Chapter XXIII: Part 23

It was not until the 10th. of August that another assault was attempted, although during the interval the forlorn garrison became exposed to a constant fire, with famine staring it in the face. This second attempt, similar in its features to the first, commencing with the springing of a mine close to the brigade mess, although repeated at various points, met with a like result; in some instances the defenders, acting like grenadiers of a former time, dislodged the foe with hand-grenades. On the 18th. of August another mine was sprung in front of the Sikh lines with deadly effect, burying alive eleven men beneath the ruins, whence it was impossible to extricate them, owing to the tremendous fire kept up by the enemy from houses distant less than ten yards in front of the breach. Captain Orr, unattached, and Lieutenants Mecham and Soppitt were blown into the air, but, wonderful to state, received no further injury than a severe shaking. A general assault followed the explosion, which was soon repulsed; but the enemy succeeded in establishing themselves in one of the houses of the British position, from which they were driven in the evening by the bayonets of the 32nd. and 84th. regiments.

Fresh mines were sprung on the 5th. of September, when the last serious assault was made. It was in vain; all these repeated attacks met everywhere with defeat. Thus ended the four great struggles which occurred during the siege. For eighty-seven days and nights officers and men stood or slept under arms.

Notwithstanding all the hardships experienced, the garrison made no less than five sorties, in which two of the enemy’s heaviest guns were spiked, and several of the houses, from which a harassing fire was experienced, were blown up. Cholera, small pox, and an unknown, but fatal disease, added to the loss sustained from the enemy’s fire. Delicate women, some whilst in their earliest grief for the loss of their husbands, assisted in nursing the sick and wounded. The names of Birch, Polehampton, Barbor, and Gall, will descend to posterity as worthy imitators of Florence Nightingale.

The conduct of the 32nd. (reduced to less than three hundred), and the detachment of the 84th. was splendid. The loyalty of the native troops, but especially the 13th., was never surpassed. The other regiments were the 48th. and 71st. Native Infantry,[185] the European and Native Artillery, and the Sikhs of the respective corps.[186] The number of artillerymen was so reduced, that on the occasion of an attack, the gunners, although aided by men of the 32nd. regiment, and by volunteers of all classes, had to run from one battery to another, wherever the enemy’s fire was hottest, there not being nearly sufficient men to serve half the number of guns at the same time. Eventually the number of European gunners was only twenty-four, while, including mortars, there were no less than thirty guns in position. So near too were the heavy guns of the assailants, that their taunts and threats addressed to the native defenders could be easily heard; besides which many of the British military airs, such as “Brighton Camp,” “See, the Conquering Hero Comes,” and the “National Anthem,” were, with matchless effrontery, frequently played by the enemy.

In general orders it was announced that “There does not stand recorded in the annals of war an achievement more truly heroic than the defence of the Residency at Lucknow. The good services of H.M.’s 32nd. regiment throughout this struggle have been remarkable.”

“LUCKNOW” has been authorized to be borne on the regimental colour and appointments of the 32nd., which for its gallantry, has been constituted light infantry; and the Queen’s officers and men of the garrison were allowed to reckon one year’s additional service.

While the force, under Brigadier Inglis, afterwards advanced to the rank Major-General, and appointed a Knight Commander of the Bath, had been defending the Residency of Lucknow, the eyes of Europe were directed to the efforts made for its relief by Brigadier-General Havelock, who, after his Division in Persia had been broken up, proceeded to Bombay, and thence to Calcutta. He was immediately selected to command a moveable column, and hearing that the mutineers were proceeding from Cawnpore[187] towards Futtehpore, a forced march, under a burning sun, was made upon that place. Major Renaud joined him on the road with about eight hundred troops, the latter having been actively engaged in suppressing the mutiny in the neighbourhood. This column consisted of the third company eighth battalion of the Royal Artillery, seventy-six; 1st. Madras Fusiliers, three hundred and seventy-six; 64th. regiment, four hundred and thirty-five; 78th. Highlanders, two hundred and eighty-four; 84th. regiment, one hundred and ninety; detachment of the Bengal Artillery, twenty-two; Volunteer Cavalry, twenty; total British, one thousand four hundred and three. The native troops:—The Regiment of Ferozepore, four hundred and forty-eight; 13th. Irregular and 3rd. Oude Irregular Cavalry, ninety-five; Galundauze, eighteen; total native troops, five hundred and sixty-one; in all, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-four. It is computed that the mutineers numbered three thousand five hundred, and they occupied a strong position at Futtehpore, with twelve guns.

Pushing forward two of their guns, they commenced, on the 12th. of July, a cannonade on the British front, while a body of infantry and cavalry threatened the flanks. The enemy had imagined an easy victory over Major Renaud’s force, but they found Brigadier-General Havelock ready to receive them. Astonished by the precision of the fire of the guns under Captain Maude, of the Royal Artillery, and the deadly aim of the Enfield rifles, they fell back upon Futtehpore in disorder, leaving three of their cannon. Here they endeavoured to make a stand, but were compelled to take to flight, abandoning twelve guns. This victory, in Havelock’s order of the day, was attributed “to the British Artillery, to the Enfield rifle, to British pluck, and to the blessing of Almighty God.”

Brigadier-General Havelock continued his march upon Cawnpore, and on the 15th. of July was twice engaged with the mutineers, first at the village of Aeng, and next at the bridge over the Pandoo Nuddee. Successful in both instances, the column pushed on, having captured the two guns with which it had been intended to defend the bridge. After it had been carried, information was received that Nena Sahib occupied a position at Ahirwa; this position was a very strong one, and in order to save the troops from the fire of his heavy guns, the British General make a flank movement, which resulted on the 16th. in a direct charge with the bayonet. The 78th. Highlanders, gallantly led by Colonel Hamilton, supported by the Madras Fusiliers, succeeded in turning the enemy’s left flank; while the 64th. and 84th., and the Regiment of Ferozepore, broke the right: the mutineers were driven headlong on Cawnpore, leaving a twenty-four pounder on the field.

