain Philip, <a href="#434">434</a>, <a href="#435">435</a>, <a href="#437">437</a></li> +<li>Nicholson, Lieutenant Charles, <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#130">130</a>, <a href="#139">139</a><sup>6</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Colonel W.G., <a href="#510">510</a>, <a href="#521">521</a> </li> + <li>Brigadier-General John, C.B., + <ul class="index2"><li>a name to conjure with in the Punjab, <a href="#33">33</a>;</li> + <li>the beau-ideal of a soldier and a gentleman, <a href="#33">33</a>;</li> + <li>takes command of Movable Column, <a href="#73">73</a>;</li> + <li>punishment of Mehtab Sing, <a href="#75">75</a>;</li> + <li>his soldierly instincts, <a href="#76">76</a>;</li> + <li>defeats the rebels at Najafgarh, <a href="#115">115</a>;</li> + <li>his masterful spirit, <a href="#118">118</a>;</li> + <li>the man to do a desperate deed, <a href="#125">125</a>;</li> + <li>the first to ascend the breach, <a href="#126">126</a>;</li> + <li>mortally wounded, <a href="#129">129</a>;</li> + <li>the author's last sight of him, <a href="#130">130</a>;</li> + <li>his anger at the suggestion of retreat, <a href="#132">132</a>;</li> + <li>his death, <a href="#134">134</a>, <a href="#138">138</a>;</li> + <li>his funeral, <a href="#142">142</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#28">28</a>, <a href="#32">32</a>, <a href="#35">35</a>, <a href="#36">36</a>, + <a href="#37">37</a>, <a href="#38">38</a>, <a href="#39">39</a>, <a href="#40">40</a>, <a href="#58">58</a>, + <a href="#59">59</a>, <a href="#60">60</a>, <a href="#61">61</a>, <a href="#73">73</a>, <a href="#78">78</a>, + <a href="#111">111</a>, <a href="#114">114</a>, <a href="#116">116</a>, <a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#121">121</a>, + <a href="#123">123</a>, <a href="#124">124</a>, <a href="#127">127</a>, <a href="#128">128</a>, <a href="#144">144</a>, + <a href="#246">246</a>, <a href="#287">287</a></li></ul></li> + <li>Lieutenant-General Sir Lothian, K.C.B., <a href="#223">223</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Nisbet, Colonel, <a href="#526">526</a></li> +<li>Norman, Colonel F., <a href="#488">488</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>General Sir Henry, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., <a href="#13">13</a>, <a href="#82">82</a>, + <a href="#96">96</a>, <a href="#112">112</a>, <a href="#116">116</a>, <a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#119">119</a><sup>3</sup>, + <a href="#120">120</a>, <a href="#132">132</a>, <a href="#138">138</a>, <a href="#142">142</a>, <a href="#143">143</a>, + <a href="#150">150</a>, <a href="#151">151</a>, <a href="#158">158</a>, <a href="#169">169</a>, <a href="#184">184</a>, + <a href="#187">187</a>, <a href="#188">188</a>, <a href="#230">230</a>, <a href="#263">263</a>, <a href="#271">271</a>, + <a href="#276">276</a>, <a href="#285">285</a>, <a href="#319">319</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Northbrook, The Earl of, <a href="#319">319</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, <a href="#322">322</a>, <a href="#323">323</a>, +<a href="#324">324</a>, <a href="#325">325</a>, <a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#327">327</a>, <a href="#329">329</a>, +<a href="#330">330</a>, <a href="#336">336</a></li> +<li>Northcote, Lady, <a href="#301">301</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Stafford, <a href="#301">301</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Nott, General, <a href="#428">428</a></li> +<li>Nugent, Lieutenant, <a href="#454">454</a></li> +<li>Nur Jehan, <a href="#20">20</a></li> +<li>Nuttall, General, <a href="#484">484</a>, <a href="#488">488</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="O">Obed</a> Ulla Khan, Sirdar, <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Ochterlony, Sir David, <a href="#538">538</a></li> +<li>Oldfield, Lieutenant, <a href="#183">183</a><sup>22</sup></li> +<li>Olpherts, General Sir William, V.C., K.C.B., <a href="#189">189</a></li> +<li>Omar Pasha, <a href="#239">239</a></li> +<li>Onslow, Captain, <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Oudh, Begum of, <a href="#164">164</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>King of, <a href="#164">164</a>, <a href="#167">167</a><sup>6</sup>, <a href="#173">173</a><sup>5</sup>, + <a href="#216">216</a>, <a href="#235">235</a>, <a href="#236">236</a>, <a href="#237">237</a>, + <a href="#239">239</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Outram, General Sir James, G.C.B., + <ul class="index1"><li>the Bayard of the East, <a href="#167">167</a>;</li> + <li>his military acumen, <a href="#168">168</a>;</li> + <li>his courage and chivalry, <a href="#188">188</a>;</li> + <li>differs with Sir Colin Campbell, <a href="#190">190</a>;</li> + <li>interview with the author, <a href="#192">192</a>;</li> + <li>commands an Infantry division at siege of Lucknow, <a href="#217">217</a><sup>1</sup>;</li> + <li>preparation for the siege, <a href="#220">220</a>;</li> + <li>maintains his high reputation, <a href="#221">221</a>;</li> + <li>captures the Chakar Kothi, <a href="#223">223</a>;</li> + <li>accomplished all that was expected of him, <a href="#225">225</a>;</li> + <li>overruled by Sir Colin Campbell, <a href="#226">226</a>;</li> + <li>completes the occupation of Lucknow, <a href="#227">227</a>;</li> + <li>his views on the administration of Oudh, <a href="#235">235</a>, <a href="#259">259</a>;</li> + <li>leaves India on account of failing health, <a href="#268">268</a>;</li> + <li><a href="#11">11</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#28">28</a>, <a href="#160">160</a>, <a href="#163">163</a>, + <a href="#164">164</a>, <a href="#169">169</a>, <a href="#173">173</a>, <a href="#176">176</a>, + <a href="#178">178</a><sup>11</sup>, <a href="#187">187</a>, <a href="#188">188</a>, <a href="#191">191</a>, + <a href="#194">194</a>, <a href="#195">195</a>, <a href="#197">197</a>, <a href="#198">198</a>, + <a href="#199">199</a>, <a href="#200">200</a>, <a href="#209">209</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#216">216</a>, + <a href="#222">222</a>, <a href="#224">224</a>, <a href="#225">225</a>, <a href="#246">246</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Ouvry, Major, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#144">144</a>, <a href="#147">147</a></li> +<li>Owen, Dr., <a href="#455">455</a></li> +<li>Oxley, Captain, <a href="#405">405</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="P">Packe</a>, Lieutenant, <a href="#81">81</a>, <a href="#98">98</a>, <a href="#99">99</a></li> +<li>Palmer, Brigadier-General, <a href="#7">7</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major-General Sir Arthur, K.C.B., <a href="#362">362</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Parker, Colonel, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#488">488</a></li> +<li>Parry, Major, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#405">405</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Patiala, Maharaja of, <a href="#57">57</a>, <a href="#260">260</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#265">265</a>, +<a href="#274">274</a><span class="page"><a name="590">[Page 590]</a></span></li> +<li>Paton, Colonel, <a href="#280">280</a></li> +<li>Paul, Lieutenant, <a href="#180">180</a>, <a href="#183">183</a><sup>22</sup></li> +<li>Payn, General Sir William, K.C.B., <a href="#213">213</a></li> +<li>Peacock, Sir Barnes, <a href="#2">2</a></li> +<li>Peel, Sir William, <a href="#164">164</a>, <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#173">173</a>, +<a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#184">184</a>, <a href="#185">185</a>, <a href="#186">186</a>, +<a href="#187">187</a>, <a href="#196">196</a>, <a href="#197">197</a>, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup>, +<a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#206">206</a>, <a href="#213">213</a>, <a href="#219">219</a><sup>5</sup>, +<a href="#223">223</a>, <a href="#230">230</a></li> +<li>Pelly, Sir Lewis, <a href="#329">329</a>, <a href="#335">335</a></li> +<li>Perkins, General Sir Æneas, K.C.B., <a href="#355">355</a>, <a href="#362">362</a>, +<a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#394">394</a>, <a href="#449">449</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#450">450</a>, +<a href="#456">456</a>, <a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Persia, Shah of, <a href="#30">30</a>, <a href="#238">238</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, <a href="#539">539</a></li> +<li>Pertap Sing, Maharaja, <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#526">526</a>, <a href="#542">542</a></li> +<li>Pertap Sing, sepoy, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Peshwa, The, <a href="#238">238</a></li> +<li>Phayre, General Sir Robert, G.C.B., <a href="#471">471</a>, <a href="#481">481</a>,<a href="#482">482</a>, +<a href="#483">483</a>, <a href="#486">486</a>, <a href="#487">487</a>, <a href="#495">495</a></li> +<li>Picot, Lieutenant, <a href="#361">361</a></li> +<li>Pole-Carew, Lieutenant-Colonel, C.B., <a href="#435">435</a>, <a href="#499">499</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Pollock, General Sir George, <a href="#377">377</a>, <a href="#428">428</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major-General Sir Frederick, K.C.S.I., <a href="#321">321</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Polwhele, Brigadier, <a href="#156">156</a>, <a href="#157">157</a></li> +<li>Porter, General, <a href="#221">221</a><sup>7</sup></li> +<li>Powell, Captain, <a href="#2">2</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Captain, <a href="#367">367</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Powlett, Captain, <a href="#187">187</a></li> +<li>Pratt, Major, <a href="#443">443</a></li> +<li>Prendergast, General Sir Harry, V.C., K.C.B., <a href="#508">508</a>, <a href="#509">509</a></li> +<li>Pretyman, Lieutenant-Colonel, C.B., <a href="#350">350</a>, <a href="#356">356</a>, <a href="#499">499</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Prideaux, Lieutenant, <a href="#298">298</a></li> +<li>Primrose, General, <a href="#468">468</a>, <a href="#469">469</a>, <a href="#470">470</a>, +<a href="#482">482</a>, <a href="#483">483</a>, <a href="#484">484</a>, <a href="#485">485</a>, +<a href="#486">486</a>, <a href="#487">487</a>, <a href="#488">488</a></li> +<li>Probyn, General Sir Dighton, V.C., G.C.V.O., K.C.B., <a href="#62">62</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#130">130</a>, +<a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#144">144</a>, +<a href="#146">146</a>, <a href="#151">151</a>, <a href="#152">152</a>, <a href="#161">161</a>, +<a href="#172">172</a>, <a href="#175">175</a>, <a href="#207">207</a>, <a href="#214">214</a>, +<a href="#230">230</a>, <a href="#282">282</a>, <a href="#287">287</a>, <a href="#289">289</a></li> +<li>Protheroe, Colonel, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>13</sup>, <a href="#498">498</a></li> +<li>Prussia, Crown Princess of, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>5</sup></li> +<li>Pursoo Khatri, Jemadar, <a href="#379">379</a><sup>3</sup></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Q">Quinton</a>, Mr., <a href="#531">531</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="R">Ragobir</a> Nagarkoti, Subadar, <a href="#379">379</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Ram Sing, Raja, <a href="#527">527</a></li> +<li>Rampur, Nawab of, <a href="#260">260</a>, <a href="#274">274</a></li> +<li>Rao, Sir Madhava, <a href="#502">502</a></li> +<li>Rassam, Mr., <a href="#298">298</a></li> +<li>Rawlinson, Sir Henry, <a href="#306">306</a>, <a href="#307">307</a></li> +<li>Reade, Mr., <a href="#155">155</a>, <a href="#157">157</a></li> +<li>Reed, General, <a href="#27">27</a>, <a href="#31">31</a>, <a href="#35">35</a>, <a href="#36">36</a>, +<a href="#37">37</a>, <a href="#39">39</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#64">64</a>, <a href="#70">70</a>, <a href="#102">102</a>, +<a href="#105">105</a>, <a href="#108">108</a>, <a href="#109">109</a>, <a href="#112">112</a></li> +<li>Reegan, Private, <a href="#114">114</a></li> +<li>Reid, General Sir Charles, G.C.B., <a href="#90">90</a>, <a href="#93">93</a>, <a href="#95">95</a>, +<a href="#105">105</a>, <a href="#120">120</a>, <a href="#124">124</a>, <a href="#127">127</a>, <a href="#129">129</a>, +<a href="#131">131</a>, <a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#327">327</a></li> +<li>Remmington, Captain, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#151">151</a>, <a href="#172">172</a>, <a href="#173">173</a>, +<a href="#191">191</a>, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#222">222</a><sup>8</sup></li> +<li>Rennick, Captain, <a href="#365">365</a></li> +<li>Rewa, Maharaja of, <a href="#259">259</a>, <a href="#260">260</a><sup>5</sup></li> +<li>Rich, Captain, <a href="#303">303</a></li> +<li>Ricketts, George, C.B., <a href="#78">78</a>, <a href="#79">79</a>, <a href="#80">80</a></li> +<li>Ridgeway, Colonel Sir West K.C.B., <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>13</sup></li> +<li>Rind, Captain, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>14</sup></li> +<li>Ripon, The Marchioness of, <a href="#498">498</a></li> +<li>Ripon, The Marquis of, <a href="#464">464</a>, <a href="#472">472</a>, <a href="#473">473</a>, <a href="#492">492</a>, +<a href="#493">493</a>, <a href="#495">495</a>, <a href="#498">498</a>, <a href="#503">503</a>, <a href="#506">506</a></li> +<li>Roberts, General Sir Abraham, <a href="#2">2</a>, <a href="#5">5</a>, <a href="#6">6</a>, <a href="#7">7</a>, +<a href="#9">9</a>, <a href="#10">10</a>, <a href="#11">11</a>, <a href="#12">12</a>, <a href="#13">13</a>, <a href="#16">16</a>, +<a href="#17">17</a>, <a href="#24">24</a>, <a href="#252">252</a>, <a href="#264">264</a>, <a href="#295">295</a>, +<a href="#325">325</a>, <a href="#397">397</a>, <a href="#480">480</a>, <a href="#495">495</a></li> +<li>Roberts, Hon. Frederick Hugh Sherston, <a href="#315">315</a>, <a href="#319">319</a>-20, <a href="#497">497</a>, +<a href="#507">507</a>, <a href="#525">525</a>, <a href="#541">541</a></li> +<li>Roberts, Lady (widow of Sir Abraham), <a href="#252">252</a>, <a href="#295">295</a>, <a href="#495">495</a></li> +<li>Roberts, The Hon. Aileen Mary, <a href="#268">268</a>, <a href="#271">271</a>, <a href="#273">273</a>, +<a href="#309">309</a>, <a href="#497">497</a>, <a href="#542">542</a></li> +<li>Roberts, The Hon. Ada Edwina, <a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#497">497</a></li> +<li>Roberts, Miss, <a href="#252">252</a>, <a href="#295">295</a>, <a href="#495">495</a></li> +<li>Roberts, Lady, <a href="#252">252</a>, <a href="#253">253</a>, <a href="#254">254</a>, <a href="#255">255</a>, +<a href="#256">256</a>, <a href="#257">257</a>, <a href="#259">259</a>, <a href="#262">262</a>, <a href="#263">263</a>, +<a href="#264">264</a>, <a href="#267">267</a>, <a href="#268">268</a>, <a href="#269">269</a>, <a href="#271">271</a>, +<a href="#272">272</a>, <a href="#273">273</a>, <a href="#274">274</a>, <a href="#276">276</a>, <a href="#277">277</a>, +<a href="#278">278</a>, <a href="#292">292</a>, <a href="#293">293</a>, <a href="#294">294</a>, <a href="#295">295</a>, +<a href="#298">298</a>, <a href="#302">302</a>, <a href="#303">303</a>, <a href="#308">308</a>, <a href="#309">309</a>, +<a href="#318">318</a>, <a href="#319">319</a>, <a href="#320">320</a>, <a href="#323">323</a>, <a href="#324">324</a>, +<a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#331">331</a>, <a href="#336">336</a>, <a href="#337">337</a>, <a href="#375">375</a>, +<a href="#381">381</a>, <a href="#382">382</a>, <a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#387">387</a>, <a href="#478">478</a>, +<a href="#495">495</a>, <a href="#497">497</a>, <a href="#499">499</a>, <a href="#501">501</a>, +<a href="#502">502</a>, <a href="#504">504</a>, <a href="#506">506</a>, <a href="#510">510</a>, <a href="#514">514</a>, +<a href="#515">515</a>, <a href="#516">516</a>, <a href="#521">521</a>, <a href="#525">525</a>, <a href="#536">536</a>, +<a href="#537">537</a>, <a href="#538">538</a>, <a href="#539">539</a>, <a href="#541">541</a>, <a href="#542">542</a>, +<a href="#575">575</a>, <a href="#577">577</a>, <a href="#578">578</a></li> +<li>Roberts, Field-Marshal Lord, V.C., K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., + <ul class="index1"><li>leaves England, <a href="#1">1</a>;</li> + <li>arrives in India, <a href="#2">2</a>;</li> + <li>life in Calcutta, <a href="#3">3</a>-6;</li> + <li>journey to Peshawar, <a href="#6">6</a>-9;</li> + <li>at Peshawar, <a href="#9">9</a>-19;</li> + <li>visits Kashmir, <a href="#19">19</a>-22;</li> + <li>joins Horse Artillery, <a href="#22">22</a>;</li> + <li>at Umballa, <a href="#22">22</a>, <a href="#23">23</a>;</li> + <li>revisits Kashmir, <a href="#23">23</a>;</li> + <li>first visit to Simla, <a href="#23">23</a>, <a href="#24">24</a>;</li> + <li>returns to Peshawar, <a href="#24">24</a>;</li> + <li>at Mian Mir, <a href="#24">24</a>;</li> + <li>first Staff appointment, <a href="#25">25</a>;</li> + <li>studies native languages, <a href="#25">25</a>;</li> + <li>passes examination, <a href="#26">26</a>;</li> + <li>rides a hundred miles in one day, <a href="#27">27</a>;</li> + <li>tour with General Reed, <a href="#27">27</a>;</li> + <li>witnesses meeting between Dost Mahomed and Sir John Lawrence, <a href="#30">30</a>;</li> + <li>second Staff appointment, <a href="#31">31</a>;<span class="page"><a name="591">[Page 591]</a></span></li> + <li>second tour with General Reed, <a href="#31">31</a>, <a href="#32">32</a>;</li> + <li>refuses appointment in P.W.D., <a href="#32">32</a>;</li> + <li>reports on sanatorium of Cherat, <a href="#32">32</a>;</li> + <li>first meeting with Nicholson, <a href="#33">33</a>;</li> + <li>returns to Peshawar, <a href="#33">33</a>;</li> + <li>hears first tidings of Mutiny, <a href="#34">34</a>;</li> + <li>at a Council of War, <a href="#36">36</a>;</li> + <li>Staff Officer to Brigadier Chamberlain, <a href="#38">38</a>;</li> + <li>at the mercy of a sentry, <a href="#40">40</a>;</li> + <li>starts for Rawal Pindi, <a href="#40">40</a>;</li> + <li>with Sir John Lawrence at Rawal Pindi, <a href="#58">58</a>, <a href="#59">59</a>;</li> + <li>joins Movable Column at Wazirabad, <a href="#63">63</a>;</li> + <li><i>en route</i> to Delhi, <a href="#62">62</a>-82;</li> + <li>at Lahore, <a href="#65">65</a>-69;</li> + <li>arrives at Delhi, <a href="#82">82</a>;</li> + <li>before Delhi, <a href="#96">96</a>-136;</li> + <li>appointed D.A.Q.M.G. with Artillery, <a href="#97">97</a>;</li> + <li>first under fire, <a href="#98">98</a>;</li> + <li>fidelity of his servants, <a href="#104">104</a>; </li> + <li>wounded, <a href="#106">106</a>;</li> + <li>intimacy with Nicholson, <a href="#118">118</a>;</li> + <li>knocked over by a round shot, <a href="#121">121</a>;</li> + <li>last sight of Nicholson, <a href="#130">130</a>;</li> + <li>charger killed, <a href="#132">132</a>;</li> + <li>takes part in storming of the palace, <a href="#136">136</a>;</li> + <li>leaves Delhi with Greathed's column for Cawnpore, <a href="#142">142</a>; </li> + <li>in action at Bulandshahr, <a href="#143">143</a>;</li> + <li>narrow escape, <a href="#144">144</a>;</li> + <li>in fight at Aligarh, <a href="#147">147</a>; </li> + <li>in fight at Agra, <a href="#150">150</a>-152;</li> + <li>first sight of Taj Mahal, <a href="#154">154</a>;</li> + <li>leaves Agra, <a href="#158">158</a>;</li> + <li>arrives at Cawnpore, <a href="#161">161</a>;</li> + <li>meets Sir Colin Campbell, <a href="#169">169</a>; </li> + <li>marches to Lucknow, <a href="#170">170</a>-172;</li> + <li>meets with a night adventure, <a href="#175">175</a>-178;</li> + <li>in the storming of the Sikandarbagh, <a href="#181">181</a>, <a href="#182">182</a>;</li> + <li>in the attack on the Shah Najaf, <a href="#184">184</a>, <a href="#185">185</a>;</li> + <li>plants the colours on the mess-house, <a href="#187">187</a>;</li> + <li>accompanies Outram and Havelock to the Residency, <a href="#188">188</a>;</li> + <li>meets the 'hero of the Redan', <a href="#201">201</a>;</li> + <li>in fight at Cawnpore, <a href="#205">205</a>-208;</li> + <li>in fight at Khudaganj, <a href="#213">213</a>, <a href="#214">214</a>;</li> + <li>wins the V.C., <a href="#215">215</a>;</li> + <li>at the siege of Lucknow, <a href="#220">220</a>-226;</li> + <li>with Outram at capture of the Chakar Kothi, <a href="#223">223</a>;</li> + <li>meets Jung Bahadur, <a href="#224">224</a>;</li> + <li>complimented by the Commander-in-Chief, <a href="#230">230</a>;</li> + <li>his views on the Mutiny,<a href="#231"> 231</a>-244;</li> + <li>on our present position in India, <a href="#246">246</a>-251;</li> + <li>takes furlough, <a href="#251">251</a>;</li> + <li>marries, <a href="#252">252</a>;</li> + <li>receives the V.C. from the hands of the Queen, <a href="#252">252</a></li> + <li>returns to India, <a href="#253">253</a>;</li> + <li>refuses post in Revenue Survey, <a href="#254">254</a>;</li> + <li>accompanies Lord Canning on his Viceregal progress, <a href="#255">255</a>-267;</li> + <li>loses chance of service in China, <a href="#264">264</a>;</li> + <li>visits Simla, <a href="#268">268</a>, <a href="#269">269</a>;</li> + <li>accompanies Lord Canning through Central India, <a href="#271">271</a>-273;</li> + <li>returns to Simla, <a href="#273">273</a>;</li> + <li>ordered to Allahabad, <a href="#274">274</a>;</li> + <li>accompanies Commander-in-Chief on tour, <a href="#275">275</a>, <a href="#276">276</a>;</li> + <li>returns to Simla, <a href="#277">277</a>;</li> + <li>again on tour with Commander-in-Chief, <a href="#278">278</a>, <a href="#279">279</a>;</li> + <li>has a sunstroke, <a href="#279">279</a>;</li> + <li>made A.Q.M.G., <a href="#280">280</a>;</li> + <li>serves with Umbeyla expedition, <a href="#280">280</a>-293;</li> + <li>too junior to be a Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#293">293</a>;</li> + <li>voyage round the Cape, <a href="#294">294</a>; </li> + <li>at home again, <a href="#295">295</a>;</li> + <li>returns to India, <a href="#295">295</a>;</li> + <li>serves with Abyssinian Expedition, <a href="#295">295</a>-301;</li> + <li>bearer of the Abyssinian despatches, <a href="#301">301</a>;</li> + <li>first A.Q.M.G., <a href="#302">302</a>;</li> + <li>birth of daughter, <a href="#302">302</a>;</li> + <li>returns to India, <a href="#303">303</a>;</li> + <li>serves with Lushai Expedition, <a href="#310">310</a>-318;</li> + <li>receives the C.B., <a href="#320">320</a>;</li> + <li>officiating Q.M.G., <a href="#326">326</a>;</li> + <li>with the Prince of Wales at Delhi, <a href="#327">327</a>;</li> + <li>first meeting with Lord Lytton, <a href="#328">328</a>;</li> + <li>takes part in the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, <a href="#332">332</a>-335;</li> + <li>accepts command of Punjab Frontier Force, <a href="#336">336</a>;</li> + <li>assumes command of Kuram Field Force, <a href="#348">348</a>;</li> + <li>shortcomings of his column, <a href="#348">348</a>,<a href="#349"> 349</a>;</li> + <li>his able staff, <a href="#350">350</a>;</li> + <li>advances into the Kuram valley, <a href="#352">352</a>-355;</li> + <li>takes the Peiwar Kotal, <a href="#355">355</a>-364;</li> + <li>devotion of his orderlies, <a href="#361">361</a>;</li> + <li>congratulated by the Queen, <a href="#365">365</a>;</li> + <li>hampered by want of transport, <a href="#368">368</a></li> + <li>punishment of treachery, <a href="#368">368</a>;</li> + <li>action at Khost, <a href="#371">371</a>;</li> + <li>misrepresented in the House of Commons, <a href="#372">372</a><sup>6</sup>;</li> + <li>dismisses a war correspondent, <a href="#374">374</a>;</li> + <li>holds a Queen's birthday parade, <a href="#378">378</a>;</li> + <li>farewell to Cavagnari, <a href="#380">380</a>, <a href="#381">381</a>;</li> + <li>serves on the Army Commission, <a href="#382">382</a>;</li> + <li>his recommendations gradually carried out, <a href="#382">382</a>;</li> + <li>appointed Commander of Kabul Field Force, <a href="#384">384</a>;</li> + <li>starts for Kabul, <a href="#387">387</a>;</li> + <li>correspondence with Yakub Khan, <a href="#388">388</a>;</li> + <li>issues a Proclamation to the people of Kabul, <a href="#390">390</a>;</li> + <li>meeting with Yakub Khan, <a href="#395">395</a>;</li> + <li>issues a Proclamation and an order, <a href="#397">397</a>;</li> + <li>takes the Shutargardan, <a href="#399">399</a>;</li> + <li>defeats the Afghans at Charasia, <a href="#403">403</a>-406;</li> + <li>advances on Kabul, <a href="#407">407</a>-410;</li> + <li>instructions from the Government of India, <a href="#411">411</a>, <a href="#412">412</a>;</li> + <li>inspects the Embassy and the Bala Hissar, <a href="#412">412</a>, <a href="#413">413</a>;<span class="page"><a name="592">[Page 592]</a></span></li> + <li>receives abdication of Yakub Khan, <a href="#414">414</a>;</li> + <li>issues a Proclamation, <a href="#415">415</a>, <a href="#416">416</a>;</li> + <li>makes a formal entry into Kabul, <a href="#416">416</a>;</li> + <li>adopts measures for carrying on administration, <a href="#417">417</a>;</li> + <li>misrepresented in House of Commons, <a href="#417">417</a>;</li> + <li>congratulated by the Queen and the Viceroy, <a href="#418">418</a>;</li> + <li>wintering at Kabul, <a href="#418">418</a>-427;</li> + <li>attacked by the tribesmen on all sides, <a href="#428">428</a>-440;</li> + <li>life saved by Mazr Ali, <a href="#436">436</a>;</li> + <li>storming of the Takht-i-Shah, <a href="#441">441</a>, <a href="#442">442</a>;</li> + <li>further attacks, <a href="#444">444</a>-447;</li> + <li>concentrates his forces at Sherpur, <a href="#448">448</a>, <a href="#449">449</a>;</li> + <li>strengthens his defences, <a href="#449">449</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>;</li> + <li>arrests Daud Shah, <a href="#451">451</a>;</li> + <li>defeats and disperses the tribesmen, <a href="#453">453</a>, <a href="#454">454</a>;</li> + <li>reopens communication with India, <a href="#455">455</a>;</li> + <li>issues a Proclamation, <a href="#455">455</a>;</li> + <li>fortifies Sherpur, <a href="#456">456</a>;</li> + <li>negotiations at Kabul, <a href="#456">456</a>-462;</li> + <li>holds a durbar, <a href="#462">462</a>;</li> + <li>hands over supreme command to Sir Donald Stewart, <a href="#465">465</a>;</li> + <li>visits Jalalabad, <a href="#468">468</a>;</li> + <li>hears news of Maiwand, <a href="#468">468</a>;</li> + <li>telegram to Adjutant-General, <a href="#472">472</a>;</li> + <li>appointed Commander of Kabul-Kandahar Field Force, <a href="#473">473</a>;</li> + <li>preparations for the march, <a href="#473">473</a>, <a href="#474">474</a>;</li> + <li>details of the Force, <a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#476">476</a>;</li> + <li>commissariat and transport, <a href="#477">477</a>, <a href="#478">478</a>;</li> + <li>starts for Kandahar, <a href="#478">478</a>;</li> + <li>order of marching, <a href="#479">479</a>;</li> + <li>reaches Ghazni, <a href="#480">480</a>;</li> + <li>reaches Kelat-i-Ghilzai, <a href="#481">481</a>;</li> + <li>telegraphs progress to Government, <a href="#481">481</a>;</li> + <li>food required daily for the force, <a href="#482">482</a>;</li> + <li>down with fever, <a href="#482">482</a>;</li> + <li>reports progress, <a href="#483">483</a>;</li> + <li>letter from General Phayre, <a href="#483">483</a>;</li> + <li>telegraphs to Simla, <a href="#484">484</a>;</li> + <li>reaches Kandahar, <a href="#484">484</a>;</li> + <li>demoralized condition of the garrison, <a href="#484">484</a>;</li> + <li>encamps to the west of the city, <a href="#485">485</a>;</li> + <li>reconnoitres the enemy's position, <a href="#486">486</a>;</li> + <li>assumes command of the Army of Southern Afghanistan, <a href="#487">487</a>;</li> + <li>defeats Ayub Khan, <a href="#488">488</a>-491;</li> + <li>and captures his camp, <a href="#491">491</a>;</li> + <li>telegraphs the news, <a href="#492">492</a>;</li> + <li>difficulties about supplies, <a href="#492">492</a>;</li> + <li>congratulated by the Queen and the Duke of Cambridge, <a href="#493">493</a>;</li> + <li>made G.C.B., <a href="#493">493</a>;</li> + <li>appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army, <a href="#493">493</a>;</li> + <li>proceeds to Quetta, <a href="#493">493</a>;</li> + <li>parting with the troops, <a href="#494">494</a>;</li> + <li>pleasant memories, <a href="#494">494</a>;</li> + <li>receives autograph letter from the Queen, <a href="#495">495</a>;</li> + <li>reception in England, <a href="#495">495</a>;</li> + <li>appointed Governor of Natal and Commander of the Forces in South Africa, <a href="#497">497</a>;</li> + <li>witnesses the manœuvres of the German Army, <a href="#497">497</a>;</li> + <li>offered the Quartermaster-Generalship, <a href="#497">497</a>;</li> + <li>proceeds to Madras, <a href="#497">497</a>;</li> + <li>visits the Andaman Islands, <a href="#497">497</a>;</li> + <li>proceeds to Burma, <a href="#498">498</a>;</li> + <li>declines the Quartermaster-Generalship, <a href="#498">498</a>;</li> + <li>measures for improving the Madras Army, <a href="#499">499</a>-501;</li> + <li>memories of Madras, <a href="#501">501</a>, <a href="#502">502</a>;</li> + <li>visits Calcutta, <a href="#503">503</a>;</li> + <li>meeting with Abdur Rahman at Rawal Pindi, <a href="#504">504</a>-506;</li> + <li>returns to Madras, <a href="#507">507</a>;</li> + <li>appointed Commander-in-Chief in India, <a href="#507">507</a>;</li> + <li>brief visit to England, <a href="#507">507</a>;</li> + <li>accompanies Lord Dufferin to Gwalior, <a href="#507">507</a>;</li> + <li>proceeds to Delhi, <a href="#509">509</a>;</li> + <li>Camp of Exercise at Delhi, <a href="#509">509</a>;</li> + <li>accompanies Lord Dufferin to Burma, <a href="#509">509</a>, <a href="#510">510</a>;</li> + <li>proceeds to the North-West Frontier, <a href="#510">510</a>;</li> + <li>makes a tour of inspection, <a href="#510">510</a>-512;</li> + <li>draws up a memorandum on frontier defence, <a href="#512">512</a>, <a href="#513">513</a>;</li> + <li>Lady Roberts's Homes, <a href="#514">514</a>, <a href="#515">515</a>;</li> + <li>sends reinforcements to Burma, <a href="#516">516</a>;</li> + <li>lands at Rangoon, <a href="#517">517</a>;</li> + <li>measures for pacification of Upper Burma, <a href="#518">518</a>;</li> + <li>inspects North-West Frontier with General Chesney, <a href="#518">518</a>;</li> + <li>receives Grand Cross of the Indian Empire, <a href="#519">519</a>;</li> + <li>establishes 'Regimental Institutes', <a href="#519">519</a>;</li> + <li>establishes the Army Temperance Association, <a href="#520">520</a>;</li> + <li>makes a tour with Lord Dufferin along the North-West Frontier, <a href="#521">521</a>;</li> + <li>official inspections, <a href="#521">521</a>;</li> + <li>presides over Defence and Mobilization Committees, <a href="#522">522</a>-524;</li> + <li>supports Lord Dufferin's scheme for the utilization of Native States' armies, <a href="#524">524</a>;</li> + <li>visits the frontier, <a href="#525">525</a>;</li> + <li>spends Christmas in camp, <a href="#525">525</a>;</li> + <li>visits Calcutta, <a href="#525">525</a>;</li> + <li>makes a tour of inspection in Central India and Rajputana, <a href="#525">525</a>-527;</li> + <li>and in Kashmir, <a href="#527">527</a>;</li> + <li>remodels the system of musketry instruction for the Native Army, <a href="#527">527</a>;</li> + <li>improvements in Artillery and Cavalry, <a href="#528">528</a>;</li> + <li>visits the frontier with Lord Lansdowne, <a href="#529">529</a>;</li> + <li>offered the post of Adjutant-General, <a href="#529">529</a>;</li> + <li>meets Prince Albert Victor in Calcutta, <a href="#529">529</a>;</li> + <li>entertains the Prince at Muridki, <a href="#530">530</a>;<span class="page"><a name="593">[Page 593]</a></span></li> + <li>extension of command, <a href="#530">530</a>;</li> + <li>meets the Cesarewitch in Calcutta, <a href="#531">531</a>;</li> + <li>views on the Native Army, <a href="#532">532</a>;</li> + <li>steps taken to increase its efficiency, <a href="#532">532</a>, <a href="#533">533</a>;</li> + <li>concession to the Native Army, <a href="#533">533</a>;</li> + <li>unable to remedy the under-officering of Native regiments, <a href="#533">533</a>;</li> + <li>inspects the Zhob valley with General Brackenbury, <a href="#534">534</a>;</li> + <li>raised to the peerage, <a href="#535">535</a>;</li> + <li>visits Burma, <a href="#536">536</a>; </li> + <li>visits Nepal, <a href="#536">536</a>;</li> + <li>review of the Maharaja's troops, <a href="#537">537</a>;</li> + <li>a grand durbar, <a href="#537">537</a>;</li> + <li>an evening reception at the palace, <a href="#537">537</a>, <a href="#538">538</a>;</li> + <li>a short tour in the Punjab, <a href="#538">538</a>;</li> + <li>proposed Mission to the Amir, <a href="#539">539</a>;</li> + <li>the Mission abandoned, <a href="#539">539</a>;</li> + <li>adieu to Simla, <a href="#540">540</a>;</li> + <li>final tour in the Punjab, <a href="#540">540</a>;</li> + <li>farewell entertainments at Lahore, <a href="#540">540</a>; + <ul class="index2"><li>at Lucknow, <a href="#541">541</a>;</li> + <li>and at Calcutta, <a href="#541">541</a>;</li></ul></li> + <li>pig-sticking at Jaipur and Jodhpur, <a href="#542">542</a>;</li> + <li>address from the municipality of Ahmedabad, <a href="#542">542</a></li> + <li>parting dinner at the Byculla Club, <a href="#542">542</a>;</li> + <li>the end of forty-one years in India, <a href="#543">543</a>;</li> + <li>letter to Yakub Khan, <a href="#551">551</a>;</li> + <li>interview with Yakub Khan's agents, <a href="#551">551</a>-553;</li> + <li>official report on interview with Yakub Khan, <a href="#554">554</a>-556;</li> + <li>extract from Report on Commissariat, <a href="#566">566</a>-569;</li> + <li>instructions to officers commanding Column in Burma, <a href="#569">569</a>-572;</li> + <li>farewell address from Sikhs of the Punjab, <a href="#572">572</a>-573; + <ul class="index2"><li>from Hindus of the Punjab, <a href="#574">574</a>-575;</li> + <li>from Mahomedans of the Punjab, <a href="#575">575</a>-577;</li> + <li>from the European community of the Punjab, <a href="#577">577</a>-578; </li> + <li>from the Talukdars of Oudh, <a href="#578">578</a>;</li> + <li>from the citizens of Calcutta, <a href="#579">579</a>-580</li></ul></li></ul></li> +<li>Robertson, Lieutenant, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>15</sup></li> +<li>Robinson, Lieutenant, <a href="#488">488</a></li> +<li>Romanofski, General, <a href="#304">304</a></li> +<li>Rose, Sir Hugh. <i>See</i> Strathnairn</li> +<li>Ross, General Sir John, G.C.B., <a href="#456">456</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#463">463</a>, <a href="#465">465</a>, +<a href="#475">475</a>, <a href="#487">487</a>, <a href="#488">488</a>, <a href="#489">489</a>, +<a href="#490">490</a>, <a href="#507">507</a></li> +<li>Ross, Lieutenant-Colonel, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Dr. Tyrrell, <a href="#214">214</a>, <a href="#215">215</a>, <a href="#267">267</a></li> + <li>Mrs. Tyrrell, <a href="#267">267</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Rothney, Captain, <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#79">79</a></li> +<li>Runjit Sing, <a href="#20">20</a>, <a href="#267">267</a></li> +<li>Russell, Brigadier D., <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#173">173</a>, <a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#186">186</a>, +<a href="#190">190</a>, <a href="#191">191</a></li> +<li>Russell, General Sir Edward Lechmere, K.C.S.I., <a href="#298">298</a>, <a href="#301">301</a></li> +<li>Russell, Lieutenant, <a href="#52">52</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Russia, Czar of, <a href="#369">369</a>, <a href="#462">462</a>, <a href="#554">554</a>, <a href="#555">555</a>, +<a href="#556">556</a>, <a href="#557">557</a>, <a href="#558">558</a></li> +<li>Ruttun Sing, Subadar, <a href="#139">139</a><sup>6</sup></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="S">St</a>. John, Sir Oliver, <a href="#343">343</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#470">470</a>, +<a href="#483">483</a>, <a