The Sepoy Mutiny having broken out, and troops being despatched with
all haste to quell it, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions received orders to
embark immediately for India.
The 2nd Battalion embarked in three divisions:
The first under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Woodford, consisting of
3 captains, 5 subalterns, 21 sergeants, 7 buglers and 322 rank and
file, proceeded by rail from Dublin to Cork on August 3, and embarked
on board the ‘Lady Jocelyn’ screw steamer. The second under Brevet
Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, consisting of 2 captains, 2 subalterns, 9
sergeants, 3 buglers and 146 rank and file, proceeded by railway to
Kingstown and embarked on board the ‘United Kingdom’ on August 4.
The Head-quarters with four companies under Lieutenant-Colonel Hill,
consisting of 3 captains, 8 subalterns, 5 staff, 30 sergeants, 14
buglers and 292 rank and file, proceeded by railway to Kingstown
on August 6, and embarking on board the ‘Sussex,’ hired transport,
started for India on the next day.
The first of these detachments (Woodford’s) arrived at Calcutta on
November 3, and disembarked.
On the 7th they paraded at 3.30 to cross the Ganges, which they did
in a steamer, and at 9.30 in the evening started by railroad for
Raneegunge, where they arrived at 6.30 on the following morning.
From thence they proceeded on the 10th in carriages at three P.M.
and arrived at Doomrhee at 7.30 on the next day; whence starting at
10.30 and passing through Brohal, the Dowah pass, and Bawa, reached
Sherghotty at 8.45 A.M. on the morning of the 12th.
After a short halt there they started again at one P.M. for Barroon.
Soon after which they crossed the river Sone, a most tedious process;
the river here being about two miles broad and reached by a long
plain of sand. The carriages had to be placed in boats; and having
got over one bend of the river, another long sandy plain had to be
traversed and then a still wider stream of water to be crossed. This
occupied a very long time; from midnight to 5.30 in the morning; but
having accomplished it they arrived at Sasseram at 8.45 A.M. on the
13th. At five o’clock they started again, and travelling through
the night, were about ten P.M. startled by an alarm that they were
about to be attacked. The ‘alarm’ was sounded; rifles and revolvers
were got into readiness, and some confusion occurred; but after a
few minutes it was ascertained that the alarm, from wheresoever
originating, was a false one. And on the 14th, about 10.20 in the
morning, they reached Annabad, where they halted till five, when
after passing Kurumnasa they reached the bank of the Ganges, and
crossing it in boats arrived at the Mint at Benares about 4.45 on the
morning of the 15th, where they halted till the 18th; this being the
first occasion on which they had taken any of their things off since
they left Raneegunge.
On the 18th they started again at 4.15 P.M. and reached Gopeegunge
at 1.45 P.M. on the 19th, and after halting till 5.50 started again.
Here Colonel Woodford was informed that a rebel force of 300 or 400
cavalry, 6,000 or 7,000 infantry and ten or twelve guns was encamped
on his right, about twenty miles from Gopeegunge. The march, or
rather the journey in bullock-carts, in the night was therefore
made with great caution and with every preparation to resist an
attack. But none was made, and on the 20th they reached the Ganges at
Allahabad about twelve P.M., and after great difficulty in finding
the camping-ground got into camp. On that night they again had a
false alarm.
They halted at Allahabad till the 23rd, the intervening time being
employed in getting clothing for the men.
Here the detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, which had sailed
in the ‘United Kingdom,’ joined them; and the whole started by rail
at 8.30 on the 23rd and arrived at Lohunga at 12.30. Here they again
divided; Colonel Woodford’s detachment proceeding by bullock-carts
and Colonel Fyers’ by route march. Woodford’s detachment started
about five, and after delays by break-down of waggons and restive
oxen, arrived at Futtehpore at 4.45 on the 24th. Starting again at
eight they met a Sikh on the 25th bearing a message from General
Windham urging them to push on, as they would be wanted. Making all
speed therefore they reached Cawnpore at 6.45 P.M. and took up their
quarters in the Theatre for the night, being warned to go to camp at
four A.M. on the following morning.
On that morning (the 26th) they paraded at 2.30, and shortly
afterwards marched to General Windham’s camp, which was formed near
the bridge, on the road from Cawnpore to Calpee, over the Ganges
canal.
They reached it about seven; and no breakfast being provided, they
received a dry biscuit and a ration of rum. Hence they moved out to
attack the Gwalior contingent, which was posted in great force on
the Pandoo Nuddee river. They advanced, the three companies[268]
of Riflemen in front. On approaching the enemy’s position the
mutineers at once opened fire about 9.30. ‘The battle on the part
of the British began with the companies of the Rifle Brigade.
These admirable troops at once advanced in skirmishing order on
the right of the road. The country was a good deal encumbered with
high standing corn, topes of trees, walls, &c.’[269] Some of the
Riflemen got into ruined houses, and having got the range picked
off the enemy’s gunners. The Gwalior contingent however held their
position--a strong one, on the right bank of the Pandoo Nuddee--for
some time. But at last the men advanced with a rush, and crossing the
almost dry bed of the river drove them back. The Riflemen pursued
them for some miles. One man only (Wolfe) was killed in this day’s
fight: he was shot through the head. At a little before twelve the
fight was over, and the Riflemen returned towards their camp. After
they had retired some distance the mutineers pursued; and they were
halted and deployed. During this halt a ration of rum was served out
to the men. Resuming their march the Riflemen returned to Cawnpore,
and pitched their camp near the city across the Calpee road and close
to some brick-kilns. They arrived in this camp about four P.M.
On the 27th there was a false alarm at six in the morning; but later
it was found that the Gwalior contingent, with a strength of about
25,000 men and forty guns, had commenced a most determined attack on
General Windham’s position, both in front and on his right flank.
The three companies of Riflemen, Nixon’s, Dillon’s and Earle’s,
were moved out about noon, and posted on the right of the road to
Calpee at its junction with the Grand Trunk road to Delhi, and were
immediately under fire. ‘The heavy fighting in front, at the point of
junction of the Calpee and Delhi roads, fell more especially upon the
Rifle Brigade, ably commanded by Colonel Walpole.’[270]
However the enemy were too strong for them, and they were obliged to
retire. Some officers and men occupied a small tope of trees, but
they were soon out of ammunition, and Lieutenants George Curzon and
Dugdale went back across the open, exposed to the fire of two guns
which plied them with grape. However they succeeded in bringing up a
camel with a supply. A second, third and fourth time Curzon passed
the same ordeal in search of further ammunition or caps; and after
some unsuccessful ventures obtained a supply from Captain Atherley
of the 3rd Battalion, who with his company after a forced march from
Futtehpore (to be presently more particularly mentioned) had arrived
at Cawnpore.
This retreat was covered in a most masterly manner by the three
companies under Woodford, who were extended in a line of skirmishers
over a space of nearly a mile, and for a long time held back an
enormous force of the enemy of all arms. And had it not been for the
stand made by this detachment, it was generally supposed that the two
guns of the Naval Brigade, which had been left unprotected, would
have fallen into the enemy’s hands.[271]
It was first observed by Corporal Suddlers of the 2nd Battalion that
these guns were deserted; and they were with difficulty brought back
by some Riflemen of Captain Nixon’s company, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Woodford, who took the slings off their rifles for that purpose.[272]
[Illustration:
PLAN OF CAWNPORE
in 1857.
_Compiled & Drawn by Capt^n H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade._
E. Weller, _Litho._
_London, Chatto & Windus._
]
I have now to trace the march of Fyers’ detachment of three
companies, Captains the Hon. B. R. Pellew’s (commanded by Lieutenant
Grey[273]), Warren’s, and the Hon. L. W. Milles’,[274] whom we saw
were together with Woodford’s detachment at Allahabad. They marched
from Lohunga at midnight on the 23rd-24th in charge of Commissariat
stores; rum, rice, sugar and ammunition on donkeys. They marched
about sixteen miles, and halted under a tope of trees till about two
the next morning; when they proceeded to Futtehpore, about sixteen
miles further, the stores in their charge being a great impediment to
their progress. They left Futtehpore again on the 26th, and marched
about seventeen miles. As the men were pitching their tents, a
messenger on a camel (the same who had met Woodford) came in with a
pencil note from General Windham, addressed to the officer commanding
the detachment, urging him to make all speed, as troops were wanted.