The victors bivouacked on the ground, from which the roofless barracks at Cawnpore could be perceived. When Nena Sahib[188] saw that nothing could withstand the advance of the avenging column, he gave directions on the 17th. for the massacre of the women and children in his power, and with savage barbarity caused their bodies to be thrown into a well.

Early on that morning a heavy explosion was heard, arising from the blowing up, by the enemy, of the magazine at Cawnpore, when Nena Sahib was withdrawing thence upon Bithoor. Cawnpore was at once occupied, and the troops were horrified at the traces which remained of the massacre. The capture of the castellated palace of Nena Sahib at Bithoor, where he was unable to make a stand, was effected without firing a shot, and twenty guns were taken.

Upon Brigadier-General Neill’s arrival at Cawnpore, from Benares, he was left in command of the former place, whilst Brigadier-General Havelock commenced his march upon Lucknow. Having passed the Ganges into Oude, the mutineers were next encountered near Unao, on the 29th. of July. The action was commenced by the 78th. Highlanders and the 1st. Fusiliers, with two guns. Afterwards, the 64th., commanded by Colonel Wilson, were ordered up. Patrick Cavanagh, a private of that regiment, was hewn in pieces by the Sepoys whilst exhibiting to his comrades an example of the highest gallantry. This valiant soldier had he survived would have received the Victoria Cross. At the narrow pass between the village and the town of Unao the mutineers were discovered in great force, but, after an obstinate contest, they sought safety in flight. Subsequently the troops pushed on towards Busherut Gunge, a walled town, with wet ditches, which was captured by the 1st. Fusiliers, 64th., and 78th. regiments.

Major-General Havelock’s[189] force was not of sufficient strength to continue the advance upon Lucknow, cholera having broken out amongst them; and he fell back on the 2nd. of August, on Munghowar. On the 5th. he again attacked the enemy at Busherut Gunge, driving them out of the town with great slaughter. Preparations were next commenced for passing over the Ganges to Cawnpore. The baggage had already been forwarded across the river, when he resolved, on the 11th. of August, to attack the mutineers a third time at Busherut Gunge, where they had once more collected in great force, and again defeated them.

Returning to their former position at Munghowar, the troops, on the 12th. and 13th. of August, crossed the Ganges to Cawnpore, where they arrived, nearly worn out by fatigue, sickness, and constant exposure to an Indian sun. Almost immediately, however, they struck another effective blow on the mutineers. A large body of them had collected at Bithoor, and were menacing Brigadier-General Neill at Cawnpore. Major-General Havelock, uniting his force with the former, marched on Bithoor, and gained another victory. During these several encounters forty guns had been taken, and sixty more recovered for the government. Great loss had been inflicted on the enemy, while the British casualties were comparatively small.

The British column afterwards remained at Cawnpore waiting for reinforcements, and on the 16th. of September, Major-General Sir James Outram arrived with the welcome aid; although the senior officer, he nobly relinquished to Major-General Havelock the honour of relieving the Lucknow garrison, and accompanied the column as Chief Commissioner of Oude, proffering his military services as a volunteer.

On the 19th. and 20th. of September, the relieving force, amounting to about two thousand five hundred men, and seventeen guns crossed the Ganges. The 5th. Fusiliers, 84th., detachments of the 64th. and 1st. Madras Fusiliers, composed the first infantry brigade, under Brigadier-General Neill; the 78th. Highlanders, 90th. Light Infantry, and the Sikh Ferozepore regiment, made up the second brigade, under Brigadier Hamilton, of the 78th.; Major Cooper commanded the artillery brigade, consisting of Captains Maude, Oliphant, and Major Eyre’s batteries; Captain Borrow commanded the Volunteers and Irregular Cavalry.

Only a feeble resistance was offered by the enemy, who retired upon the old position of Munghowar. Here they were attacked on the morning of the 21st. of September, and after an obstinate contest were routed, two of the four guns captured, being taken in a cavalry charge led by Sir James Outram.

Continuing the march on Lucknow, the rebels were discovered on the 23rd., in a strong position, with their left resting on the enclosure of the Alumbagh, an isolated building to the south-east of the city of Lucknow, and about three miles from the Residency, their centre and right being drawn up behind a chain of hillocks. Five guns were taken by the British on this day, but the relieving force was incessantly cannonaded throughout the 24th. The enemy’s cavalry, one thousand strong, made a sudden irruption upon the baggage massed in the rear; when the soldiers of the 90th. Light Infantry forming the baggage guard gallantly dispersed the whole body, but not without losing some brave officers and men.

As the troops had been marching for three days under a perfect deluge of rain, irregularly fed, and badly housed in villages, the assault on the city was deferred until the 25th. On that morning the baggage and tents were deposited in the Alumbagh, and the force advanced. The gratifying object of relieving the garrison was the result, but great loss was sustained by the constant fire from the flat-roofed and loopholed houses, the gallant Brigadier-General Neill being shot dead; but every obstacle was at length overcome, and the troops established themselves within the enclosure of the Residency.[190] It was not, however, until the following evening that the remainder of the force, with the sick and wounded, constantly exposed to the attacks of the foe, could be brought in. This succour is regarded, in respect to the medal-clasps, as a continuation of the defence of Lucknow.

RELIEF OF LUCKNOW.
17TH. NOVEMBER, 1857.