href="#485">485</a></li> +<li>Saiyad Nur Mahomed, <a href="#308">308</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, <a href="#322">322</a>, <a href="#323">323</a>, +<a href="#329">329</a>, <a href="#335">335</a>, <a href="#421">421</a>, <a href="#554">554</a></li> +<li>Sale, Sir Robert, <a href="#14">14</a>, <a href="#77">77</a>, <a href="#107">107</a>, <a href="#377">377</a>, +<a href="#424">424</a>, <a href="#468">468</a></li> +<li>Salisbury, The Marquis of, <a href="#329">329</a>, <a href="#347">347</a>, <a href="#507">507</a>, <a href="#563">563</a></li> +<li>Salkeld, Lieutenant, <a href="#126">126</a></li> +<li>Salmon, Sir Nowell, <a href="#185">185</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Salmond, Lieutenant, <a href="#207">207</a></li> +<li>Samandar Khan, <a href="#455">455</a></li> +<li>Sandeman, Colonel, <a href="#77">77</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Robert, <a href="#77">77</a>, <a href="#227">227</a><sup>15</sup>, <a href="#329">329</a><sup>2</sup>, + <a href="#493">493</a>, <a href="#511">511</a>, <a href="#529">529</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Sandford, Major, <a href="#222">222</a><sup>8</sup>, <a href="#223">223</a></li> +<li>Sandhurst, General Lord, G.C.B., G.C.S.I. (Sir William Mansfield), <a href="#166">166</a>, <a href="#179">179</a>, +<a href="#184">184</a>, <a href="#197">197</a>, <a href="#198">198</a>, <a href="#202">202</a>, <a href="#206">206</a>, +<a href="#207">207</a>, <a href="#208">208</a>, <a href="#212">212</a>, <a href="#213">213</a>, <a href="#222">222</a>, +<a href="#226">226</a>, <a href="#257">257</a>, <a href="#295">295</a>, <a href="#296">296</a>, <a href="#297">297</a>, +<a href="#299">299</a>, <a href="#302">302</a>, <a href="#309">309</a></li> +<li>Sandhurst, Lady, <a href="#257">257</a></li> +<li>Sankar Dass, Native Doctor, <a href="#379">379</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Sarel, Captain, <a href="#144">144</a></li> +<li>Schouvaloff, Count, <a href="#340">340</a></li> +<li>Scott, Captain A., <a href="#550">550</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major, <a href="#83">83</a>, <a href="#89">89</a>, <a href="#120">120</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Seaton, Brigadier, <a href="#212">212</a></li> +<li>Shafto, Captain, <a href="#418">418</a></li> +<li>Shah Jehan, <a href="#238">238</a></li> +<li>Shah Mahomed Khan, Wazir, <a href="#391">391</a>, <a href="#392">392</a>, <a href="#393">393</a>, <a href="#400">400</a><sup>6</sup>, +<a href="#413">413</a>, <a href="#427">427</a>, <a href="#551">551</a>, <a href="#557">557</a></li> +<li>Shah Shuja, <a href="#10">10</a>, <a href="#14">14</a>, <a href="#339">339</a></li> +<li>Shaidad Khan, Resaidar, <a href="#71">71</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Sher Ali, Amir, <a href="#303">303</a>, <a href="#304">304</a>, <a href="#305">305</a>, <a href="#306">306</a>, +<a href="#307">307</a>, <a href="#308">308</a>, <a href="#321">321</a>, <a href="#322">322</a>, <a href="#323">323</a>, +<a href="#328">328</a>, <a href="#329">329</a>, <a href="#330">330</a>, <a href="#331">331</a>, <a href="#335">335</a>, +<a href="#336">336</a>, <a href="#338">338</a>, <a href="#340">340</a>, <a href="#341">341</a>, <a href="#342">342</a>, +<a href="#343">343</a>, <a href="#344">344</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#345">345</a>, <a href="#346">346</a>, <a href="#347">347</a>, +<a href="#348">348</a>, <a href="#351">351</a>, <a href="#354">354</a>, +<a href="#368">368</a>, <a href="#369">369</a>, <a href="#373">373</a>, <a href="#375">375</a>, <a href="#377">377</a>, +<a href="#421">421</a>, <a href="#428">428</a>, <a href="#457">457</a>, <a href="#458">458</a>, <a href="#459">459</a>, +<a href="#466">466</a>, <a href="#467">467</a>, <a href="#538">538</a>, <a href="#552">552</a>, <a href="#554">554</a>, +<a href="#555">555</a>, <a href="#556">556</a>, <a href="#557">557</a>, <a href="#558">558</a>, <a href="#559">559</a>, +<a href="#560">560</a>, <a href="#561">561</a>, <a href="#562">562</a>, <a href="#563">563</a>, <a href="#564">564</a></li> +<li>Sher Ali, Sirdar, <a href="#468">468</a>, <a href="#468">468</a><sup>1, 2</sup></li> +<li>Sherindil Khan, Sirdar, <a href="#481">481</a></li> +<li>Sher Mahomed, Jemadar, <a href="#394">394</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Sherries, Lieutenant, <a href="#362">362</a>, <a href="#453">453</a></li> +<li>Sherston, Lieutenant John, <a href="#435">435</a></li> +<li>Shore, Sir John. <i>See</i> Teignmouth<span class="page"><a name="594">[Page 594]</a></span></li> +<li>Showers, Brigadier, <a href="#85">85</a>, <a href="#95">95</a>, <a href="#99">99</a>, <a href="#105">105</a>, +<a href="#109">109</a>, <a href="#110">110</a>, <a href="#113">113</a></li> +<li>Sikim, Raja of, <a href="#524">524</a></li> +<li>Sindhia, Maharaja, <a href="#154">154</a>, <a href="#168">168</a>, <a href="#262">262</a>, <a href="#274">274,</a> +<a href="#278">278</a>, <a href="#279">279</a>, <a href="#334">334</a>, <a href="#507">507</a></li> +<li>Sirdar Sing, <a href="#526">526</a></li> +<li>Skinner, James, <a href="#132">132</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Skobeleff, General, <a href="#503">503</a></li> +<li>Sladen, Mrs., <a href="#277">277</a>, <a href="#278">278</a>, <a href="#293">293</a></li> +<li>Slater, Major, <a href="#492">492</a></li> +<li>Sleeman, Colonel, <a href="#235">235</a>, <a href="#246">246</a></li> +<li>Smith, Captain, <a href="#204">204</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#205">205</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major Euan, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>13</sup></li> + <li>Major Percy, <a href="#221">221</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Smyth, Colonel, <a href="#48">48</a></li> +<li>Smyth-Windham, Major, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#434">434</a>, <a href="#435">435</a>, <a href="#436">436</a></li> +<li>Somerset, Sir Henry, <a href="#112">112</a></li> +<li>Spens, Captain, <a href="#447">447</a></li> +<li>Spottiswoode, Colonel, <a href="#62">62</a></li> +<li>Spratt, Lieutenant, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Stanhope, The Hon. E., <a href="#417">417</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#529">529</a>, <a href="#530">530</a></li> +<li>Stanley, Lord, <a href="#547">547</a></li> +<li>Staveley, Lady, <a href="#335">335</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Charles, <a href="#335">335</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Sterling, Colonel, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Stewart, John, <a href="#2">2</a>, <a href="#3">3</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Patrick, <a href="#178">178</a><sup>11</sup></li> + <li>Field-Marshal Sir Donald Martin, Bart., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., C.I.E., + <a href="#9">9</a>, <a href="#97">97</a>, <a href="#230">230</a>, <a href="#263">263</a>, <a href="#271">271</a>, + <a href="#280">280</a>, <a href="#293">293</a>, <a href="#296">296</a>, <a href="#297">297</a>-298, + <a href="#300">300</a>, <a href="#310">310</a>, <a href="#318">318</a>, <a href="#326">326</a>, <a href="#346">346</a>, + <a href="#384">384</a>, <a href="#394">394</a>, <a href="#456">456</a>, <a href="#459">459</a>, <a href="#460">460</a>, + <a href="#462">462</a>, <a href="#463">463</a>, <a href="#464">464</a>, <a href="#465">465</a>, <a href="#467">467</a>, + <a href="#468">468</a>, <a href="#471">471</a>, <a href="#472">472</a>, <a href="#473">473</a>, <a href="#474">474</a>, + <a href="#478">478</a>, <a href="#480">480</a>, <a href="#485">485</a>, <a href="#493">493</a>, <a href="#498">498</a>, + <a href="#500">500</a>, <a href="#504">504</a>, <a href="#507">507</a>, <a href="#509">509</a>, <a href="#510">510</a>, + <a href="#544">544</a>, <a href="#545">545</a>, <a href="#546">546</a>, <a href="#562">562</a>, <a href="#565">565</a>, + <a href="#566">566</a></li> + <li>Lieutenant Donald, <a href="#492">492</a></li> + <li>Lady, <a href="#9">9</a>, <a href="#271">271</a>, <a href="#293">293</a>, <a href="#297">297</a>, <a href="#498">498</a></li> + <li>Sir Herbert, <a href="#320">320</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Stewart-Mackenzie, Captain, <a href="#436">436</a>, <a href="#437">437</a></li> +<li>Stillman, Lieutenant, <a href="#102">102</a>, <a href="#103">103</a></li> +<li>Stolietoff, General, <a href="#341">341</a>, <a href="#342">342</a>, <a href="#343">343</a>, <a href="#421">421</a>, +<a href="#554">554</a>, <a href="#555">555</a>, <a href="#556">556</a>, <a href="#557">557</a></li> +<li>Strathnairn, Field-Marshal Lord, G.C.B., G.C.S.I. (Sir Hugh Rose), +<a href="#75">75</a>, <a href="#76">76</a>, <a href="#229">229</a>, <a href="#269">269</a>, <a href="#270">270</a>, +<a href="#271">271</a>, <a href="#274">274</a>, <a href="#275">275</a>, <a href="#276">276</a>, <a href="#277">277</a>, +<a href="#278">278</a>, <a href="#279">279</a>, <a href="#280">280</a>, <a href="#281">281</a>, <a href="#285">285</a>, +<a href="#287">287</a>, <a href="#288">288</a>, <a href="#293">293</a>, <a href="#295">295</a>, <a href="#320">320</a></li> +<li>Stratton, Captain, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#407">407</a>, <a href="#491">491</a>, <a href="#492">492</a></li> +<li>Sullivan, Gunner, <a href="#162">162</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Sultan Jan, Shahzada, <a href="#372">372</a>, <a href="#373">373</a></li> +<li>Swat, Akhund of, <a href="#282">282</a>, <a href="#283">283</a>, <a href="#284">284</a>, <a href="#286">286</a><sup>11</sup>, +<a href="#291">291</a></li> +<li>Swinley, Captain, <a href="#371">371</a>, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#445">445</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Syad Ahmed Shah, <a href="#281">281</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Symons, Major, <a href="#518">518</a></li> +<li>Synge, Captain, <a href="#127">127</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="T">Taj</a> Sing, Sepoy, <a href="#489">489</a><sup>2</sup></li> +<li>Tamerlane, <a href="#263">263</a></li> +<li>Tanner, Lieutenant-General Sir Oriel, K.C.B., <a href="#480">480</a>, <a href="#481">481</a></li> +<li>Tantia Topi, <a href="#162">162</a>, <a href="#168">168</a>, <a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#208">208</a>, +<a href="#210">210</a>, <a href="#211">211</a>, <a href="#261">261</a>, <a href="#278">278</a><sup>7</sup>, <a href="#279">279</a></li> +<li>Taylor, Corporal, <a href="#127">127</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Colonel Reynell, <a href="#283">283</a>, <a href="#284">284</a>, <a href="#285">285</a>, + <a href="#286">286</a><sup>11</sup>, <a href="#291">291</a>, <a href="#292">292</a></li> + <li>General Sir Alexander, G.C.B., <a href="#99">99</a>, <a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#119">119</a>, + <a href="#121">121</a>, <a href="#134">134</a>, <a href="#282">282</a>, <a href="#291">291</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Teignmouth, Lord, <a href="#303">303</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Temple, Sir Richard, <a href="#325">325</a>, <a href="#326">326</a></li> +<li>Thebaw, King, <a href="#508">508</a>, <a href="#510">510</a></li> +<li>Thelwall, Brigadier, <a href="#357">357</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Theodore, King, <a href="#295">295</a>, <a href="#298">298</a>, <a href="#301">301</a></li> +<li>Thesiger, General. <i>See</i> Chelmsford</li> +<li>Thomson, Lieutenant, <a href="#72">72</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant, <a href="#162">162</a><sup>3</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Thornhill, M., <a href="#154">154</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#155">155</a><sup>3, 5</sup>, <a href="#156">156</a><sup>6</sup></li> +<li>Thornton, Thomas, C.S.I., <a href="#79">79</a>, <a href="#80">80</a></li> +<li>Tikaram Kwas, Sepoy, <a href="#490">490</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Tombs, Major-General Sir Harry, V.C., K.C.B., <a href="#83">83</a>, <a href="#93">93</a>, <a href="#96">96</a>, +<a href="#102">102</a>, <a href="#103">103</a>, +<a href="#120">120</a>, <a href="#127">127</a>, <a href="#129">129</a>, <a href="#130">130</a></li> +<li>Tonk, Nawab of, <a href="#261">261</a></li> +<li>Townsend, Dr., <a href="#394">394</a></li> +<li>Travancore, Maharaja of, <a href="#501">501</a></li> +<li>Travers, Lieutenant Eaton, <a href="#111">111</a>, <a href="#139">139</a><sup>6</sup> + <ul class="index1"><li>Major, <a href="#169">169</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#178">178</a>, <a href="#180">180</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Trevelyan, Sir Charles, <a href="#268">268</a>, <a href="#269">269</a></li> +<li>Trower, Lieutenant, <a href="#443">443</a></li> +<li>Tryon, Admiral Sir George, K.C.B., <a href="#301">301</a></li> +<li>Turner, Colonel F., <a href="#151">151</a>, <a href="#218">218</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Brigadier-General Sir W.W., K.C.B., <a href="#288">288</a>, <a href="#289">289</a>, + <a href="#290">290</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Tweeddale, William Hay, Marquess of, <a href="#54">54</a></li> +<li>Tyndall, Colonel, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Tytler, Captain, <a href="#87">87</a>, <a href="#88">88</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mrs., <a href="#87">87</a></li></ul></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="U">Udaipur</a>, Maharana of, <a href="#334">334</a>, <a href="#525">525</a></li> +<li>Ulwar, Maharaja of, <a href="#261">261</a>, <a href="#525">525</a>, <a href="#526">526</a></li> +<li>Unjur Tiwari, <a href="#208">208</a>, <a href="#209">209</a>, <a href="#217">217</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Va">Vandeleur</a>, Major, <a href="#486">486</a><span class="page"><a name="595">[Page 595]</a></span></li> +<li>Vaughan, Lieutenant, <a href="#213">213</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>General Sir T. L., K.C.B., <a href="#288">288</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Victoria, H.M. Queen, <a href="#162">162</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#252">252</a>, <a href="#254">254</a>, +<a href="#259">259</a>, <a href="#260">260</a><sup>5</sup>, <a href="#261">261</a>, <a href="#262">262</a><sup>6</sup>, +<a href="#266">266</a>, <a href="#270">270</a>, <a href="#298">298</a>, <a href="#325">325</a>, <a href="#327">327</a>, +<a href="#331">331</a>, <a href="#333">333</a>, +<a href="#334">334</a>, <a href="#335">335</a>, <a href="#365">365</a>, <a href="#378">378</a>, <a href="#405">405</a>, +<a href="#418">418</a>, <a href="#492">492</a>, <a href="#493">493</a>, <a href="#495">495</a>, <a href="#502">502</a>, +<a href="#505">505</a>, <a href="#507">507</a>, <a href="#519">519</a>, <a href="#530">530</a>, <a href="#533">533</a>, +<a href="#535">535</a>, <a href="#538">538</a>, <a href="#539">539</a>, <a href="#542">542</a>, <a href="#562">562</a>, +<a href="#563">563</a>, <a href="#564">564</a>, <a href="#565">565</a>, <a href="#573">573</a>, <a href="#574">574</a>, +<a href="#575">575</a>, <a href="#576">576</a>, <a href="#577">577</a>, <a href="#578">578</a></li> +<li>Villiers, Colonel, <a href="#350">350</a></li> +<li>Vitkievitch, Captain, <a href="#338">338</a>, <a href="#339">339</a></li> +<li>Vizianagram, Maharaja of, <a href="#501">501</a></li> +<li>Vonolel, Chief, <a href="#317">317</a></li> +<li>Vousden, Captain, <a href="#446">446</a></li> +<li>Vozgonoff, General, <a href="#558">558</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="W">Wakhan</a>, Mir of, <a href="#330">330</a></li> +<li>Wale, Captain, <a href="#227">227</a><sup>15</sup></li> +<li>Wales, H.R.H. the Prince of, <a href="#120">120</a><sup>6</sup>, <a href="#302">302</a>, <a href="#326">326</a>, +<a href="#327">327</a>, <a href="#328">328</a>, <a href="#335">335</a></li> +<li>Wales, H.R.H. the Princess of, <a href="#302">302</a></li> +<li>Walidad Khan, <a href="#143">143</a>, <a href="#144">144</a></li> +<li>Wali Mahomed Khan, <a href="#303">303</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#373">373</a>, <a href="#395">395</a>, +<a href="#396">396</a>, <a href="#398">398</a>, <a href="#419">419</a>, <a href="#429">429</a>, +<a href="#439">439</a>, <a href="#448">448</a>, <a href="#469">469</a></li> +<li>Walker, General James, C.B., <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#63">63</a></li> +<li>Waller, Major Robert, <a href="#14">14</a></li> +<li>Walpole, Brigadier, <a href="#204">204</a>, <a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#212">212</a>, +<a href="#217">217</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#222">222</a>, <a href="#227">227</a></li> +<li>Walton, Captain, <a href="#180">180</a><sup>14</sup>, <a href="#181">181</a><sup>18</sup></li> +<li>Warburton, Colonel, <a href="#511">511</a></li> +<li>Waterfield, Colonel Garrow, <a href="#350">350</a>, <a href="#362">362</a>, <a href="#365">365</a>, +<a href="#370">370</a></li> +<li>Waterford, The Marchioness of, <a href="#264">264</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>The Marquess of, <a href="#252">252</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Watson, General Sir John, V.C., K.C.B., +<a href="#23">23</a>, <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#72">72</a>, <a href="#130">130</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, +<a href="#143">143</a>, <a href="#144">144</a>, <a href="#146">146</a>, <a href="#150">150</a>, +<a href="#151">151</a>, <a href="#152">152</a>, <a href="#161">161</a>, <a href="#172">172</a>, +<a href="#175">175</a>, <a href="#178">178</a><sup>11</sup>, <a href="#219">219</a>, <a href="#222">222</a><sup>8</sup>, +<a href="#230">230</a>, <a href="#375">375</a></li> +<li>Welchman, Colonel, <a href="#95">95</a></li> +<li>Wellesley, The Marquess, <a href="#234">234</a>, <a href="#237">237</a></li> +<li>Wellington, Duke of, <a href="#194">194</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#501">501</a></li> +<li>Wheeler, Sir Hugh, <a href="#112">112</a>, <a href="#159">159</a>, <a href="#161">161</a>, +<a href="#162">162</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#548">548</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Talboys, <a href="#332">332</a><sup>4</sup>, <a href="#335">335</a><sup>6</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>White, Sir George, <a href="#32">32</a>, <a href="#404">404</a>, <a href="#405">405</a>, <a href="#406">406</a>, +<a href="#407">407</a>, <a href="#408">408</a>, <a href="#409">409</a>, <a href="#410">410</a>, +<a href="#441">441</a>, <a href="#442">442</a>, <a href="#490">490</a>, <a href="#517">517</a>, <a href="#530">530</a></li> +<li>Wilde, Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#142">142</a>, +<a href="#181">181</a><sup>20</sup>, <a href="#228">228</a>, <a href="#288">288</a>, <a href="#289">289</a></li> +<li>William I., The Emperor, <a href="#497">497</a>, <a href="#509">509</a><sup>5</sup></li> +<li>Williams, Lieutenant, <a href="#78">78</a>, <a href="#79">79</a>, <a href="#80">80</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Colonel, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#443">443</a>, <a href="#446">446</a>, + <a href="#454">454</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Willoughby, Lieutenant, <a href="#183">183</a><sup>22</sup></li> +<li>Wilson, Sir Archdale, <a href="#44">44</a>, <a href="#47">47</a>, <a href="#48">48</a>, <a href="#57">57</a>, +<a href="#83">83</a>, <a href="#84">84</a>, <a href="#86">86</a>, <a href="#97">97</a>, <a href="#108">108</a>, +<a href="#116">116</a>, <a href="#117">117</a>, <a href="#118">118</a>, <a href="#119">119</a>, +<a href="#122">122</a>, <a href="#123">123</a>, <a href="#129">129</a>, <a href="#130">130</a>, +<a href="#131">131</a>, <a href="#132">132</a>, <a href="#133">133</a>, <a href="#134">134</a>, +<a href="#136">136</a>, <a href="#137">137</a>, <a href="#140">140</a>, <a href="#141">141</a>, +<a href="#142">142</a>, <a href="#217">217</a><sup>1</sup></li> +<li>Wilson, Colonel, <a href="#163">163</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>James, <a href="#268">268</a></li> + <li>Lieutenant, <a href="#477">477</a><sup>15</sup></li></ul></li> +<li>Winchester, Mary, <a href="#310">310</a>, <a href="#317">317</a></li> +<li>Windham, Sir Charles, <a href="#201">201</a>, <a href="#202">202</a>, <a href="#204">204</a>, +<a href="#205">205</a>, <a href="#210">210</a>, <a href="#211">211</a>, <a href="#266">266</a></li> +<li>Wolseley, Field-Marshal Viscount, K.P. Commander-in-Chief, <a href="#187">187</a>, <a href="#230">230</a>, +<a href="#497">497</a>, <a href="#529">529</a></li> +<li>Woodthorpe, Captain, <a href="#384">384</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Wright, Major, <a href="#36">36</a>, <a href="#38">38</a>, <a href="#290">290</a>, <a href="#291">291</a></li> +<li>Wylie, Colonel, <a href="#536">536</a>, <a href="#537">537</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Mrs., <a href="#536">536</a>, <a href="#537">537</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Wynne, Captain, <a href="#360">360</a>, <a href="#550">550</a></li> +<li>Wynter, Captain, <a href="#477">477</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Y">Yahia</a> Khan, <a href="#388">388</a><sup>11</sup>, <a href="#413">413</a>, <a href="#427">427</a></li> +<li>Yakub Khan, <a href="#305">305</a>, <a href="#329">329</a>, <a href="#330">330</a>, <a href="#351">351</a><sup>2</sup>, +<a href="#368">368</a>, <a href="#369">369</a>, <a href="#373">373</a>, <a href="#375">375</a>, <a href="#376">376</a>, +<a href="#377">377</a>, <a href="#378">378</a>, <a href="#380">380</a>, <a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#387">387</a>, +<a href="#388">388</a>, <a href="#389">389</a>, <a href="#390">390</a>, <a href="#391">391</a>, <a href="#392">392</a>, +<a href="#393">393</a>, <a href="#395">395</a>, <a href="#396">396</a>, <a href="#397">397</a>, +<a href="#398">398</a>, <a href="#399">399</a>, <a href="#400">400</a>, <a href="#401">401</a>, <a href="#402">402</a>, +<a href="#404">404</a>, <a href="#407">407</a>, <a href="#411">411</a>, <a href="#412">412</a>, <a href="#413">413</a>, +<a href="#414">414</a>, <a href="#415">415</a>, <a href="#416">416</a>, <a href="#417">417</a>, <a href="#419">419</a>, +<a href="#420">420</a>, <a href="#421">421</a>, <a href="#422">422</a>, <a href="#423">423</a>, <a href="#425">425</a>, +<a href="#425">425</a><sup>2</sup>, <a href="#427">427</a>, <a href="#429">429</a>, <a href="#450">450</a>, <a href="#451">451</a>, +<a href="#459">459</a>, <a href="#460">460</a>, <a href="#462">462</a>, <a href="#463">463</a>, <a href="#466">466</a>, +<a href="#468">468</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#496">496</a>, <a href="#551">551</a>, <a href="#552">552</a>, <a href="#553">553</a>, +<a href="#554">554</a>, <a href="#555">555</a>, <a href="#559">559</a>, <a href="#560">560</a>, <a href="#562">562</a>, +<a href="#565">565</a>, <a href="#566">566</a></li> +<li>Yanoff, Colonel, <a href="#535">535</a></li> +<li>Yorke, Lieutenant, <a href="#79">79</a>, <a href="#98">98</a></li> +<li>Younghusband, Captain F., <a href="#535">535</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Lieutenant George, <a href="#62">62</a>, <a href="#100">100</a>, <a href="#101">101</a>, + <a href="#130">130</a>, <a href="#141">141</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#144">144</a>, <a href="#151">151</a>, + <a href="#152">152</a>, <a href="#176">176</a>, <a href="#177">177</a>, + <a href="#214">214</a>, <a href="#215">215</a>, <a href="#223">223</a></li> + <li>Major, <a href="#77">77</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Yule, Colour-Sergeant, <a href="#442">442</a></li> +<li>Yuralski, Doctor, <a href="#555">555</a>, <a href="#559">559</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Z">Zakariah</a> Khan, <a href="#413">413</a>, <a href="#427">427</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + + <span class="page"><a name="596">[Page 596]</a></span> + <br /><br /> + <h2>INDEX</h2> +<h3>CHIEF PUBLIC EVENTS.</h3> +<hr /> + +<p class="center"> +<a href="#Ae">A</a> | <a href="#Be">B</a> | <a href="#Ce">C</a> | <a href="#De">D</a> | +<a href="#Ee">E</a> | <a href="#Fe">F</a> | <a href="#Ge">G</a> | <a href="#He">H</a> | +<a href="#Ie">I</a> | <a href="#Je">J</a> | <a href="#Ke">K</a> | <a href="#Le">L</a> | +<a href="#Me">M</a> | <a href="#Oe">O</a> | <a href="#Pe">P</a> | +<a href="#Re">R</a> | <a href="#Se">S</a> | <a href="#Te">T</a> | +<a href="#Ue">U</a> | <a href="#Ze">Z</a><br /><br /></p> + + <br /> + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ae">Abdul</a> Rahman proclaimed Amir, <a href="#467">467</a></li> +<li>Abolition of offices of Commanders-in-Chief, Bombay and Madras, <a href="#382">382</a></li> +<li>Abyssinian Expedition, <a href="#295">295</a>-302</li> +<li>Afghan War, first, <a href="#241">241</a></li> +<li>Agra, Fight at, <a href="#150">150</a>-153</li> +<li>Ahmedkhel, Battle of, <a href="#463">463</a>, <a href="#480">480</a></li> +<li>Aligarh, Fight at, <a href="#147">147</a></li> +<li>Alipur, Attack on, <a href="#100">100</a>, <a href="#101">101</a></li> +<li>Army Commission, <a href="#379">379</a>, <a href="#382">382</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Temperance Association, Establishment of, <a href="#520">520</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Assassination of Colonel Mackeson, <a href="#15">15</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>of Lord Mayo, <a href="#318">318</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Assaye, Battle of, <a href="#194">194</a><sup>3</sup></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Be">Barrackpore</a>, Outbreak at, <a href="#43">43</a></li> +<li>Berhampur, Outbreak at, <a href="#42">42</a></li> +<li>Berlin Treaty, <a href="#341">341</a><sup>1</sup>, <a href="#342">342</a></li> +<li>Black Mountain Expeditions, <a href="#524">524</a>, <a href="#531">531</a></li> +<li>Bulandshahr, Action at, <a href="#143">143</a></li> +<li>Burma Expedition, <a href="#508">508</a>, <a href="#509">509</a>, <a href="#510">510</a>, <a href="#516">516</a>-518</li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ce">Cawnpore</a>, Fight at, <a href="#204">204</a>-207 + <ul class="index1"><li>Massacre at, <a href="#161">161</a>-163</li></ul></li> +<li>Cesarewitch visits India, <a href="#531">531</a></li> +<li>Charasia, Fights at, <a href="#403">403</a>-406, <a href="#463">463</a>, <a href="#464">464</a></li> +<li>Chardeh Valley, Fight in the, <a href="#440">440</a>-443, <a href="#444">444</a>, <a href="#446">446</a></li> +<li>Chitral Expedition, <a href="#524">524</a>, <a href="#535">535</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="De">Delhi</a>, Camp of Exercise at, <a href="#509">509</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Siege of, <a href="#82">82</a>-140;</li> + <li>the first victory, <a href="#83">83</a>;</li> + <li>enthusiasm of the troops, <a href="#84">84</a>;</li> + <li>Barnard's success, <a href="#85">85</a>;</li> + <li>the Flagstaff Tower, <a href="#87">87</a>;</li> + <li>attacking force placed in position, <a href="#88">88</a>;</li> + <li>the weak point of our defence, <a href="#88">88</a>;</li> + <li>defences, <a href="#89">89</a>;</li> + <li>death of Quintin Battye, <a href="#90">90</a>;</li> + <li>the besiegers besieged, <a href="#93">93</a>;</li> + <li>hard fighting, <a href="#94">94</a>, <a href="#95">95</a>;</li> + <li>arrival of reinforcements, <a href="#98">98</a>;</li> + <li>death of Barnard, <a href="#101">101</a>;</li> + <li>Reed takes command, <a href="#102">102</a>;</li> + <li>treachery in camp, <a href="#105">105</a>;</li> + <li>more hard fighting, <a href="#106">106</a>;</li> + <li>sufferings of sick and wounded, <a href="#107">107</a>;</li> + <li>Wilson takes command, <a href="#108">108</a>;</li> + <li>Nicholson and the Movable Column arrive, <a href="#114">114</a>;</li> + <li>Baird-Smith plans attack, <a href="#117">117</a>;</li> + <li>breaching batteries at work, <a href="#119">119</a>;</li> + <li>the assault, <a href="#125">125</a>-128;</li> + <li>Nicholson wounded, <a href="#129">129</a>;</li> + <li>storming of the palace, <a href="#136">136</a>;</li> + <li>Hodson captures the King, <a href="#137">137</a>;</li> + <li>Hodson shoots the Princes, <a href="#137">137</a>;</li> + <li>Nicholson dies, <a href="#138">138</a>;</li> + <li>the siege ended, <a href="#138">138</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Dost Mahomed, Treaty with, <a href="#27">27</a>-31 + <ul class="index1"><li>Death of, <a href="#303">303</a></li></ul></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ee">European</a> Forces, Amalgamation of the, <a href="#269">269</a>, <a href="#270">270</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Fe">Ferozepore</a>, Outbreak at, <a href="#69">69</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ge">Gandamak</a>, Treaty of, <a href="#378">378</a>, <a href="#419">419</a>, <a href="#420">420</a>, +<a href="#561">561</a>, <a href="#562">562</a>, <a href="#564">564</a></li> +<li>Gatling Guns, First use of, <a href="#406">406</a><sup>3</sup></li> +<li>Gwalior fortress, Rendition of, <a href="#507">507</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="He">Homes</a> in the Hills, Establishment of, <a href="#515">515</a></li> +<li>Hunza-Naga Campaign, <a href="#534">534</a>, <a href="#535">535</a></li> +<li>Hurdwar Fair, closing of, <a href="#247">247</a><sup>1</sup></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ie">Imperial</a> assemblage of 1877, <a href="#331">331</a>-335</li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Je">Jowaki</a> Expedition, <a href="#17">17</a>, <a href="#18">18</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ke">Kabul</a>, Cavagnari's Mission to, <a href="#380">380</a>, <a href="#381">381</a>, +<a href="#383">383</a>, <a href="#384">384</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Expedition, <a href="#384">384</a>-468</li> + <li>Massacre of Embassy at, <a href="#383">383</a></li> + <li>Repulse of British Mission to, <a href="#343">343</a>-345</li> + <li>Russian Mission to, <a href="#341">341</a>, <a href="#342">342</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Kandahar, Defeat of Ayub Khan at, <a href="#487">487</a>-491 + <ul class="index1"><li>March to, <a href="#473">473</a>-485</li></ul></li> +<li>Khost, Action at, <a href="#370">370</a>, <a href="#371">371</a></li> +<li>Khudaganj, Fight at, <a href="#213">213</a>-215</li> +<li>Kohat, Expedition near, <a href="#530">530</a></li> +<li>Kuram Expedition, <a href="#348">348</a>-375</li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Le">Lucknow</a>, Relief of, <a href="#170">170</a>-189; + <ul class="index1"><li>Sir Colin's preparations, <a href="#170">170</a>;</li> + <li>the advance begun, <a href="#170">170</a>;</li> + <li>reinforcements arrive, <a href="#171">171</a>;</li> + <li>attack by the enemy, <a href="#173">173</a>;<span class="page"><a name="597">[Page 597]</a></span> + <ul class="index2"><li>ammunition wanting, <a href="#175">175</a>;</li> + <li>the advance, <a href="#178">178</a>;</li> + <li>Sir Colin wounded, <a href="#179">179</a>;</li> + <li>attack on the Sikandarbagh, <a href="#180">180</a>-182;</li> + <li>the Shah Najaf, <a href="#184">184</a>, <a href="#185">185</a>;</li> + <li>the relief effected, <a href="#187">187</a></li> + <li>meeting of the Generals, <a href="#188">188</a>;</li> + <li>the evacuation, <a href="#192">192</a></li></ul></li> + <li>Siege of, <a href="#220">220</a>-226; + <ul class="index2"><li>Napier's plan adopted, <a href="#221">221</a>;</li> + <li>capture of the Chakar Kothi, <a href="#223">223</a>;</li> + <li>capture of the iron bridge, <a href="#223">223</a>, <a href="#224">224</a>; </li> + <li>visit from Jung Bahadur, <a href="#224">224</a>;</li> + <li>Hodson mortally wounded, <a href="#225">225</a>;</li> + <li>Sir Colin's mistake, <a href="#226">226</a>;</li> + <li>the city taken, <a href="#229">229</a></li></ul></li></ul></li> +<li>Lushai Expedition, <a href="#310">310</a>-319</li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Me">Maiwand</a>, Disaster at, <a href="#470">470</a>-471</li> +<li>Majuba Hill, Disaster at, <a href="#497">497</a></li> +<li>Mandalay, Capture of, <a href="#507">507</a></li> +<li>Manipur Expedition, <a href="#531">531</a></li> +<li>Meerut, Mutiny at, <a href="#44">44</a>-50</li> +<li>Merv, Russian Occupation of, <a href="#503">503</a></li> +<li>Mianganj, Taking of, <a href="#217">217</a>, <a href="#218">218</a></li> +<li>Mian Mir, Disarmament at, <a href="#66">66</a>-67</li> +<li>Multan, Disarmament at, <a href="#70">70</a>-72</li> +<li>Mutiny, The, of 1857-1858, <a href="#34">34</a>-251; + <ul class="index1"><li>Causes of, <a href="#231">231</a>-244;</li> + <li>Chances of its recurrence, <a href="#245">245</a>-251;</li> + <li>First tidings of, <a href="#34">34</a>-40;</li> + <li>New light on, <a href="#241">241</a>;</li> + <li>Predicted by Sir Henry Lawrence, <a href="#194">194</a>;</li> + <li>and by Sir John Malcolm, <a href="#236">236</a></li></ul></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Oe">Oudh</a>, Annexation of, <a href="#234">234</a>-236</li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Pe">Panipat</a>, Three Battles of, <a href="#509">509</a></li> +<li>Panjdeh, Incident at, <a href="#503">503</a></li> +<li>Peiwar Kotal, Taking of, <a href="#355">355</a>-364</li> +<li>Persia, War with, <a href="#30">30</a>, <a href="#238">238</a></li> +<li>Plassy, Battle of, <a href="#194">194</a><sup>3</sup>, <a href="#242">242</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Centenary of, <a href="#94">94</a>, <a href="#95">95</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Prince Albert Victor visits India, <a href="#529">529</a>, <a href="#530">530</a></li> +<li>Prince of Wales visits India, <a href="#326">326</a>-328</li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Re">Regimental</a> Institutes, Establishment of, <a href="#519">519</a></li> +<li>Royal Proclamation of 1859, <a href="#254">254</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Se">Sheorajpur</a>, Fight at, <a href="#209">209</a></li> +<li>Sher Ali, Death of, <a href="#375">375</a> + <ul class="index1"><li>Russian Treaty with, <a href="#421">421</a>, <a href="#559">559</a></li></ul></li> +<li>Shutargardan, Attack on the, <a href="#399">399</a></li> +<li>Sikandarbagh, Attack on the, <a href="#178">178</a>-182</li> +<li>Sikim Expedition, <a href="#524">524</a></li> +<li>Staff-Corps, Introduction of the, <a href="#270">270</a>, <a href="#271">271</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Te">Takht</a>-i-Shah, Taking of the, <a href="#441">441</a>, <a href="#442">442</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ue">Umbeyla</a> Expedition, <a href="#18">18</a>, <a href="#181">181</a><sup>20</sup>, <a href="#280">280</a>-293</li> +<li>Upper Burma, Annexation of, <a href="#510">510</a></li> + </ul><br /> + + <ul class="index"> +<li><a name="Ze">Zhob</a> Expedition, <a href="#530">530</a></li> + </ul><br /><br /><br /> + + <p class="center"><b>THE END.</b></p> + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + + +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="I1">I</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#I1r">[Footnote 1:</a> In the fifty-seven years preceding the Mutiny the annual rate of mortality +amongst the European troops in India was sixty-nine per thousand, +and in some stations it was even more appalling. The Royal Commission +appointed in 1864 to inquire into the sanitary condition of the army in India +expressed the hope that, by taking proper precautions, the mortality might be +reduced to the rate of twenty per thousand per annum. I am glad to say +that this hope has been more than realized, the annual death-rate since 1882 +having never risen to seventeen per thousand.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="II1">II</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#II1r">[Footnote 1:</a> A Native woman-servant.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#II2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="II2">Now</a> Field Marshal Sir Donald Stewart, Bart., G.C.B., G.