The few tents already pitched were immediately struck. Fyers placed
the stores he was escorting in charge of the police, and directed
the men to carry only what was absolutely necessary. After a halt of
three hours in making these arrangements, he started again, placing
the most footsore and the sick on elephants, and marched the men,
weary as they already were, about nineteen miles further, allowing
them short halts at intervals. Many of the men were so fatigued
that when a ‘halt’ was sounded, they fell asleep almost as soon as
they lay down on the ground. After a halt about midnight for one
hour, during which a ration of rum was issued, falling in again,
they marched forward till the morning, when Fyers gave them another
halt of an hour to prepare some breakfast. Having had some tea and
biscuit, they started again very weary and footsore; but now the
sound of heavy guns and the rattle of musketry quickened the men.
They pushed forward with increased vigour, and arrived at Cawnpore
when the troops were retiring. They found the force engaged there in
full retreat; a mixed multitude of soldiers and civilians, these last
carrying property of various kinds, and endeavouring to make their
way to the intrenchment.
The distance from Futtehpore to Cawnpore is forty-eight miles and
three-quarters. It was marched in about twenty-six hours, the first
stage with all the impediment of the convoy of stores. The men were
wearing the European dress: cloth clothes and shakos. The march of
this detachment has never been exceeded in endurance and rapidity;
and Dr. Reade, who accompanied it, states that ‘all were well able
for any service when the march was over.’ It strikingly resembles in
more points than one the march of the 1st Battalion (with the Light
Division) from Calzada to Talavera in 1809. It differs from it in
this, that Fyers’ detachment came up in time to take part in the
fight of which the sounds had quickened their advance.
For on reaching Cawnpore Windham met them, on his way from the front
to the intrenchment, whither all were retreating; and putting himself
at their head, he led them through the streets, ordering Fyers to
fix swords, and prepare to defend the intrenchment. This they did
well, gaining the high praise of General Windham, who then and long
afterwards expressed in strong terms how important the arrival and
the action of these companies had been to him. Footsore and weary
as they were on their march, their fatigue was forgotten as soon as
the sounds of fight told them that work was to be done; and they
fought in Cawnpore and in defence of the intrenchment as if they were
fresh from their camp. When they got to the intrenchment they were
refreshed with an issue of grog, biscuits and tea, after which they
were despatched on outpost duty: another parallel to the march to
Talavera.
On this day Ensign Travers was wounded by a bullet in the shoulder,
2 sergeants and 4 men were also wounded.[275]
The companies took up their position for the night in a ruined house.
Captain Atherley’s company of the 3rd Battalion also arrived at
Cawnpore on the 27th. They had landed at Calcutta on the 8th, and on
the next day started by rail for Raneegunge, and thence proceeded by
bullock-cart up the country. On nearing Cawnpore a messenger met them
with instructions that Atherley was not to advance, as the force at
Cawnpore was in retreat, and he might be cut off. A second messenger
informed him that he was to push on, as every man was wanted. A
third soon followed with a repetition of the first message. All this
time for many hours, and while marching many miles, the sound of
heavy firing was heard. About six in the evening a youth (a cadet),
mounted on a pony, met them, saying that the road was clear, and that
they were to hasten on and reach the town if possible. He added that
General Windham’s force was getting the worst of it. Accordingly
Atherley pushed on as fast as possible. The firing seemed to become
heavier and more furious. As the company approached the bank of the
canal, a mounted officer, extremely agitated, rode up and said,
‘Leave all your carts, except the ammunition; fix your bayonets,
and I will show you the way.’ Atherley, with great _sang-froid_,
said, ‘We have not got any bayonets; we have swords.’ ‘Well,’ said
the other, ‘fix what you have got.’ Saying which he galloped off
and they saw him no more. Neither as they advanced did they see any
enemy; but they met some of the 2nd Battalion retiring in good order.
Captain Atherley found General Windham in or near the intrenchment,
and reported his arrival. Windham, expressing himself much pleased
at being reinforced with a hundred ‘fresh’ Riflemen (they had just
come off a fatiguing march), told him to patrol during the night, and
guard the house in which he was living. He then asked if Atherley had
had anything to eat; and being answered in the negative, he gave him
a bone with some meat on it, which he and his two subalterns devoured
in the verandah of Windham’s quarters, cutting it off with their
clasp knives.
They patrolled all night in front of the intrenchment, and guarded
Major Bruce’s house, which General Windham occupied. But the night
passed without any attack from the Sepoys or any alarm.
On the 28th the Riflemen were ordered, about six in the morning, to
come into an outwork of the intrenchment; where, having been supplied
with some biscuit and tea, they were ordered out to resist the enemy,
who were expected to make another attack. The Rifle companies, with
part of the 82nd Regiment and Captain Greene’s battery of Artillery,
were posted on the left of the canal looking from the intrenchments.
In moving to this position they were exposed to a heavy fire of
musketry and grape. The action itself began about noon; and after
hard fighting these troops repulsed the enemy. When they arrived
at their position it was discovered that an ammunition waggon was
missing, and Lieutenant Curzon had to go back (as on the previous
day) a considerable distance in search of it, exposed to a heavy
fire. It could not be found; but he succeeded in bringing up a camel
loaded with ammunition. In the course of the fight, Colonel Woodford,
Lieutenants Playne[276] and Nicholl, with three Riflemen, were in
a dip in the ground, in front of the enemy’s guns, and were making
good practice in picking off the gunners; when Woodford, who was in
the act of taking a shot with a rifle at a Sepoy, was shot through
the head, and, uttering an exclamation, expired. A bugler, Bourne,
carried him to a tope[277] of trees. Captain Dillon entered a house
in which there were some Sepoys, and his revolver missing fire, he
was bayonetted in the chest.
The Riflemen took two long eighteen-pounder guns, and the men having
tackled to with ropes, drew them into the intrenchment, a distance
of more than three miles. On their arrival they were greeted with a
round of cheers for the guns, and another for the Rifles, and, amidst
great excitement, civilians and soldiers pressed forward to offer
congratulations and refreshment to the gallant captors.
Captain Atherley’s company was ordered to patrol the native town and
to clear it of any Sepoys who might be lurking there. About four
o’clock Atherley, having heard of the death of Colonel Woodford, took
his men to the front, leaving the native town in charge of the 82nd
Regiment. General Windham ordered him to line the bank of the canal.
Three guns were brought to bear on these Riflemen, and several round
shot came amongst them, but without doing any hurt. Atherley made his
men take shelter along the bank; and selecting two whom he knew to be
excellent shots, he told them to pick off the gunners of these guns,
which were annoying the troops from the bridges over the canal; and
he desired some of their comrades to load for them, and to hand them
up rifles as fast as they could. Thus aided, these Riflemen, creeping
up near the bridges, picked off the gunners, and effectually silenced
the guns.
As another instance of their excellence in shooting, I may add that
Atherley, in the course of this day’s fight, asked one of his men,
named Robertson, how far he estimated the distance of the brick-kilns
to be. The Rifleman replied that he did not know; but calling
Atherley’s attention to a man standing on the top of the kiln, he put
up his sight for 600 yards, fired, and the man fell. His body was
examined the next day by Atherley, and the ball was found to have hit
him in the stomach.
General Windham thus writes in his despatch of the conduct of the
Riflemen:
‘On the left advance Colonel Walpole,[278] with the Rifles,
supported by Captain Greene’s battery and part of the 82nd
Regiment, achieved a complete victory, and captured two
eighteen-pounder guns.