Sir Colin Campbell,[191] who, like Sir Charles Napier, had proceeded at a moment’s notice to India, did not find the task completed, as was the case in the Punjaub emergency. There was work to be done, and how nobly and successfully it was performed is now matter of history. Troops constantly arrived from England at Calcutta, and were moved up to Cawnpore as speedily as possible, but owing to the want of transport, only slow progress was made, and Sir Colin was not prepared to proceed therefrom for the final relief of the garrison at Lucknow before the 9th. of November. By a rapid march he joined, on the same day that he quitted Cawnpore, the column under Brigadier-General Grant in camp at Buntara, about six miles from the Alumbagh. Remaining there for reinforcements until the 12th. of November, he advanced on the Alumbagh, which he reached in the evening, after having captured the guns of a body of the enemy who had attacked his vanguard. As the direct road from the Alumbagh to the Residency was through the heart of the city of Lucknow,[192] wherein every street was a fortification, the houses being loopholed and filled with desperate men, Sir Colin determined to make a detour to the right, and after forcing his way through the Dilkoosha park and the Martinière, to cross the canal to the east of Lucknow, and then arrive at the Residency by a circuitous route round the north-east corner of the city. Very great assistance was afforded to the military operations at Cawnpore and the vicinity by the Naval Brigade, under their gallant leader, the late Captain (afterwards Sir William) Peel. The Brigade consisted of about five hundred and eighty officers and men the crew of H.M.S. “Shannon,” with six 8-inch guns from the ship. With a small military force of about seven hundred men, under Captain Powell, they were engaged on the 1st. of November at Kadjwa, twenty-four miles from Futtehpore, and succeeded in routing with severe loss, the mutineers, amounting to four thousand men. On the loss of Captain Powell, who was killed in this encounter, the command fell upon Captain Peel. The duties were very arduous; after this battle, with the exception of a day’s rest for the footsore men, who had marched seventy-two miles in three days, besides gaining the above victory, daily marches had to be made in order to join the column before Lucknow, where the brigade arrived on November 12th. At the attack on the Secundra Bagh, Midshipman Daniel and three or four of the brigade were killed, and Lieutenant Salmon and above a dozen men wounded. On January 2nd. the brigade took part in the battle of Kallee-Nuddee, in which the mutineers were severely defeated; and on the 3rd. of March was before Lucknow, and shared in the capture of the Dilkoosah. Captain Peel was wounded on March 9th. and died of small pox on his way to Calcutta. With the capture of Lucknow the active services of the brigade ended, and on September 15th. following, the “Shannon” sailed for England. Another Naval Brigade, under Captain Sotheby, of H.M.S. “Pearl,” numbering about two hundred and fifty officers and men, known as the “Pearl Brigade,” served for about fifteen months with the Goruckpore Field Force, and took part in several engagements with the mutineers.

On the 15th. of November, as the troops approached the park, the leading men were met by a long line of musketry fire; the advanced guard was quickly reinforced by a field battery and companies of infantry, when after a running fight of nearly two hours, the rebels were driven across the garden and park at the Martinière, and far beyond the canal. Both the park and the latter building were at once occupied by the troops, when they sustained an attack in front, and promptly driving back the enemy, pursued them across the canal.

Early on the morning of the 16th. of November, the victorious troops proceeded to attack the Secundra Bagh (garden or plantation), a high walled enclosure of strong masonry, one hundred and twenty yards square, and carefully loopholed all round. This post was numerously defended. Opposite to it, at a distance of one hundred yards, was a village which was likewise loopholed, and filled with men. As the head of the column advanced along the lane to the left of the Secundra Bagh, a fire was opened on it by the enemy, which was hotly maintained for an hour and a half on both sides. A small breach having been made, it was determined to storm the position, and this was effected by the remainder of the Highlanders and the 53rd. and 4th. Punjaub Infantry, supported by a battalion of detachments under Major Barnston.[193]

After this brilliant commencement Captain Peel’s Royal Naval Siege Train proceeded to the front, and advanced towards the Shah Nujjeef, together with the field battalion and some mortars, the village to the left having been cleared by Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope and Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon. This position was resolutely defended against a heavy cannonade of three hours. It was then stormed in the boldest manner by the 93rd. Highlanders, under Brigadier Hope, supported by a battalion of detachments under Major Barnston, who was wounded. Captain Peel gallantly led up his heavy guns within a few yards of the building, to batter the massive stone walls. This concluded the day’s operations, and about three o’clock in the afternoon of the 17th. a building named the “Mess House,” after being cannonaded by Captain Peel, was stormed by a company of the 90th. under Captain Wolseley, and a picket of the 53rd., under Captain Hopkins, supported by Major Barnston’s battalion of detachments under Captain Guise of the 90th., with some of the Punjaub Infantry under Lieutenant Powlett. The place was immediately carried, and the troops pushed forward with great vigour, and lined the wall separating the Mess House from the Motee Mahal. Here a final stand was made, but after an hour’s fighting, during which openings had been broken in the wall, the opposition was overcome, and the soldiers pouring through with a body of sappers, accomplished the communications with the Residency. Shortly afterwards Sir Colin had the gratification of greeting Sir James Outram and Sir Henry Havelock, who came out to meet him before the action was terminated.

While the final relief of the besieged garrison had been thus achieved by the indomitable gallantry of the army under Sir Colin Campbell, the garrison within the walls had not been inactive. The mines which had been driven under the outer wall of the garden in advance of the palace, already breached in several places by the enemy, and also under some buildings in its vicinity, were exploded as soon as it was ascertained that the Commander-in-Chief was assailing the Secundra Bagh; at the same time two powerful masked batteries poured shot and shell into the palace. When the advance sounded the effect was electrical; pent up for six weeks, and subjected to constant attacks, the soldiers felt that the hour of retribution had arrived. It was impossible to withstand them, and in a few minutes the whole of the buildings were in their possession, were armed with cannon, and steadily held against all attacks.