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#II3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="II3">Now</a> General Crawford Chamberlain, C.S.I., a brother of General Sir +Neville Chamberlain.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="III1">III</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#III1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Shortly before my father left Peshawar he received the following letter +from Colonel Outram, dated Calcutta, the 23rd October, 1853: 'As I know +that your views as to the policy that should be pursued towards Dost +Mahomed must be in accordance with those of the Governor-General, I +accordingly showed your letter to Grant, Courtney, and Colonel Low, all of +whom were glad to learn that you entertained such sound views, opposed +though they be with the general clamour for war with the Kabulese which +appears to be the cry of the army. This, together with the wise forethought +you displayed before the Kabul insurrection (which, though at the time it +found no favour at Head-Quarters, was subsequently so mournfully established +by the Kabul massacre, which would have been prevented had your +warnings been attended to), shows how well you would combine the military +and political control of the country beyond the Indus.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#III2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="III2">The</a> late General Sir Sydney Cotton, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#III3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="III3">Now</a> General Sir Henry Norman, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., lately Governor of +Queensland.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#III4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="III4">Now</a> General Sir Peter Lumsden, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#III5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="III5">1881</a>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#III6r">[Footnote 6:</a><a name="III6"> </a></p> +<p class="center2"> +'HERE LIES THE BODY<br /> +OF<br /> +<span style="font-size:1.5em; line-height:180%">FREDERICK MACKESON</span>,<br /> +LIEUTENANT-COLONEL IN THE BENGAL ARMY, COMPANION OF<br /> +THE BATH, AND COMMISSIONER OF PESHAWAR,<br /> +WHO WAS BORN SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1807,<br /> +AND DIED SEPTEMBER 14TH, 1853,<br /> +OF A WOUND INFLICTED BY A RELIGIOUS FANATIC.<br /> +</p> +<p class="footnote"> +He was the beau-ideal of a soldier—cool to conceive, brave to dare, and strong to do. +The Indian Army was proud of his noble presence in its ranks—not +without cause. On the dark page of the Afghan war the name of +"Mackeson" shines brightly out; the frontier was his post, and the future +his field. The defiles of the Khyber and the peaks of the Black Mountain +alike witness his exploits. Death still found him in front. Unconquered +enemies felt safer when he fell. His own Government thus mourn the fall.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +'The reputation of Lieutenant-Colonel Mackeson as a soldier is known to +and honoured by all. His value as a political servant of the State is known +to none better than to the Governor-General himself, who in a difficult +and eventful time had cause to mark his great ability, and the admirable +prudence, discretion, and temper, which added tenfold value to the high +soldierly qualities of his public character.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +'The loss of Colonel Mackeson's life would have dimmed a victory; to lose +him thus, by the hand of a foul assassin, is a misfortune of the heaviest +gloom for the Government, which counted him amongst its bravest and best.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +'General orders of the Marquis Dalhousie, Governor-General of India, +3rd October, 1853.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +'This monument was erected by his friends.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#III7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="III7">Head</a> men.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="IV1">IV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Now a retired Major-General.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="IV2">Now</a> General Sir James Abbott, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="IV3">Men</a> who carry the guns, and point out the most likely places for game, etc.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> 26,000 <a name="IV4">feet</a> above the sea-level.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="IV5">Three</a> miles east of Islamabad.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="IV6">Now</a> General Sir John Watson, V.C., K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="IV7">The</a> late Field-Marshal Sir Patrick Grant, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="IV8">The</a> late General Sir Harry Lumsden, K.C.S.I., C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="IV9">Bastard</a> florican.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="IV10">This</a> officer arrived in India as a Cornet in the 24th Light Dragoons in +the year 1810, and although, when he reached Peshawar with his regiment—the +22nd Foot—in 1853, he had been forty-three years in the army, and was +sixty-one years of age, he had not even succeeded to the command of a +battalion. He was an officer of unusual energy and activity, a fine rider, a +pattern drill, and a thorough soldier all round. He was not fortunate enough +to see much active service, but it must have been a source of consolation to +him to feel, when ending his days as Governor of the Royal Hospital at +Chelsea, that it was in a great measure owing to his foresight and decision +that there was no serious disturbance at Peshawar during the eventful summer +of 1857.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IV11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="IV11">Instructor</a> in Oriental languages.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="V1">V</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#V1r">[Footnote 1:</a> See 'Memorials of the Life and Letters of Major-General Sir Herbert +Edwardes.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#V2r">[Footnote 2:</a> '<a name="V2">Memorials</a> of Major-General Sir Herbert Edwardes.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#V3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <i><a name="V3">Ibid</a>.</i>]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="VI1">VI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Place where the arms and accoutrements of Native regiments were +kept.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="VI2">This</a> name was the origin of the sepoys generally being called Pandies.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="VI3">At</a> Meerut, Delhi, and Rurki, and in the Punjab there were:</p><br /><br /> + + + <table width="80%" align="center" summary="Troop numbers" border="0"> +<tr> <th><i>British Troops.</i></th></tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="40%" valign="top"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="15%" valign="top">MEN.</td> + <td class="note1" width="40%" valign="top">GUNS.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">2 Regiments of Cavalry</td> + <td class="note1"> 1,410</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">12 Regiments of Infantry</td> + <td class="note1">12,624</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">9 Troops of Horse Artillery</td> + <td class="note1"> 1,017</td> + <td class="note1"> 54</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">5 Light Field Batteries</td> + <td class="note1"> 415</td> + <td class="note1"> 30</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">10 Companies of Foot Artillerymen</td> + <td class="note1"> 837</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">———</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1">16,303</td> + <td class="note1"> 84</td> +</tr> +</table> + + <br /><br /> + <table width="80%" align="center" summary="Troop numbers" border="0"> + <tr> <th><i>Native Troops.</i></th> </tr> + +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="40%"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="15%">MEN.</td> + <td class="note1" width="40%">GUNS.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> 7 Regiments of Light Cavalry</td> + <td class="note1"> 3,514</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">14 Regiments of Irregular Cavalry and<br /> + Guides Cavalry</td> + <td class="note1"> 8,519</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">31 Regiments of Regular Infantry<br /> +15 Regiments of Irregular Infantry and<br /> + Guides Infantry</td> + <td class="note1"><br />50,188</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">3 Troops of Horse Artillery</td> + <td class="note1"> 411</td> + <td class="note1"> 18</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">6 Light Field Batteries</td> + <td class="note1"> 930</td> + <td class="note1"> 30 (3 batteries had only + 4 guns each)</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">2 Mountain Batteries </td> + <td class="note1"> 192</td> + <td class="note1"> 14 (1 battery had 8, the + other 6 guns)</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">3 Companies of Foot Artillery </td> + <td class="note1"> 330</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Head-Quarters and 12 Companies of<br /> + Sappers and Miners</td> + <td class="note1"> 1,394</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"></td> + <td class="note1">———</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1">65,478</td> + <td class="note1"> 62</td> +</tr> + +</table> +<br /> +<p class="footnote"> +The above figures show the troops at full strength. There were probably +not more than 15,000 British soldiers in the Punjab available for duty in +May, 1857.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="VI4">The</a> original proposal was that the Movable Column should be formed at +Jhelum, and composed of the 24th Foot from Rawal Pindi, the 27th Foot from +Nowshera, a troop of Horse Artillery from Peshawar, a Native Field Battery +from Jhelum, the Guides from Murdan, the 16th Irregular Cavalry from +Rawal Pindi, the Kumaon battalion from Murree, the 1st Punjab Infantry +from Bannu, and a wing of the 2nd Punjab Cavalry from Kohat. But events +developed so rapidly that before the column was formed every one of these +troops was otherwise employed. It was thought unwise to unduly weaken the +Peshawar valley; the troop of Horse Artillery, therefore, stood fast, the 27th +Foot was halted at Attock, and the 24th Foot and Kumaon battalion were kept +at their stations ready to move towards the frontier. The Guides, 2nd Punjab +Cavalry, and 1st Punjab Infantry were ordered to Delhi, and the 16th Irregular +Cavalry and the Native Field Battery were not considered sufficiently loyal to +be employed on such a duty. Eventually, the column was formed of one +troop of Horse Artillery, one Field Battery, and one Infantry regiment, all +British and all from Sialkot.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="VI5">The</a> full text of the message was as follows:</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'From General Reed, Peshawar.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'To Sir John Lawrence, Rawal Pindi, the Commander-in-Chief, Simla, and +officers commanding all stations in the Punjab respectively; to be forwarded +by the assistant in charge of the telegraph office, or post, as the +case may be.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'The senior military officer in the Punjab, Major-General Reed, having this +morning received news of the disarming of the troops at Mian Mir, a council +of war was held, consisting of General Reed, Brigadier Cotton, Brigadier +Neville Chamberlain, Colonel Edwardes, and Colonel Nicholson, and the +following measures were decided on, subject to the confirmation of the Commander-in-Chief. +General Reed assumes the chief military command in the +Punjab; his Head-Quarters will be the Head-Quarters of the Punjab Civil +Government, and a Movable Column will be formed at Jhelum at once, consisting +of [the troops were here detailed]. The necessary orders for this +column have been issued. The column will move on every point in the +Punjab where open mutiny requires to be put down by force, and officers +commanding at all stations in the Punjab will co-operate with the column.']</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="VII1">VII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> A metal drinking vessel, which the Hindu religiously guards against +defilement, and to which he clings as a cherished possession when he has +nothing else belonging to him in the world.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="VII2">European</a> officers.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="VII3">Each</a> Hindustani regiment had a European sergeant-major and +quartermaster-sergeant.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="VII4">Rule</a>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="VII5">British</a> Government.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="VII6">Now</a> Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough, V.C., G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="VII7">Tumult</a>.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="VIII1">VIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> 'I am not so much surprised,' wrote General Anson to Lord Canning on +the 23rd March, 'at their objections to the cartridges, having seen them. I +had no idea they contained, or, rather, are smeared with, such a quantity of +grease, which looks exactly like fat. After ramming down the ball, the +muzzle of the musket is covered with it. This, however, will, I imagine, not +be the case with those prepared according to the late instructions. But there +are now misgivings about the paper, and I think it so desirable that they +should be assured that no animal grease is used in its manufacture, that I +have ordered a special report to be made to me on that head from Meerut, and +until I receive an answer, and am satisfied that no objectionable material is +used, no firing at the depots by the sepoys will take place. It would be easy +to dismiss the detachments to their regiments without any practice, on the +ground that the hot weather is so advanced, and that very little progress +could be made, but I do not think that would be admissible. The question, +having been raised, must be settled. It would only be deferred till another +year, and I trust that the measures taken by the Government when the objection +was first made, and the example of the punishment of the 19th Native +Infantry and of the other delinquents of the 70th, now being tried by a General +Court-Martial, will have the effect we desire.'—KAYE, vol. i., p. 558.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="VIII2">Surely </a>those whom God has a mind to destroy, He first deprives of their +senses; for not only were the magazines at Delhi and Cawnpore allowed to +fall into the enemy's hands, but the great arsenal at Allahabad narrowly +escaped the same fate. Up till May, 1857, this fort was garrisoned only by +Native soldiers. Early in that month sixty worn-out European pensioners +were brought to Allahabad from Chunar, with whose assistance, and that of a +few hastily raised Volunteers, Lieutenants Russell and Tod Brown, of the +Bengal Artillery, were able to overawe and disarm the Native guard on the very +night on which the regiments to which they belonged mutinied in the adjoining +cantonment. These two gallant officers had taken the precaution to fill the +cellars below the armoury (which contained some 50,000 or 60,000 stands of +arms) with barrels of powder, their intention being to blow up the whole place +in the event of the sepoys getting the upper hand. This determination was +known to all in the fort, and no doubt had something to say to the guard +submitting to be disarmed.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="VIII3">He</a> has been accused of dilatoriness and want of decision after hearing the +news.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="VIII4">Places</a> at the foot of the Himalayas.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="VIII5">Now</a> the Marquis of Tweeddale.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="VIII6">A</a> small hill state near Simla.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="VIII7">It</a> is a remarkable fact that the five senior officers at this conference were +all dead in less than seven weeks. General Anson, Brigadier Hallifax, commanding +the Umballa station, and Colonel Mowatt, commanding the Artillery, +died within ten days; Colonel Chester, Adjutant-General of the Army, was +killed at Badli-ki-Serai on the 8th June, and Sir Henry Barnard died at Delhi +on the 5th July.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="VIII8">See</a> Kaye's 'History of the Indian Mutiny,' vol. ii., p. 120.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="VIII9">The</a> late Sir Douglas Forsyth, K.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#VIII10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="VIII10">See</a> 'The Life of Sir Douglas Forsyth.']</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="IX1">IX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The Head-Quarters of this regiment had been sent to Mardan in place of +the Guides.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#IX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="IX2">Now</a> the 1st Bengal Infantry.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="X1">X</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The late General Sir Henry Daly, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="X2">Now</a> General Sir John Coke, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="X3">Afterwards</a> commanded by Lieutenant, now General, Sir Dighton +Probyn, V.C., G.C.V.O., K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="X4">The</a> late Major-General Sir George Green, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="X5">The</a> late Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred Wilde, K.C.B., K.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="X6">The</a> late General James Walker, C.B., sometime Surveyor-General in +India.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="X7">Now</a> General Sir George Bourchier, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="X8">Now</a>, except for one short interval, every officer who has joined the Indian +Army since 1861 must, in the first instance, have belonged or been attached +to one of Her Majesty's British regiments: the great majority have been +educated at Sandhurst or Woolwich, and all feel that they are members of +the same army.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="X9">The</a> late Sir Robert Montgomery, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="X10">During</a> the operations in the Kohat Pass in February, 1850, within +twelve months of the corps being raised, several of the men were killed and +wounded. Among the latter was a Pathan named Mahomed Gul. He was +shot through the body in two places, and as Coke sat by him while he was +dying, he said, with a smile on his face: '<i>Sahib</i>, I am happy; but promise +me one thing—don't let my old mother want. I leave her to your care.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#X11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="X11">Awe</a>-inspiring certainly, but probably the most humane, as being a sure +and instantaneous mode of execution.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XI1">XI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> One Cavalry and two Infantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XI2">Native</a> Adjutant.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XI3">A</a> name applied by the Hindus to any Rajput who has, or whose ancestors +have, been converted to Islam. There were several <i>Rangars</i> in the 1st +Irregulars. One day in June, Shaidad Khan, a Resaidar of this class, came +to Chamberlain, and said: 'There was a rumour that he (Chamberlain) had +not as much confidence in <i>Rangars</i> as in other classes of the regiment, and he +came to be comforted'! Chamberlain asked him to sit down, and sent to the +banker of the regiment for a very valuable sword which he had given him for +safe custody. It had belonged to one of the Amirs of Sindh, was taken in +battle, and given to Chamberlain by Major Fitzgerald, of the Sindh Horse. +On the sword being brought, Chamberlain handed it over to Shaidad Khan +and his sect for safety, to be returned when the Mutiny was over. The tears +rose to the Native officer's eyes, he touched Chamberlain's knees, and swore +that death alone would sever the bond of fidelity of which the sword was the +token. He took his leave, thoroughly satisfied.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XI4">Throne</a>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XI5">A</a> station since abandoned for Rajanpur.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XI6">Now</a> General Sir W.T. Hughes, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XI7">The</a> two disarmed regiments remained quietly at Multan for more than a +year, when, with unaccountable inconsistency, a sudden spirit of revolt seized +them, and in August, 1858, they broke out, tried to get possession of the guns, +murdered the Adjutant of the Bombay Fusiliers, and then fled from the +station. But order by that time had been quite restored, our position in the +Punjab was secure, and nearly all the sepoys were killed or captured by +the country people.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XI8">No</a> Native, in Native dress, keeps his shoes on when he enters a room, +unless he intends disrespect.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XI9">The</a> late Field Marshal Lord Strathnairn, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XI10">A</a> kind of light cart.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="XI11">A</a> four-walled enclosure for the accommodation of travellers.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XI12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <a name="XI12">It</a> will be remembered that this was the regiment in which two men had +been found with loaded muskets, and blown away from guns at Lahore.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XII1">XII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> George Ricketts, Esq., C.B., afterwards a member of the Board of Revenue +of the North-West Provinces.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XII2">Thomas</a> Thornton, Esq., C.S.I., afterwards Secretary to the Government +of India in the Foreign Department.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XIII1">XIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The late Major-General Sir Harry Tombs, V.C., K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XIII2">The</a> Chaplain's Narrative of the siege of Delhi.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XIII3">Now</a> the 1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkhas.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> '<a name="XIII4">Siege</a> of Delhi; by an Officer who served there.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XIII5">The</a> late General Sir Hope Grant, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XIII6">75th</a> and 1st Bengal Fusiliers.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XIII7">1st</a> Battalion 60th Rifles, 2nd Bengal Fusiliers, and Sirmur battalion.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XIII8">Swampy</a> ground.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII9r">[Footnote 9:</a> '<a name="XIII9">The</a> Indian Mutiny,' by George W. Forrest.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XIII10">The</a> bastions were small, each mounting from ten to fourteen pieces of +Artillery; they were provided with masonry parapets about 12 feet in thickness, +and were about 16 feet high. The curtain consisted of a simple masonry +wall or rampart 16 feet in height, 11 feet thick at top, and 14 or 15 feet at +bottom. This main wall carried a parapet loopholed for musketry 8 feet in +height and 3 feet in thickness. The whole of the land front was covered by a +faussebraye of varying thickness, ranging from 16 to 30 feet, and having a +vertical scarp wall 8 feet high; exterior to this was a dry ditch about 25 feet +in width. The counterscarp was simply an earthen slope, easy to descend. +The glacis was very narrow, extending only 50 or 60 yards from the counterscarp, +and covering barely one-half of the walls from the besiegers' view. +These walls were about seven miles in circumference, and included an area +of about three square miles (see Colonel Baird-Smith's report, dated +September 17, 1857).]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="XIII11">The</a> late Field Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <a name="XIII12">So</a> badly off were we for ammunition for the heavy guns at this time, +that it was found necessary to use the shot fired at us by the enemy, and a +reward was offered for every 24-pounder shot brought into the Artillery Park.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII13r">[Footnote 13:</a> <a name="XIII13">Now</a> General Sir Charles Reid, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII14r">[Footnote 14:</a> <a name="XIII14">Forrest</a>'s 'Indian Mutiny' and Norman's 'Narrative of the Siege of +Delhi,' two interesting accounts from which I shall often quote.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII15r">[Footnote 15:</a> <a name="XIII15">A</a> Mahomedan place of worship and sacrifice.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII16r">[Footnote 16:</a> '<a name="XIII16">Siege</a> of Delhi; by an Officer who served there.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII17r">[Footnote 17:</a> <a name="XIII17">Forrest</a>'s 'The Indian Mutiny.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIII18r">[Footnote 18:</a> <a name="XIII18">Reid</a>'s own report.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XIV1">XIV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Now Lieutenant-General Sir James Hills-Johnes, V.C., G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XIV2">The</a> late General Sir Edwin Johnson, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XIV3">Chamberlain</a> had been given the rank of Brigadier-General on his arrival +at Delhi.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XIV4">The</a> account of this adventurous ride is given in the <a class="footnote" href="#AppI">Appendix</a>.*</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +*See <a class="footnote" href="#AppI">Appendix I.</a>]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XV1">XV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> See Kaye's 'History of the Indian Mutiny.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XV2">Now</a> General Sir Alexander Taylor, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XV3">Mahomedans</a> of good family are so styled in northern India.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XV4">Tombs</a> and Hills both received the Victoria Cross for their gallantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> '<a name="XV5">Adjutants</a>,' never seen in ordinary times further north than Bengal, +appeared in hundreds, and were really useful scavengers.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XVI1">XVI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> According to the religion of Islam, Ishmail, not Isaac, was to have been +offered up by Abraham.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XVI2">Forrest</a>'s 'The Indian Mutiny.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XVI3">Since</a> writing the above it has been brought to my notice that the +promptitude with which the troops were diverted to India was due in a great +measure to the foresight of Sir George Grey, the Governor of the Cape, who, +on hearing of the serious state of affairs in India, immediately ordered all +transports which touched at the Cape on their way to take part in the China +Expeditionary Force, to proceed directly to Calcutta instead of to Singapore. +He also despatched as many of the Cape garrison as he could spare, with +stores, etc., to India. It is right, therefore, that he should share with Lord +Elgin the credit of having so quickly grasped the magnitude of the crisis +through which India was passing.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XVI4">Owing</a> to Brigadier-General Chamberlain having been placed <i>hors de +combat</i> by the severe wound he received the previous day, Norman was +carrying on the duties of Adjutant-General.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XVI5">There</a> were besides in camp at this time 1,535 sick and wounded, notwithstanding +that several hundred men had been sent away.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XVII1">XVII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Punjab Administration Report, 1857-58.].</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XVII2">The</a> tract of country between the Sutlej and Ravi rivers.].</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XVII3">Norman</a>'s narrative.].</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XVII4">The</a> late General Sir James Brind, G.C.B.].</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> 'T<a name="XVII5">he</a> Indian Mutiny,' by Forrest.].</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XVII6">When</a> his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was coming to India in +1875, I obtained permission from Lord Napier of Magdala, who was then +Commander-in-Chief, to erect miniature embrasures to mark the gun of +direction of each of the breaching batteries; and on these embrasures are +recorded the number, armament, and object of the batteries.].</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XVII7">Colonel</a> Arthur Lang is the only one of the four now alive.].</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVII8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XVII8">Nearly</a> every man was on duty. The daily state of the several corps +must have been very similar to the following one of the 75th Foot.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XVIII1">XVIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XVIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The house belonged to the Skinner family, and was originally built by +James Skinner, a Eurasian, who served the Moghul Emperor with great distinction +towards the end of the last century. When Lord Lake broke up that +Mahomedan Prince's power, Skinner entered the service of the East India +Company and rose to the rank of Major. He was also a C.B. He raised the +famous Skinner's Horse, now the 1st Bengal Cavalry. His father was an +officer in one of His Majesty's regiments of Foot, and after one of Lord Clive's +battles married a Rajput lady of good family, who with her father and mother +had been taken prisoners. Skinner himself married a Mahomedan, so that +he had an interest in the three religions, Christian, Hindu, and Mahomedan, +and on one occasion, when left on the ground severely wounded, he made a +vow that if his life were spared he would build three places of worship—a +church, a temple, and a mosque. He fulfilled his vow, and a few years later +he built the church at Delhi, and the temple and mosque which are in close +proximity to it.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XIX1">XIX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> A report was circulated that a large number of our men had fallen into +the trap laid for them by the Native shopkeepers, and were disgracefully +drunk. I heard that a few men, overcome by heat and hard work, had given +way to temptation, but I did not see a single drunken man throughout the +day of the assault, although, as I have related, I visited every position held +by our troops within the walls of the city.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XIX2">Sellers</a> of grain and lenders of money.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIX3r">[Footnote 3:</a> '<a name="XIX3">Silver</a> Bazaar,' the main street of Delhi, in which were, and still are, +situated all the principal jewellers' and cloth-Merchants' shops.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XIX4">Now</a> Lieutenant-General Sir John McQueen, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIX5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XIX5">The</a> Gurkhas became such friends with the men of the 1st Battalion +60th Rifles during the siege—the admiration of brave men for brave men—that +they made a special request to be allowed to wear the same uniform as +their 'brothers' in the Rifles. This was acceded to, and the 2nd Gurkhas +are very proud of the little red line on their facings.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XIX6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XIX6">Amongst</a> the Native officers killed was Subadar Ruttun Sing, who fell +mortally wounded in the glacis. He was a Patiala Sikh, and had been +invalided from the service. As the 1st Punjab Infantry neared Delhi, Major +Coke saw the old man standing in the road with two swords on. He begged +to be taken back into the service, and when Coke demurred he said: 'What! +my old corps going to fight at Delhi without me! I hope you will let me +lead my old Sikh company into action again. I will break these two swords +in your cause.' Coke acceded to the old man's wish, and throughout the +siege of Delhi he displayed the most splendid courage. At the great attack +on the 'Sammy House' on the 1st and 2nd August, when Lieutenant Travers +of his regiment was killed, Ruttun Sing, amidst a shower of bullets, jumped +on to the parapet and shouted to the enemy, who were storming the piquet: +'If any man wants to fight, let him come here, and not stand firing like a +coward! I am Ruttun Sing, of Patiala.' He then sprang down among the +enemy, followed by the men of his company, and drove them off with +heavy loss.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +On the morning of the assault the regiment had marched down to the +rendezvous at Ludlow Castle, 'left in front.' While waiting for the Artillery +to fire a few final rounds at the breaches, the men sat down, and, falling in +again, were doing so 'right in front.' Ruttun Sing came up to Lieutenant +Charles Nicholson, who was commanding the regiment, and said: 'We ought +to fall in "left in front," thereby making his own company the leading one +in the assault. In a few minutes more Ruttun Sing was mortally wounded, +and Dal Sing, the Jemadar of his company, a man of as great courage as +Ruttun Sing, but not of the same excitable nature, was killed outright.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XX1">XX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Two troops of Horse Artillery, with four guns and one howitzer each, +commanded respectively by Captains Remmington and Blunt. One Field +Battery, with six guns, commanded by Captain Bourchier. One British +Cavalry regiment, the 9th Lancers, reduced to 300 men, commanded by Major +Ouvry. Two British Infantry regiments (the 8th and 75th Foot), commanded +respectively by Major Hinde and Captain Gordon, which could only number +between them 450 men. Detachments of three Punjab Cavalry regiments, +the 1st, 2nd and 5th, commanded by Lieutenants John Watson, Dighton +Probyn and George Younghusband, numbering in all 320 men. A detachment +of Hodson's Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Hugh Gough, and consisting +of 180 men. Two Punjab Infantry regiments, commanded by Captains +Green and Wilde, each about 600 men; and 200 Sappers and Miners, with +whom were Lieutenants Home and Lang.