‘The glory of this well-contested fight belongs entirely to the
above-mentioned companies and artillery. It was owing to the
gallantry of the men and officers, under the able leading of
Colonel Walpole and of my lamented relative Lieutenant-Colonel
Woodford, of the Rifle Brigade (who I deeply regret to say was
killed), and of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, 82nd, and of Captain
Greene, R.A., that this hard-contested fight was won and brought
to so profitable an end. I had nothing to do with it beyond
sending them supports, and at the end of bringing some up myself.
‘I repeat that the credit is entirely due to the above-mentioned
officers and men.’[279]
The loss of the Riflemen on this day was Lieutenant-Colonel Woodford
and five men killed, and Captain Dillon (severely), Lieutenant
Lawton, 1 bugler, and 18 men wounded, and 1 man missing.
During the night of the 28th the enemy took entire possession of the
town, and on the 29th began a heavy fire against the intrenchment;
hitting the bridge of boats over the Ganges several times, damaging
the Hospital and destroying stores. The Riflemen, who had during the
night and morning occupied the principal outwork of the intrenchment,
were ordered out by Sir Colin Campbell (who had arrived from Lucknow
on the previous evening), to endeavour to take some guns which were
doing much damage. Accordingly at three P.M. two companies of the 2nd
Battalion and Atherley’s company of the 3rd, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Fyers, who had succeeded to the command on Woodford’s death, made a
sortie. Running out over some very uneven ground, they attacked some
Sepoys who were in the Residency, and were for some time exposed to
a very severe fire. However, after awhile they drove the enemy out
of these buildings; and as these were escaping by the back of the
compound, some Riflemen of Atherley’s company crept round stealthily
under the wall, and succeeded in catching the retreating rebels on
their swords as they leapt over it. They thus slew a large number.
However, as they did not receive reinforcements, they were unable to
take the guns, and returned to the intrenchment. On this occasion
Captain the Hon. Lewis Milles was severely wounded, 1 man was killed,
1 sergeant and 6 privates were wounded, of whom 1 died on December 1,
and 1 on December 7, and 1 was missing.[280]
The Riflemen, or some of them at least, had not had their clothes
off since they left Allahabad; had been scantily fed, often being
for twenty-four hours with only one meal, and sometimes that only
of biscuit and tea or rum; exposed to heat by day and great cold by
night, and suffering from sore feet. Yet they kept their spirits up,
and did their work on these four hard-fought days in a manner to
elicit General Windham’s marked approval repeatedly expressed to them.
At this time the ladies and others rescued from Lucknow were crossing
the bridge of boats, an operation which occupied about thirty hours,
and Sir Colin with these and their escort encamped near the Old
Dragoon lines.
From December 1 to 5 the Riflemen continued to occupy the outwork of
the intrenchment; the enemy keeping up an occasional fire from guns
planted about 450 yards from them.
On the evening of the 1st Captain Warren and Lieutenants Eccles and
Grey went out with some men to recover the body of Colonel Woodford,
which they succeeded in doing, though fired at by the Sepoys; and
he was buried on the morning of the 2nd in the intrenchment, where
a tombstone was subsequently placed over his remains by his brother
officers.
On the 5th the women and children having started, the Riflemen were
ordered to move up to Sir Colin Campbell’s camp. They started at four
P.M., and did not reach their camping-ground till after dark. Having
got their tents pitched they lay by their arms all night.
Before I describe the events of December 6, it is necessary that I
should trace the movements of the 3rd Battalion which took part in
them.
A detachment of that Battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Julius
Glyn, consisting of Captain Alexander’s[281] company and part of
Captain Bourchier’s company, proceeded from Aldershot and embarked on
board the ‘Barham’ on July 1, and after experiencing very bad weather
on September 30 when south of the Cape, and a hurricane from October
28 to 30 (during which seven of the crew were struck by lightning),
arrived at Calcutta on November 8. They did not disembark till the
13th, and on the next day proceeded by railway to Raneegunge, where
they arrived on the 15th at six A.M.
On the 16th they started at 3.30 A.M., part of the detachment being
carried in bullock-carts, and part marching. They arrived at Gyra
at nine in the morning of the 17th, after a march of thirty-eight
miles. Leaving it again at three P.M. they made another march of
thirty-eight miles, and reached Doomrhee at half-past ten in the
morning of the 18th. Halting there till four P.M. they arrived at
Burkutta at 6.30 the next morning, after a march of twenty-eight
miles. Starting in the afternoon at 3.30 P.M. they reached Churparun
at four in the morning of the 20th. At Churparun rifles were ordered
to be loaded; and from thence they proceeded by daily marches through
Sherghotty, Norunagabad, Sasseram, Annabad, Benares, Gopeegunge,
to Allahabad, which they reached on the 27th. On the 30th, thence
proceeding by rail, they encamped at Cheenee, the end of the railway
then in course of construction. Proceeding thenceforward by route
march, they left Cheenee on December 1, and encamped on the 2nd
about six miles from Futtehpore. Starting from that in the evening
they arrived on the evening of the 3rd at a bridge over the Pandoo
Nuddee. Here they were to encamp; and the men were set to work to
pitch their tents, which they were almost too tired to do, but which
they had just accomplished, and turned in, when the bugle sounded
for ‘orders.’ A message had been received from Sir Colin Campbell,
directing the detachment to make all speed to the front, as he was
about to engage the Gwalior contingent.
The word was given to strike tents and to ‘fall in.’ This the men did
without a murmur, and resumed their march cheerfully, weary as they
were, when they knew that active work was before them. Marching (of
course with occasional halts) the remainder of that night and the
whole of the day and night of the 4th, they arrived at Cawnpore at
seven on the morning of the 5th.
This was a march of about seventy-five miles, accomplished in a very
short time; and considering that this detachment consisted mostly
of young soldiers, the Battalion having only been formed two years
before; that these men had disembarked hardly three weeks, after
being cooped up on board ship during a four months’ voyage; that
they had already made long and fatiguing marches up the country;
this march, considering these circumstances of it, is perhaps hardly
paralleled in military history.
The day of the 4th was very hot, and the men wore their cloth
European clothing. They did not however carry their packs.
The Head-quarters of the 3rd Battalion, consisting of four companies,
under Colonel Horsford, left Aldershot on July 22 by rail-road for
Portsmouth, and embarking on board the ‘Sutlej’ sailing ship, sailed
that afternoon and arrived at Calcutta on November 8. From thence
they were forwarded to Raneegunge by rail-road, and thence proceeded
in detachments, some by bullock-train, some by horse-dâk, and some by
bearer-dâk, up the country by way of Benares and Allahabad. Thence,
as we have seen, there was rail-road communication as far as Cheenee.
I will trace from thence the progress of the Head-quarter division,
consisting of 137 men with the Staff, under Major Ross, which left
Allahabad on the 26th.
After leaving Cheenee by bullock-train, some delay took place on
account of the badness of the road from this terminus of the railway
to the Great Trunk road, but they reached Futtehpore at eight in
the morning of the 27th. Major Ross had been directed by Brigadier
Campbell before leaving Allahabad, in case the enemy were likely to
interrupt him, not to proceed beyond Futtehpore, but, in this event,
to fall back and reinforce a party of the 88th Regiment, which was
escorting the guns of Major Smith’s battery. These, however, he had
passed in the night, and in reply to inquiries whether his escort
was required, was informed by the Officer Commanding of Windham’s
engagement the day before, and assured that there was no reason why
he should not move on.
Accordingly he proceeded at three in the afternoon, and they had
advanced some twenty miles, when at about two in the morning a camel
messenger met them, with orders that all troops moving up were to
push on as fast as possible. This opened their eyes and quickened
their pulse, for it meant that an enemy was in front. So Major
Ross pushed on as fast as he could to the next bullock-changing
station, got fresh bullocks, and gave his men some tea. Following
the Brigadier’s instructions, he awaited the artillery and 88th,
which various native travellers assured him were only five or six
miles behind him. Then he learned his first lesson of the falsehood
of native reports. For he waited in some suspense, occupying a
gravel pit, expecting every moment the appearance of the artillery;
but he waited in vain, for they had never moved beyond Futtehpore.