It was now Sir Colin Campbell’s great object to effect the removal of the non-combatants from the Residency, including the sick and wounded, without subjecting them to the enemy’s fire. By a series of masterly arrangements, which may be regarded as a perfect example of such combinations, the desired object was attained. A fire was opened upon the Kaiserbagh on the 20th., and when the foe was led to believe that an immediate assault was contemplated, orders were issued for the garrison to withdraw through the line of pickets at midnight on the 22nd. Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope so ably carried out the dispositions to cover the movement, that the mutineers were completely deceived, and instead of following, they commenced firing on the old positions, many hours after they had been quitted by the British.

During all these operations from the 16th. of November, the remnant of Brigadier Greathed’s brigade closed in the rear, and again formed the rear-guard as the troops retired to Dilkoosha, which was reached by the whole force by four o’clock in the afternoon of the 23rd. of November. On the previous day that valued soldier whose name is so identified with Lucknow, the gallant Sir Henry Havelock, died of an attack of dysentery, to the universal regret of the army, and of his country.

The troops which took part in the relief of Lucknow, were the Naval Brigade; 9th. Lancers; 1st., 2nd., and 5th. Punjaub Cavalry; Hodson’s Horse; Bengal Horse and Field Artillery; Punjaub Sappers and Miners; the 8th., 53rd., 75th., and 93rd. Foot; 2nd. and 4th. Punjaub Infantry.

LUCKNOW.
2ND. TO 21ST. OF MARCH, 1858.

Sir Colin Campbell, leaving a portion of his army at the Alumbagh, under Sir James Outram, commenced his march upon Cawnpore on the 27th. of November, 1857, and arrived at Bunnee that evening. On the following morning he received intelligence of the attack made upon Major-General Windham,—who had been fiercely engaged with the Gwalior rebels. That officer on the 26th. attacked one of the enemy’s Divisions, eight miles from Cawnpore, routed them and captured all but one gun. Next morning, being reinforced, they returned to the assault, forced the British within their lines at Nuwabgunge, burning down the camp of three regiments. The Rifle Brigade under Colonel Walpole, supported by the 88th. under Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, which suffered very severely, were highly distinguished. On the 28th. the renewed attempts of the enemy were triumphantly defeated.[194] Then followed the decisive battle of the 6th. of December,[195] when the Commander-in-Chief utterly routed the rebel army, which had been augmented by four regiments from Oude, and the followers of Nena Sahib, estimated at not less than twenty-five thousand men, with about thirty-six guns.

After this action Sir Colin Campbell continued at Cawnpore until the beginning of 1858, employed in restoring order in the stronghold of the mutiny, and in preparing to advance on Lucknow. Several assaults were made by the rebels to dislodge Sir James Outram from his position at the Alumbagh, before he could be aided by Sir Colin Campbell; especially on the 12th. and 16th. of January, and subsequent months, but they were all defeated. The first portion of the army crossed the Ganges at Cawnpore on the 4th. of February. Brigadier Franks, while on his road to Lucknow, on the 19th., defeated two separate bodies of the enemy, at Chanda and Amereepore, and on the 23rd. of that month gained a decisive victory over their united forces, when attempting to capture Badshahgunge, a strong fort near Sultanpore. In this action the enemy lost twenty-one guns and nearly two thousand men. The loss of the victors was _eleven_.

Being joined on this day by the siege train from Agra, and all the requisite arrangements having been completed, Sir Colin Campbell proceeded direct from Cawnpore to the Alumbagh, where the army arrived on the 1st. of March. The Divisions under Brigadier-Generals Sir Hope Grant and Walpole, who had been employed watching the mutineers, had meanwhile rejoined, and on the following morning the Dilkoosha palace was seized after a skirmish, in which a gun was captured from the enemy.[196] This palace was at once occupied as an advanced post on the right, and the Mahomed Bagh on the left, heavy guns being placed at each point to keep down the fire of the rebels. The remainder of the siege train and additional troops arrived on the next and succeeding days: the right of the British line now rested on Bibiapore and the river Goomtee; the left stretching in the direction of the Alumbagh. Brigadier-General Franks, C.B., joined with his division on the 5th. of March,[197] after a march of one hundred and thirty miles, during which four actions had been fought, with the small loss of thirty-seven killed and wounded. Thirty-four pieces of ordnance were captured.

Sir James Outram was withdrawn from the Alumbagh, and having crossed to the left bank of the Goomtee[198] on the 6th. of March, at once pushed on to turn the first line of the works abutting on the river, and on the morning of the 9th. attacked the position, driving the enemy before him at all points, until he was enabled to occupy the Fyzabad road, and plant his batteries so as to enfilade the works on the canal.

Meanwhile a heavy fire was kept up by the British on the Martinière, from the batteries at the Dilkoosha palace; and in the afternoon of the 9th. of March the former was stormed by the troops under Brigadiers Sir Edward Lugard[199] and the Honourable Adrian Hope. The regiments were the 42nd., 53rd., and 90th. Next came into operation the second part of the plan of attack against the Kaiser Bagh, which was to use the great blocks of houses and palaces extending from Banks’s house to the former as the approach, instead of sapping up towards the front of the second line of works. By these means the Commander-in-chief was able to turn towards his own left, at the same time that the enemy was enfiladed on the right by Sir James Outram’s advance. The latter had received orders to plant his guns with a view of raking the position of the rebels, to annoy the Kaiser Bagh with a vertical and direct fire,—also to attack the suburbs in the vicinity of the iron and stone bridges shortly after daybreak, and to command the iron bridge from the left banks. These instructions were carried out with the most marked success, but the enemy still clung pertinaciously to his own end of the iron bridge, on the right bank, and heavy cannonading ensued from both sides, until the bridge was subsequently taken in reverse. On the 11th. Sir Edward Lugard pressed forward in like manner. As the operation had now become one of an engineering character, the most earnest endeavours were used to save the infantry from being hazarded before due preparation was made. The chief engineer, Brigadier Napier, placed the batteries so as to breach and shell a large block of the palaces designated the Begum Kotee. At four o’clock in the morning the latter were stormed with great gallantry by the 93rd. Highlanders, supported by the 4th. Punjaub Rifles and one thousand Ghoorkas, led by Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope, under Brigadier-General Sir Edward Lugard’s direction. The whole block of buildings was secured by the troops, who inflicted a heavy loss on the enemy, and the attack was pronounced by Sir Colin Campbell to have been “the sternest struggle which occurred during the siege.”