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XX2">Afterwards</a> Sir Alfred Lyall, G.C.I.E., K.C.B., Lieutenant-Governor of +the North-West Provinces, and now a member of the Indian Council.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XX3">Now</a> General Sir William Drysdale, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XX4">The</a> horse, although badly hurt, was not killed, and eventually did me +good service.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XX5">This</a> was the Engineer officer who had such a miraculous escape when he +blew in the Kashmir gate at Delhi, for which act of gallantry he had been +promised the Victoria Cross.] </p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XX6">A</a> few years afterwards she communicated with the civil authorities of the +district, and made out such a pitiful story of ill-treatment by her Mahomedan +husband, that she was sent to Calcutta, where some ladies were good enough +to look after her.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XX7">Men</a> in charge of the elephants.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XX8">Turban</a>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XX9">Native</a> kettle-drum.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XX10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XX10">Pearl</a> Mosque.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXI1">XXI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> 'They regarded the Mutiny as a military revolt; the rural disturbances as +the work of the mobs. The mass of the people they considered as thoroughly +loyal, attached to our rule as well from gratitude as from self-interest, being +thoroughly conscious of the benefits it had conferred upon them. Holding +these opinions, they did not comprehend either the nature or the magnitude +of the crisis. To their inability to do so, many lives and much treasure were +needlessly sacrificed.'—'The Indian Mutiny,' Thornhill.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXI2">The</a> Gwalior Contingent was raised in 1844, after the battles of Punniar +and Maharajpore, to replace the troops of Maharaja Scindia ordered to be +reduced. It consisted of five batteries of Artillery, two regiments of Cavalry, +and seven regiments of Infantry, officered by British officers belonging to the +Indian Army, and paid for out of the revenues of districts transferred to +British management.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> '<a name="XXI3">The</a> Indian Mutiny,' Thornhill.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXI4">Throughout</a> the campaign the Commissariat Department never failed: +the troops were invariably well supplied, and, even during the longest +marches, fresh bread was issued almost daily.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> '<a name="XXI5">The</a> Indian Mutiny,' Thornhill.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI6r">[Footnote 6:</a> '<a name="XXI6">The</a> Indian Mutiny,' Thornhill.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXI7">It</a> consisted of the 3rd European Regiment, 568 strong, a battery of Field +Artillery, with Native drivers and a few European Artillerymen, and about +100 mounted Militia and Volunteers, composed of officers, civilians and others +who had taken refuge in Agra.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XXI8">The</a> police were suspected of having invited the insurgents who defeated +Polwhele to Agra.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XXI9">Known</a> as the Doab.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXI10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XXI10">Colonel</a> Fraser died within nine months of our leaving Agra.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXII1">XXII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> No account of the quantity and description of supplies stored in the +Residency had been kept, or, if kept, it was destroyed when the Mutiny broke +out. Captain James, the energetic Commissariat officer, on receiving Sir +Henry Lawrence's order to provision the Residency, spent his time riding +about the country buying supplies of all descriptions, which were stored +wherever room could be found for them. James was very severely wounded +at the fight at Chinhut, and was incapacitated the greater part of the siege. +It was only by degrees that some of the supplies were discovered; no one +knew how much had been collected, and no record of the quantities issued +from day to day could be kept. When Outram joined hands with Inglis, his +first question was, 'How much food is there?' Thanks to Sir Henry +Lawrence's foresight, there was an ample supply, not only for the original +garrison, but for the numbers by which it was augmented on the arrival of +the relieving force. Of this, however, Outram must have been ignorant when +he despatched the little note to which I have alluded in the text.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXII2">On</a> the 25th June, after twenty-one days of intense suffering—with his +numbers so reduced as to render further defence scarcely possible, with +starvation staring him in the face, and with no hope of succour—Sir Hugh +Wheeler most reluctantly consented to capitulate. The first overtures were +made by the Nana, who, despairing of being able to capture the position, and +with disaffection in his own camp, sent the following message to the General: +'All those who are in no way connected with the acts of Lord Dalhousie, and +are willing to lay down their arms, shall receive a safe passage to Allahabad.' +This missive, which was without signature, was in the handwriting of Azimula +Khan, a Mahomedan who had been employed by the Nana as his Agent in +England, and was addressed, 'To the subjects of Her Most Gracious Majesty +Queen Victoria.' General Wheeler agreed to give up the fortification, the +treasure, and the Artillery, on condition that each man should be allowed to +carry his arms and sixty rounds of ammunition, that carriages should be +provided for the conveyance of the wounded, the women, and the children, +and that boats, with a sufficiency of flour, should be ready at the neighbouring +<i>ghat</i> (landing-place). The Nana accepted these conditions, and three officers +of the garrison were deputed to go to the river and see that the boats were +properly prepared. They found about forty boats moored, and apparently +ready for departure, and in their presence a show of putting supplies on board +was made.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXII3">The</a> Nana never intended that one of the garrison should leave Cawnpore +alive, and during the night of the 26th June he arranged with Tantia Topi to +have soldiers and guns concealed at the Sati-Choura Ghat to open fire upon +the Europeans he had been unable to conquer as soon as the embarkation had +been effected and they could no longer defend themselves and their helpless +companions in misery. The river was low and the boats were aground, having +been purposely drawn close to the shore. When the last man had stepped on +board, at a given signal the boatmen jumped into the water and waded to the +bank. They had contrived to secrete burning charcoal in the thatch of most +of the boats; this soon blazed up, and as the flames rose and the dry wood +crackled, the troops in ambush on the shore opened fire. Officers and men +tried in vain to push off the boats; three only floated, and of these two drifted +to the opposite side, where sepoys were waiting to murder the passengers. +The third boat floated down the stream, and of the number on board four +eventually escaped—Lieutenants Thomson and Delafosse, both of the 53rd +Native Infantry, Private Murphy of the 84th Foot, and Gunner Sullivan, of +the Bengal Artillery. The rest of the officers and men were killed or drowned, +and the women and children who escaped were carried off as prisoners.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXII4">Permanent</a> occupiers of the land, either of the landlord class, as in +Bengal, Oudh, and the North-West Provinces, or of the yeoman class, as in +the Punjab.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXII5">Afterwards</a> General Lord Sandhurst, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXII6">The</a> Dilkusha house was built at the beginning of the century by a king +of Oudh as a hunting-box and country residence, and close to it he cleared +away the jungle and laid out a large park, which he stocked with herds of +deer and other game.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXII7">The</a> Martinière was built by Claude Martin, a French soldier of fortune, +who came out to India, under Count de Lally, in the stirring days of 1757. +In 1761 he was taken prisoner by the English at Pondicherry and sent to +Bengal. After the conclusion of the war he enlisted in the English Army, +and on attaining the rank of Captain he got permission to attach himself to +the Court of the King of Oudh, where he soon obtained supreme influence, +and became to all practical purposes Prime Minister. He remained an officer +of the East India Company's Service, and at the time of his death held the +rank of Major-General. He amassed a large fortune, and by his will founded +colleges at Lucknow, Calcutta, and Lyons, the place of his birth. His +directions that his house at the former place should never be sold, but should +'serve as a college for educating children and men in the English language +and religion,' were carried out by the British Government, and Martin lies +buried in its vault.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXIII1">XXIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Besides the troops from Delhi, the force consisted of Peel's Naval Brigade, +with eight heavy guns and howitzers; Middleton's Field Battery of Royal +Artillery (the first that had ever served in India), and two companies of +garrison Royal Artillery, under Travers and Longden, equipped with heavy +guns and mortars; a company of Royal Engineers under Lieutenant Lennox, +V.C.;* a few Bengal, and two newly-raised companies of Punjab Sappers; the +93rd Highlanders, Head-Quarters and wing of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, +and of the 53rd Foot; part of the 82nd Foot, and detachments of the 5th +Fusiliers, 64th, 78th, 84th, and 90th Foot, and Madras Fusiliers, regiments +which had gone into the Residency with Outram and Havelock. The Infantry +was brigaded as follows:</p> + +<table width="80%" align="center" summary="The Infantry Brigades" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="50%" valign="top"> +Wing 53rd Foot<br /> +93rd Highlanders<br /> +Battalion of detachments<br /> +4th Punjab Infantry<br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1" width="50%" valign="top"><br />Commanded by Brigadier the Hon.<br /> + Adrian Hope, 93rd Highlanders.<br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" valign="top">8th Foot<br /> +Battalion of detachments<br /> +2nd Punjab Infantry<br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"><br /> + Commanded by Brigadier Greathed,<br /> + 8th Foot.<br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" valign="top">Wing 23rd Fusiliers<br /> +Two companies 82nd Foot</td> + <td class="note1" valign="top">Commanded by Brigadier D.<br /> + Russell, 84th Foot.]</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +[*: Afterwards General Sir Wilbraham Lennox, V.C, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXIII2">Sir</a> Colin Campbell had served throughout the Punjab Campaign and on +the Peshawar frontier.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXIII3">Now</a> the 14th (Sikhs) Bengal Infantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXIII4">During</a> one of Watson's many reconnaissances he received a cut on the +face from a sabre. One of the 2nd Punjab Cavalrymen, seeing what had +happened, rushed to Probyn, and said: 'Watson <i>sahib</i> has got a wound +which is worth a lakh of rupees!']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXIII5">Built</a> by a king of Oudh for the ladies of his harem. It takes its name +from the gilt umbrella (Chatta) with which it is adorned. Now the Lucknow +Club.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXIII6">Now</a> General Sir John Ewart, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXIII7">It</a> was a Native saddle, such as Irregular Cavalry used in those days, +made of felt without a tree.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XXIII8">On</a> one occasion, when I was telling this story to General Sir Samuel +Browne, V.C., he said that something similar happened at the battle of +Sadulapur on December 2, 1848. He (Browne) was Adjutant of his regiment +(the 46th Native Infantry), which was drawn up in line, with a troop of Horse +Artillery, commanded by Major Kinleside, on its right flank. Seeing that +something unusual had occurred, Browne rode up to the troop, and found +that one of the men had had his saddle carried away from under him by a +small round shot. The man, who happened at the moment to be standing +up in his stirrups, escaped with a bruise, as did the horse.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XXIII9">A</a> kind of more or less responsible servant or messenger, so called from +wearing a chuprass, or badge of office.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XXIII10">It</a> consisted of Blunt's troop of Horse Artillery, the wing of the 53rd +Foot, and Gough's squadron of Hodson's Horse.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="XXIII11">We</a> had not, however, gone far, when a body of rebel Infantry, about +2,000 strong, managing to elude Greathed's brigade, crossed the canal, and, +creeping quietly up, rushed the Martinière. Sir Colin had left Lieutenant +Patrick Stewart, an unusually promising officer of the Bengal Engineers, on +the top of the Martinière to keep Outram informed of our movements by +means of the semaphore, and while Stewart was sending a message he and +Watson (who was with him) observed the enemy close up to the building. +They flew down the staircase, jumped on their horses, and, joining Watson's +squadron and the two Madras Native Horse Artillery guns, rode to the city +side of the Martinière to try and cut off the enemy, who, finding no one inside +the building, and seeing their line of retreat threatened, made the best of their +way back to the city. Several were killed by the Horse Artillery, which +opened upon them with grape, and by Watson's <i>sowars</i>.]</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <a name="XXIII12">This</a> wall has long since been built up, and the whole place is so overgrown +with jungle that it was with difficulty I could trace the actual site of +the breach when I last visited Lucknow in 1893.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII13r">[Footnote 13:</a> <a name="XXIII13">Blunt</a>'s troop, when it left Umballa in May, 1857, consisted of 93 +Europeans and 20 Native Gun Lascars. It suffered so severely at Delhi that +only five guns could be manned when it marched from there in September, +and after the fight at Agra its total loss amounted to 12 killed and 25 +wounded. Four guns could then with difficulty be manned. When Blunt +left the troop in January, 1858, to take command of Bourchier's Field Battery, +69 out of the 113 men with whom he had commenced the campaign had been +killed or wounded! The troop would have been unserviceable, had men not +volunteered for it from other corps, and drivers been posted to it from the +Royal Artillery. At the commencement of the Mutiny Blunt was a subaltern, +and in ten months he found himself a Lieutenant-Colonel and a C.B. Quick +promotion and great rewards indeed, but nothing more than he richly deserved; +for seldom, if ever, has a battery and its commander had a grander record +to show.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII14r">[Footnote 14:</a> <a name="XXIII14">Captain</a> Walton was the senior officer of the regiment present, and took +a conspicuous part in leading it, but as in Sir Colin Campbell's opinion he +was too junior to be in command, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon was appointed +as a temporary measure.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII15r">[Footnote 15:</a> <a name="XXIII15">The</a> word 'Dogra' was originally applied to the Rajput clans in the hills +and sub-montane tracts to the north of the Ravi. In later years it included +hill Rajputs south of the Ravi, and in military parlance all these Rajputs who +enlisted in our ranks came to be called Dogras.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII16r">[Footnote 16:</a> <a name="XXIII16">In </a>consequence of the behaviour of the 4th Punjab Infantry on this +occasion, and in other engagements in which they served with the 93rd Highlanders, +the officers and men of the latter corps took a great liking to the +former regiment, and some years after the Mutiny two officers of the 93rd, +who were candidates for the Staff Corps, specially applied to be posted to the +4th Punjab Infantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII17r">[Footnote 17:</a> <a name="XXIII17">Attached</a> as Interpreter to the 93rd Highlanders.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII18r">[Footnote 18:</a> <a name="XXIII18">It</a> was here Captain Walton, of the 53rd, was severely wounded.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII19r">[Footnote 19:</a> <a name="XXIII19">Subadar</a> Gokal Sing was mentioned by the Commander-in-Chief in +despatches for his conduct on this occasion.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII20r">[Footnote 20:</a> <a name="XXIII20">For</a> this act of heroism Mukarrab Khan was given the Order of Merit, the +Indian equivalent to the Victoria Cross, but carrying with it an increase of +pay. At the end of the campaign Mukarrab Khan left the service, but when +his old Commanding officer, Colonel Wilde, went to the Umbeyla expedition +in 1863, Mukarrab Khan turned up and insisted on serving with him as an +orderly.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII21r">[Footnote 21:</a> <a name="XXIII21">One</a> of the principal thoroughfares of Lucknow.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIII22r">[Footnote 22:</a> <a name="XXIII22">Lieutenant</a> Paul, the Commandant, was killed. Lieutenant Oldfield +mortally, and Lieutenant McQueen severely, wounded. Lieutenant Willoughby, +who brought the regiment out of action, was quite a lad, and was killed at +Ruhiya the following April. Both he and McQueen were recommended for +the V.C. for their gallantry on this occasion. After the fight was over, one +of the Native officers, bemoaning the loss of the British officers, asked me who +would be sent to replace them. He added: '<i>Sahib, ham log larai men bahut +tez hain, magar jang ka bandobast nahin jante</i>' ('Sir, we can fight well, but we +do not understand military arrangements'). What the old soldier intended +to convey to me was his sense of the inability of himself and his comrades to +do without the leadership and general management of the British officers.</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXIV1">XXIV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Shah Najaf is the tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haidar, first King of Oudh, +built by himself. It derives its name from Najaf, the hill on which is built +the tomb of Ali, the son-in-law of Mahomed, and of which tomb this is said to +be a copy.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXIV2">The</a> Kadam Rasul, or Prophet's footprint, a Mahomedan place of worship, +which contained a stone bearing the impress of the foot of the Prophet, brought +from Arabia by a pilgrim. During the Mutiny the holy stone was carried off.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXIV3">Lieutenant</a> Salmon, R.N. (now Admiral Sir Nowell Salmon, K.C.B.), +climbed up a tree overhanging this wall, in order to see what was going on +behind it; he succeeded in obtaining useful information, but on being perceived, +was fired at and badly wounded. He received the V.C.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXIV4">Marked</a> D on the map.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXIV5">Now</a> Major-General Keen, C.B. It was an extremely responsible charge +for so young an officer with such a small party, as it was very isolated and +exposed to attack.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXIV6">Now</a> Field-Marshal Viscount Wolseley, K.P., Commander-in-Chief.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXIV7">Called</a> the Pearl Palace from the fancied resemblance of one of its domes +(since destroyed) to the curve of a pearl.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XXIV8">A</a> slab let into the south-west corner of the wall marks the spot.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIV9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XXIV9">Now</a> General Sir William Olpherts, V.C., K.C.B.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXV1">XXV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Colonel Napier was Chief of the Staff to Sir James Outram.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXV2">Now</a> Lieutenant-General McLeod Innes, V.C.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <i><a name="XXV3">Calcutta</a> Review</i>, 1843. After commenting on the habitual carelessness +of Government and its disregard of ordinary military precautions and preparations, +Henry Lawrence had shown how possible it was that a hostile party +might seize Delhi, and, if the outbreak were not speedily suppressed, what +grave consequences might ensue. 'Let this happen,' he said, 'on June 2, and +does any sane man doubt that twenty-four hours would swell the hundreds of +rebels into thousands, and in a week every ploughshare in the Delhi States +would be turned into a sword? And when a sufficient force had been mustered, +which could not be effected within a month, should we not then have a more +difficult game to play than Clive at Plassy or Wellington at Assaye? We +should then be literally striking for our existence at the most inclement +season of the year, with the prestige of our name tarnished.' Going on to +suggest that Meerut, Umballa, and Agra might say that they had no troops +to spare from their own necessities, or that they had no carriage, 'Should we +not, then,' he wrote, 'have to strike anew for our Indian Empire?]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXV4">Prestige</a>, or, rather, good luck.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> '<a name="XXV5">Life</a> of Sir Henry Lawrence.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXV6">In</a> Sir Henry Lawrence's 'Life' two memoranda<a href="#AppII">*</a> appear, one by Lieutenant +(now Lieutenant-General) McLeod Innes, Assistant Engineer at Lucknow in +1857, the other by Sir Henry Lawrence himself. They are worthy of perusal, +and will give the reader some insight into Lawrence's character; they will +also exemplify how necessary it is for anyone placed in a position of authority +in India to study the peculiarities of the people and gain their confidence by +kindness and sympathy, to which they readily respond, and, above all, to be +firm and decided in his dealings with them. Firmness and decision are +qualities which are appreciated more than all others by Natives; they expect +them in their Rulers, and without them no European can have any power +over them, or ever hope to gain their respect and esteem.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +*See <a class="footnote" href="#AppII">Appendix II.</a>]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXVI1">XXVI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Our force consisted of the troops which Sir Colin had reviewed on the +Alambagh plain on the 11th instant, with the exception of the 75th Foot, +which was transferred to Outram's division. We had, however, in their +place, the survivors of the 32nd Foot, and of the Native regiments who had +behaved so loyally during the siege. These latter were formed into one +battalion, called the Regiment of Lucknow—the present 16th Bengal Infantry. +The 32nd Foot, which was not up to full strength (1,067) when the Mutiny +broke out, had in 1857-58 no less than 610 men killed and wounded, exclusive +of 169 who died from disease. We had also with us, and to them was given +an honoured place, 'the remnant of the few faithful pensioners who had alone, +of many thousands in Oudh, responded to the call of Sir Henry Lawrence to +come in to aid the cause of those whose salt they had eaten.'—Lecture on the +Relief of Lucknow, by Colonel H.W. Norman.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXVII1">XXVII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Greathed's brigade consisted of the 8th and 64th Foot and 2nd Punjab +Infantry. Adrian Hope's brigade consisted of the 53rd Foot, 42nd and 93rd +Highlanders, and 4th Punjab Infantry. Inglis's brigade consisted of the +23rd Fusiliers, 32nd and 82nd Foot. Walpole's brigade consisted of the 2nd +and 3rd Battalions Rifle Brigade and a detachment of the 38th Foot.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXVII2">The</a> Artillery consisted of Peel's Naval Brigade, Blunt's, Bridge's and +Remmington's troops of Horse Artillery, Bourchier's, Middleton's, and Smith's +Field batteries, and Longden's Heavy battery.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXVII3">Mansfield</a> was given the two Rifle Brigade battalions, the 93rd Highlanders, +Longden's Heavy, and Middleton's Field battery.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXVII4">Unjur</a> Tiwari's career was a very remarkable one. A sepoy in the +1st Bengal Native Infantry, he was at Banda when the Mutiny broke out, +and during the disturbances at that place he aided a European clerk and his +wife to escape, and showed his disinterestedness by refusing to take a gold +ring, the only reward they had to offer him. He then joined Havelock's +force, and rendered excellent service as a spy; and although taken prisoner +more than once, and on one occasion tortured, he never wavered in his loyalty +to us. Accompanying Outram to Lucknow, he volunteered to carry a letter +to Cawnpore, and after falling into the hands of the rebels, and being cruelly +ill-treated by them, he effected his escape, and safely delivered Outram's +message to Sir Colin Campbell. He then worked for me most faithfully, procuring +information which I could always thoroughly rely upon; and I was +much gratified when he was rewarded by a grant of Rs. 3,000, presented with +a sword of honour, and invested with the Order of British India, with the +title of Sirdar Bahadur. I was proportionately distressed some years later to +find that, owing to misrepresentations of enemies when he was serving in the +Oudh Military Police, Unjur Tiwari had been deprived of his rewards, and +learning he was paralyzed and in want, I begged Lord Napier to interest +himself in the matter, the result being that the brave old man was given a +yearly pension of Rs. 1,200 for his life. He was alive when I left India, and +although he resided some distance from the railway he always had himself +carried to see me whenever I travelled in his direction.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXVII5">The</a> garrison left at Cawnpore consisted of:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Garrison left at Cawnpore" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" valign="top" width="50%">Four companies of the 64th Foot, and small<br /> +detachments of other regiments</td> + <td class="note1" valign="top" width="20%"><br />450 men.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" valign="top">Sailors </td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"> 47 men.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" valign="top"> </td> + <td class="note1" valign="top">——–—</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" valign="top">Total </td> + <td class="note1" valign="top">497</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +With a hastily organized bullock battery of four field guns, manned partly by +Europeans and partly by Sikhs.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXVII6">The</a> force was composed of the 34th Foot, and portions of the 82nd and +88th Foot, and 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade; with four 9-pounders, manned +partly by Royal and Bengal gunners and partly by Sikhs; and four 6-pounders, +manned by Madras Native gunners.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXVIII1">XXVIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The late General Sir William Payn, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXVIII2">Tyrrell</a> Ross was well known as a skilful surgeon, and much esteemed as +a staunch friend. He had just returned from England, and had that very +morning been placed in medical charge of the Cavalry Brigade. When the +order to mount was given, Ross asked the General where he wished him to be, +pointing out that he would not be of much use in the rear if there were a +pursuit across country. Hope Grant replied: 'Quite so; I have heard that +you are a good rider and can use your sword. Ride on my left, and help to +look after my third squadron.' This Ross did as well as any Cavalry officer +could have done.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXVIII3">For</a> these two acts I was awarded the Victoria Cross.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXVIII4">Younghusband</a> met with an extraordinary accident during the fight at +Agra. While pursuing one of the Gwalior rebels, he fell with his horse into +a disused well, fifty feet deep, and was followed by two of his men, also +mounted. Ropes were brought, and the bodies were hauled up, when, to the +astonishment of everyone, Younghusband was found to be alive, and, beyond +being badly bruised, uninjured. He had fallen to the bottom in a sitting +position, his back resting against the side of the well, and his legs stretched +out in front of him, while his horse fell standing and across him. He was +thus protected from the weight of the other two horses and their riders, who +were all killed.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXVIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXVIII5">Now</a> Major-General H.L. Bruce, C.B.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXIX1">XXIX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The Infantry portion of the army was divided into three divisions, commanded +respectively by Outram, Lugard, and Walpole. This was exclusive +of Franks's column, which joined at Lucknow and made a fourth division. The +Artillery was placed under Archdale Wilson, and the Engineers under Robert +Napier. Sir Colin's selection of Commanders caused considerable heart-burnings, +especially amongst the senior officers who had been sent out from +England for the purpose of being employed in the field. But, as the Chief +explained to the Duke of Cambridge, the selection had been made with the +greatest care, it having been found that 'an officer unexperienced in war in +India cannot act for himself ... it is quite impossible for him to be able to +weigh the value of intelligence ... he cannot judge what are the resources +of the country, and he is totally unable to make an estimate for himself of the +resistance the enemy opposed to him is likely to offer.' Sir Colin wound up +his letter as follows: 'I do not wish to undervalue the merits of General or +other officers lately arrived from England, but merely to indicate to your +Royal Highness the difficulties against which they have to contend. What +is more, the state of things at present does not permit of trusting anything to +chance, or allowing new-comers to learn, except under the command of others.'—Shadwell's +'Life of Lord Clyde.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXIX2">The</a> late Captain Oliver Jones, who published his experiences under that +title.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXIX3">Literally</a> 'blue cow,' one of the bovine antelopes.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXIX4">A</a> few days afterwards, when we were some miles from the scene of our +adventure, I was awakened one morning by the greyhound licking my face; +she had cleverly found me out in the midst of a large crowded camp.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXIX5">Peel</a> had changed his 24-pounders for the more powerful 64-pounders +belonging to H.M.S. <i>Shannon</i>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX6r">[Footnote 6:</a><a name="XXIX6"><span style="color:#ffffff">-</span></a></p> + +<table align="center" summary="Troop numbers" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="30%">Naval Brigade</td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"> 431</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Artillery</td> + <td class="note1"> 1,745</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Engineers</td> + <td class="note1"> 865</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Cavalry </td> + <td class="note1"> 3,169</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Infantry</td> + <td class="note1">12,498</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Franks's Division</td> + <td class="note1"> 2,880</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Nepalese Contingent</td> + <td class="note1"> 9,000</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">——––</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">30,588 ]</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXIX7">Kaye</a>, in his 'History of the Indian Mutiny,' gives the credit for +originating this movement to the Commander-in-Chief himself; but the +present Lord Napier of Magdala has letters in his possession which clearly +prove that the idea was his father's, and there is a passage in General Porter's +'History of the Royal Engineers,' vol. ii., p. 476, written after he had read +Napier's letters to Sir Colin Campbell, which leaves no room for doubt as to +my version being the correct one.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XXIX8">Outram</a>'s division consisted of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 79th +Highlanders, 2nd and 3rd battalions of the Rifle Brigade, 1st Bengal Fusiliers, +2nd Punjab Infantry, D'Aguilar's, Remmington's and Mackinnon's troops of +Horse Artillery, Gibbon's and Middleton's Field Batteries, and some Heavy guns, +2nd Dragoon Guards, 9th Lancers, 2nd Punjab Cavalry, and Watson's +and Sandford's squadrons of the 1st and 5th Punjab Cavalry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XXIX9">The</a> late Lieutenant-General Sir Lothian Nicholson, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XXIX10">Now</a> Colonel Thomas Butler, V.C.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="XXIX11">Now</a> General the Right Hon. Sir Edward Lugard, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <a name="XXIX12">It</a> was current in camp, and the story has often been repeated, that +Hodson was killed in the act of looting. This certainly was not the case. +Hodson was sitting with Donald Stewart in the Head-Quarters camp, when +the signal-gun announced that the attack on the Begum Kothi was about to +take place. Hodson immediately mounted his horse, and rode off in the +direction of the city. Stewart, who had been ordered by the Commander-in-Chief +to accompany the troops, and send an early report to his Excellency of +the result of the assault, had his horse ready, and followed Hodson so closely +that he kept him in sight until within a short distance of the fighting, when +Stewart stopped to speak to the officer in charge of Peel's guns, which had +been covering the advance of the troops. This delayed Stewart for a few +minutes only, and as he rode into the court-yard of the palace a Highland +soldier handed him a pistol, saying, 'This is your pistol, sir; but I thought +you were carried away mortally wounded a short time ago?' Stewart at once +conjectured that the man had mistaken him for Hodson. In face they were +not much alike, but both were tall, well made and fair, and Native soldiers +had frequently saluted one for the other. It is clear from this account that +Hodson could not have been looting, as he was wounded almost as soon as he +reached the palace.