He had reduced at this place his _impedimenta_ from thirty-four
waggons to twenty-three by re-packing; but of these ten were filled
with ammunition; rather an onerous charge had the enemy attacked,
for of his small party about thirty were band and buglers without
arms. While waiting here, and longing for the appearance of the
guns, a messenger arrived about noon from the front, with peremptory
orders from General Windham, superseding all others, to fall back
on Futtehpore and to hold it to the last extremity before retiring
further; and with intelligence that Windham was so hard pressed by
the fire of the enemy’s guns, that he could not meet them in the open
till reinforced from Lucknow. Of course there was no alternative.
Major Ross was obliged to march his detachment back the twenty-four
miles they had come, to the no small disgust of the officers and men,
who had been within hearing of the guns at Cawnpore (and in the night
within sight of their flashes), and yet were not to take part in the
fight. However, the soldier must obey, and they sorrowfully retraced
their steps, keeping a sharp look-out, and reached Futtehpore at
about two in the morning. They found that an attack was not unlooked
for there; for Colonel Maxwell of the 88th ordered them to move
their camp, which had been pitched about a mile and a half from the
Great Trunk road, to a position in the open plain, where there had
been a tank, now dry, the high banks of which formed an excellent
intrenchment.
On December 1 came the joyful intelligence that they were to proceed
at once to the front. Accordingly, at three in the morning of the
2nd they advanced (with the Head-quarters of the 88th and Smith’s
battery), and marching the greater part of that day and the whole
of the night (except a two hours’ halt) arrived in camp at Cawnpore
at three o’clock next day; having done the distance in thirty-six
hours. But during the last fifteen miles of the march the officers
and men were very weary and footsore, and as they were overcome with
drowsiness from fatigue and want of sleep, the scene was somewhat
ludicrous; the men now and then lurching from side to side till
brought up by their neighbour’s shoulder, or missing that prop,
occasionally falling forward in the road. The band, however, were
wakeful enough to play for the last quarter of a mile, and the
inspiriting strains of ‘Ninety-five’ carried them cheerfully into
camp, which was pitched close to General Wheeler’s intrenchment. Once
in their tents the Riflemen were soon fast asleep. On the morning of
the 5th Colonel Horsford came up with the remainder of the Battalion,
120 men. And that afternoon the 2nd Battalion moved from their
intrenched camp and joined them.
On the 6th tents were struck at seven in the morning, and the troops
were formed in contiguous close columns, beyond the canal, near the
Old Dragoon lines. Here they were halted till it was ascertained
that Sir Colin Campbell was engaged with the enemy at the bridge on
their left. Then about ten o’clock the two Battalions of Riflemen
were ordered to cross the canal by a bridge near their position. This
they did at the double with a ringing cheer, Captain Nixon’s company
of the 2nd Battalion leading in gallant style, and forcing back the
Sepoys. The 3rd Battalion were in quarter distance column; and the
first round shot fired at them passed between the companies, doing
no harm to them, but wounding some native camp followers who were on
the reverse flank. However, the rebels had opened fire on them while
halting in a walled enclosure near the bridge, and on their rushing
out of the gate they were exposed to a sharp fire, which brought down
only one man as they were crossing the bridge. Once over that the
3rd Battalion wheeled to the right, both Battalions deployed into
line, and fixing swords advanced, and soon extended and cleared the
woods and houses between the canal and the body of the town. As they
advanced the enemy plied them with shot and shell, without however
doing much mischief; but Colonel Horsford, who was leading his
Battalion, was wounded by a fragment of a shell. He continued however
to lead his Battalion. In about ten minutes the Riflemen had cleared
the ground in their front, and not a rebel was to be seen there. They
then moved towards their left to connect with the force which had
crossed by the other bridge, and where the enemy had some guns and
a body of infantry in open ground. As they approached the Riflemen
saw the rebels flying towards their camp, pursued by Highlanders and
other troops. So continuing their advance in skirmishing order, the
two Battalions swept the ground between the town and the Great Trunk
road, passing the brick-field, and through suburbs and trees, till
they came in view of the enemy’s camp. They then closed to their
left, in order to hold possession of the camp which the rebels had
deserted, while other troops pushed on in pursuit.
However, later in the day, handing over the charge of the captured
camp to some other troops, three companies of the 3rd Battalion and
some of the 2nd Battalion started again, and bringing their left
shoulders forward and extending, advanced to the Subahdar’s tank, a
position in rear of the enemy’s left, and about a mile and a half in
a direct line from the intrenchments through the old cantonments.
In front of the tank the enemy had some heavy guns; some distance
on the right of the Riflemen was another gun; and two more a little
to their left. These were well protected by earthworks or walls; a
considerable body of rebels kept up a musketry fire from topes of
trees and enclosures; and the Riflemen were exposed to showers of
grape, canister and round shot. They advanced, extended, about 300
yards on each side of the road, slightly in advance of some heavy
guns, while the 93rd were kept in reserve. The fire of these guns
soon began to tell on the enemy. This, and the approach of the long
line of extended Riflemen, soon disheartened the enemy, who began to
give way immediately on the Riflemen passing through the enclosures
to the right and broken ground to the left of the road. On reaching
the entrance of the village, called the Soldiers’ Burial Ground, the
guns of Captain Middleton’s battery were pushed through as rapidly
as possible, the Riflemen running up to support them. They got very
near the gun on their right and the two on their left, and were in
hopes of capturing them; but they were so much delayed by having to
climb over mud walls and pass through enclosures to get at them, that
the rebels succeeded in removing them by the right and left, and took
them among some houses which the Riflemen had orders not to pass.[282]
When it was getting late the Rifle Battalions, who were still in
pursuit of the enemy, now completely routed, were ordered to halt,
and got into some houses about five o’clock. The night was extremely
cold, and the men had nothing but their usual clothing to cover them,
not even their great-coats. The 3rd Battalion suffered from hunger
too, as well as cold, being long without food. At last a lean cow was
discovered, and immediately killed and cut up; and the men, roasting
the tough morsels on the points of their swords, ate them half-raw.
The 2nd Battalion were in this respect more fortunate. For they got
hold of a good many sheep, and in fact regaled themselves so well on
them, that they named the house where they passed the night Mutton
Bungalow.
The casualties were: in the 2nd Battalion, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal and
6 Riflemen wounded, and 1 man was killed during the night in the town
of Cawnpore, it was never known how; in the 3rd Battalion Colonel
Horsford was slightly wounded, and 11 rank and file were wounded.
At night Captain Henry R. L. Newdigate’s company, with Major Ross,
was on picquet in a Bazaar on the Bithoor road, not far from the
Subahdar’s tank. They were suddenly startled by a noise in a large
enclosure where some of the Riflemen were posted. It turned out that
some of the rebels, mistaking their way, brought a string of camels
laden with ammunition right up to the Riflemen. The sentry challenged
rather too soon, and the mutineers fled and escaped; but they left
their camels and 20,000 rounds of ammunition in the hands of the
Riflemen. The next night the cartridges having been broken up on the
ground, a grand illumination was produced by setting fire to the heap.
On the 7th the Riflemen continued in the houses they occupied: but
some portion of the baggage of the 2nd Battalion companies having
come up, they were rather more comfortable. The 3rd Battalion,
however, were still without food, except what the men found in native
houses, till towards evening when some rations were served out. The
men were allowed to go out to _loot_; and found much, and took many
arms and some prisoners. The night was again extremely cold; and men
and officers, not on duty, slept under a heap of chopped straw in the
hope of getting some warmth.
On the 8th the companies of the 2nd Battalion were ordered in the
morning to come in and pitch camp, which they did about half a mile
from the town. But they had hardly done so when they were ordered
to move and to join Sir Colin Campbell’s camp, some four miles in
advance. They arrived there and pitched camp shortly before dark.
