On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
was Lieutenant Armstrong , -who received three severe sword-cuts , but is doing well . ' " From the north-west of Delhi , we learn that General Van Cortlandt has left Hansi , and reached Bo wannee , a considerable city south-west of Rhotuck , where British luthority has been restored . It appears -uncertain whether Jumulpore , west of Hansi , has been taken . It was strongly garrisoned by upwards of 1700 rebels from Delhi , and by men of the 60 th and 5 th Bengal N . I ., fugitives from Umballa . They had with them three guns , one 12-pounder howitzer , one G and one 3-poiinder ; and had not been attacked up to the 12 th of September . On the 2 . 0 th the fallof Delhi was known at Bilcaneer , and celebrated by a royal salute .
" The state of the Punjab is unsatisfactoty , but the predatory tribes of the Doabs are the only enemies we have yet had to deal with . Still , they have given our detachments between Mop ) tan and Lahore much trouble . The first intelligence of the rising of the tribes reached Mooltan and Lahore on the 16 th of September . Simultaneous gatherings had taken place in the Iiaree Doab between the Sutlej and the ISavee , and in the Keechna Doab between the Kayee and Ghetiuub . Marauders of the Khattia and Khurl tribes plundered Huruppa , on the Ravee , and other stations on the road between Mooltan and Googaira . Since Sir John Lawrence was forced to demule the Punjab of troops , Ahmed Khan Khurl , the chief of these tribes , has watched for an opportunity
to rise , and , un f ortunately for himself , carried out his intentions about the middle of September . Major Chamberlain and Captain Fraser , with a hundred and eighty Irregulars of the 1 st Punjabee Regiment , marched from Mooltan to Huruppa , and fell in with a party of insurgents on the Ravee , at Cheechuwutny . An obstinate engagement ensued , in which the numbers of the enemy were too great for successful resistance , and Major Chamberlain took refuge in a serai ( stone ediiice ) with his force , where he defended himself successfully , though suffering much from shortness of provisions . The marauders in the meanwhile crossed the Itavee and plundered Kumali . i ,
on the right hank . Reinforcements soon after reached Major Chamberlain , who again engaged the rebels , and killed sixty of them . A second jarty from Mooltan , consisting ; of a hundred horsemen , under Major Voyle and Captain Tronson , was sent simultaneously to the southward , struck the Sutlej between Sahooka andJumiera , and was attacked at the former place by upwards of a thousand marauders . Major Voyle soon repulsed these disorderly masses by a steady fire from his cavalry and levies . He then attacked Jumlera itself , burnt the village , and seized the mules and cattle belonging to the tribe .
"At Googaira , on the Ravee , Captain ' Ittphiiistone , Deputy Commissioner , having received accurate information on the 20 th . inst ., that Ahmed Khan Khurl riixd his men had taken refuge about twelve miles distnnt from that statiou , a party of the Punjab police , Iior . se and foot , under Captain S . Black , a detachment of Captain Wales ' s Sikh cavalry , under Lieutenant the Hon . F . Chichester , and of the . Googaira levy , under lieutenant Mitchell , were forth-with ordered against him , and the result , after a some-vhat severe fight , was that the Khurls were cut up , Ahmed Khan himself and his s ;> n being among the killed . This petty outbreak has thus received its death blow , it is hoped .
" Another party under Mr . Leopold Berkeley , extra assistant commissioner , had been detached witli some cavalry , and a party of Kutsir Mookhees ( 3 rd Police ltattalion ) , to try and open the communication towards Mooltun , which had been cut oft" by the Futtianahs , Bhurinanahs , and other tribes . Mr . Berkeley attacked the insurgents in a very spirited manner , but in the mele ' e lie was cut ofT from the party of the Kutar Mookhoes , and wn . s overpowered . He" fell lighting manfully , and cut down live or six of the enemy with his own hand
besides shooting Bhawul , one of the leaders of the Futtianahs ; Moorad , another of their leaders , was killed on the snme occasion , and their total loss is estimated at not less than one hundred men . " "With the exception of a mutiny at Bunnoo in the Oth Irregular Cavalry , sent away sonio time since from Delhi for disaffection ; and a speedy settlement of the mutineers by the staunch men of their corps , there is nothing * more of importance from this quarter . 1
Our successes on the left bank of the Ganges are not confined to Oinlo . Throe thousand Ghoorkas , en camped at Gormckporc in August , were ordered to Hennros . They marched by Jnunpore . Two thousand of them escorting treasure reached Benares , whilst the remainder , being the Shore regiment of Ghoorkas , under Ciiptain Hoileuu , with Lieutenants Wynynrd , Veniibles , Dunlmr , nml llaig , and Dr . Wright , nuircliod to Aziinghur . This town , which was said to have boon abandoned , was still held by a small force under Captain G . W . llidenlarge