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX13r">[Footnote 13:</a> <a name="XXIX13">In</a> the month of May, 1858, alone, not less than a thousand British +soldiers died of sunstroke, fatigue and disease, and about a hundred were +killed in action.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX14r">[Footnote 14:</a> <a name="XXIX14">Consisting</a> of the 23rd Fusiliers, 79th Highlanders, and 1st Bengal +Fusiliers.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX15r">[Footnote 15:</a> <a name="XXIX15">Captain</a> Wale, a gallant officer who commanded a newly raised corps of +Sikh Cavalry, lost his life on this occasion. He persuaded Campbell to let +him follow up the enemy, and was shot dead in a charge. His men behaved +extremely well, and one of them, by name Ganda Sing, saved the life of the +late Sir Robert Sandeman, who was a subaltern in the regiment. The same +man, two years later, saved the late Sir Charles Macgregor's life during the +China war, and when I was Commander-in-Chief in India I had the pleasure +of appointing him to be my Native Aide-de-Camp. Granda Sing, who has +now the rank of Captain and the title of <i>Sirdar Bahadur</i>, retired last year +with a handsome pension and a small grant of land.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX16r">[Footnote 16:</a> <a name="XXIX16">A</a> Mahomedan Priest.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX17r">[Footnote 17:</a> <a name="XXIX17">Now</a> General Cockburn Hood, C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX18r">[Footnote 18:</a> <a name="XXIX18">Now</a> General Sir Samuel Browne, V.C., G.C.B. This popular and +gallant officer, well known to every Native in Upper India as 'Sām Brūn +<i>Sahib</i>,' and to the officers of the whole of Her Majesty's army as the inventor +of the sword-belt universally adopted on service, distinguished himself greatly +in the autumn of 1858. With 230 sabres of his own regiment and 350 Native +Infantry, he attacked a party of rebels who had taken up a position at Nuria, +a village at the edge of the Terai, about ten miles from Pilibhit. Browne +managed to get to the rear of the enemy without being discovered; a hand-to-hand +light then ensued, in which he got two severe wounds—one on the knee, +from which he nearly bled to death, the other on the left shoulder, cutting +right through the arm. The enemy were completely routed, and fled, leaving +their four guns and 300 dead on the ground. Browne was deservedly rewarded +with the V.C.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXIX19r">[Footnote 19:</a> <a name="XXIX19">The</a> present 13th Bengal Lancers.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXX1">XXX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> In this matter it seems to me that Lord Dalhousie's policy has been +unfairly criticized. The doctrine of lapse was no new-fangled theory of the +Governor-General, but had been recognized and acted upon for many years by +the Native dynasties which preceded the East India Company. Under the +Company's rule the Court of Directors had investigated the subject, and in a +series of despatches from 1834 to 1846 had laid down that, in certain cases, +the selection and adoption of an heir by a Native Ruler was an incontestable +right, subject only to the formal sanction of the suzerain Power, while in other +cases such a procedure was optional, and could only be permitted as a special +favour. Lord Dalhousie concurred in the view that each case should be considered +and decided on its merits. His words were: 'The Government is +bound in duty, as well as in policy, to act on every such occasion with the +purest integrity, and in the most scrupulous observance of good faith. Where +even a shadow of doubt can be shown, the claim should at once be abandoned. +But where the right to territory by lapse is clear, the Government is bound +to take that which is justly and legally its due, and to extend to that territory +the benefits of our sovereignty, present and prospective.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXX2">In</a> those days £120,000.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXX3r">[Footnote 3:</a><a name="XXX3"><span style="color:#ffffff">-</span></a></p> +<p class="rindent3"> +'Benares, <br /> +'<i>April 4, 1857.</i></p> +<p class="quote3"> +'MON CHER AZIMULA KHAN,</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +'Je suis parti de Cawnpore le premier du mois et suis arrivé ici ce +matin, je partirai ce soir et serai à Chandernagore le 7 au matin, dans la +journée je ferai une visite au Gouverneur et le lendemain irai à Calcutta, je +verrai notre Consul General. Ecrivez-moi et adressez-moi vos lettres, No. 123, +Dhurumtollah. Je voudrais que vous puissiez m'envoyer des fonds au moins +5 ou 600 Rs. sans retard, car je ne resterai à Calcutta que le temps nécessaire +pour tout arranger et <i>le bien arranger</i>. Je suppose 48 heures à Calcutta et +deux ou trois jours au plus à Chandernagore, ne perdez pas de temps mais +répondez de suite. Pour toutes les principales choses les réponses seraient +satisfaisantes, soyez-en assuré.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'Faites en sorte de me répondre sans délai afin que je ne sois pas retenu à +Calcutta.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'Présentez mes compliments respectueux.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'Rappelez-moi au souvenir de Baba Sahib, et croyez moi,</p> + +<p class="rindent3"> +'Votre bien dévoué <br /> +'A. LAFONT.</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +'Mon adresse à Chandernagore, "Care of Mesdames Albert."</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'N.B.—Mais écrivez-moi à <i>Calcutta</i>, car je serai chaque jour là, en chemin +de fer, je fais le trajet en 20 minutes. Si vous avez quelque chose de pressé à +me communiquer vous le pouvez faire par télégraph en Anglais seulement.</p> +<p class="rindent3"> +'A.L.'</p> + + +<p class="rindent3"> +'Chandernagore, +'<i>April 9, 1857.</i></p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'MON CHER AZIMULA KHAN,</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +'J'ai tout arrangé, <i>j'apporterai une lettre</i>, et elle sera satisfaisante +<i>cette lettre</i> me sera donnée le 14 et le 15 je partirai pour Cawnpore. Mes +respects à son Altesse.</p> + +<p class="rindent3"> +'Votre tout dévoué <br /> +'A. LAFONT.']</p><br /><br /> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXX4">Flogging</a> was re-introduced in 1845.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXX5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXX5">This</a> does not include the bodies of armed and trained police, nor the +lascars attached to the Artillery as fighting men. These amounted to many +thousands.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXX6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXX6">In</a> a letter to Lord Canning, which Sir Henry Lawrence wrote on the +9th May, 1857, he gave an interesting account of a conversation he had had +with a Brahmin Native officer of the Oudh Artillery, who was most persistent +in his belief that the Government was determined to make the people of India +Christians. He alluded especially to the new order about enlistment, our +object being, he said, to make the sepoys go across the sea in order that they +might be obliged to eat what we liked; and he argued that, as we had made +our way through India, had won Bhartpur, Lahore, etc., by fraud, so it might +be possible that we would mix bone-dust with grain sold to Hindus. Sir +Henry Lawrence was quite unable to convince the Native officer; he would +give us credit for nothing, and although he would not say that he himself <i>did</i> +or did <i>not</i> believe, he kept repeating, 'I tell you Natives are all like sheep; +the leading one tumbles, and down all the rest roll over him.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXX7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXX7">It</a> is curious to note how nearly every military officer who held a command +or high position on the staff in Bengal when the Mutiny broke out, disappeared +from the scene within the first few weeks, and was never heard of +officially again. Some were killed, some died of disease, but the great +majority failed completely to fulfil the duties of the positions they held, and +were consequently considered unfit for further employment. Two Generals of +divisions were removed from their commands, seven Brigadiers were found +wanting in the hour of need, and out of the seventy-three regiments of Regular +Cavalry and Infantry which mutinied, only four Commanding officers were +given other commands, younger officers being selected to raise and command +the new regiments.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXI1">XXXI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Few acts have been more keenly resented than the closing of the great +Hurdwar Fair in the autumn of 1892, on account of a serious outbreak of +cholera. It was looked upon by the Natives as a direct blow aimed at their +religion, and as a distinct departure from the religious tolerance promised in +Her Majesty's proclamation of 1858. The mysterious mud marks on mango-trees +in Behar have been attributed by some to a self-interested motive on the +part of certain priests to draw the attention of Hindus to the sanctity of some +temple outside the limits of British jurisdiction, where the devotees would be +at liberty to assemble in any numbers without being troubled by officious +inspectors, and where they could remain as long as they pleased, irrespective +of the victims daily claimed by cholera, that unfailing avenger of the neglect +of sanitary laws in the east.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXI2">The</a> proposal would seem to be quite a practical one, for I read in the +<i>Times</i> of the 28th November, 1894, that the Government of New Zealand +invited applications for Consols in connexion with the scheme for granting +loans at a reasonable rate of interest to farmers on the security of their +holdings.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXI3">I</a> allude to the Parsis, who came from Persia, and whose religion and +customs are as distinct from those of the Natives of India as are our own.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXII1">XXXII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The depository for jewels and other valuables kept for presentation to +Native Chiefs at durbars.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a href="#XXXII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXII2">The</a> following details will give some idea of the magnitude of the arrangements +required for the Viceroy's camp alone. Besides those above mentioned +there were 500 camels, 500 bullocks and 100 bullock carts for transport of +camp equipage, 40 <i>sowari</i> (riding) elephants, 527 coolies to carry the glass +windows belonging to the larger tents, 100 <i>bhisties</i>, and 40 sweepers for +watering and keeping the centre street clean. These were in addition to the +private baggage animals, servants, and numberless riding and driving horses, +for all of which space and shelter had to be provided.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXII3">Servants</a> of the Lord of the Country, or Governor-General.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXXII4">A</a> few drops of attar of roses are given to each person, and a small packet +of <i>pan</i>, which is composed of slices of betel-nut smeared with lime and +wrapped in a leaf of the betel-tree.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXXII5">The</a> question of Native Rulers having the right to adopt heirs was first +brought to Lord Canning's notice by the three Phulkian chiefs—Patiala, +Jhind and Nabha—who jointly requested in 1858 that the right of adoption +might be accorded to them as a reward for the services they had rendered +during the Mutiny. The request was refused at the time on the ground that +it had never been the custom of the country, though it had occasionally been +done. Since then, however, Lord Canning had come to see that the uncertainty +which prevailed as to the rights of succession was harassing to the +owners of land, and undesirable in many ways, and he urged upon the +Secretary of State that some distinct rule on the subject might with advantage +be laid down. He wrote as follows: 'The crown of England stands forth the +unquestioned Ruler and paramount Power in all India, and is now for the first +time brought face to face with its feudatories. There is a reality in the +suzerainty of the Sovereign of England which has never existed before, which +is not only felt, but eagerly acknowledged by the Chiefs. A great convulsion +has been followed by such a manifestation of our strength as India has never +seen; and if this in its turn be followed by an act of general and substantial +grace, over and above the special rewards which have already been given to +those whose services deserve them, the measure will be seasonable and +appreciated.' Lord Canning's proposals met with the cordial approval of Her +Majesty's Government, and his announcement at Cawnpore rejoiced the hearts +of the Chiefs, one of whom, the Maharaja of Rewa, was a leper and had no +son. He said, on hearing the Viceroy's words, 'They dispel an evil wind +which has long been blowing upon me.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXXII6">These</a> Rajput Chiefs, however, accepted Lord Lytton's invitation to +attend the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi on the 1st January, 1877, and having +once given their allegiance to the 'Empress of India,' they have since been the +most devotedly loyal of Her Majesty's feudatory Princes.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER XXXIII</h4> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXIV1">XXXIV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Under the Regular system, which was modelled on the Royal Army +organization, each regiment of Native Cavalry had 22, and each regiment of +Native Infantry 25 British officers, who rose to the higher grades by seniority. +From this establishment officers were taken, without being seconded, for the +multifarious extra-regimental duties on which the Indian Army was, and is +still, employed, viz., Staff, Civil, Political, Commissariat, Pay, Public Works, +Stud, and Survey. With the Irregular system this was no longer possible, +although the number of British officers with each corps was (after the Mutiny) +increased from 3 to 9 with a Cavalry, and 3 to 8 with an Infantry regiment.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXIV2">Captain</a> after twelve years,* Major after twenty years, and Lieutenant-Colonel +after twenty-six years.]</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +[Note*: Since reduced to eleven years.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXIV3">The</a> late Sir Bartle Frere, Bart, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXXIV4">The</a> fever-giving tract of country at the foot of the Himalayas.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXXIV5">Native</a> string bed.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> '<a name="XXXIV6">Your</a> force of Artillery will enable us to dispose of Delhi with certainty. +I therefore beg that you will detach one European Infantry regiment and a +small force of European Cavalry to the south of Delhi, without keeping them +for operations there, so that Aligarh may be recovered and Cawnpore relieved +immediately.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXXIV7">After</a> the capture of Kalpi in May, 1858, Sir Hugh Rose, worn out with +fatigue and successive sunstrokes, was advised by his medical officer to return +at once to Bombay; his leave had been granted, and his successor (Brigadier-General +Napier) had been appointed, when intelligence reached him to the +effect that the rebel army, under Tantia Topi and the Rani of Jhansi, had been +joined by the whole of Sindhia's troops and were in possession of the fort of +Gwalior with its well-supplied arsenal. Sir Hugh Rose at once cancelled his +leave, pushed on to Gwalior, and by the 30th of June had re-captured all +Sindhia's guns and placed him again in possession of his capital.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIV8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XXXIV8">The</a> late General Sir Edmund Haythorne, K.C.B.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXV1">XXXV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> In 1825 a religious adventurer from Bareilly made his appearance on the +Yusafzai frontier with about forty Hindustani followers, and gave out that +he was a man of superior sanctity, and had a divine command to wage a war +of extermination, with the aid of all true believers, against the infidel. After +studying Arabic at Delhi, he proceeded to Mecca by way of Calcutta, and +during this journey his doctrines had obtained so great an ascendency over +the minds of the Mahomedans of Bengal that they have ever since supplied +the colony which Syad Ahmed Shah founded in Yusafzai with money and +recruits. The Syad was eventually slain fighting against the Sikhs, but his +followers established themselves at Sitana, and in the neighbourhood of that +place they continue to flourish, notwithstanding that we have destroyed their +settlements more than once during the last forty years.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXV2">The</a> Akhund of Swat was a man of seventy years of age at the time of the +Umbeyla expedition; he had led a holy life, and had gained such an influence +over the minds of Mahomedans in general, that they believed he was supplied +by supernatural means with the necessaries of life, and that every morning, on +rising from his prayers, a sum of money sufficient for the day's expenditure +was found under his praying carpet.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXV3">The</a> Peshawar column consisted of half of 19th Company Royal Artillery, +No. 3 Punjab Light Field Battery, the Peshawar and Hazara Mountain +Batteries, the 71st and 101st Foot, the Guides, one troop 11th Bengal Lancers, +one company Bengal Sappers and Miners, 14th Sikhs, 20th Punjab Infantry, +32nd Pioneers, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th Punjab Infantry, and 4th and 5th +Gurkhas. The Hazara column consisted of a wing of the 51st Foot, 300 +Native Cavalry, a regiment of Native Infantry and eight guns, holding +Darband, Torbela, and Topi on the Indus.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXXV4">The</a> highest point of a pass crossing a mountain range.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXXV5">Now</a> General Sir Charles Brownlow, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXXV6">The</a> late Sir Henry Marion Durand, K.C.S.I., C.B., afterwards Lieutenant-Governor +of the Punjab.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XXXV7">7th</a> Royal Fusiliers, 23rd Pioneers, and 24th Punjab Native Infantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XXXV8">Reynell</a> Taylor remained with the force as political officer.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XXXV9">General</a> Sir John Adye, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XXXV10">The</a> expedition was an admirable school for training men in outpost duty. +The Pathans and Gurkhas were quite at home at such work, and not only able +to take care of themselves, but when stalked by the enemy were equal to a +counter-stalk, often most successful. The enemy used to joke with Brownlow's +and Keyes's men on these occasions, and say, 'We don't want you. Where +are the <i>lal pagriwalas?</i> [as the 14th Sikhs were called from their <i>lal pagris</i> +(red turbans)] or the <i>goralog</i> [the Europeans]? They are better <i>shikar</i> [sport]!' +The tribesmen soon discovered that the Sikhs and Europeans, though full of +fight, were very helpless on the hill-side, and could not keep their heads +under cover.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="XXXV11">Colonel</a> Reynell Taylor, whilst bearing like testimony to the good conduct +of the Pathan soldiery, said the personal influence of officers will always be +found to be the only stand-by for the Government interests when the religious +cry is raised, and the fidelity of our troops is being tampered with. Pay, +pensions, and orders of merit may, and would, be cast to the winds when the +honour of the faith was in the scale; but to snap the associations of years, +and to turn in his hour of need against the man whom he has proved to be +just and worthy, whom he has noted in the hour of danger, and praised as a +hero to his family, is just what a Pathan will not do—to his honour be it +said. The fact was that the officers in camp had been so long and kindly +associated with their soldiers that the latter were willing to set them before +their great religious teacher, the Akhund of Swat ('Records of Expeditions +against the North-West Frontier Tribes').]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <a name="XXXV12">The</a> late General Sir Charles Keyes, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV13r">[Footnote 13:</a> <a name="XXXV13">The</a> late Major-General T. E. Hughes, C.B., Royal Artillery.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV14r">[Footnote 14:</a> <a name="XXXV14">The</a> late General Sir John Garvock, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV15r">[Footnote 15:</a> <a name="XXXV15">Now</a> Bishop of Auckland and Primate of New Zealand.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV16r">[Footnote 16:</a> <a name="XXXV16">The</a> late Brigadier-General Sir W. W. Turner, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV17r">[Footnote 17:</a> <a name="XXXV17">General</a> Sir T. L. Vaughan, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXV18r">[Footnote 18:</a> <a name="XXXV18">Stone</a> breastworks.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXVI1">XXXVI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The average strength of the regiments was as follows: 10th and 12th +Bengal Cavalry, each 9 British officers, 13 Native officers, 450 non-commissioned +officers and men, 3 Native doctors, 489 horses, 322 mules, 590 +followers. 21st and 23rd Punjab Infantry, each 9 British officers, 16 Native +officers, 736 non-commissioned officers and men, 3 Native doctors, 10 horses, +350 mules, 400 followers. I found that six ships were required for the conveyance +of a Cavalry and four for that of an Infantry regiment; for the +Mountain battery three ships were necessary, and for the coolie corps (1,550 +strong) four; in all twenty-seven ships, besides nine tugs. In selecting ships, +care was taken to secure those intended for Artillery or Cavalry as high 'tween-decks +as possible; a sufficient number of these were procurable at Calcutta, +either iron clippers from Liverpool or large North American built traders, +with decks varying from 7 feet 6 inches to 8 feet 2 inches high. I gave the +preference to wooden ships, as being cooler and more easily ventilated. The +vessels taken up were each from 1,000 to 1,400 tons, averaging in length from +150 to 200 feet, with a beam varying from 30 to 35 feet, and usually they had +a clear upper deck, where from forty to fifty animals were accommodated.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXVI2">Now</a> Major-General Sir Edwin Collen, K.C.I.E., Military Member of the +Governor-General's Council.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXVI3">Now</a> General Sir Edward Lechmere Russell, K.C.S.I.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXVII1">XXXVII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The numbers actually despatched from India were 13,548, of whom 3,786 +were Europeans. In addition, a company of Royal Engineers was sent from +England.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXVII2">At</a> first it was thought that 10,000 mules, with a coolie corps 3,000 +strong, would suffice, but before the expedition was over, it was found +necessary to purchase 18,000 mules, 1,500 ponies, 1,800 donkeys, 12,000 +camels, and 8,400 bullocks.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXVII3">Fresh</a> water was obtained by condensing the sea-water; there were few +condensors, and no means of aerating the water.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXXVII4">The</a> late Admiral Sir George Tryon, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXXVII5">Now</a> Admiral Sir Leonid Heath, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXXVII6">He</a> is said to have killed in one month, or burnt alive, more than 3,000 +people. He pillaged and burnt the churches at Gondur, and had many priests +and young girls cast alive into the flames.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXVIII1">XXXVIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> I should have mentioned that Sir John Lawrence was not the only +instance of a Bengal civilian rising to the position of Governor-General, as a +predecessor of his, Sir John Shore, afterwards Lord Teignmouth, was appointed +Governor-General in 1792, and held that office until 1798.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXVIII2">Dost</a> Mahomed had several sons. Mahomed Akbar and Ghulam Haidar, +the two heirs-designate in succession, died before their father. Sixteen other +sons were alive in 1863, of whom the following were the eldest:</p> + +<table width="80%" align="center" summary="Dost Mahomet's eldest surviving sons" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1">1. Mahomed Afzal Khan</td> + <td class="note1">aged</td> + <td class="note1">52 years</td> + <td class="note1">By a wife not of Royal blood.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">2. Mahomed Azim Khan</td> + <td class="note1"> "</td> + <td class="note1">45 "</td> + <td class="note1"> " " " " " + " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">3. Sher Ali Khan</td> + <td class="note1"> "</td> + <td class="note1">40 "</td> + <td class="note1">By a favourite Popalzai wife.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">4. Mahomed Amir Khan</td> + <td class="note1"> "</td> + <td class="note1">34 "</td> + <td class="note1"> " " " + " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">5. Mahomed Sharif Khan</td> + <td class="note1"> "</td> + <td class="note1">30 "</td> + <td class="note1"> " " " + " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">6. Wali Mahomed Khan</td> + <td class="note1"> "</td> + <td class="note1">33 "</td> + <td class="note1">By a third wife.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">7. Faiz Mahomed Khan</td> + <td class="note1"> "</td> + <td class="note1">25 "</td> + <td class="note1"> " " " "</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +Afzal Khan had a son Abdur Rahman Khan, the present Amir of Afghanistan, +and Sher Ali had five sons—Ali Khan, Yakub Khan, Ibrahim Khan, Ayub +Khan, and Abdulla Jan.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXVIII3">The</a> headmen of villages in Afghanistan are styled <i>maliks</i>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXXVIII4">Azim</a> Khan behaved well towards the Lumsden Mission, and it was +reported that he encouraged his father, Dost Mahomed Khan, not to disturb +the Peshawar frontier during the Mutiny.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XXXVIII5">Dated</a> 4th January, 1869.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXVIII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XXXVIII6">Besides</a> the remainder of the aggregate sum of twelve lakhs, 6,500 more +rifles were forwarded to the frontier for transmission to the Amir, and in +addition four 18-pounder smooth-bore guns, two 8-inch howitzers, and a +Mountain battery of six 3-pounders complete, with due proportion of +ammunition and stores, together with draught bullocks and nine elephants.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XXXIX1">XXXIX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The Cachar column consisted of half of the Peshawar Mountain battery, +one company of Bengal Sappers and Miners, the 22nd Punjab Infantry, 42nd +and 44th Assam Light Infantry. The Chittagong column consisted of the +other half of the Mountain battery, the 27th Punjab Infantry, and the 2nd +and 4th Gurkhas. Each regiment was 500 strong, and each column was +accompanied by 100 armed police.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XXXIX2">Now</a> Sir John Edgar, K.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIX3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XXXIX3">Major</a> Blackwood, who was killed at Maiwand, in command of E Battery, +R.H.A.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XXXIX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XXXIX4">Latitude</a> 23° 26' 32", longitude (approximately) 93° 25'; within a short +distance of Fort White, lately built in the Chin Hills.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XL1">XL</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XL1r">[Footnote 1:</a> We lived in this house whenever we were in Simla, till we left it in 1892. +It has since been bought by Government for the Commander-in-Chief's +residence.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XL2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XL2">General</a> Sir Frederick Goldsmid, K.C.M.G.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XL3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XL3">Major</a>-General Sir Frederick Pollock, K.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XL4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XL4">Sir</a> Donald Macnabb, K.C.S.I., then Commissioner of Peshawar.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLI1">XLI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Now General Lord Chelmsford, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> 60th <a name="XLI2">Rifles</a>, 2nd Gurkhas, and 1st Punjab Infantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XLI3">Lumsden</a> returned to Head-Quarters as Adjutant-General on Edwin +Johnson being appointed a member of the Indian Council in London.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLII1">XLII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The Amir's eldest son, who had rebelled on his younger brother, Abdulla +Jan, being nominated heir to the throne.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XLII2">Before</a> Lord Northbrook left India he sent Major Sandeman on a Mission +to Khelat to re-open the Bolan Pass, and endeavour to settle the differences +between the Khan and the Baluchistan tribes, and between the tribes themselves, +who were all at loggerheads.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XLII3">Presents</a> given by the British Government to the Mir of Wakhan in +recognition of his hospitable reception of the members of the Forsyth Mission +on their return from Yarkund.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> '<a name="XLII4">Besides</a> the sixty-three Ruling Chiefs, there were nearly three hundred +titular Chiefs and persons of distinction collected at the Imperial Assemblage, +besides those included in the suites of Ruling Chiefs.—J. Talboys Wheeler, +'History of the Delhi Assemblage.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XLII5">These</a> gold medals were also presented to the Governors, Lieutenant-Governors, +and other high officials, and to the members of the Imperial +Assemblage Committee.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XLII6">In</a> endeavouring to describe this historical event, I have freely refreshed +my memory from Talboys Wheeler's 'History of the Imperial Assemblage,' in +which is given a detailed account of the proceedings.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLIII1">XLIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> It is instructive to note how remarkably similar were the circumstances +which brought about the first and second Afghan wars, viz., the presence of +Russian officers at Kabul.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLIV1">XLIV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> On the 13th June, the day on which the Berlin Congress held its first +sitting, the news of the approach of General Stolietoff's Mission reached +Kabul. The Russians hoped that the Mission might influence the decision of +the Berlin Congress, and although its despatch was repudiated by the Imperial +Government at St. Petersburg, it was subsequently ascertained on excellent +authority that the project of sending a Mission to Kabul was discussed three +times at the Council of Ministers, and, according to a statement in the +<i>Journal de St. Petersbourg</i>, orders were sent in April, 1878, to General +Kauffmann regarding its despatch. About the same time, the Russian +Minister of War proposed that the Army of the Caucasus should be transferred +bodily across the Caspian to Astrabad, whence the troops would march in two +columns on Herat; while three columns, amounting in the aggregate to +14,000 men, were to move direct upon the Oxus from Turkestan. The main +part of this scheme was never carried into effect, probably from its being +found too great an undertaking at a time when Russia had scarcely obtained +a footing beyond the Caspian, but the minor movement was partially carried +out. The largest of the three columns, under Kauffmann's own command, +moved from Tashkent, through Samarkand, to Jam, the most southern point +of the Russian possessions at that time, and within ten marches of Kilif, the +main ferry over the Oxus. There it remained for some weeks, when it returned +to Tashkent, the Afghan expedition being abandoned in consequence of the +Treaty of Berlin having been signed.</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XLIV2"><span style="color:#ffffff">-</span></a></p> +<p class="rindent3"> +'SIMLA, + <br /> +'14<i>th August,</i> 1878.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'The authentic intelligence which I have lately received of the course of +recent events at Kabul and in the countries bordering on Afghanistan has +rendered it necessary that I should communicate fully and without reserve +with your Highness upon matters of importance which concern the interests +of India and of Afghanistan. For this reason, I have considered it expedient +to depute a special and confidential British Envoy of high rank, who is known +to your Highness—his Excellency General Sir Neville Bowles Chamberlain, +Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Knight +Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Commander-in-Chief +of the Madras Army—to visit your Highness immediately at Kabul, +in order that he may converse personally with your Highness regarding these +urgent affairs. It appears certain that they can best be arranged for the +welfare and tranquillity of both States, and for the preservation of friendship +between the two Governments, by a full and frank statement of the present +position. This letter is therefore sent in advance to your Highness by the +hand of Nawab Gholam Hussein Khan, C.S.I., a faithful and honoured Sirdar +of my Government, who will explain all necessary details as to the time and +manner of the Envoy's visit. It is asked that your Highness may be pleased +to issue commands to your Sirdars, and to all other authorities in Afghanistan, +upon the route between Peshawar and Kabul, that they shall make, without +any delay, whatever arrangements are necessary and proper for effectively +securing to my Envoy, the representative of a friendly Power, due safe +conduct and suitable accommodation according to his dignity, while passing +with his retinue through the dominions of your Highness.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'I beg to express the high consideration I entertain for your Highness, and +to subscribe myself.