The 3rd Battalion also left the houses they had occupied since the
action of the 6th, and joined Sir Colin Campbell’s camp.
Before I describe the further operations of this force, I must
trace the movements of the Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion. They
had embarked at Kingstown on August 6 in the ‘Sussex,’ hired ship,
consisting of 4 companies--17 officers and 336 of other ranks, under
Colonel Percy Hill. Sailing the next day they arrived at Point de
Galle, Ceylon, on October 29; and were transhipped to the ‘Adventure’
troop-ship, which started on November 1. The engines of this ship
were in a very faulty condition. They were frequently stopped; and
the services of a Rifleman named Adwick were constantly called into
operation to repair them. This man had been bred an engine-maker or
some such trade, and ‘Pass the word for Adwick!’ became a well-known
signal that the engines were stopped and out of order.
In consequence of these defects of her engines, the ‘Adventure’ did
not reach Calcutta till November 17. On disembarking the Riflemen
went into quarters; and on the 20th they proceeded by railway to
Raneegunge, where they encamped about a mile from the village and
were detained for some days, and whence they moved up in detachments
by bullock-carts to Benares. Here they were again detained. After
which they moved on to Allahabad, whence there were some miles of
railway towards Cawnpore, terminating at Cheenee.
The Head-quarters marched, as the other detachments had, from this
point. Leaving Cheenee at two in the morning of the 11th December
they arrived at Arrapore, a distance of fourteen miles. Leaving it
next day at four in the morning, they reached Futtehpore at nine:
from this they proceeded to Kutteanpore, where they arrived at nine
in the morning of the 13th, after a march of seventeen miles and
a half. On the next day they made another march of seventeen to
Sirsour, and on the 15th arrived at Cawnpore, when they marched in
and encamped about half-past nine in the morning. The whole of the
Battalion were now reassembled; and great was the cheering with which
the detached companies welcomed the new-comers; and with which these
saluted their comrades, who had since their separation seen so much
fighting.
On the 18th both Battalions, forming part of a force under Brigadier
Walpole, marched from camp at Cawnpore and proceeded about twelve
miles along the Calpee road to Churbiere, where they arrived at four
in the afternoon, and halted in a capital camping-ground shaded by
trees. Resuming the march next morning about half-past six, they had
in the course of the day to cross the Pandoo Nuddee, the bridge over
which was broken. The Engineers, with great want of forethought, had
here placed two boats with one connecting plank, so that the men
were obliged to cross in single file. There was ammunition in carts,
and these, of course, had to be unloaded, and the ammunition carried
over by the men, barrel by barrel. The consequence of this delay was
that the baggage did not reach the camp till five in the evening.
The march was about sixteen miles to Ukburpore, and the Riflemen
encamped near a large tank and close to some trees. Here they halted
till the 23rd. But on the 25th the 3rd Battalion under Colonel Julius
Glyn, with Captain Thynne’s company of the 2nd Battalion, and some of
the 9th Lancers, went out on an expedition against the rebels, and
attacked two armed villages about eight miles distant. At Putarah
they were fired at, but captured five principal men. They started at
four in the morning, and did not return till dark, having marched
about eighteen miles, and taken eighteen prisoners; and on the 22nd
Captain Wilmot’s company, with some of the 9th Lancers, went out on
a similar expedition, but returned to camp by ten o’clock. Among the
prisoners made on the first of these occasions were a brigadier of
the Gwalior contingent and his son, a man who had letters about him
addressed to Nana Sahib, and the Nana’s money-changer. The first
of these was said to have taken an active part in the Cawnpore
massacres. He was living in fancied security in this village some
miles off the road from Cawnpore to Calpee, and must have been not
a little disconcerted when he found his hiding-place surrounded by
Lancers and Riflemen. He and the other prisoners were executed by
order of the Commissioner who accompanied the force.
On the 23rd, starting soon after six, the Riflemen marched eleven
miles to Derapore, having in the way forded a branch of the river
Jumna, and encamped near some jungle. The next day they made another
march of about the same distance to Secundra, where they encamped on
some excellent and well-wooded ground.
They halted on Christmas day, but Nixon’s, Milles’ and Earle’s
companies went out at nine in the morning against the Rajah of
Secundra, who was reported to be encamped near the Jumna with 2,000
men. The Riflemen started under the command of Colonel Fyers, but
were joined about four miles on their road by Colonel Hill, who had
gone out shooting, but who, on finding that an expedition was to
be made, changed clothes with one of the subalterns, and assumed
the command. Some cavalry accompanied them, the whole being under
Brigadier Walpole.
However, the enemy fled at their approach, the last boat-load
crossing as the cavalry galloped up to the bank of the river; and
the Riflemen returned to camp at five o’clock. A mess tent for their
Christmas dinner was extemporised by joining two, and the men were
regaled with an extra ration.
On the 26th, having struck tents at the usual hour, they marched
eleven miles to Ooryah, which they reached at ten A.M. And on the
next day made a march of fourteen miles to Serai Adjeet Mull, and
encamped in a grain field.
On the 28th they made a further march of twelve miles to Buckbey
Khanpore, where they encamped among some trees. On this march
Lieutenant Buckley, with some men of the 3rd Battalion, found three
armed rebels, who loaded to fire at them. They were taken and
executed.
About midnight they received a sudden order to march immediately;
and, falling in, started in a very cold morning for Etawah, where
they arrived about half-past eight. It was expected that they would
find a body of about 1,500 rebels with seventeen guns here; but they
had heard of the approach of the force, and had disappeared, except
a few who had shut themselves up in a fort. This was a quadrangular
work, with a kind of tower-bastion at each corner, standing on
a sand-hill on the bank of the Jumna. Two companies of the 2nd
Battalion, under the command of Colonel Hill, were ordered to take
the fort. The gate was blown open by the blank fire of a gun which
accompanied the force, and the Riflemen rushed in. It was then found
that the rebels occupied one of the tower-bastions. Grey and Fryer
with some men entered it. A long dark passage led to a small court
in the centre of the bastion, which had dwellings round it. As they
threaded their way along this passage they received a fire of slugs,
which whistled past, and they halted where a bend in the passage
afforded some cover. Colour-Sergeant Andrews and some men climbed up
on the flat roof of the dwelling; and as he was looking over into
the court, he was severely wounded in the head, and also lost three
fingers. Two other men were also severely wounded. Eventually the
bastion was blown up, and its defenders made a rush out, but were all
killed. It was then found that two or three of them were women.
The Riflemen halted at Etawah during the two following days in a very
good camping-ground, the people of Etawah being friendly and well
disposed. The force which had escaped, and the remnant of which had
defended the fort, was part of the Nana’s army, and had come into the
district to levy tribute.
On January 1, 1858, the two Battalions marched from Etawah to Kurhul,
a distance of eighteen miles, which they accomplished in little more
than five hours, starting at five, and reaching their camping-ground
soon after ten. On the next day they made a march of the same
distance in the same time to Mynpooree. And though they got in by
half-past ten, the men were not encamped after their long march till
one o’clock, the Quartermaster-General having at first selected wrong
camping-ground, from which he moved them.
On the 3rd they started before six, and reached Bewur, a distance of
fourteen miles, at ten, and passing through the town, encamped near
a shady tope of trees.
On the 4th they started from Bewur soon after three in the morning,
and, having crossed the Kallee Nuddee by a bridge of boats about
two miles from their camp, halted for breakfast at the end of ten
miles. After a halt of an hour and a half they resumed their march,
and went on to Futtehgurh, which they reached between four and five
in the afternoon. The distance was twenty-six miles, and the day
was extremely hot; yet very few men fell out. On their arrival here
they joined the army under Sir Colin Campbell; and were pleasantly
encamped in the pleasure-grounds and gardens of a Rajah’s palace on
the banks of the Ganges. The Riflemen had marched seventy-six miles
from Etawah to Futtehgurh in four days, or in about twenty-seven
hours’ marching.