, parties of rebels hovering about to the south and eastward of it . Captain Bidcn took iidvantage of the reinforcement ho received to attack a large body of insurgents at Nundowlec , near Mmidree , a town within ten Miles ol Azimghur . Tho rebels hud three guns , at sight of which tho Ghoorkas broku into five columns , and , advancing steadily , charged and carried them . The , rebels hardly waited for tho attack , but fled in 1 cb 3 than ten minutes after tho firat Bhot w « h fired , leaving their guns behind thorn . They wore pursued for three miles
into jungles , their loss being between one hundred and fifty and two hundred killed . Of the Ghoorkas , two were killed and twentj ' -six wounded . This action was fought on the 20 th September . Mooharuckpore , ten miles south of Azimghur , next fell into our hands , as well as Atrowleea , a fort twenty-five miles north-west of Azimghur , on the road to Sultanpore . This fort was held by two Rajahs , Madho and Madho-Persaud , who escaped from us in the night . These energetic operations decided likewise the fate of Mahowl , a fort east of Azimghur , whose Rajah took to flight when he heard of
our successes . " Behar remains unsettled ; but the rebels of the 5 th Irregulars and ltainghur batallion have passed the Soane , joined Ummer Singh , brother of Koor Singh , and encamped , it Ghorawul , twenty ^ -five miles south--west of Mirzapore . I do not find that the Raneegunge brigade has made any advance northwards . It was encamped four miles beyond Itaneegunge on the 29 th of September . " The little garrison at Saugor , under Brigadier Sage is safe . The Brigadier , not liking the vicinity of the Boondela rebels , who held a position within ten miles of Saugor , thought it imperative to attempt to dislodge them . With the few Sepoys at his command , some two
hundred police , forty Europeans , and three guns , he proceeded on the 18 th September to carry out his hazardous undertaking , The attack was a complete failure , and the force was obliged to retire after loosing Colonel Dalyell of the 42 nd Bengal N . I ., who was shot , two officers , and upwards of forty Sepoys and police wounded . Capt , Millar ' s column entered J " ubbulpore on the afternoon ofSeptember 30 th , having stumbled on the mutinous 52 nd Bengal N " . L onits march out of the town . An engagement ensued , in which the Madras troops behaved admirably , leaving one hundred and fifty , of the rebels dead on the field . Still Saugor is in danger , and I see that Government , sensible of this , have
despatched Orr ' s column of Hyderabad Contingent , troops amounting to one thousand infantry , four hundred cavalry , and eight guns , from their camp at Edlabad , in North IJerav . Major Orr , however , did riot move till the 4 th of October , and has a long march before him , at a most unhealthy season of the year . He crossed the Poorna and reached the banks of the Tapte ^ ~ . ^ morning of the 5 th . On the 8 th , he en ^ mp ^ d at a place called Assnrghur , on the road to Hosungabad , the speedy occupation of which seems important . Bands of rebels are out in several quarters , at no great distance from it ; to meet whom a column of the 28 th Madras Native Infantry left Hosungabad on the morning of October 9 fh .-. ¦
" The forced inaction of our columns on the borders of Hajpootana has given courage to gangs of insurgents now hovering about the camp at Mhow ; one of which , no later than the I Oth of'October , plundere < l and burnt the stations of Bhbwapoor and Mehidpoor . Colonel I ) urand , the Resident at the court of Holkar , remains at Mhow meanwhile , and may , for all that I know , have communications with the Durbar at Indore . " The ' Ilurkaru says : — " From Ajmcre we have news to the 21 th of September . The mutinous Joudpore Legion , numbering about seven hundred men , cavalry and infantry , -were encamped
near the entrance to a pass in the hills between Burr and Bewr . Brigadier-General George Lawrence was in the neighbourhood with a force of Europeans , and did his utmost to hem in the rebels ; but they were too strong for him , and ho had to fall back upon Bewr , which is about thirty-tvo miles from Ajinere . It is stated that the Rajah of Jotidpore has likewise met with a reverse in an attack he made upon his mutinous legion . His troops were newly raised , and it is stated that they were defeated with heavy loss ; among the killed was the Rajah ' s Minister . Mo date is mentioned 5 of course considerable alarm prevails .
" Accounts from Assam would seem to indicate that , having passed through more than one anxious condition of excitement and hazard , the scattered residents aie likely to escape without serious loss or injury . The Riijnh of Upper Assam is probably by this time approaching lutrt William . We gather that ho is but a 3 'outh , and by no means a genius . " The Government has issued a proclamation in seviTsil languages , offering a reward of / i ( ty thousand runocs for the apprehension of Nann Sahib . His nephew has been lodged in Tannnh Gaol for the present . During the rising of the Bhccls near Nassiok in Kiuulcisli , Lieutenant Henry , of the Ahmediuiggur Police , was slain in a rash , though gallant , attack . It wa . s anticipated at the last udvicos that tho rebellion in that district would soon he put down .