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XLIV3">The</a> Mission was composed of General Sir Neville Chamberlain, G.C.B., +G.C.S.I.; Major Cavagnari, C.S.I.; Surgeon-Major Bellew, C.S.I.; Major +O. St. John, R.E.; Captain St. V. Hammick, 43rd Foot; Captain F. Onslow, +Madras Cavalry; Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain, Central India Horse; +Maharaj Pertap Sing of Jodhpur; and Sirdar Obed Ulla Khan, of Tonk. +Lieutenant-Colonel F. Jenkins and Captain W. Battye were with the escort.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XLIV4"><span style="color:#ffffff">-</span></a></p> +<p class="rindent3"> +'PESHAWAR, + <br /> +'15<i>th September</i>, 1878.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +(After compliments.) 'I write to inform you that, by command of His +Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, a friendly Mission of +British officers, with a suitable escort, is about to proceed to Kabul through +the Khyber Pass, and intimation of the despatch of this Mission has been +duly communicated to His Highness the Amir by the hand of the Nawab +Ghulam Hussein Khan.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'I hear that an official from Kabul has recently visited you at Ali Masjid, +and he has doubtless instructed you in accordance with His Highness the +Amir's commands. As, however, information has now been received that +you have summoned from Peshawar the Khyber headmen with whom we were +making arrangements for the safe conduct of the British Mission through the +Khyber Pass, I therefore write to inquire from you whether, in accordance +with the instructions you have received, you are prepared to guarantee the +safety of the British Mission to Daka or not; and I request that a clear reply +to this inquiry may be speedily communicated by the hand of the bearer of +this letter, as I cannot delay my departure from Peshawar. It is well known +that the Khyber tribes are in receipt of allowances from the Kabul Government, +and also, like other independent tribes on this frontier, have relations +with the British Government. It may be well to let you know that when the +present negotiations were opened with the Khyber tribes, it was solely with +the object of arranging with them for the safe conduct of the British Mission +through the Khyber Pass, in the same manner as was done in regard to the +despatch of our Agent, the Nawab Ghulam Hussein Khan; and the tribes +were given clearly to understand that these negotiations were in no way +intended to prejudice their relations with His Highness the Amir, as it was +well known that the object of the British Mission was altogether of a friendly +character to His Highness the Amir and the people of Afghanistan.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'I trust that, in accordance with the instructions you have received from +His Highness the Amir, your reply to this letter will be satisfactory, and that +it will contain the required assurances that the Mission will be safely conducted +to Daka. I shall expect to receive your reply to this letter not later +than the 18th instant, so please understand that the matter is most urgent.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'But at the same time, it is my duty to inform you, in a frank and friendly +manner, that if your answer is not what I trust it will be, or if you delay to +send an early reply, I shall have no alternative but to make whatever arrangements +may seem to me best for carrying out the instructions I have received +from my own Government.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XLIV5">In</a> a letter to Lord Lytton reporting the rebuff the Mission had encountered, +General Chamberlain wrote: 'No man was ever more anxious than +I to preserve peace and secure friendly solution, and it was only when I +plainly saw the Amir's fixed intention to drive us into a corner that I told +you we must either sink into a position of merely obeying his behests on all +points or stand on our rights and risk rupture. Nothing could have been +more distinct, nothing more humiliating to the dignity of the British Crown +and nation; and I believe that but for the decision and tact of Cavagnari at +one period of the interview, the lives of the British officers and the Native +following were in considerable danger.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XLIV6">The</a> approximate strength of the three columns was as follows:</p> + +<table width="80%" align="center" summary="Column strength" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"><i>Officers.</i></td> + <td class="note1"> <i>Men.</i></td> + <td class="note1"><i>Guns.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">I.</td> + <td class="note1">The Kandahar Field Force</td> + <td class="note1"> 265</td> + <td class="note1">12,599</td> + <td class="note1"> 78</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">II.</td> + <td class="note1">The Kuram Field Force</td> + <td class="note1"> 116</td> + <td class="note1"> 6,549</td> + <td class="note1"> 18</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">III.</td> + <td class="note1">The Peshawar Valley Field Force</td> + <td class="note1"> 325</td> + <td class="note1">15,854</td> + <td class="note1"> 48</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">——–</td> + <td class="note1">——––</td> + <td class="note1">——</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> 706</td> + <td class="note1">35,002</td> + <td class="note1"> 144 ]</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XLIV7"><span style="color:#ffffff">-</span></a></p> +<p class="rindent3"> +'KABUL, + <br /> +'6<i>th October</i>, 1878.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +(After compliments.) 'Your Excellency's despatch regarding the sending +of a friendly Mission has been received through Nawab Gholam Hussein +Khan; I understand its purport, but the Nawab had not yet an audience, +nor had your Excellency's letters been seen by me when a communication was +received to the address of my servant, Mirza Habibulla Khan, from the +Commissioner of Peshawar, and was read. I am astonished and dismayed by +this letter, written threateningly to a well-intentioned friend, replete with +contentions, and yet nominally regarding a friendly Mission. Coming thus +by force, what result, or profit, or fruit, could come of it? Following this, +three other letters from above-mentioned source, in the very same strain, +addressed to my officials, have been perused by me. Thus, during a period +of a few days several letters from that quarter have all been before me, and +none of them have been free from harsh expressions and hard words, repugnant +to courtesy and politeness, and in tone contrary to the ways of friendship and +intercourse. Looking to the fact that I am at this time assaulted by affliction +and grief at the hand of fate, and that great trouble has possessed my soul, in +the officials of the British Government patience and silence would have been +specially becoming. Let your Excellency take into consideration this harsh +and breathless haste with which the desired object and place of conference +have been seized upon, and how the officials of the Government have been led +into discussion and subjection to reproach. There is some difference between +this and the pure road of friendship and goodwill. In alluding to those +writings of the officials of the opposite Government which have emanated +from them, and are at this time in the possession of my own officials, the +latter have in no respect desired to show enmity or opposition towards the +British Government, nor, indeed, do they with any other Power desire enmity +or strife; but when any other Power, without cause or reason, shows animosity +towards this Government, the matter is left in the hands of God, and to His +will. The esteemed Nawab Gholam Hussein Khan, the bearer of this despatch, +has, in accordance with written instructions received from the British Government, +asked for permission to retire, and it has been granted.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIV8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XLIV8">25th</a> October.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER XLV</h4> + + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLVI1">XLVI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The details of the column are given in the Appendix<a href="#AppIII">*</a>.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +*See <a class="footnote" href="#AppIII">Appendix III.</a>]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XLVI2">On</a> the 30th November a subordinate officer of the Kabul Government +reached Sir Samuel Browne's camp at Daka, and delivered the following letter +from the Amir to the address of the Viceroy:</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'FROM HIS HIGHNESS THE AMIR OF KABUL TO THE VICEROY OF INDIA.</p> +<p class="rindent3"> +'KABUL, 19<i>th November</i>, 1878.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'Be it known to your Excellency that I have received, and read from +beginning to end, the friendly letter which your Excellency has sent, in reply +to the letter I despatched by Nawab Ghulam Hussein Khan. With regard to +the expressions used by your Excellency in the beginning of your letter, +referring to the friendly character of the Mission and the goodwill of the +British Government, I leave it to your Excellency, whose wisdom and justice +are universally admitted, to decide whether any reliance can be placed upon +goodwill, if it be evidenced by words only. But if, on the other hand, goodwill +really consists of deeds and actions, then it has not been manifested by +the various wishes that have been expressed, and the proposals that have +been made by British officials during the last few years to officials of this God-granted +Government—proposals which, from their nature, it was impossible +for them to comply with.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'One of these proposals referred to my dutiful son, the ill-starred wretch, +Mahomed Yakub Khan, and was contained in a letter addressed by the +officials of the British Government to the British Agent then residing in +Kabul. It was written in that letter that, "if the said Yakub Khan be +released and set at liberty, our friendship with the Afghan Government will +be firmly cemented, but that otherwise it will not."</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'There are several other grounds of complaint of similar nature, which +contain no evidence of goodwill, but which, on the contrary, were effective in +increasing the aversion and apprehension already entertained by the subjects +of this God-granted Government.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'With regard to my refusal to receive the British Mission, your Excellency +has stated that it would appear from my conduct that I was actuated by +feelings of direct hostility towards the British Government.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'I assure your Excellency that, on the contrary, the officials of this God-granted +Government, in repulsing the Mission, were not influenced by any +hostile or inimical feelings towards the British Government, nor did they +intend that any insult or affront should be offered. But they were afraid +that the independence of this Government might be affected by the arrival +of the Mission, and that the friendship which has now existed between the +two Governments for several years might be annihilated.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'A paragraph in your Excellency's letter corroborates the statement which +they have made to this Government. The feelings of apprehension which +were aroused in the minds of the people of Afghanistan by the mere announcement +of the intention of the British Government to send a Mission to Kabul, +before the Mission itself had actually started or arrived at Peshawar, have +subsequently been fully justified by the statement in your Excellency's letter, +that I should be held responsible for any injury that might befall the tribes +who acted as guides to the Mission, and that I should be called upon to pay +compensation to them for any loss they might have suffered; and that if, at +any time, these tribes should meet with ill-treatment at my hands, the British +Government would at once take steps to protect them.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'Had these apprehensions proved groundless, and had the object of the +Mission been really friendly, and no force or threats of violence used, the +Mission would, as a matter of course, have been allowed a free passage, as +such Missions are customary and of frequent occurrence between allied States. +I am now sincerely stating my own feelings when I say that this Government +has maintained, and always will maintain, the former friendship which +existed between the two Governments, and cherishes no feelings of hostility +and opposition towards the British Government.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'It is also incumbent upon the officials of the British Government that, +out of respect and consideration for the greatness and eminence of their own +Government, they should not consent to inflict any injury upon their well-disposed +neighbours, and to impose the burden of grievous troubles upon the +shoulders of their sincere friends. But, on the contrary, they should exert +themselves to maintain the friendly feelings which have hitherto existed +towards this God-granted Government, in order that the relations between +the two Governments may remain on the same footing as before; and if, in +accordance with the custom of allied States, the British Government should +desire to send a purely friendly and temporary Mission to this country, with +a small escort, not exceeding twenty or thirty men, similar to that which +attended the Russian Mission, this servant of God will not oppose its +progress.'</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +It was ascertained that this messenger had come to Basawal on the +22nd November, when, hearing of the capture of Ali Masjid by British +troops, he immediately returned to Kabul. The Amir's letter, though dated +the 19th November, was believed to have been re-written at Kabul after the +news of the fall of Ali Masjid. The text of this letter was telegraphed to +the Secretary of State on the 7th December; in reply Lord Cranbrook pointed +out that the letter evaded all the requirements specified in the Viceroy's +ultimatum, and could not have been accepted even if it had reached him +before the 20th November.]</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XLVI3">Now</a> General J. Gordon, C.B., Assistant Military Secretary, Horse +Guards.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XLVI4">The</a> Native officer was Subadar-Major Aziz Khan, a fine old soldier who +had seen hard work with his regiment during the Mutiny, and in many a +frontier expedition. He twice obtained the Order of Merit for bravery in the +field, and for his marked gallantry on one occasion he had received a sword +of honour and a <i>khilat</i> (a dress of honour or other present bestowed as a +mark of distinction). Aziz Khan was shot through the knee, and after a few +days the wound became so bad the Doctors told him that, unless he submitted +to amputation, or consented to take some stimulants in the shape of wine, he +would die of mortification. Aziz Khan, who was a strict and orthodox +Mahomedan, replied that, as both remedies were contrary to the precepts of +the religion by which he had guided his life, he would accept death rather +than disobey them. He died accordingly.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XLVI5">Now</a> General Sir Æneas Perkins, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XLVI6">The</a> strength of this battalion had now dwindled down to 348 men.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XLVI7">Now</a> Major-General Channer, V.C., C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XLVI8">I</a> had six orderlies attached to me—two Sikhs, two Gurkhas, and two +Pathans. The Sikhs and Gurkhas never left me for a day during the two +years I was in Afghanistan. The Pathans behaved equally well, but they +fell sick, and had to be changed more than once. Whenever I emerged from +my tent, two or more of the orderlies appeared and kept close by me. They +had always good information as to what was going on, and I could generally +tell whether there was likely to be trouble or not by the number in attendance; +they put themselves on duty, and decided how many were required. One of +the Gurkhas is since dead, but the other and the two Sikhs served with me +afterwards in Burma, and all three now hold the high position of Subadar in +their respective regiments.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVI9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XLVI9">Now</a> Major-General Sir Arthur Palmer, K.C.B.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLVII1">XLVII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> </p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'FROM THE VICEROY, LAHORE, TO GENERAL ROBERTS.</p> +<p class="rindent3"> +'<i>6th December, 1878.</i> </p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'I have much pleasure in communicating to you and the force under your +command the following telegram just received from Her Majesty, and desire +at the same time to add my warm congratulations on the success achieved. +Message begins: "I have received the news of the decisive victory of General +Roberts, and the splendid behaviour of my brave soldiers, with pride and +satisfaction, though I must ever deplore the unavoidable loss of life. Pray +inquire after the wounded in my name. May we continue to receive good +news."']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XLVII2">Both</a> officers died of their wounds soon afterwards.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XLVII3"><span style="color:#ffffff">.</span></a></p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'FROM AMIR SHER ALI KHAN TO THE OFFICERS OF THE BRITISH +GOVERNMENT.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'Be it known to the officers of the British Government that this suppliant +before God never supposed, nor wished, that the matters [in dispute] between +you and myself should come to this issue [literally, "should come out from +the curtain"], or that the veil of friendship and amity, which has for many +years been upheld between two neighbours and adjoining States, should, +without any cause, be thus drawn aside.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'And since you have begun the quarrel and hostilities, and have advanced +on Afghan territory, this suppliant before God, with the unanimous consent +and advice of all the nobles, grandees, and of the army in Afghanistan, +having abandoned his troops, his realm, and all the possessions of his crown, +has departed with expedition, accompanied by a few attendants, to St. Petersburg, +the capital of the Czar of Russia, where, before a congress, the whole +history of the transactions between myself and yourselves will be submitted to +all the Powers [of Europe], If you have anything in dispute with me regarding +State affairs in Afghanistan, you should institute and establish your case at +St. Petersburg, and state and explain what you desire, so that the questions +in dispute between us may be made known and clear to all the Powers. +And surely the side of right will not be overlooked. If your intentions are +otherwise, and you entertain hostile and vindictive feelings towards the people +of Afghanistan, God alone is their Protector and real Preserver. Upon the +course of action here above stated this suppliant before God has resolved +and decided.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XLVII4">The</a> late Lieutenant-General Sir John Hudson, K.C.B., who died as +Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XLVII5">No</a> doubt friends of the prisoners, who had come to help them to escape.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XLVII6">This</a> occurrence was made great capital of by the anti-war party at home. +A member of the House of Commons, in commenting upon it, said that 'some +ninety prisoners, who had been taken, had been tied together with ropes'; +that 'on their making some attempt to escape they were set upon, and many +of them slaughtered in their bonds'; and that 'the dead, the living, the +dying, and the wounded were left tied together, and lying in one confused +mass of bodies.']</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLVIII1">XLVIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The late Major-General Sir George Colley, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="XLVIII2">Kabul</a> was expressly selected by Yakub Khan as the place where he +wished the Embassy to reside.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XLVIII3">At</a> this parade I had the great pleasure of decorating Captain Cook with +the Victoria Cross, and Subadar Ragobir Nagarkoti, Jemadar Pursoo Khatri, +Native Doctor Sankar Dass, and five riflemen of the 5th Gurkhas, with the +Order of Merit, for their gallant conduct in the attack on the Spingawi Kotal, +and during the passage of the Mangior defile. It was a happy circumstance +that Major Galbraith, who owed his life to Captain Cook's intrepidity, and +Major Fitz-Hugh, whose life was saved by Jemadar (then Havildar) Pursoo +Khatri, should both have been present on the parade.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLVIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XLVIII4">Lieutenant</a>-Governor of Bengal.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="XLIX1">XLIX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> There are no such things as bells or knockers in India.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> '<a name="XLIX2">Lose</a> no time and spare no money to obtain reliable information of what +is going on in Kabul, and keep me constantly informed by urgent telegrams. +I am in hopes that Jelaladin's report will turn out to be greatly exaggerated, +if not untrue. As, however, his intelligence is sure to spread and cause a +certain amount of excitement, warn General Massy and Mr. Christie (the +Political Officer in Kuram) to be on the alert.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="XLIX3">The</a> Kabul Field Force was composed as follows:</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +ARTILLERY.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Lieutenant-Colonel B.L. Gordon, commanding.<br /> +Captain J.W. Inge, Adjutant.<br /> +F/A, Royal Horse Artillery, Major J.C. Smyth-Windham.<br /> +G/3, Royal Artillery, Major Sydney Parry.<br /> +No. 1 (Kohat) Mountain Battery (four guns), Captain Morgan.<br /> +No. 2 (Derajât) Mountain Battery (four guns), Captain Swinley.<br /> +Two Gatling guns, Captain Broadfoot.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +ENGINEERS.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Lieutenant-Colonel Æ. Perkins, C.B., commanding.<br /> +Lieutenant F. Spratt, Adjutant.<br /> +Captain Woodthorpe, R.E., in charge of surveying.<br /> +Captain Stratton, 22nd Regiment, in charge of signalling.<br /> +Lieutenant F. Burn-Murdoch, R.E., Royal Engineer Park.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +CAVALRY.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Brigadier-General W.D. Massy, commanding.<br /> +Lieutenant J.P. Brabazon, 10th Hussars, Brigade-Major.<br /> +9th Lancers, Lieutenant-Colonel R.S. Cleland.<br /> +5th Punjab Cavalry, Major B. Williams.<br /> +12th Bengal Cavalry, Major Green.<br /> +14th Bengal Lancers, Lieutenant-Colonel Ross.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +1ST INFANTRY BRIGADE.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Brigadier-General H. Macpherson, C.B., V.C., commanding.<br /> +Captain G. de C. Morton, 6th Foot, Brigade-Major.<br /> +67th Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel C.B. Knowles.<br /> +92nd Highlanders, Lieutenant-Colonel G.H. Parker.<br /> +28th Punjab Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel J. Hudson.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +2ND INFANTRY BRIGADE.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Brigadier-General T.D. Baker, C.B., 18th Foot, commanding.<br /> +Captain W.C. Farwell, 26th Punjab Infantry, Brigade-Major.<br /> +72nd Highlanders, Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow.<br /> +5th Gurkhas, Lieutenant-Colonel Fitz-Hugh.<br /> +5th Punjab Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel J. Macqueen.<br /> +3rd Sikhs, Lieutenant-Colonel G.N. Money.<br /> +23rd Pioneers, Lieutenant-Colonel Currie.]</p> +<p class="footnote">Return to <a class="footnote" href="#XLIX3r">CHAPTER XLIX.<sup>3</sup></a></p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="XLIX4">The</a> late Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Macpherson, V.C., K.C.B., who +died as Commander-in-Chief of Madras.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="XLIX5">The</a> late Sir Thomas Baker, K.C.B., who died as Quartermaster-General +at the Horse Guards.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="XLIX6">The</a> late Sir Charles MacGregor, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="XLIX7">Now</a> Major-General Combe, C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="XLIX8">This</a> promising young officer greatly distinguished himself at Kabul, and +died a few years afterwards of cholera.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="XLIX9">Now</a> Sir Mortimer Durand, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E., British Minister at +Teheran.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="XLIX10">TELEGRAM</a> DATED 6TH SEPTEMBER, 1879.</p> + +<p class="rindent3"> +<i>From</i> +CAPTAIN CONOLLY, +ALIKHEL.</p> +<p class="rindent3"> +<i>To</i> +FOREIGN SECRETARY, +SIMLA.</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +'<i>Clear the Line.</i>—Sirkai Khan, bearer of the Amir's first letter, confirms +previous reports of disaster, and describes how Badshah Khan visited the +spot, and saw the dead bodies of the Envoy, staff, and escort. Of the latter, +some nine sowars are said to have been out getting grass that day, and were +not killed with the rest; defence was very stubborn, and the loss of the +Kabulis heavy, put down at one hundred, or more. Finding they could not +storm the place, the mutineers set fire to the doorway below, and, when that +gave way, swarmed in and up to the upper story, overwhelmed the defenders, +and sacked the place.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'The second letter was brought by another messenger, servant of the +Embassy <i>Mehmandar</i>, whose story in all but a few unimportant details is the +same as that first received.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'If an advance on Kabul is decided on to revenge massacre of Embassy, +and also to quiet surrounding tribes, whom any (?) action would tempt to +break out, it appears to me all-important to secure safe passage of the Shutargardan, +and with this object to subsidize Badshah Khan handsomely.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +'I have detained the Kabul messengers pending receipt of instructions as +to the line of policy to follow, and what to communicate to the Amir or +Badshah Khan. The former invokes our aid; the latter expresses himself, +through his messenger, anxious to serve us. Once in Logar valley, where +they have had a bumper harvest, we could live on the country.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="XLIX11">TRANSLATION</a> OF A LETTER FROM THE AMIR OF KABUL TO GENERAL +ROBERTS, DATED KABUL, 8 A.M., THE 3RD SEPTEMBER, 1879.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +(After compliments.) The troops who had assembled for pay at the Bala +Hissar suddenly broke out and stoned their officers, and then all rushed to +the Residency and stoned it, receiving in return a hail of bullets. Confusion +and disturbance reached such a height that it was impossible to quiet +it. People from Sherpur and country around the Bala Hissar, and city +people of all classes, poured into the Bala Hissar and began destroying workshops, +Artillery park, and magazine; and all the troops and people attacked +the Residency. Meanwhile, I sent Daud Shah* to help the Envoy. On +reaching the Residency, he was unhorsed by stones and spears, and is now +dying. I then sent Sirdar Yahia Khan and my own son, the heir-apparent, +with the Koran to the troops; but no use. I then sent well-known Syads +and Mullahs of each class, but of no avail; up till now, evening, the disturbance +continues. It will be seen how it ends. I am grieved with this confusing +state of things. It is almost beyond conception. (Here follow the +date and the Amir's seal.)]</p> +<p class="footnote1"> + [Note *: The Commander-in-Chief of the Afghan army.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +SECOND LETTER FROM THE AMIR, DATED KABUL, THE 4TH +SEPTEMBER, 1879.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +Yesterday, from 8 a.m. till evening, thousands assembled to destroy the +Embassy. There has been much loss of life on both sides. At evening they +set fire to the Residency. All yesterday and up till now, I with five +attendants have been besieged. I have no certain news of the Envoy, whether +he and his people have been killed in their quarters, or been seized and +brought out. Afghanistan is ruined; the troops, city, and surrounding +country have thrown off their yoke of allegiance. Daud Shah is not expected +to recover; all his attendants were killed. The workshops and magazine are +totally gutted—in fact, my kingdom is ruined. After God, I look to the +Government for aid and advice. My true friendship and honesty of purpose +will be proved as clear as daylight. By this misfortune I have lost my friend, +the Envoy, and also my kingdom. I am terribly grieved and perplexed. +(Here follow the date and the Amir's seal.)</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <a name="XLIX12">The</a> Nawab was on his way from Kandahar to Kabul, but on hearing of +the massacre he came to Alikhel.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX13r">[Footnote 13:</a> <a name="XLIX13">TRANSLATION</a> OF A PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY MAJOR-GENERAL SIR +FREDERICK ROBERTS.</p> +<p class="rindent3"> +<i>Alikhel, 16th September</i>, 1879.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +Be it known to all the Chiefs and the people of the country of Kabul and its +dependencies that, in accordance with the Treaty concluded in May, 1879, +corresponding to Jamdi-ul-Akhir 1296 Hijri, between the two great Governments, +and to the terms of which His Highness the Amir expressed his assent, +and agreed to the location of an Envoy of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress, +a British Envoy was, at the special request of His Highness the Amir, located +at the Kabul Court, and the Amir guaranteed that he should be treated +honourably and protected.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +Within six weeks after the said Envoy was received at and entered Kabul +the whole Embassy was besieged and massacred in the very citadel of His +Highness the Amir, who could not save or protect them from the hands of the +soldiers and the people. From this, the lack of power of the Amir and the +weakness of his authority in his capital itself are quite apparent and manifest. +For this reason the British troops are advancing for the purpose of taking a +public vengeance on behalf of the deceased as well as of obtaining satisfaction +(<i>lit.</i>, consolidation) of the terms entered into in the Treaty concluded. The +British troops are entering Afghanistan for the purpose of strengthening the +royal authority of His Highness the Amir on condition that His Highness +loyally uses those powers for the maintenance of friendship and of amicable +relations with the British Government. This is the only course by which the +Amir's kingdom can remain intact, and (by which) also the friendly sentiments +and sincerity expressed in his letter of the 4th September, 1879, after +the occurrence of the (said) event can be proved.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +For the purpose of removing any doubt about the concord of the two +Governments, the Amir has been addressed to depute a confidential agent to +my camp. The British force will not punish or injure anyone except the +persons who have taken part or joined in the massacre of the Embassy unless +they offer opposition. All the rest, the small and great, who are unconcerned +(therein) may rest assured of this. Carriage and supplies of every +description should be brought into the British camp. Full price and hire +shall be paid for everything that may be taken. Whereas mercy and humanity +are the characteristics of this great Government, this proclamation is issued +beforehand for the information of the people at large.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX14r">[Footnote 14:</a> <a name="XLIX14">TRANSLATION</a> OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR-GENERAL SIR FREDERICK +ROBERTS TO CERTAIN <i>maliks</i> OF THE LOGAR VALLEY.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +From the Proclamation already issued by me, you will have learnt the +reasons for the march of the British troops to Kabul. Her Majesty's Government, +by the movement of troops, intends to exact retribution for the massacre +of the Embassy and to aid His Highness the Amir in restoring order.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +Let all those not concerned in the massacre rest assured, provided no opposition +is shown, His Highness the Amir, in communications received by me, expresses his +friendship, and wishes to continue amicable relations. As the British troops +under my command will shortly enter the Logar valley I write to reassure +you, and expect that you will inform all the residents of the valley not concerned +in the late hateful massacre the purport of the Proclamation, and give +every assistance in providing carriage and supplies required for the troops for +which adequate hire and payment will be made. I hope that after the above +assurance all the headmen will come to meet me in my camp where I shall be +glad to see them.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#XLIX15r">[Footnote 15:</a> <a name="XLIX15">This</a> letter is given in full in the <a class="footnote" href="#AppIV">Appendix.</a>]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="L1">L</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#L1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Macdonald, having subsequently further distinguished himself, was given +a commission, and is now commanding a regiment in the Egyptian Army. +Sher Mahomed was rewarded with the Order of Merit.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#L2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="L2">FROM</a> THE AMIR OF KABUL, DATED KUSHI, 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1879.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +(After compliments.) Your friendly letter has reached me just at this +moment, 8 p.m., the 10th Shawal (27th September), and opened the doors of +joy and happiness on the face of my heart marked with affection. I feel +perfectly certain and confident that the movements of Her Imperial Majesty's +victorious troops are merely for the purpose of consolidating the foundation +of my kingdom and strengthening the basis of my government.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +In truth, the sympathy of friends with friends is fitting and proper, and +the indulgence and kindness of a great Government to a sincere and faithful +friend are agreeable and pleasing. I am exceedingly gratified with, and +thankful to, the representatives of the illustrious British Government for +their expression of sympathy and their support of my cause. Your friendly +and wise suggestion that none of the ignorant tribes of Afghanistan should +oppose the British troops, so that the officers of the British Government +should be the better able to support and protect me, is very acceptable and +reasonable. Before I received your letter, I had sent orders repeatedly to the +Governors of Jalalabad and Lalpura not to let anyone oppose or resist the +British troops, and stringent orders have again been issued to the Governor of +Jalalabad to use his utmost endeavours and efforts in this respect. The order +in question to the address of the Governor of Jalalabad will be shown you +to-morrow, and sent by an express courier.