They halted here till the 13th; but during that time a detachment of
the 3rd Battalion at Allahabad had been taken out (with some other
troops) by Colonel Campbell of the Bays against some 300 Sepoys
who were assembled in that neighbourhood, and whom they defeated,
inflicting very heavy loss.
And on the 11th Captain Hill’s company of the 3rd Battalion went out
with some sappers on an expedition.
On the 13th the two Battalions, forming part of a force under
Brigadier Walpole, left Futtehgurh at nine in the morning, and
crossed the Ganges by a bridge of boats, which the enemy had
fortunately left uninjured. After a very fatiguing march of nine
miles, part of it through the deep sand adjacent to the river, which
in the rainy season it overflows, they reached Allygurh on the right
bank of the Ramgunga at two in the afternoon, and found the enemy
in force on the other side. The march of the two companies on rear
guard was most fatiguing. They could not start till an hour and a
half after the Battalions had marched, as the elephants which were to
carry the tents had not arrived. Then with very slow progress they
arrived at the Ganges, which the native-carts took a long time to
cross; and the elephants obstinately refused to enter the river, or
to trust their ponderous weight to the planks connecting the boats
of the bridge. The tents had therefore to be unloaded, and passed
over in boats. However, the recreant elephants subsequently rejoined.
The rear-guard had only made their way through the deep sand when
night came upon them, and they halted at half-past six. Fortunately
they found an old door near their halting-place, which furnished a
camp-fire; for the night was exceedingly cold, and there was a high
wind. Resuming their toilsome march at half-past six on the 14th,
they reached the camp at Allygurh about noon, not having tasted food
since early in the morning before.
At Allygurh the enemy had destroyed, a few days before the Rifle
Battalions arrived there, the bridge of boats by which the road
to Bareilly crossed the Ramgunga. Materials were therefore to be
obtained in order to throw it across again. Accordingly on the 15th
Colonel Hill was ordered to proceed down the river with a party of
the 2nd Battalion, in order to collect flat-bottomed boats for this
purpose. Captains Warren and Thynne, Lieutenant Grey, and others,
proceeded on that duty. They collected a number of boats, and brought
them up to within about two miles of Allygurh, when the enemy, who,
as I have said, occupied the opposite bank, opened fire with such
effect that a party under Grey, who were completely exposed to it,
were obliged to retire from the bank until the enemy was driven back.
This was no easy task, as the left bank which he held was high, and
the right bank a level plain. Colonel Hill had received positive
orders from the Brigadier not to cross the river, or the enemy might
have been effectually repulsed; for the river was shallow, so much
so, indeed, that the boats frequently ran aground.
Night coming on, the boats were secured, it not being possible
to move them farther up in the dark, and the party bivouacked on
the spot. At day-break the enemy brought up some guns, and opened
fire upon them; and as the ground afforded no cover unless they
had retired from the bank and left the boats, the Riflemen formed
shelter-trenches in the sand. While making these they were exposed
to fire, but none were hit. And as the enemy did not venture within
range of their rifles, they were unable to return it. The fire was
heard in camp, and a battery of Field Artillery was sent to the
aid of the Riflemen. These guns soon silenced those of the rebels.
Colonel Hill received orders not to attempt to take the boats farther
up the river. And having passed a second night in bivouack, this
party marched back to camp.
From this till the end of the month the two Rifle Battalions
furnished picquets at the boats (occasionally relieved by the Line
regiment which was in the brigade), some of the men occupying the
rifle-pits or shelter-trenches, and exchanging shots with the Sepoys,
who plied them with shot and shell as well as with musketry.
On February 1, Sir Colin Campbell having renounced his intention of
crossing the Ramgunga into Rohilcund, the two Battalions returned
to Futtehgurh, leaving Allygurh at 4.30, and arriving at their
camping-ground at 7.30. Four companies of the 3rd Battalion, under
Colonel Macdonell, were at this time detached to Oonao, on the road
from Cawnpore to Lucknow, to keep open the communication. The 2nd
Battalion and remaining companies of the 3rd halted at Futtehgurh
till the 4th; on which day, marching at six, they reached Khodagunge,
a distance of thirteen miles and a half, at ten. On the day following
they reached Jellalabad, nine miles and a quarter, after crossing
the Kallee Nuddee by the iron suspension bridge of Urhow. And on the
6th marched ten miles and a half to Meeranke Serai, a painful and
tedious march; as the baggage which had started before the troops got
mixed up with them on the road; and a halt of an hour and a half had
to be made. When they proceeded, the dust was so thick that it was
impossible to see many yards in front. So that, though they started
at 4.30, they did not reach their camping-ground till nearly eleven.
On the 7th they started at six and marched nine miles and a half to
Urroul, which they reached at nine. For the night had been extremely
cold, and the morning was cool and fine, and the men got over the
ground rapidly.
On the 8th they proceeded to Poorah, ten miles and a half; and on the
day following to Chobeepore, thirteen miles and a half; and passing
the town encamped about two miles beyond it. On the next day they
marched to Kullianpore, nine miles. This was near Bithoor, the palace
of the Nana; which however had been destroyed before the Riflemen
visited it on this march.
On the 11th, starting at 5.45, they marched seven miles to Cawnpore,
which they reached before nine; passing over the battle-fields of
November 26, 27 and 28, and encamping on the ground where they
had fought on the 27th. At this time the Oude force was formed,
probably in number and efficiency the most formidable army that
had ever assembled in British India. It consisted of one division
(two brigades) of Cavalry, and of three divisions (six brigades) of
Infantry, besides Artillery, etc.
It is sufficient for my purpose to record that the two Rifle
Battalions (with a Punjaub native regiment) formed a brigade under
Colonel Horsford in the division commanded by Brigadier Walpole; the
Divisional General and the Brigadier being thus both Riflemen.
On February 13 the 2nd Battalion received a sudden order at six in
the morning to march, with the object of intercepting or catching
the Nana, who, it was supposed, was about to cross the Ganges.
They started at 9.30, and retracing their steps made the march to
Chobeepore, sixteen miles, in one day, arriving at 2.30. One man had
a sunstroke on the road.
On the next day they marched at three in the morning, and arriving
at Sheorajpore, halted for two hours before it was decided whether
to continue the march or to remain there. Eventually, however, they
encamped and halted there during the following day, it being reported
that the Nana or his brother had crossed the river and got away.
On the 16th they resumed their march, and proceeding six miles
encamped at Poorah on the ground they had occupied on the 8th.
On the day following they received a sudden order to march to Urroul.
They started at 8.30, and passing by their old camping-ground they
pitched tents about three miles beyond it, making the distance about
thirteen miles. They arrived about two after a fatiguing march, the
day being extremely hot.
They halted here till the 21st. On the 20th the women and children
from Agra arrived, and passed through during the night; and on the
next day the Battalion returned towards Cawnpore, halting that day
at Poorah, on the next at Chobeepore; and reaching Cawnpore at nine
o’clock on the morning of the 23rd, encamped on their former ground.
The 3rd Battalion during this expedition had remained at Cawnpore;
but on the departure of the 2nd Battalion on the 13th, they had
shifted their camp nearer to Head-quarters. They left Cawnpore
on the 21st and marched to Oonao in Oude; and on the 22nd to
Nawabgunge,[283] where they halted for some days.
Here they were reunited to their left wing, which they had not seen
since before their embarkation in the July preceding. During their
stay here numerous escorts were furnished by this Battalion, which
was mainly employed in keeping open the road by which quantities of
ammunition and stores were daily passing towards Lucknow. On the
28th, two companies of this Battalion, with some Horse Artillery,
proceeded to a village about six miles distant, and brought in some
of the principal men; the villagers having attacked and beaten the
camel-drivers.