The chief engineer pushed forward the approach with the greatest judgment through the enclosures, by the aid of the sappers and heavy guns, the troops immediately occupying the ground as he advanced, and the mortars being moved from one position to another, as the ground was won on which they could be placed. The buildings to the right, and the Secundra Bagh, were taken early in the morning of the same day, without opposition, and during the night of the 12th. Sir James Outram was reinforced with a number of heavy guns and mortars, and directed to increase his fire upon the Kaiser Bagh, while the mortars placed in a position at the Begum’s house never ceased playing on the Imambarrah, the next large palace it was found necessary to storm, between the Begum Kotee and the Kaiser Bagh.

Upon Brigadier-General Franks, C.B., who had relieved Sir Edward Lugard, and the second division with the fourth, on the 12th. of March, devolved the duty of attacking the Imambarrah. For this purpose a column of attack was formed on the morning of the 14th., by Brigadier David Russell, who at the second relief of Lucknow had been severely wounded. The Maharajah Jung Bahadoor too had joined, with a force of about nine thousand men and twenty-four field guns, drawn by men, and took up his position in the British line on the 12th., and moved close to the canal on the following day. His Highness passed the canal and attacked the suburbs in his front, and considerably to the left of Banks’s house, at the request of the Commander-in-chief; his troops were thus most advantageously employed in covering Sir Colin Campbell’s left for several days, during which, from the nature of the operations, it was necessary to mass all the available strength of the British force towards the right in the joint attack carried along both banks of the Goomtee.

Early on the 14th. the Imambarrah was carried, and the Sikhs of the Ferozepore Regiment, under Major Brasyer, pressing forward in pursuit, entered the Kaiser Bagh, the third line of defences having been turned without a single gun being fired from them. Supports were quickly thrown in, and all the well-known ground of former defence and attack, the Mess House, the Tara Kotee, the Motee Mahul, and the Chutter Munzil, were rapidly occupied by the troops, while the engineers devoted their attention to securing the position towards the south and west. The doomed city was now hastily evacuated by the enemy, thousands of fugitives being seen to escape to the north and west. Flying columns were sent after them, and building after building which had been occupied as a defence, was successively taken, until all save the city itself was in the hands of the British.

A combined movement was organized on the 19th. of March. Sir James Outram moved forward directly on the Moosa Bagh, the last position of the foe on the line of the Goomtee; the latter was cannonaded from the left bank by Sir James Hope Grant, whilst Brigadier Campbell moved round the western side from the Alumbagh, preventing retreat in that direction. The rout was complete, great loss being inflicted on the enemy by all these columns.

Major-General Sir Edward Lugard was directed to attack, on the 21st., a stronghold in the heart of the city, held by the Moulvie. This he occupied after a sharp contest, and it then became possible to invite the return of the inhabitants, and to rescue the city from the horrors of this prolonged struggle. Brigadier William Campbell, of the 2nd. Dragoon Guards, attacked the enemy with his cavalry, when retreating from the city in consequence of Sir Edward’s advance, occasioning them heavy loss, and pursuing the fugitives for six miles.[200] Two days after, Sir Hope Grant defeated a strong body of rebels, twenty miles from the city, and captured their guns, and with this action the recapture of Lucknow was completed.

CENTRAL INDIA.
JANUARY TO JUNE, 1858.

Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, K.C.B., at the end of January, 1858, captured Rathghur, a strong fort in Central India. For two whole days, the 26th. and 27th. of January, the guns of the British played upon the walls, and when a practicable breach had been effected, the garrison, on the 28th., endeavoured to escape by using ropes to aid them in their descent. Meanwhile an attempt was made by the enemy outside to relieve the fort by an attack on the rear of the camp; this was, however, soon frustrated, and the place was taken. On the 31st. of January a victory was gained over the insurgents, near Baroda.

An advance was next made by Sir Hugh Rose upon Saugor, where several Europeans, amongst whom were about a hundred women and children, had been closely besieged since July, 1857. The British general arrived before the fort on the 3rd. of February, 1858, and effected its immediate relief. Meanwhile Major-General Whitlock, commanding the Madras column, had been marching towards Saugor with the same view, and reached Jubbulpore on the 7th. of that month. Thus the Bombay and Madras troops were gradually sweeping the country before them: and compelling the mutinous bands to withdraw towards the line of the Jumna, where at Calpee and Gwalior they mustered strongly.

On the 10th. and 11th. of February the fort at Garakota was captured and demolished, when Sir Hugh Rose withdrew to Saugor, which he quitted on the 27th. of February, and marched upon Jhansi.

The forts of Serai, Marowra, and Thal Behut, next fell into the hands of the British. Brigadier C. S. Stuart, with the first brigade, took by assault the fort of Chandairee on the 17th. of March; the impetuous rush of the stormers of the 86th. Foot, and the 25th. Bombay Native Infantry, carried everything before them; the loss before this place amounted only to two killed and twenty-eight wounded, nineteen of these casualties falling on the first-named regiment. The Brigadier having effected a junction with Sir Hugh Rose, was sent on with a body of cavalry and artillery to invest the fortress of Jhansi, a place of great strength both natural and artificial, defended by a garrison of about twelve thousand men, headed by a determined Amazon, the Ranee of Jhansi. Sir Hugh Rose with the rest of the troops arrived before this stronghold on the 21st. of March.