Lieutenant McGregor , of the 52 nd liengnl Infantry , has been murdered by men of his own regiment . A Sussex paper says- — u Lictttouiiiit McGregor wns carried off by the mutineers of the regiment above mentioned , who , a short time . afterward ** , wrote a letter asking for six , weeks ' pay , and declaring that thoy would not kill tho Englishman , but only take him to Delhi . However , they were attacked by tho Madras troops , who defeated them with tho loss of ono hundred and fifty men . In revenge for this check they barbarously murdered their prisoner .
It is further stated that a few men of the regiment , who , being faithful to the English , remained , behind , were demanded by the mutineers in exchange for Lieutenant McGregor . The alternative thus presented to the British , officers was painful in the extreme . Deliver up the native soldiers , whose fate would have been torture and certain death , they could not . The loss of their own countryman was therefore the price they must needs pay for the retention and protection of the Sepoys who had not suffered themselves to be borne away from their allegiance by their disloyal companions in arms . "
. Sir James Outram having reached Cawnpore early in September , preparations were made to cross the Ganges . The whole force was under the command of General Havelock ; for Sir James Outram issued an order waiving his rank of Major-General , and offering his military services as a , volunteer . General Havelock acknowledged this noble act of devotion in an address , and Sir Colin Campbell , at Calcutta , made it the subject of a special order . An island in the Ganges was occupied by Major Haliburton , of the 7 tith Highlanders . Captain
Crommelin , of the Engineers , completed a bridge of boats on the evening of the 18 th of September , in doing which there was only-one--casualty , though the fire of the enemy ' s musketry was continual . On the same evening , Major Haliburton moved across the river with some guns , and occupied a slightly advanced position , in which he was attacked , and induced to retire to the bridge-head for the night . In the course of the night , a shot from an unknown quarter produced a panic . It is feared that some of our men fired at each other , and that a few lives -were lost . General Havelock crossed with his whole
force on the 19 th . He had with Turn 2500 men and seventeen guns . The rebels made a faint attempt to attack the Highlanders and Sikhs ; but , having advancd a few yards , they turned and fled . After encamping for the night on some sand-hills , Havelock on the following morning proceeded , and found the enemy in a position of strength ; but the whole of nnr nrt'll ^* ' * " ^ " : ^ . " ' . * " . .. ' . . ; " * v-... ~ i ; uiuveu rorwara simultaneously , ana opened a cannonade which lasted an hour . The result was that our troops turned the rebel position , charged the guns , and captured five . Two of these were taken by a charge of cavalry headed by Sir James Outram in person . At the same time , the
regimental colours of the 1 st Bengal Native Infantry fell into our hands . Our loss was trifling , only one European and three natives being killed ; but the enemy suffered severely , and fell hack . In the midst of a continual descent of rain , our column marched twenty miles into the village of Bassaratgunge , and on the following day pursued its course . On the 22 nd of September , the firing at Lucknow was distinctly heard , arid a royal salute was fired by our troops to encourage the besieged , and to intimate that we were approaching . The city was attacked , in the direction of the Residency , on the 25 th , and the garrison was relieved in the evening .
But we paid for our success by the loss of four hundred men killed and wounded , the gallan t General Neill being among the former . Two mines , ready for loading , had been run . under the chief works of the besieged . On the 29 th , the right quarter of the city was occupied , and seven guns were taken . Man Singh , contrary to expectation , appears to have taken an active part against us . The assault was rough work , the enemy being liold and numerous . Indeed , they all but penetrated the entrenchment . Our men threw , by hand , shells with lighted fuses among the rebels , and thus contributed to the success of the assault .
A notification from Fort William , dated October 2 nd , after briefly intimating the fall of Lucknow , bears the following testimony to the memory of General Neill ;—" The Governor-General in Council cannot refrain from expressing the deep regret with which he hears of the death of Brigadier-General Neill , of the 1 st Madras European Fusiliers , of which it is to be feared that no doubt exists . " Brigadier-General Neill , during his short but active career in Bengal , had won the respect and confidence of the Government of India ¦ he had made himself conspicuous as an intelligent , prompt , self-reliant soldier , ready of resource and stout of heart ; and the Governor-General in Council oilers to the Government and to tho army of Madras his sincere condolence upon tho loss of one who was an honour to the service of their presidency . "
CAWNPO 1113 . A correspondent of the Ilurfcani writes from Cawir poro on the 30 th September : — " By mid-day of the 22 nd , the tail of mi army—and 1 can nsrturo you the tail of an army of UQOO Europeans is a long one—has disappeared f on its way to LucknowJ . Since that day , no vestige of news from them has readied us . They ploughed mv « y through tho tide of rebellion which overllowa Oudo , but thewjivca have closed again , and wo have no means of hearing from them or communicating with them . "
Untitled Article
No . 400 , November 21 , 1857 . ] THE LEiDER . 1109
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 21, 1857, page 1109, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2218/page/5/
-