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#L3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="L3">It</a> was a matter of intense gratification to me that the whole time we +remained in Afghanistan, nearly two years, not a single complaint was made +by an Afghan of any soldier in my force having interfered with the women +of the country.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#L4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="L4">The</a> force was made up as follows:</p> + +<table align="center" summary="The Kabul Field Force" border="1"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" rowspan="2"> </td> + <td class="note1b" rowspan="2">British<br />Officers</td> + <td class="note1b" colspan="2">Other Ranks</td> + +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1b">British</td> + <td class="note1b">Native</td> +</tr> +<tr> + + <td class="note1"> + Divisional, Brigade, +and Departmental Staff<br /> +F/A, R.H.A.<br /> +G/3, R.A.<br /> +No. 2 Mountain Battery<br /> +Two Gatling guns<br /> +9th Lancers (one squadron)<br /> +5th Punjab Cavalry<br /> +12th Bengal Cavalry<br /> +14th Bengal Lancers<br /> +67th Foot<br /> +72nd Highlanders<br /> +92nd Highlanders<br /> +5th Punjab Infantry<br /> +5th Gurkhas <br /> +23rd Pioneers<br /> +28th Punjab Infantry <br /> +7th Company Bengal Sappers and Miners <br /> + </td> + <td class="note1d"> + 60 <br /> + 7 <br /> + 7 <br /> + 3 <br /> + 1 <br /> + 4 <br /> + 7 <br /> + 6 <br /> + 7 <br /> + 18 <br /> + 23 <br /> + 17 <br /> + 8 <br /> + 7 <br /> + 6 <br /> + 8 <br /> + 3 <br /> + </td> + <td class="note1d"> + <br /> + 118 <br /> + 137 <br /> + <br /> + 34 <br /> + 118 <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + 686 <br /> + 746 <br /> + 717 <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + 2 <br /> + </td> + <td class="note1d"> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + 223 <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + 325 <br /> + 328 <br /> + 407 <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + 610 <br /> + 574 <br /> + 671 <br /> + 636 <br /> + 93 <br /> + </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1d">192 </td> + <td class="note1d">2,558 </td> + <td class="note1d">3,867 </td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#L5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="L5">Known</a> as the <i>sang-i-nawishta</i> (inscribed stone).]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#L6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="L6">Shortly</a> after I was settled at Kabul, the following letter, written by +Nek Mahomed on the evening of the day he had been with the Amir, to +some person whom he wished to acquaint with the state of affairs, was +brought to me:</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +'MY KIND FRIEND,—The truth is that to-day, at sunrise, I went to the +camp, the Amir having summoned me. When I arrived, Mulla Shah +Mahomed [the Wazir] first said to me, "Go back and tell the people to raise +a holy war." I did not feel certain about what he said [or was not satisfied +with this], [but] the Amir afterwards told me to go back that very hour and +rouse the people to a <i>ghaza</i>. I got back to Kabul about 7 o'clock, and am +collecting the people. Salaam.'</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +The letter was not addressed, but it was sealed with Nek Mahomed's seal, +and there was no reason to doubt its authenticity.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LI1">LI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Twenty sabres, 9th Lancers, one squadron 5th Punjab Cavalry, two +guns, No. 2 Mountain battery, 284 rifles, 92nd Highlanders, and 450 rifles, +23rd Pioneers.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LI2">Two</a> guns, No. 2 Mountain battery, two Gatling guns, detachment 12th +Bengal Cavalry, 72nd Highlanders, 5th Gurkhas (300 rifles), 5th Punjab +Infantry (200 rifles), No. 7 Company Sappers and Miners.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LI3">During</a> the fight the Infantry expended 41,090 rounds, of which over +20,000 were fired by the 72nd Highlanders. The half-battery G/3 R.A. fired +6 common shell (percussion fuses) and 71 shrapnel (time fuses); total, +77 rounds. No. 2 Mountain Battery fired 10 common shell and 94 shrapnel, +total, 104 rounds. The two Gatlings fired 150 rounds.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +At the tenth round one of the Gatlings jammed, and had to be taken to +pieces. This was the first occasion on which Gatling guns were used in action. +They were not of the present improved make, and, being found unsatisfactory, +were made but little use of.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LI4">The</a> troops available for this purpose were: One squadron 9th Lancers, +5th Punjab Cavalry, 12th Bengal Cavalry, and 14th Bengal Lancers; total, +720 of all ranks.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LI5">The</a> guns included four English 18-pounders, one English 8-inch howitzer +and two Afghan imitations of this weapon, and forty-two bronze Mountain +guns.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LI6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LI6">The</a> Asmai heights.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LI7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LI7">The</a> Deh-i-Mazang gorge.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LII1">LII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Yahia Khan was Yakub Khan's father-in-law.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LII2">At</a> an interview which Major Hastings, the Political Officer, and Mr. +Durand, my Political Secretary, had with His Highness at my request on the +23rd October, he said, referring to the subject of the Amirship: 'I call God +and the Koran to witness, and everything a Mussulman holds sacred, that my +only desire is to be set free, and end my days in liberty. I have conceived an +utter aversion for these people. I always treated them well, and you see how +they have rewarded me. So long as I was fighting in one place or another, +they liked me well enough. Directly I became Amir, and consulted their +own good by making peace with you, they turned on me. Now I detest them +all, and long to be out of Afghanistan for ever. It is not that I am unable to +hold the country; I have held it before and could hold it again, but I have +no further wish to rule such a people, and I beg of you to let me go. If the +British Government wish me to stay, I will stay, as their servant or as the +Amir, if you like to call me so, until my son is of an age to succeed me, or +even without that condition; but it will be wholly against my own inclination, +and I earnestly beg to be set free.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LII3">Dr</a>. Bellew was with the brothers Lumsden at Kandahar in 1857.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LII4">My</a> action in endorsing the proceedings of this court, and my treatment +of Afghans generally, were so adversely and severely criticized by party +newspapers and periodicals, and by members of the Opposition in the House +of Commons, that I was called upon for an explanation of my conduct, which +was submitted and read in both Houses of Parliament by the Secretary of +State for India, Viscount Cranbrook, and the Under-Secretary of State for India, +the Hon. E. Stanhope. In the Parliamentary records of February, 1880, can +be seen my reply to the accusations, as well as an abstract statement of the +executions carried out at Kabul in accordance with the findings of the military +Court.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LII5">Afterwards</a> General Sir Robert Bright, G.C.B.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LIII1">LIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> In Pushtu the word <i>tarbur</i> signifies a cousin to any degree, and is not +unfrequently used as 'enemy,' the inference being that in Afghanistan a +cousin is necessarily an enemy.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LIII2">As</a> I reported at the time, the magnitude of Sher Ali's military preparations +was, in my opinion, a fact of peculiar significance. He had raised and +equipped with arms of precision sixteen regiments of Cavalry and sixty-eight +of Infantry, while his Artillery amounted to nearly 300 guns. Numbers of +skilled artisans were constantly employed in the manufacture of rifled cannon +and breech-loading small arms. Swords, helmets, uniforms, and other articles +of military equipment, were stored in proportionate quantities. Upon the +construction of the Sherpur cantonment Sher Ali had expended an astonishing +amount of labour and money. The size and cost of this work may be judged +from the fact that the main line of rampart, with barrack accommodation, +extended to a length of nearly two miles under the western and southern +slopes of the Bimaru hills, while the original design was to carry the wall +entirely round the hills, a distance of four and a half miles, and the foundations +were laid for a considerable portion of this length. All these military +preparations must have been going on for some years, and were quite unnecessary, +except as a provision for contemplated hostilities with ourselves. +Sher Ali had refused during this time to accept the subsidy we had agreed to +pay him, and it is difficult to understand how their entire cost could have +been met from the Afghan treasury, the annual gross revenue of the country +at that time amounting only to about 80 lakhs of rupees.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LIII3">These</a> letters, as well as my report to the Secretary to the Government of +India in the Foreign Department, with an account of my conversation with +Yakub Khan, are given in the <a class="footnote" href="#AppVI">Appendix</a>.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +(See Appendices <a class="footnote" href="#AppVI">VI</a>, <a class="footnote" href="#AppVII">VII</a>,]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LIII4">Sirdar</a> Ayub Khan was Governor of Herat in 1879.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LIII5">There</a> were present at the interview, besides myself, Colonel Macgregor, +Major Hastings, Surgeon-Major Bellew, Nawab Sir Ghulam Hussein Khan, +and Mr. H.M. Durand.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LIII6">A</a> kind of mantle worn by Afghans.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LIII7">As</a> Yakub Khan refused under one pretext or another to deliver up any +money, Major Moriarty, the officer in charge of the Kabul Field Force +treasure-chest, and Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain, accompanied by an +escort, searched a house in the city in which a portion of Yakub Khan's +money was said to be concealed. Upwards of eight and a half lakhs of +rupees, and a certain amount of jewellery and gold coins, tillas and Russian +five-rouble pieces, in all amounting to nine and a half lakhs, were found. +This sum was subsequently refunded to the Afghan Government.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIII8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="LIII8">The</a> Nawab had been made a K.C.S.I.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LIV1">LIV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> A most thrilling account of Elphinstone's retreat through this pass is +given in Kaye's 'History of the War in Afghanistan,' vol. ii., p. 229.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LIV2">The</a> amnesty Proclamation ran as follows:</p> + +<p class="rindent3"> +'KABUL, + <br /> +'<i>12th November</i>, 1879.</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +'To all whom it may concern. On the 12th October a Proclamation was +issued in which I offered a reward for the surrender of any person who had +fought against the British troops since the 3rd September, and had thereby +become a rebel against the Amir Yakub Khan. I have now received information +which tends to show that some, at least, of those who shared in the +opposition encountered by the British troops during their advance on Kabul, +were led to do so by the belief that the Amir was a prisoner in my camp, +and had called upon the soldiery and people of Kabul to rise on his behalf. +Such persons, although enemies to the British Government, were not rebels +against their own Sovereign, and the great British Government does not seek +for vengeance against enemies who no longer resist. It may be that few only +of those who took up arms were thus led away by the statements of evil-minded +men, but rather than punish the innocent with the guilty, I am +willing to believe that all were alike deceived. On behalf of the British +Government, therefore, I proclaim a free and complete amnesty to all persons +who have fought against the British troops since the 3rd September, provided +that they now give up any arms in their possession and return to their +homes. The offer of a reward for the surrender of such persons is now withdrawn, +and they will not for the future be molested in any way on account of +their opposition to the British advance; but it must be clearly understood +that the benefits of this amnesty do not extend to anyone, whether soldier or +civilian, who was concerned directly or indirectly in the attack upon the +Residency, or who may hereafter be found in possession of any property +belonging to members of the Embassy. To such persons no mercy will be +shown. Further, I hold out no promise of pardon to those who, well knowing +the Amir's position in the British camp, instigated the troops and people of +Kabul to take up arms against the British troops. They have been guilty of +wilful rebellion against the Amir's authority, and they will be considered and +treated as rebels wherever found.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LIV3">There</a> was a slight fall of snow on the 11th November, followed by severe +frost, and the elephants were beginning to suffer from the cold. Three of +them succumbed on the Lataband Kotal, much to the annoyance of the +olfactory nerves of all passers-by. It was impossible to bury the huge +carcasses, as the ground was all rock, and there was not wood enough to burn +them. So intense was the cold that the ink froze in my pen, and I was +obliged to keep my inkstand under my pillow at night.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LIV4">This</a> party marched towards India on the 14th November, followed by a +second convoy of sickly men on the 27th idem. On this latter date the +strength of the 1st and 2nd Divisions, Kabul Field Force, and the Reserve +at Peshawar was as follows:</p> + + + +<table align="center" summary="The Kabul Field Force, and the Reserve at Peshawar" border="1"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" rowspan="2"> </td> + <td class="note1b" colspan="2">British Force</td> + <td class="note1b" colspan="2">Native Force</td> + <td class="note1b" rowspan="2">Total</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1b">Officers</td> + <td class="note1b">Rank &<br /> File</td> + <td class="note1b">British<br /> Officers</td> + <td class="note1b">Troops</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" rowspan="3" valign="top">1st Division, at and around Kabul<br /><br />2nd Division, on the Khyber line<br /><br /> + <br />Reserve at Peshawar<br /><br /> + + + + </td> + <td class="note1"> 100<br /><br /> 90</td> + <td class="note1"> 2,783<br /><br /> 2,385</td> + <td class="note1"> 71<br /><br /> 118</td> + <td class="note1"> 5,060<br /><br /> 8,590</td> + <td class="note1"> 8,014<br /><br />11,183</td> +</tr> +<tr> + + <td class="note1"> 190<br /><br /> 55</td> + <td class="note1"> 5,168<br /><br /> 1,952</td> + <td class="note1"> 189<br /><br /> 49</td> + <td class="note1">13,650<br /><br /> 4,654</td> + <td class="note1">19,197<br /><br /> 6,710</td> +</tr> +<tr> + + <td class="note1"> 245</td> + <td class="note1"> 7,120</td> + <td class="note1"> 238</td> + <td class="note1">18,304</td> + <td class="note1">25,907</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +Total:— 483 British officers.<br /> + 7,120 British troops.<br /> + 18,304 Native troops.<br /> +Grand total:— 25,907 with 60 guns, 24 with 1st Division, and 36 with +2nd Division and the Reserve.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LV1">LV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Fragrance of the universe.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LV2">Viz</a>., Logar, Zurmat, the Mangal and Jadran districts, and the intervening +Ghilzai country.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LV3">Kohistan</a>.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LV4">Maidan</a> and Ghazni.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LV5">Macpherson</a> had with him the following troops: 4 guns R.H.A.; 4 guns +Mountain battery; 1 squadron 9th Lancers; 2 squadrons 14th Bengal Lancers; +401 rifles 67th Foot; 509 rifles 3rd Sikhs; 393 rifles 5th Ghurkas.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LV6">Baker</a>'s column consisted of: 4 guns Mountain battery; 3 troops 5th +Punjab Cavalry; 25 Sappers and Miners; 450 rifles 92nd Highlanders; 450 +rifles 5th Punjab Infantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LV7">Now</a> Lieutenant-General Sir William Lockhart, K.C.B., K.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="LV8">On</a> the 11th December, the troops at and around Kabul amounted to +6,352 men and 20 guns, which were thus disposed:</p> + +<table width="70%" align="center" summary="Troops at and around Kabul, 11th December, 1879" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"><i>Men.</i></td> + <td class="note1"><i>Guns.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Baker's column</td> + <td class="note1">1,325</td> + <td class="note1"> 4</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Macpherson's column</td> + <td class="note1">1,492</td> + <td class="note1"> 4</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Massy's column</td> + <td class="note1"> 351</td> + <td class="note1"> 4</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">At Sherpur</td> + <td class="note1">3,184 </td> + <td class="note1"> 8</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">——–</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">6,352</td> + <td class="note1"> 20</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">There were besides at Butkhak and Lataband </td> + <td class="note1">1,343</td> + <td class="note1"> 2</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">And the Guides Corps, which reached Sherpur}</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">on the evening of the 11th December }</td> + <td class="note1"> 679</td> + <td class="note1"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">——–</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1">8,374</td> + <td class="note1"> 22 ]</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="LV9">The</a> memorandum was as follows:</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +'Brigadier-General Massy will start at eight a.m. to-morrow with a squadron +of Cavalry, join the Cavalry and Horse Artillery now out under Colonel +Gordon, taking command thereof, and operating towards Arghandeh in conjunction +with Brigadier-General Macpherson. The troops to return in the +evening.' +]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="LV10">Kizilbashes</a> are Persians by nationality and Shiah Mahomedans by +religion. They formed the vanguard of Nadir Shah's invading army, and +after his death a number of them settled in Kabul where they exercise +considerable influence.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="LV11">Stewart</a>-Mackenzie's horse was shot, and fell on him, and he was extricated +with the greatest difficulty.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <a name="LV12">Mazr</a> Ali was given the order of merit for his brave action, and is now a +Native officer in the regiment.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV13r">[Footnote 13:</a> <a name="LV13">Our</a> Chaplain (Adams), who had accompanied me throughout the day, +behaved in this particular place with conspicuous gallantry. Seeing a +wounded man of the 9th Lancers staggering towards him, Adams dismounted, +and tried to lift the man on to his own charger. Unfortunately, the mare, a +very valuable animal, broke loose, and was never seen again. Adams, however, +managed to support the Lancer until he was able to make him over to +some of his own comrades.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Adams rejoined me in time to assist two more of the 9th who were struggling +under their horses at the bottom of the ditch. Without a moment's hesitation, +Adams jumped into the ditch. He was an unusually powerful man, +and by sheer strength dragged the Lancers clear of their horses. The +Afghans meanwhile had reached Bhagwana, and were so close to the ditch +that I thought my friend the padre could not possibly escape. I called out +to him to look after himself, but he paid no attention to my warnings until +he had pulled the almost exhausted Lancers to the top of the slippery bank. +Adams received the Victoria Cross for his conduct on this occasion.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LV14r">[Footnote 14:</a> <a name="LV14">These</a> men were much impeded by their long boots and their swords +dangling between their legs; the sight, indeed, of Cavalry soldiers trying to +defend themselves on foot without a firearm confirmed the opinion I had +formed during the Mutiny, as to the desirability for the carbine being slung +on the man's back when going into action. Lieutenant-Colonel Bushman +(Colonel Cleland's successor) curiously enough had brought with him from +England a sling which admitted of this being done, and also of the carbine +being carried in the bucket on all ordinary occasions. This pattern was +adopted, and during the remainder of the campaign the men of the 9th +Lancers placed their carbines on their backs whenever the enemy were +reported to be in sight. At the same time I authorized the adoption of an +arrangement—also brought to my notice by Colonel Bushman—by which the +sword was fastened to the saddle instead of round the man's body. This +mode of wearing the sword was for some time strenuously opposed in this +country, but its utility could not fail to be recognized, and in 1891 an order +was issued sanctioning its adoption by all mounted troops.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LVI1">LVI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> His force consisted of 4 guns, Field Artillery; 4 Mountain guns; +1 squadron 9th Lancers; 5th Punjab Cavalry; 6 companies 92nd Highlanders; +7 companies Guides; and 300 3rd Sikhs; and subsequently it was +strengthened by 150 of the 5th Punjab Infantry.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LVI2">Dick</a> Cunyngham received the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry +and coolness on this occasion.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LVI3">This</a> gallant non-commissioned officer was killed the following day.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LVI4">Notwithstanding</a> that his wound was most severe, Captain Chisholme +remained in the saddle, and brought the regiment out of action.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LVI5">Clarke</a> never recovered the loss of this post. He and I had been cadets +together at Sandhurst, and I often visited him while he was in hospital at +Sherpur. He was apparently suffering from no disease, but gradually faded +away, and died not long after he reached India.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVI6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LVI6">General</a> Baker, in his despatch, stated that 'No blame for the loss of +these guns is in any way to be attached to the officers and men of No. 2 +Mountain Battery.... Every credit is due to Captain Swinley, the late +Lieutenant Montanaro, and Lieutenant Liddell, and the several Native +officers, non-commissioned officers and men composing the gun detachments, +for the gallant manner in which they stood to their guns to the last, and it +was only on the sudden rush of this overwhelming force of the enemy that +they had to retire with the loss of two guns.'</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Of the men composing the gun detachments, one was killed and six +wounded, and Surgeon-Major Joshua Duke was specially mentioned for his +attention to the wounded under heavy fire.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVI7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LVI7">The</a> same officer who so gallantly met his death during the recent Chitral +campaign, while commanding the regiment of which he was so justly proud, +and in which two brave brothers had been killed before him—Quinton at +Delhi, and Wigram during the first phase of the Afghan war.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LVII1">LVII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Four and a half miles.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LVII2">The</a> committee consisted of Brigadier-General T. D. Baker, Lieutenant +Colonel Æ. Perkins, commanding Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant-Colonel +B. Gordon, commanding Royal Artillery.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LVII3">A</a> curious exemplification of the passive courage and indifference to +danger of some Natives was the behaviour of an old Mahomedan servant of +mine. At this juncture, just at the time when the fight was hottest, and I +was receiving reports every few seconds from the officers commanding the +several posts, Eli Bux (a brother of the man who had been with me throughout +the Mutiny) whispered in my ear that my bath was ready. He was quite +unmoved by the din and shots, and was carrying on his ordinary duties as if +nothing at all unusual was occurring.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LVII4">This</a> hospital was admirably managed, and was attended by a large +number of patients, half of whom were women. The disease moat prevalent +in Kabul waa ophthalmia, caused by dust, dirt, and exposure, while cataract +and other affections of the eye were very common. Dr. Owen, amongst his +other many qualifications, excelled as an oculist, and his marvellous cures +attracted sufferers from all parts of Afghanistan.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LVIII1">LVIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> In reply to a reference made to me on the subject, I represented that, +before operations could be undertaken on so extensive a scale as was proposed, +it would be necessary to reinforce the Kabul garrison and the several posts on +the Kyber line by:</p> + +<p class="footnote2"> +One battery of Horse or Field Artillery.<br /> +One Heavy battery.<br /> +One Mountain battery.<br /> +A detachment of Garrison Artillery.<br /> +A brigade of Cavalry.<br /> +Three companies of Sappers and Miners.<br /> +Two regiments of British Infantry.<br /> +Six regiments of Native Infantry.<br /> +Drafts sufficient to raise each Infantry regiment at<br /> +Kabul to 800 men.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +This was agreed to; the reinforcements were sent up by degrees, and a second +division was formed at Kabul, to the command of which Major-General J. +Ross,[*] C.B., was appointed.]</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +[Note *: Now General Sir John Ross, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LVIII2">As</a> the deportation of Yakub Khan was believed to be one of the chief +causes of recent disturbances, and as a powerful party in the country still +looked forward to having him back as their Ruler, I was directed to make it +clear to his adherents that the ex-Amir would never be allowed to return to +Afghanistan, and that his abdication must be, as he himself at the time wished +it to be, considered irrevocable. In support of this decision, I was informed +that the unanimous verdict of guilty of murder, recorded against Yakub +Khan by Colonel Macgregor's Commission, was substantially endorsed by the +Chief Justice of Calcutta and the Advocate-General; and that, although other +authorities who had considered the evidence did not quite go so far as these +two high legal functionaries, the general conclusion come to was that, if the +Amir did not connive at the massacre of the Mission, he made no attempt +whatever to interpose on its behalf, and that his whole conduct on that +occasion betrayed a culpable indifference to the fate of Sir Louis Cavagnari +and his companions, and a total disregard of the solemn obligation which he +had contracted with the British Government.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LVIII3">I</a> had released the Mustaufi from confinement when the general amnesty +was published on the 26th December, and he had subsequently been usefully +employed assisting the political officers in revenue matters. I did not suppose +that he had any great love for the British, but he was anxious to see us out +of the country, and was wise enough to know that no armed opposition could +effect his purpose, and that it could only be accomplished by the establishment +of a stable government, under a Ruler that we could accept.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LVIII4">Now</a> Colonel Sir West Ridgeway, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LVIII5">Abdur</a> Rahman's letter is given in the Appendix<a href="#AppVIII">*</a>.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +See <a class="footnote" href="#AppVIII">Appendix VIII.</a>]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LVIII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LVIII6">This</a> letter from the Foreign Secretary to Mr. Griffin is given in full in +the Appendix<a href="#AppIX">*</a>.</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +See <a class="footnote" href="#AppIX">Appendix IX.</a>]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LIX1">LIX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Sir Donald Stewart's division was replaced at Kandahar by troops from +Bombay.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LIX2">The</a> part of the report which deals with economic details is given in the +Appendix<a href="#AppX">*</a>; the military portion is omitted, as it was only intended for Sir +Donald Stewart's information at the time.]</p> +<p class="footnote1"> +See <a class="footnote" href="#AppX">Appendix X.</a>]</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIX3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LIX3">Of</a> these, more than 3,000 were doolie-bearers, and nearly 8,000 were +<i>saices</i> of Native Cavalry regiments, and men belonging to the Transport and +other Departments.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LIX4">Now</a> Major-General Sir Robert Low, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIX5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LIX5">Colonel</a> Macgregor and Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman had changed places, +the former joining Sir Donald Stewart as Chief of the Staff, and the latter +taking up the same position with me.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LIX6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LIX6">Lieutenant</a>-General Primrose succeeded Sir Donald Stewart in command +of the troops at Kandahar.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LX1">LX</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Sirdar Sher Ali had been appointed Governor of Kandahar by the Amir +Yakub Khan after the treaty of Gandamak, and had since assisted Sir Donald +Stewart in the civil administration of the province.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LX2">Local</a> Native levies.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX3r">[Footnote 3:</a><span class="white"><a name="LX3">-</a></span></p> + +<table width="50%" align="center" summary="" border="0"> +<tr> + <td> </td> + <td class="note1"><i>Killed</i></td> + <td class="note1"><i>Wounded and</i><br /><i>Missing</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">British officers</td> + <td class="note1"> 20 </td> + <td class="note1"> 9</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">British troops</td> + <td class="note1"> 290</td> + <td class="note1"> 48</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Native troops</td> + <td class="note1"> 624 </td> + <td class="note1"> 118</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td> </td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td> </td> + <td class="note1"> 934</td> + <td class="note1"> 175</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td> </td> + <td class="note1" colspan="2"> Total, 1,109</td> + +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +Of the regimental followers 331 were killed and 7 were missing; 455 transport +followers and drivers were reported as killed or missing, but a number of +these, being Afghans, probably joined the enemy.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +A large quantity of arms and ammunition was lost, including over 1,000 +rifles and carbines, and 600 or 700 swords and bayonets.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +201 horses were killed, and 1,676 camels, 355 ponies, 24 mules, 291 donkeys, +and 79 bullocks, were not forthcoming.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LX4">Afterwards</a> General Sir Robert Phayre, G.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LX5">General</a> Phayre reported on the 28th July that there were only seven +Native regiments in Baluchistan, three of which were required for the lines +of communication, leaving only four available for Field Service; and that a +battalion of British Infantry and a battery of Field Artillery required for his +column were a long way off, being still in Sind.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LX6">Now</a> General Sir George Greaves, G.C.B., G.C.M.C.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX7r">[Footnote 7:</a><span class="white"><a name="LX7">-</a></span></p> + +<table width="70%" align="center" summary="" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="80%">Each British soldier was allowed for kit and +camp-equipage,<br /> +including great-coat and waterproof sheet</td> + <td class="note1" width="20%">30 lbs.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Each Native soldier</td> + <td class="note1">20 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Each public and private follower</td> + <td class="note1">10 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Each European officer</td> + <td class="note1"> 1 mule.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Every eight officers for mess</td> + <td class="note1"> 1 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Each staff-officer for office purposes</td> + <td class="note1">80 lbs.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Each Native officer </td> + <td class="note1">30 " </td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="LX8">The</a> amount of supplies taken with the force was as follows:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="80%">FOR BRITISH TROOPS.</td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Bread-stuff </td> + <td class="note1"> 5 days.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Preserved vegetables </td> + <td class="note1">15 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Tea, sugar, salt, and rum </td> + <td class="note1">30 "</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<br /><br /> + <table width="60%" align="center" summary="" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="80%">FOR NATIVE TROOPS <br />AND FOLLOWERS.