On the 1st. of April, the so-called army of the Peishwah, under Tantia Topee, advanced across the Betwa to relieve the place, but this attempt was defeated, and the enemy was pursued some distance beyond the river. This was a remarkable action, and was fought by the small force left in camp[201], without relaxing in the least the arduous siege and investment of Jhansi. The victory was gained with the small loss of fifteen killed and sixty-six wounded; seven died of wounds. The casualties of the 14th. Light Dragoons were the greatest, namely, five killed and twenty-four wounded. Fifteen hundred of the enemy were killed, and all his artillery, stores, and ammunition were captured. Captain Need’s troop of this regiment was specially commended, and Lieutenant Leith gained the Victoria Cross for having charged alone, and rescued that officer when surrounded by a large number of rebel infantry.

The assault was made on the 3rd. of April, the storming parties being divided into two columns, one of which formed the right, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lowth, of the 86th., and the other the left attack. The latter was led by Major Stuart, of the same regiment, and making its way partly through the breach and partly by escalading a bastion into the city, penetrated to the palace; here it was met by the right column, which had advanced along the streets in the midst of a galling fire from the houses on each side.[202] The conduct of the 86th. received high commendation. Possession having been gained of a large portion of the city by the 3rd. Europeans and 86th. Foot, these two corps occupied with pickets commanding houses, and several hand to hand combats occurred.[203]

Preparations were being made for the continuance of the attack, when intelligence reached Sir Hugh Rose that the Ranee had during the preceding night fled from the fortress, attended by a small escort; she was seen mounted on a grey horse, and although hotly pursued, was not overtaken; this was succeeded by a general abandonment of the place by the rebels, who proceeded in a north-easterly direction. Jhansi was taken possession of without further opposition, when nothing could exceed the humanity shewn by the victorious troops.

In the meantime Awah, in Rajpootana, a strongly fortified town, had been taken by Colonel Holmes, on the 24th. of January, and Major-General Roberts in March advanced against Kotah, the Rajah of which was friendly to the British, but was coerced by his followers.

Two hundred men of the 83rd., and the Rifle Company of the 13th. Native Infantry, under Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Heatly, of the former regiment, were sent by Major-General Roberts, commanding the Rajpootana Field Force, on the 26th. of March, into the portion of the town held by the Maha Rao, who had been assaulted on two successive mornings by the rebels; the service rendered by Lieutenant-Colonel Heatly with this detachment on this occasion, and up to the time of the assault was prominently noticed. Late on the evening of the 28th., the 8th. Hussars, under Lieutenant-Colonel Salis, arrived.

On the 30th. of March the place was carried with the greatest gallantry, the 72nd. and 95th. regiments[204] leading the way. The first column, under Brigadier Parke, of the 72nd. was composed of two hundred and fifty men from each of the following regiments, namely, the 72nd., under Major Thellusson, 13th. Native Infantry, under Captain Adams, accompanied by a party of Sappers, under Lieutenant Paterson, Royal Engineers. The second column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes, comprised a like number of the 83rd. under Major Steele, and of the 12th. Native Infantry, under Lieutenant Howison; and the third column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Raines, of the 95th., was similarly made up of the 95th., under Major the Honourable Eyre Massey, of that regiment, and the 10th. Native Infantry, under Lieutenant Roome, each accompanied by a party of Sappers, under an engineer officer. The reserve under Brigadier Macan, consisted of two hundred and fifty of the 83rd., under Lieutenant-Colonel Heatly, and of the 13th. Native Infantry, under Captain Steuart.

By the explosion here of a magazine fired by the rebels, after the capture of the city, Captain Robert Bainbrigge, of the 23rd. Bombay Light Infantry, Brigade-Major of the first brigade of the Rajpootana Field Force, and Captain Evelyn Bazalgette, of the 95th. regiment, were unfortunately killed.

From the 23rd. to the 30th. of March the British casualties amounted to fourteen killed and forty-six wounded—a small loss when compared with the importance of the capture. The cavalry and Colonel Blake’s troop of Horse Artillery were sent in pursuit.

Major-General Whitlock, in command of the Madras column, gained a decisive victory at Banda, on the 19th. of April, over the troops of the Nawab of that place. The battle lasted four hours.[205] The enemy mustered about seven thousand, including one thousand mutinous Sepoys of the Bengal army, and their loss amounted to five hundred men and several guns.[206] Banda surrendered at once, and the Major-General then moved on towards Calpee to co-operate in the attack intended to be made by Sir Hugh Rose upon that stronghold. The latter on the 7th. of May, attacked and captured the fort of Koonch. Marching thence to Golowlie on the Jumna, three miles distant from Calpee, a determined attack was there made by the insurgents upon the British, on the 22nd. of May, and the enemy sustained another defeat. On the 23rd. Sir Hugh Rose moved upon Calpee. Seized with a panic, the mutineers, after firing a few shots fled from the town, which was at once occupied; here was discovered a subterraneous magazine, containing five hundred barrels of gunpowder, and vast quantities of ordnance; besides which were four foundries for cannon, several guns used by the enemy having been cast there. Owing to the intense heat, the flying column sent after the rebels to the fort of Sheerghur, whither they had retired, was compelled to relinquish the pursuit; but they were subsequently overtaken on the road, and between five and six hundred of them killed.

The work of the gallant Central India Field Force was now considered to be terminated, and it was announced in orders that it was about to be broken up, but there was further employment for the troops. Tantia Topee, the leader of the rebels at Calpee, had given proofs of being the most active and vigorous opponent of the British during the mutiny, being nearly the only rebel leader who had gained anything approaching to a military reputation, having defeated with great adroitness all attempts to capture him. Prior to the capture of Calpee he retired therefrom towards Gwalior, and after his arrival at the capital of Scindiah’s territory, endeavoured to gain over the Maharajah’s troops. A numerous body of the enemy retreated westward in the direction of Gwalior; Scindiah attacked them at the Morar cantonment, near the capital, on the 1st. of June, and sustained a complete defeat; his men deserted during the action, and he was obliged to take refuge in the British cantonments at Agra. After this success the rebels placed upon the musnud or throne of Gwalior, Rao Sahib, a nephew of Nena Sahib.