The 2nd Battalion remaining at Cawnpore, Captain Fremantle’s company,
made up to 100 men with Lieutenants Baillie[284] and Scriven, was
sent as an escort with the ladies from Agra; and starting with
them at four o’clock on the morning of the 25th, he marched to
Maharajpore, ten miles, where he encamped that night; and on the next
day made a further march of thirteen miles and a half, when he handed
over his charge to an escort of the Madras Fusiliers, and encamped.
On the next day he returned to Maharajpore, and on the 28th arrived
at Cawnpore, which the Battalion had left; but Captains Thynne’s and
R. Glyn’s[285] companies had remained there to await his arrival.
Sir Colin Campbell having decided to undertake the siege of Lucknow,
the 2nd Battalion marched at five in the morning of February 27 to
Oonao, a distance of thirteen miles, and on the following day to
Nawabgunge, where they rejoined the 3rd Battalion.
The two Battalions marched on March 1 to Bunteerah, twelve miles, and
encamped in a broad plain. About midday they were disturbed by an
alarm that their enemy was close upon them; but it turned out to be
a false alarm, no enemy appearing.
Here the three companies from Cawnpore came up with the Battalion.
They had marched on the same day from Cawnpore at three in the
morning to Nawabgunge, doing the twenty-three miles in one march,
without the intermediate halt at Oonao. Rain had fallen in the night,
and the morning was cool, and they reached Nawabgunge at 11.30.
On March 2 they came on to Bunteerah, where, as I have said, they
rejoined their Battalion.
On the 3rd the two Battalions received orders to march towards
Lucknow. Four companies of the 3rd Battalion, under Major Bourchier,
formed the advance, and starting at six o’clock in the evening
reached the Dilkoosha at two o’clock the next morning, a distance of
twelve miles.
The Head-quarters of the two Battalions marched at 10.30 P.M.,
and reached their bivouack about three on the morning of the 4th.
Four companies of the 2nd Battalion, Nixon’s, Pellew’s, Earle’s,
and Fremantle’s, with two companies of the 3rd Battalion, formed
the rear-guard: a most arduous duty. For the quantity of carts,
laden with shot, shell, ammunition and provisions, was innumerable,
and extended many miles. Though this rear-guard paraded with the
Battalions it did not start until half-past three on the morning of
the 4th, nor did they reach their destination till three o’clock on
the following afternoon. This twelve miles’ march was most harassing,
and the dust was intolerable.
During this march, while the 2nd Battalion was halted in a tope, a
curious circumstance took place. There were a number of skulls lying
about, and bodies of rebels, killed, no doubt, in a former encounter;
some were skeletons, some sun-dried and shrunk almost into mummies.
A bugler gave one of them a kick, and hearing a rattle, stooped
down and found in the body nine gold mohurs, wrapped in a rag. It
was supposed that the man had carried them, as natives often do, in
his cummerbund; and that this having perished, the coins and their
envelope had fallen on or into the remains of the body. Sir Hope
Grant, who mentions the circumstance,[286] supposes that the man
had swallowed them in some panic or alarm, rag and all; which seems
incredible.
The Battalions bivouacked near the Alumbagh from three till six A.M.,
when they were moved to near the Dilkoosha, where they encamped. But
the ground was not good, and very dusty. They were exposed, too,
to the enemy’s fire from a battery about 700 yards off, near the
Martinière.
On the 5th the Battalions furnished outlying picquets; and four
companies of the 2nd Battalion marched back to Jellalabad (a small
fort about three miles from the Dilkoosha), in order to look after
some carts that had strayed away from the rear-guard the night
before. They received there some of the horses, and returned to camp
at three o’clock, where the 3rd Battalion had been under arms nearly
all day.
On the 6th the two Battalions struck tents at 1.30 in the morning,
and marched an hour afterwards. They formed part of Sir James
Outram’s force, and crossed the Goomtee by a bridge of boats which
Sir Colin Campbell had ordered to be thrown across, a little below
the Dilkoosha. By some error on the part of the Engineers, it was
exposed to the fire of the guns in the Martinière, yet the enemy did
not attempt to molest their passage. On reaching the left bank they
moved along the river, which curves here, for some distance. Then
four companies of the 2nd Battalion were sent to join the force under
Brigadier Hope Grant. The two Rifle Battalions advanced extended in
skirmishing order across a plain, the line regiments following in
quarter-distance column. The appearance of this force was magnificent
in the extreme. The men had their European clothing, and the helmets
of the Bays shone, and the pennons of the 9th Lancers fluttered in
the morning sun. They made a circuit of about five miles, keeping as
near as possible to the river and the city. The Riflemen skirmished
through some dâl[287] as high as their heads, but they saw no
enemy. They then halted for breakfast and for the animals carrying
ammunition to come up. They then advanced, circling more to the left,
across a plain, till they came near the Fyzabad road.
Here they found the enemy in some number, who came out of the woods
and villages on their left. The cavalry charged them, and in the
pursuit Major Percy Smith of the Bays was killed. The Riflemen
proceeding came upon some Sepoys, who fired at them with a gun, but
without doing any mischief.
About half-past eleven they fell back and bivouacked in a tope, with
a pond or tank in the middle of it, on the Fyzabad road, on the
left bank of the Kookrail, a fordable tributary of the Goomtee, at
Ishmaelgunge, about half a mile in advance of the village of Chinhut.
But their baggage did not come up till long after dark. They formed
outlying picquets and a guard or escort for the guns. On the left
of their bivouack was a wood, and an occasional shot at the picquet
sentries showed that it was occupied by the enemy.
[Illustration:
LUCKNOW
NOTE. _The dotted line, Arrows, &c.
refer to Sir J. Outram’s positions
& operations in March, 1858._
_Compiled &. Drawn by Capt^n H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade._
E Weller, _Litho._
_London, Chatto & Windus._
]
Captains R. Glyn’s and Dillon’s companies of the 2nd Battalion and
Captain Atherley’s company of the 3rd Battalion were on picquet.
In the course of the night Lieutenant Eyre, who was with this
picquet, while out patrolling came upon the body of Major Smith,
beheaded and mutilated. And in the morning of the 7th with a party
of ten men, accompanied by Captain Dillon, he went out, found the
body, and brought it in. They were fired at by the Sepoys, but did
not suffer any damage. During the night there were several alarms,
but without result; but about nine o’clock the enemy attacked this
picquet in great force. They were said to be about 10,000 in number.
They advanced, covered by the fire of three guns placed in a tope of
trees. The picquet at once fell in, extended, and advanced, with two
guns of the Royal Horse Artillery, and drove the enemy back into the
town, capturing one ammunition waggon. The fire was very severe, but
the casualties were only one man of the 3rd Battalion wounded. But
there were some hair-breadth escapes. Lieutenant Baillie’s sword was
struck, and a Sergeant (Kemp) of the 2nd Battalion had his trousers
torn, but without being wounded. The picquet continued to occupy the
advanced position to which they had moved until the evening, when
they were relieved about six o’clock.
The two Rifle Battalions had been moved up about 150 yards in
front of their camp, into which the enemy pitched round shot; but
they halted there in reserve, and were not actually engaged, the
companies on picquet having repulsed the attack and disposed of their
assailants. On the morning of the 7th they pitched the tents which
had come up the night before; and they continued in this camp during
that day and the 8th.
On the morning of the 9th the two Battalions paraded at five at
their alarm-posts. The object of the day’s work was to drive the
rebels out of the Yellow Bungalow, the key of their position, and
from its neighbourhood. From the Kookrail to the Yellow Bungalow
is a sandy plain, while the ground from the Bungalow to the Iron
bridge is occupied by suburban villages and enclosed gardens. On
the other side of the Fyzabad road the ground is wooded. The two
Battalions advanced in skirmishing order, while other troops followed
in contiguous columns, three companies of the 3rd Battalion under
Colonel Macdonell, Lindsay’s being extended, pivoting on their left,
and an equal number of the 2nd Battalion prolonging the line. Moving
forward, they forded the Kookrail river (about knee-deep), and soon
after found the enemy. The Riflemen advanced to a small village in
broken ground and well wooded, a very strong position if the enemy
had availed himself of it; but the Sepoys retired without firing a
shot. Colonel Fyers took his company to attack this village. The
Riflemen then passed through this wooded ground at the double, and
came out into the open. The skirmishers then brought their right
shoulders forward, and advanced, the enemy retiring before them
until the right of the line had moved up to the neighbourhood of the
river. They then came to the Yellow Bungalow, and the Riflemen went
at it with a rush. Lieutenant Cooper and Corporal Bradshaw, V.C.,
were the first over the wall of the compound surrounding it. There
was a lane, with the Bungalow on one side, and some outhouses on
the other. Some of the 2nd Battalion passed along the lane and came
out in the open country beyond, where was a village on the right.