</td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Flour</td> + <td class="note1"> 5 days</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"><i>Dal</i> and salt</td> + <td class="note1">30 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Rum for spirit-drinking men</td> + <td class="note1"> 8 "</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +Sheep, ten days' supply for British troops and four issues for Native +troops, with 20 per cent. spare. Nearly 5,000 sheep were purchased +on the march. N.B.—There are no horned cattle in +Afghanistan, except those used for the plough or transport.</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +In addition to the above, a small reserve of lime-juice, pea-soup, and tinned +meat was taken; these proved most useful, and might have been increased +with advantage had carriage been available.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +I gave strict orders that the reserve of bread-stuff, flour, and sheep was +never to be used without my sanction, and that wherever possible food for +the day's consumption was to be purchased. We had occasionally to trench +upon the reserve, but we nearly made it up at other places, and we arrived at +Kandahar with three days' supplies in hand.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="LX9">The</a> followers consisted of:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Doolie-bearers</td> + <td class="note1">2,192</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Transport and other departments</td> + <td class="note1">4,698</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Private servants, and <i>saices</i> of Native Cavalry +regiments</td> + <td class="note1">1,244</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">——</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1">8,134</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX10r">[Footnote 10:</a><span class="white"><a name="LX10">-</a></span></p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="DETAIL OF FORCE" border="0"> + + +<tr> + <td class="note1a" colspan="3">DETAIL OF FORCE.<br /><br /></td> + +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1a" colspan="3">1ST INFANTRY BRIGADE.<br /><br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>British</i>. </td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>Native</i>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">92nd Highlanders </td> + <td class="note1"> 651 </td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">23rd Pioneers</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 701</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">24th Punjab Native Infantry</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 575</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">2nd Gurkhas</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 501</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> + <td class="note1"> ——</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> Total</td> + <td class="note1"> 651</td> + <td class="note1">1,777</td> +</tr> +</table> +<br /><br /> +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="2ND INFANTRY BRIGADE" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1a" colspan="3">2ND INFANTRY BRIGADE. <br /><br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>British</i>.</td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>Native</i>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">72nd Highlanders</td> + <td class="note1"> 787</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">2nd Sikh Infantry</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 612</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">3rd Sikh Infantry</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 570</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">5th Gurkhas</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 561</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> + <td class="note1">——</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1"> 787</td> + <td class="note1">1,743</td> +</tr> +</table> + <br /><br /> +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="3RD INFANTRY BRIGADE" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1a" colspan="3">3RD INFANTRY BRIGADE.<br /><br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>British</i></td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>Native</i>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">60th Rifles, 2nd Battalion </td> + <td class="note1"> 616</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">15th Sikhs</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 650</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">25th Punjab Native Infantry</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 629</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">4th Gurkhas</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 637 </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1"> 616 </td> + <td class="note1">1,916</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<br /><br /> +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="CAVALRY BRIGADE" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1a" colspan="3">CAVALRY BRIGADE.<br /><br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>British</i></td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>Native</i>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">9th Queen's Royal Lancers</td> + <td class="note1"> 318</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">3rd Bengal Cavalry</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 394 </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">3rd Punjab Cavalry</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 408</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Central India Horse</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 495</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> + <td class="note1"> ——</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1"> 318</td> + <td class="note1">1,297 </td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<br /><br /> +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="ARTILLERY DIVISION" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1a" colspan="3">ARTILLERY DIVISION.<br /><br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"><i>British</i>.</td> + <td class="note1"><i>Native</i>.</td> + <td class="note1"><i>Guns</i>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">6-8th Royal Artillery—screw guns</td> + <td class="note1"> 95</td> + <td class="note1"> 139</td> + <td class="note1"> 6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">11-9th Royal Artillery</td> + <td class="note1"> 95</td> + <td class="note1"> 139</td> + <td class="note1"> 6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">No. 2 Mountain Battery </td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> + <td class="note1"> 140</td> + <td class="note1"> 6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> + <td class="note1"> —</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> Total</td> + <td class="note1"> 190</td> + <td class="note1"> 418</td> + <td class="note1"> 18</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<br /><br /> +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="TOTAL OF FORCE" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1a" colspan="2">TOTAL OF FORCE.<br /><br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">British troops</td> + <td class="note1">2,562</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Native " </td> + <td class="note1">7,151</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">British officers</td> + <td class="note1"> 273</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Guns </td> + <td class="note1"> 18</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Cavalry horses</td> + <td class="note1">1,779</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Artillery mules</td> + <td class="note1"> 450</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +Two hundred rounds of ammunition were taken for each Infantry soldier: +seventy rounds were carried by each man, thirty rounds were in reserve with +the regiment, and a hundred rounds in the Field Park.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +Each Mountain battery had:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Mountain battery ammunition" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Common shell</td> + <td class="note1"> 264</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Double shell</td> + <td class="note1"> 60</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Shrapnel shell</td> + <td class="note1"> 144</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Star shell</td> + <td class="note1"> 24</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Case shot </td> + <td class="note1"> 48</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"></td> + <td class="note1"> —–</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1"> 540 rounds.</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +And thirty rounds per gun in the Field Park.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="LX11">British</a> troops were allowed ponies at the rate of 2 per cent, of strength. +Native troops were allowed ponies at the rate of 2½ per cent. of strength. +Followers were allowed ponies at the rate of 1½ per cent. of strength.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX12r">[Footnote 12:</a><span class="white"><a name="LX12">-</a></span></p> + +<table align="center" summary="Animals" border="1"> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1b">Yabus,<br />or<br />Afghan<br />ponies.</td> + <td class="note1b">Mules.</td> + <td class="note1b">Indian<br />ponies.</td> + <td class="note1b">Donkeys.</td> + <td class="note1b">Camels.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Number of animals<br />that left Kabul<br />Purchased during <br />the march°<br />Number of animals<br />that<br />reached Kandahar<br />Casualties during<br />the march</td> + <td class="note1"><br /> 1,589<br /><br /> 35<br /><br /><br /> 1,179<br /><br /> 445</td> + <td class="note1"><br /> 4,510<br /><br /> 1<br /><br /><br /> 4,293<br /><br /> 218</td> + <td class="note1"><br /> 1,244 <br /><br /> —<br /><br /><br /> 1,138<br /><br /> 106</td> + <td class="note1"><br /> 912<br /><br /> 208<br /><br /><br /> 1,078<br /><br /> 42</td> + <td class="note1"> 6*<br /><br /> 171<br /><br /><br /> 177<br /> </td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +[Note*: With hospital equipment.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +[Note°: Only twice had animals to be taken against the will of the owners, and +on both occasions the matter was amicably settled in the end.]</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX13r">[Footnote 13:</a> <a name="LX13">Major</a> E. Hastings, Captain West Ridgeway, Major Euan Smith, C.S.I., +and Major M. Prothero.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX14r">[Footnote 14:</a> <a name="LX14">Major</a> A. Badcock, Captain A. Rind, and Lieutenants C. Fitzgerald, +H. Hawkes, and H. Lyons Montgomery, all of the Bengal Staff Corps.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LX15r">[Footnote 15:</a> <a name="LX15">Lieutenant</a>-Colonel R. Low, Bengal Staff Corps; Captain W. Wynter, +33rd Foot; Captains G. H. Eliot and C. R. Macgregor, Bengal Staff Corps; +Lieutenants L. Booth, 33rd Foot, H. Elverson, 2nd Foot, R. Fisher, 10th +Hussars, R. Wilson, 10th Hussars, and C. Robertson, 8th Foot.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXI1">LXI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The garrison consisted of 2 guns of C/2, Royal Artillery, 145 rifles of +the 66th Foot, 100 of the 3nd Sind Horse, and the 2nd Baluch Regiment, +639 strong.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LXI2">Now</a> Lieutenant-General Sir Oriel Tanner, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LXI3">Estimate</a> of daily requirements for the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force and +the Kelat-i-Ghilzai garrison:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Troops" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%">Europeans</td> + <td class="note1" width="40%">3,200</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Native troops</td> + <td class="note1">8,000</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Followers</td> + <td class="note1">8,500</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Horses</td> + <td class="note1">2,300</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +Transport—yabus 1,592, mules and ponies 5,926, camels 400, donkeys 400.</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Daily Food Requirement" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%">Meat</td> + <td class="note1" width="40%">4,000 lbs.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Bread-stuff</td> + <td class="note1"> 40 maunds.*</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Vegetables</td> + <td class="note1">4,000 lbs.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Rice</td> + <td class="note1"> 800 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Salt</td> + <td class="note1"> 133 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Sugar</td> + <td class="note1"> 600 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Tea</td> + <td class="note1"> 150 "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Rum, 25 per cent.</td> + <td class="note1"> 80 gallons.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Atta</td> + <td class="note1"> 320 maunds.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Dall</td> + <td class="note1"> 51½ "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Ghee</td> + <td class="note1"> 19¼ "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Salt</td> + <td class="note1"> 8½ "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Grain</td> + <td class="note1"> 700 "</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="rindent3"> +A. R. BADCOCK, Major, <br /> + Deputy Commissary-General. +<span class="left1"> +KELAT-I-GHILZAI,<br /> + <i>24th August,</i> 1880.</span></p> +<br /><br /> +<p class="footnote1"> +Note *: A maund is equivalent to 80 lbs. ]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LXI4">The</a> effective garrison consisted of 1,000 British soldiers, 3,000 Native +soldiers, and fifteen Field guns.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXI5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LXI5">One</a> and all bore testimony to the unfailing good behaviour and creditable +bearing of the Royal Artillery and the Bombay Sappers and Miners, not only +during the investment, but in the very trying time of the retreat from +Maiwand.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXI6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LXI6">The</a> walls had an average height of 30 feet, and breadth of 15 feet on the +north and east fronts.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXI7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LXI7">Two</a> Royal Artillery guns, 3rd Bengal Cavalry, and 15th Sikhs. +Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman accompanied the party, and was of great +assistance to Brigadier-General Gough.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXII1">LXII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Brownlow's death was a great loss, for throughout the war he had +frequently distinguished himself as a leader—at the Peiwar Kotal, during the +operations round Kabul, and notably on the 14th December, when he won +the admiration of the whole force by his brilliant conduct in the attack on +the Asmai heights.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LXII2">The</a> following Native officers, British and Native non-commissioned +officers, and Native soldiers were brought forward as having been very conspicuous +during this part of the fight:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Bravery of Officers and Men" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%">Colour-Sergeant G. Jacobs</td> + <td class="note1" width="40%">72nd Highlanders.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Colour-Sergeant R. Lauder</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Lance-Corporal J. Gordon</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Subadar-Major Gurbaj Sing</td> + <td class="note1">2nd Sikhs.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Jemadar Alla Sing</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Naick Dir Sing </td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Sepoy Hakim</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Sepoy Taj Sing</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Sepoy Pertap Sing</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Sepoy Bir Sing</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LXII3">During</a> this engagement the following officers and men were specially +remarked for their gallantry:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Gallantry of Officers and Men" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="60%"> Major G. White </td> + <td class="note1" width="40%"> 92nd Highlanders.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Lieutenant C. Douglas </td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> Corporal William McGillvray </td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Private Peter Grieve</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Private D. Grey</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Major Sullivan Becher</td> + <td class="note1">2nd Gurkhas.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Havildar Gopal Borah</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> Sepoy Inderbir Lama</td> + <td class="note1"> " "</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> Sepoy Tikaram Kwas</td> + <td class="note1"> " " ]</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LXII4">These</a> guns were presented to me by the Indian Government, and are now +at the Royal Hospital Dublin.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LXII5">The</a> third British officer killed was Captain Straton, 22nd Foot, Superintendent +of Army Signalling, a most accomplished officer, under whose direction +signalling as applied to Field Service reached a wonderful pitch of +perfection. His energy knew no difficulties, and his enthusiasm was beyond +praise.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LXII6">The</a> ammunition expended by the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force on the +31st August and 1st September was:</p> + +<table width="60%" align="center" summary="Ammuniton expended" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="note1" width="20%"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"><i>Rounds</i>.<br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1" width="40%"> </td> + <td class="note1" width="20%"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Gun</td> + <td class="note1">102</td> + <td class="note1">Shrapnel shell</td> + <td class="note1">78</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> <br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1"> <br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1">Common "<br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1">24<br /><br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Rifle</td> + <td class="note1">57,705</td> + <td class="note1">Martini-Henry </td> + <td class="note1">15,129</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1"> </td> + <td class="note1">Snider</td> + <td class="note1">42,576</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="footnote"> +and in addition 313 rounds were fired by the Artillery, and 4,971 rounds by +the Infantry of the Kandahar Garrison.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LXII7">The</a> 72nd Highlanders and 5th Gurkhas were brigaded together throughout +the campaign, and at their return to India the latter regiment presented +the former with a shield bearing the following inscription:</p> + +<p class="center" style="line-height:150%; font-weight:bold"> +FROM THE<br /> + +MEN OF THE 5TH GURKHAS<br /> + +TO THE<br /> + +MEN OF THE 72ND (DUKE OF ALBANY'S OWN) HIGHLANDERS,<br /> + +IN REMEMBRANCE OF<br /> + +THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN, 1878 TO 1880.</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +The gift was entirely spontaneous, and was subscribed for by the Native +officers, non-commissioned officers, and men.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +In return, the non-commissioned officers and men of the 72nd gave the 5th +Gurkhas a very handsome ebony, silver-mounted Drum-Major's staff.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXIII1">LXIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Now Sir Mount-Stuart Grant-Duff, G.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LXIII2">Now</a> Sir Charles Bernard, K.C.S.I.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LXIII3">Lieutenant</a>-Colonel G.T. Pretyman, R.A., was Assistant Military Secretary +until 1884, when he was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel R. Pole-Carew, +Coldstream Guards. Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain, Central India Horse, +and Captain Ian Hamilton, the Gordon Highlanders, were Aides-de-camp.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LXIII4">The</a> finest of the Gassapa falls.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXIV1">LXIV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXIV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> A Native corruption of the word 'English.']</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXV1">LXV</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV1r">[Footnote 1:</a> Now General Sir Harry Prendergast, V.C., K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LXV2">The</a> ultimatum informed King Thebaw that the British Government +insisted upon an Envoy being received at Mandalay, with free access to the +King, without having to submit to any humiliating ceremony; that proceedings +against the trading company would not be permitted; that a British +Agent, with a suitable guard of honour and steamer for his personal protection, +must be permanently stationed at the Burmese capital; that the Burmese +Government must regulate their external relations in accordance with British +advice; and that proper facilities must be granted for the opening up of +British trade with China viâ Bhamo.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LXV3">The</a> force consisted of 364 seamen and 69 Marines formed into a Naval +Brigade, with 49 guns, including 27 machine guns, and 3,029 British and +6,005 Native soldiers, with 28 guns.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LXV4">Panipat</a> is famous for three great battles fought in its immediate neighbourhood: +one in 1526, by the Emperor Baber against Sultan Ibrahim, which +resulted in the establishment of the Mogul dynasty; the second in 1556, +when the Emperor Akbar beat the Hindu General of the Afghan usurper, and +re-established the Moguls in power; and the third in 1761, when Ahmed +Shah Durani defeated the Mahrattas.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LXV5">I</a> was much gratified at receiving subsequently from His Imperial Majesty +the Emperor William I. and from the Crown Princess of Prussia autograph +letters of acknowledgment of, and thanks for, the reception accorded and the +attention paid to Majors von Huene and von Hagenau, the two representatives +of the German army who attended these manœuvres.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LXV6">Words</a> used by Mr. Gladstone when asking for a vote of credit for +£6,500,000 for special preparations in connection with the Afghan difficulty.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LXV7">The</a> late Major-General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I., C.B., who, like Sir +Robert Sandeman, died while holding the important and responsible position +of Governor-General's Agent in Baluchistan.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXV8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="LXV8">A</a> Statesman of high reputation in England was so strong in his disbelief +of the necessity for making any preparations in India, that he publicly stated +that if the only barrier between Russia in Asia and Britain in Asia were a +mountain ridge, or a stream, or a fence, there would be no difficulty in preserving +peace between Russia and the United Kingdom.—Speech delivered by +the Right Hon. John Bright, M.P., at Birmingham on the 16th April, 1879.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXVI1">LXVI</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVI1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The homes at Quetta and Wellington were eventually taken over by +Government, and Lady Roberts' nurses, who worked in the military hospitals +at these stations, were replaced by Government nurses when the increase to +the Army Nursing Service admitted of this being done.</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVI2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LXVI2">When</a> the 'Homes in the Hills' are closed during the cold months, these +nurses attend sick officers in their own houses in the plains, free of charge +except travelling expenses.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVI3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LXVI3">These</a> instructions are given in the Appendix.<a href="#AppXI">*</a></p> +<p class="footnote"> +(See <a class="footnote" href="#AppXI">Appendix XI.</a>)]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVI4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LXVI4">Monasteries</a> in Burma are not merely dwelling-places for the monks, but +are the schools where all education is carried on.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXVII1">LXVII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The total coat of the coast and frontier defences amounted to the very +moderate sum of five crores of rupees, or about three and a half millions sterling.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LXVII2">The</a> Committees consisted, besides the Military Member of Council and +myself, of the heads of Departments with the Government of India and at +Army Head-Quarters.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LXVII3">When</a> the report of the Mobilization Committee was submitted to the +Viceroy, he recorded a minute expressing his 'warm admiration of the +manner in which the arduous duty had been conducted,' and 'his belief that +no scheme of a similar description had ever been worked out with greater +thoroughness, in more detail, and with clearer apprehension of the ends to be +accomplished.' He concluded by conveying to the members an expression +of his great satisfaction at what had been done, and recording that 'the result +of the Committee's labours is a magnificent monument of industry and professional +ability.']</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <a name="LXVII4">Statement</a> of transport carriage maintained in India in the years 1878 +and 1893 for military purposes, exclusive of animals registered by the civil +authorities on the latter date, and liable to be requisitioned in time of war:</p> +<table cellpadding="2" align="center" summary="Animals" border="1"> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Date</td> + <td class="note1">Elephants.</td> + <td class="note1">Camels.</td> + <td class="note1">Mules.</td> + <td class="note1">Ponies.</td> + <td class="note1">Bullocks.</td> + <td class="note1">Donkeys.</td> + <td class="note1">Army<br />Transport<br />Carts.</td> + <td class="note1">Field<br />Ambulance<br />Carts.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">September, 1878</td> + <td class="note1"> 733</td> + <td class="note1"> 6,353</td> + <td class="note1"> 1,536</td> + <td class="note1"> ...</td> + <td class="note1"> 1,424 </td> + <td class="note1"> ...</td> + <td class="note1"> ...</td> + <td class="note1"> ...</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">April, 1893</td> + <td class="note1"> 359</td> + <td class="note1"> 3,175</td> + <td class="note1">16,825</td> + <td class="note1"> 782</td> + <td class="note1"> 7,211</td> + <td class="note1"> 31</td> + <td class="note1"> 5,316</td> + <td class="note1"> 799 </td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <a name="LXVII5">According</a> to treaty, the Bhopal State pays nearly two lakhs of rupees a +year towards the cost of the local battalion maintained by the British Government +for the purpose of keeping order within the State itself. The battalion, +however, has only four, instead of eight, British officers, and it appeared to +me only reasonable that the Begum should be invited to pay the additional +amount necessary to make the battalion as efficient as the rest of the Native +army, as a 'premium of insurance' for the peace and prosperity which Her +Highness's State enjoys under our protection, and as her quota towards the +general scheme for the defence of the Empire.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LXVII6">Rissala</a> is a body of Cavalry.]</p> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>FOOTNOTES, CHAPTER <a name="LXVIII1">LXVIII</a></h4> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII1r">[Footnote 1:</a> The late Lieutenant-General Sir W.K. Elles, K.C.B.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII2r">[Footnote 2:</a> <a name="LXVIII2">A</a> detachment of the Calcutta Volunteer Rifles, at the particular request +of the regiment, took part in the expedition, and did good service.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII3r">[Footnote 3:</a> <a name="LXVIII3">The</a> pay of the Native Infantry has been suitably increased since I left +India.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII4r">[Footnote 4:</a> <i><a name="LXVIII4">Jagirs</a></i> are grants of land.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII5r">[Footnote 5:</a> <i><a name="LXVIII5">Batta</a></i>, extra allowances given to Native soldiers when proceeding on field +service.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII6r">[Footnote 6:</a> <a name="LXVIII6">During</a> the Mutiny the casualties amongst the British officers with the +six Punjab regiments which saw the most fighting amounted to 60 per cent.! +Luckily, these were able to be replaced by officers belonging to corps which +had mutinied. This supply, however, has long since been used up, and it +behoves the Government either to provide an adequate reserve of officers, or to +arrange for a sufficient number being sent out from England whenever India +is likely to be engaged in a serious war.</p> + +<table align="center" cellpadding="2" summary="Casualties" border="1"> +<tr> + <td class="note1b" rowspan="2">CORPS. </td> + <td class="note1b" rowspan="2">Number of<br />Officers<br />who did<br />Duty with<br />each Corps.</td> + <td class="note1b" colspan="5">CASUALTIES.</td> + + +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Killed in<br />Action.</td> + <td class="note1">Died of<br />Wounds.</td> + <td class="note1">Died of<br />Disease.</td> + <td class="note1">Wounded.</td> + <td class="note1">Invalided.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1" valign="top">1st Punjab Cavalry <br />(1 squadron)<br /><br />2nd Punjab Cavalry<br /><br />5th Punjab Cavalry <br />(1 squadron)<br /><br /> + 1st Punjab Infantry<br /><br />2nd Punjab Infantry<br /><br />4th Punjab Infantry<br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"><br /> 12<br /><br /> 20<br /><br /><br /> + 7<br /><br /> 15<br /><br /> 22<br /><br /> + 24</td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"><br /> 1<br /><br /> 1<br /><br /><br /> + 1<br /><br /> 3<br /><br /> 3<br /><br /> 2</td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"><br /> ...<br /><br /> ...<br /><br /><br /> 1<br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> 3<br /><br /></td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"><br /> ...<br /><br /> ...<br /><br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> 2</td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"><br /> 6<br /><br /> 5<br /><br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> 6<br /><br /> 4<br /><br /> 8</td> + <td class="note1" valign="top"><br /> 7<br /><br /> 4<br /><br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> ...<br /><br /> 3<br /><br /> ...</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="note1">Total</td> + <td class="note1"> 100</td> + <td class="note1"> 11</td> + <td class="note1"> 4</td> + <td class="note1"> 2</td> + <td class="note1"> 29</td> + <td class="note1"> 14</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII7r">[Footnote 7:</a> <a name="LXVIII7">Captain</a> Younghushand was at Bozai-Gumbaz, and Lieutenant Davison +on the Alichur Pamirs, both places being south of the Aksu branch of the +Oxus, flowing from the Little Pamir Lake.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII8r">[Footnote 8:</a> <a name="LXVIII8">The</a> Infantry comprised twenty-four battalions drawn up in line of +quarter columns. The Artillery consisted of one battery (six 7-pounders) +carried on elephants, six batteries (six guns each, 5-pounders and 7-pounders) +dragged by soldiers, and six batteries (six guns each, 3-pounders and +5-pounders) carried by Bhutia coolies.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII9r">[Footnote 9:</a> <a name="LXVIII9">I</a> am not unmindful of the visit which Sir Mortimer Durand paid to Kabul +after I had left India, but on that occasion, I believe, the question of the +defence of Afghanistan was not discussed.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII10r">[Footnote 10:</a> <a name="LXVIII10">The</a> works were stopped after I left India, but not, I was glad to think, +before the redoubts had been finished, with the communications thereto. The +reasons given were that a change of plans was necessary for economy's sake, +and that the construction of fortifications might induce the Natives to think +we were doubtful of the continuance of our supremacy. As regarded the +first, I explained that the total outlay for works and armaments was estimated +at only £332,274—considerably less than one half the cost of a British line-of-battle +ship; and as to the second, I urged that an argument of this sort +against frontier defences would hardly bear examination; that the possibility +of external attack was freely discussed in every newspaper; that Russian +movements and frontier difficulties were known and commented on in every +bazaar; that the construction of fortifications in support of the Ruling Power +had been an Oriental practice from time immemorial; that our action in this +respect was at least as likely to instil the idea that we meant to retain our +eastern possessions at any cost, as to give an impression of weakness; that +the progressive re-organization and mobilization of our army were well known +to have reference to service beyond the frontier; and that we had extended +our confidence in this respect to Native Princes by encouraging them to train +their own troops and fit them to take their place in line with ours.]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII11r">[Footnote 11:</a> <a name="LXVIII11">Given</a> in the Appendix<a class="footnote" href="#AppXVI">*</a>.<br /><br /> +See <a class="footnote" href="#AppXVI">Appendix XVI.</a>]</p> +<p class="footnote"> +<a class="footnote" href="#LXVIII12r">[Footnote 12:</a> <i><a name="LXVIII12">Ibid</a><a class="footnote" href="#AppXVII">*</a>.</i><br /><br /> +See <a class="footnote" href="#AppXVII">Appendix XVII.</a>]</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Forty-one years in India +by Frederick Sleigh Roberts + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FORTY-ONE YEARS IN INDIA *** + +***** This file should be named 16528-h.htm or 16528-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/5/2/16528/ + +Produced by Michael Ciesielski, Lesley Halamek and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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