Upon receiving this intelligence Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, recalling his detachments, marched to Sassowlee, where he arrived on the 15th. of June. Meanwhile the insurgents at Gwalior, after making themselves masters of the treasure in the capital, commenced deserting in great bodies. Even the Nawab of Banda and Tantia Topee left the place, but the valorous Ranee of Jhansi remained, attired in male costume, to head the Sepoys and the Gwalior contingent, who alone remained to abide the fortune of war.

On the 16th. of June, Sir Hugh Rose advanced upon Gwalior, and on that day, in the action upon Morar, Lieutenant Neave of the 71st., which regiment well maintained its historical renown, was killed. Brigadiers Smith and Orr, with additional troops, arrived on the 17th. at Kota-ki-Serai, ten miles from Gwalior, where they defeated some of the advanced posts. The charge through the enemy’s camp of the 8th. Hussars and the conduct of the 95th., were most highly spoken of. The infantry was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Raines, of the latter regiment. In a hand to hand contest the stout-hearted Ranee of Jhansi was killed, and as her body could not be discovered, it is supposed to have been burnt. Sir Hugh Rose subsequently arrived, and a fierce attack was made on the 19th. by the insurgents, who were repulsed, and after a severe contest on the plain between the town and the heights, were completely defeated. Next day, Lieutenant W. F. Waller and Lieutenant Rose, with a handful of men, captured the fortress of Gwalior in a most gallant manner. Climbing on the roof of a house, they shot down the gunners opposed to them, and carried the fort, killing every man in it. In this daring action Lieutenant Rose was killed, these two officers being the only Europeans present. Gwalior was then occupied, and the Maharajah Scindiah was once more restored to his throne.

After this decisive battle the Central India Field Force was broken up, and was distributed in the garrisons of Gwalior, Jhansi, and other places. Sir Hugh Rose afterwards returned to the Bombay Presidency, prior to which, in general orders, the Commander-in-chief in India thanked him and Major-Generals Roberts and Whitlock for their eminent services.

Such is a brief account of the special services for which clasps have been awarded, which naturally divide into five acts the exciting drama of the Indian Mutiny; there are, however, several episodes which alone would fill a volume.[207] In this campaign there were many separate columns, which afforded officers greater opportunities of distinguishing themselves than in ordinary cases. So various were the military operations that it is almost impossible to condense them into one connected whole.

Amongst the most determined opponents of the British was the ex-Queen of Oude, commonly known as the Begum, under whom many of the fugitives had rallied. She endeavoured to gain over that active ally Jung Bahadoor, but without success. Moveable columns successfully effected the objects intended. Beni Madho, a powerful chieftain, whilst Lieutenant-Colonel Carmichael was in pursuit, was intercepted and driven across the Goomtee, by Brigadier (now Sir Alfred) Horsford, who, at the head of a separate column, had highly distinguished himself. On the 30th. of December, Nena Sahib and his followers were attacked and driven through a jungle which they endeavoured to defend; afterwards across the Raptee, the 7th. Hussars entering that river with the fugitives. The Nena escaped punishment for the time, but although not taken by the British, there is no reason to doubt the certainty of his death. Tantia Topee, in pursuit of whom so many long marches had been made, was ultimately captured and hanged.

Thus may the contest be said to have terminated, and the resistance of one hundred and fifty thousand armed men overcome; in no campaign had greater exertions been displayed, and more honour acquired by the British soldier.

Besides the names of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, Major-Generals Sir Henry Havelock, Sir Hugh Rose, Roberts, Whitlock, Sir Archdale Wilson, Sir James Hope Grant, Sir William Rose Mansfield, Sir Thomas Harte Franks, Sir Edward Lugard, Windham, and Sir John Michel, the campaign produced a number of Brigadier-Generals, such as Neill, the Honourable Adrian Hope, Walpole, Sir Robert Napier, Russell, Nicholson, Horsford, Barker, Wetherall, Jones, Parke, Rowcroft, and others, who are intimately associated with the military operations by which an extensive country may be said to have been re-conquered, and peace restored.

The Abyssinia Medal.
]

Lord Canning, the able Governor-General of India, and the Earl of Elgin, who nobly diverted the troops ordered for China, are inseparably connected with these events; and if difficulty has been experienced in doing justice to individual officers during the mutiny, it is enhanced when attempting to record the deeds of him who, linked with military services extending over half a century, brought this momentous struggle to a successful termination. In other times enemies had to be encountered in India, and great battles had been won, but in this instance the men had been armed and disciplined by their conquerors. Ho words can be more applicable than those of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, when the vote of thanks to the Army in India was proposed in the House of Lords, on the 14th. of April, 1859:—“As to Lord Clyde it would be preposterous in me to sing his praises; they are not only patent to every nobleman present, but they are known throughout the length and breadth of this country of the continent, and in other parts of the world.”

The regiments that received the medal for the Indian Mutiny were:—Royal Artillery, 3rd. and 6th. Dragoon Guards, 7th., 8th. and 14th. Hussars, and 9th. and 12th. Lancers. The 4th., 5th., 6th., 8th., 10th., 13th., 19th., 20th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 32nd., 34th., 35th., 37th., 38th., 42nd., 43rd., 52nd., 53rd., 54th., 61st., 64th., 70th., 71st., 72nd., 73rd., 74th., 75th., 78th., 79th., 80th., 81st., 82nd., 83rd., 84th., 86th., 87th., 88th., 89th., 90th., 92nd., 93rd., 95th., 97th., 101st., 102nd., 104th., 107th., 108th., and 109th. Foot; 60th. Rifles, and Rifle Brigade.

THE ABYSSINIAN MEDAL.

This medal is smaller and altogether different in design to those usually issued, granted by a General Order, dated March, 1869, and designed by Messrs. Wyon. Obverse, a crowned and veiled head of the Queen, surrounded by a star of nine points, containing the letters A. B. Y. S. S. I. N. I. A. Reverse, a laurel wreath, with inner circle, within which, in raised letters, is the recipient’s name, rank, regiment, or ship; above the medal is a crown, with a ring for suspension. Ribbon, crimson, with broad white edges. Twenty thousand of the medals were struck, and given to both services.

THE ABYSSINIA EXPEDITION.
OCTOBER, 1867, TO APRIL, 1868.

Since the time of Bruce, Abyssinia remained almost a _terra incognita_ to Europeans till nearly the middle of the nineteenth century. Soon after 1850, missionaries and traders who visited the region, reported that a chieftain, who claimed descent from King Solomon, and professed the Christian faith, had by a series of victories over the Gallas tribes, the Shoans, and other half-savage races, made himself master of Tigré and Amhara, the principal provinces of Abyssinia, and aspired to the sovereignty of the whole country. In the year 1855, this ruler, a fierce, but able and ambitious man, assumed the title of Theodore, Emperor of Abyssinia, fixed his capital at Magdala, a steep and lofty height which he deemed to be impregnable, and had a seal engraved with the motto “King of Kings.” An ancient prophecy existed that a King Theodore would establish the Christian religion in Abyssinia, and become the ruler of the world; and this, and his successes, excited the vanity of Theodore almost to insanity, he looked upon himself as the destined monarch, and expected an alliance with England on equal terms. He was desirous of having Europeans about him, his grand chamberlain was an Englishman; English and German missionaries settled in the country, with artizans of various nations, who were employed by the king in the manufacture of cannon and muskets.

The English Government in 1861 appointed Captain Cameron as Consul to Abyssinia, who, on his arrival at Massowah, on the shore of the Red Sea, was welcomed by Theodore with letters and presents. In October of the same year, Theodore despatched a letter to the Queen, stating that his mission was to subjugate the Gallas and Turks, his enemies, and asking for her friendship and support. The letter was forwarded by Captain Cameron, but for a long time it lay unnoticed at the Foreign Office, and in the reply of Earl Russell to the Consul, was not mentioned. This circumstance, and a visit which Cameron made to a frontier province, excited the suspicions and anger of Theodore; his vanity was wounded by his letter remaining unanswered, and in the Consul’s expedition he suspected a desire to assist the Egyptians, who he believed were preparing to invade Abyssinia. In revenge for what he regarded as insults and injuries, the half-savage potentate made prisoners of the Consul, and all the Europeans he could seize in his territories. The missionaries and workmen were also imprisoned in wretched huts—some put in irons—and treated alternately with kindness and severity, according to the caprice of Theodore, who removed them from place to place, and generally kept most of them strictly guarded in his camp.

Mr. Rassam, who was partly of African descent, with Lieut. Prideaux and Dr. Blane, was then sent by the British Government to endeavour to obtain the release of the captives. At first they were received with some show of respect, but almost before the negociations were begun, they were also made prisoners and taken to Theodore’s camp. The good offices of the Armenian patriarch were employed in vain, and every effort to induce Theodore to release his prisoners proving useless, the English Government determined to send an expedition to compel their deliverance.

The difficulties of the undertaking were well known and counted on. Colonel Merewether, the Resident at Aden, was sent in command of a reconnoitring party to select a place for the landing of the troops, and he fixed on Annesley Bay as best suited for the base of operations. Sir Robert Napier, Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay army, was appointed to command the expedition, and Major-General Sir Charles Staveley was second in command, having under them a force of nearly twelve thousand men, and about fourteen thousand camp followers. Most of the troops were natives belonging to the Bombay Establishment, but four thousand of them were British.

Piers and storehouses were constructed by the sailors at Annesley Bay, wells were dug, mules and cattle purchased for the transport service, and guides procured from the tribes who were in rebellion against Theodore.

On January 3rd., 1868, Sir Robert Napier arrived on board H.M.S. “Octavia,” and found a port formed on a desert shore, a road made through a rugged mountain pass, friendly relations existing with tribes who had been notorious robbers, and his advance force firmly established at Senafé, on the highlands of Abyssinia. The advance pushed on to Antalo, where it halted for nearly a month, when the operations for keeping open communication with the transports and supplies being complete, on March 12th. the march on Magdala began in earnest. The pioneer force, under Brigadier-General Field, with whom was Colonel Phayre, Quartermaster-General, led the advance, and formed part of the First Division, under Major-General Sir Charles Staveley. The rest of the troops were divided into two Brigades, commanded by Brigadiers Schneider and Wilby.

The country traversed was extremely rough and mountainous, with difficult passes, and ravines filled with loose boulders and rocks. Often before any advance, a road had to be made for the mules, and men, carrying besides their accoutrements, fifty-five pounds weight each, more than half the load of a mule. All superfluous baggage was left behind, and tents, except for hospitals, were reduced to the smallest number practicable. The rations were of the roughest description, no spirits and scarcely any tea were procurable, and the officers fared the same as the private soldiers.

Day after day the troops toiled on, over mountains eleven thousand feet above the sea level; during the day oppressed by the heat, and suffering often severely from the cold after sunset.

During this time Theodore had been strengthening his stronghold at Magdala, and making all possible efforts by forming roads, to transport his heavy guns into that place.

Sir Charles Staveley arrived with the Second Brigade at Santara, at the end of March, and on the 1st. of April the three Brigades were formed into two, the whole numbering about four thousand men, and in addition fourteen hundred and four men were advancing to reinforce these two Brigades.[208]