Captain Nixon with part of his company passed through a lane which
ran along the village, while the remainder, under G. Curzon, went
forward. The Riflemen were here exposed to a smart fire, but not of
Artillery. There was a bungalow on the right, which a company of
the 3rd Battalion under Captain Deedes occupied. Captain Fremantle,
collecting as many men of his company as were near him, kept away
to the right, clearing the houses in front of the guns, which were
following him. This was disagreeable work, as it was impossible to
tell how many of the Sepoys were in these houses; but the men backed
him up, and the houses were cleared. The guns then opened at the
gate of the Badshahbagh. Some additional guns moving to the right,
Fremantle with his company covered their advance and lined a wall.
They were here ordered to take a house in their front, which they
did with a rush, and held it for an hour and a half, exposed to a
heavy fire of musketry; till they were ordered by General Walpole to
set fire to some villages, which they did under heavy fire, and then
returned to and lined the former wall.
The enemy now gave way; and, though they showed some cavalry (Lancers
with a green flag), on a battery being brought up and opening
fire, they moved off in confusion along the bank of the river.
Unfortunately, there was some space between the right of the line
and the river, and some enclosures, and they got away. But they were
pursued by some Horse Artillery; and Colonel Macdonell, carried away
by the ardour of the moment, charged with them. Captain Nicholl
killed one man with his revolver.
The Battalions halted from 8.30 till two in the afternoon, when they
went under the shade of a tope; and they encamped for the night on
the ground they had so gallantly won, in the open _à cheval_ on the
Fyzabad road, with their left 200 yards from the Goomtee.
The casualties of the 2nd Battalion were 5 men wounded.
On the 10th the Riflemen shifted their camp to near the Yellow
Bungalow. A party under Lieutenants Grey and Dugdale, on escort to
bring up the mortars, were engaged, when 1 sergeant (Richards) and 1
private were wounded. The two Battalions furnished outlying picquets,
some of which were not relieved for forty-eight hours.
On the 11th the two Battalions paraded on the Fyzabad road a little
before six, in order to make a reconnaissance in force to ascertain
the possibility of crossing by a bridge to Lucknow. The Riflemen,
leading in skirmishing order, were distributed among orchards,
buildings of various kinds, and narrow streets. They skirmished
through these as well as they could, each captain acting in a measure
independently, and handling his company as he thought best. The
streets were so intricate and the continuity of the Battalions so
broken that no other system was possible. The Riflemen worked their
way through these obstructions, and reached the mosque on the Old
Cantonment road, which commands the approach to the Iron bridge.
This bridge they were ordered not to cross. But, leaving the mosque
in charge of other troops, they proceeded to fight their way to the
Iron and Stone bridges. At one place the skirmishers came to a high
wall, and dividing, passed some to the right and some to the left.
And coming to the other side, they found themselves in a perfect
labyrinth of streets, lanes and gardens. The enemy retreated before
them, hiding among the buildings and enclosures, and were driven
across the bridges. Major Bourchier’s company of the 3rd Battalion
succeeded in getting a commanding position, and killed some fifty of
the enemy. The camp of the rebel 15th Irregular Horse was surprised,
and two guns and the standard of that regiment were captured by the
Riflemen. As the 3rd Battalion were passing through the narrow street
of a village which had been set on fire, they were blocked by one of
the captured guns in their front sticking fast or being overturned,
and had some difficulty in escaping the flames.
On approaching the Iron bridge Captain Wilmot, 2nd Battalion, found
himself with only four men of his company at the end of a street
opposed to a large force of the enemy. One of the men was shot
through both legs, and was quite helpless. Corporal Nash and Private
David Hawkes took him up and carried him to the rear; and though
Hawkes was himself severely wounded, he continued to carry him under
fire from the enemy, Captain Wilmot with his revolver keeping back
the enemy and covering their retreat.[288] Eventually the Riflemen
cleared the whole of the suburbs near the Old Cantonment road as far
as the Iron bridge.
The casualties of the 2nd Battalion were considerable. Captain
Thynne, while in a house drinking some water, was struck by a round
shot, which shattered his arm and leg. The latter was at once
amputated, but he died about two hours after. He was buried that
evening in a tope of trees close to the camp of the Riflemen.
His loss was much regretted by his brother-officers, by whom he was
much esteemed. ‘No one in the whole regiment,’ writes one of them,
‘was more liked or could be more regretted. He was always a cheerful
and agreeable companion, and a right good soldier besides.’
Lieutenant Cooper was also severely wounded in the neck; the ball
passed out of his shoulder through the lung. He died on the 19th, and
was buried at the Dilkoosha. Five privates were also wounded, of whom
two died of their wounds.
In his despatch Major-General Sir James Outram thus reports: ‘The
enemy held the ground in great strength in front of the Rifle
skirmishers, commanded by Brevet-Major Warren, Captains Wilmot and
Thynne, and Lieutenant Grey, who all behaved most gallantly.... The
spirit and dash of the men during this critical operation was most
remarkable, and merits my highest commendation.’ He also mentions
with especial commendation Brigadier-General Walpole, Brigadier
Horsford, Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, commanding 2nd Battalion, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, commanding 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade.
Major Ross, Captain Nixon, and Lieutenant Eccles were also favourably
mentioned in despatches.
On the 12th there was an attack, or a threatened attack, on the
mortar batteries, and three companies of the 3rd Battalion were sent
down to protect them. There was still, too, some fighting about the
bridges. With this exception, the Rifle Battalions were not engaged
on this or the following day; but furnished picquets and covering
parties for guns.
The picquet duty at this time and till the end of the operations at
Lucknow was very severe and harassing, the picquets being sometimes
on for forty-eight hours; one, indeed, was not relieved for three
days and nights. The weather too was very hot; and swarms of flies
by day and of mosquitos by night made these duties anything but
agreeable.
On the 14th (the day Sir Colin Campbell took the Imaumbarah and the
Kaiserbagh), the two Battalions were suddenly turned out at three
in the afternoon, and marched towards the Iron bridge, in order to
prevent the Sepoys crossing it; but no enemy appearing, they returned
to their camp at half-past five.
On the 16th some Sepoys who remained in the town attacked a picquet
of the 3rd Battalion near the Iron bridge, but were driven back.
On the 18th the Riflemen moved their camp to near the Badshahbagh.
On the 19th the two Battalions were ordered, the 2nd to hold the Iron
bridge, the 3rd the Stone bridge, while the force on the right bank
cleared the town of Lucknow of the remaining rebels. They took up
their position at 7.30 in the morning, and remained till 5.30 in the
afternoon, when they returned to their camp, much exhausted by the
great heat, but not having been actively engaged.
The casualties during the operations at Lucknow were: of the 2nd
Battalion, Captain Thynne killed, and 13 men wounded; of the 3rd, 6
men wounded.[289]
On the 22nd the two Battalions were ordered to march on a secret
expedition; and parading at half-past ten at night, moved to the
Old Cantonment, about five miles from their camp, which was left
standing. Here they joined the cavalry which was to act with them.
Thence they proceeded in a very dark night for a considerable time,
but were at last halted, and ordered to lie down in a dusty road
ankle-deep in sand. The night was excessively cold. At five in the
morning (March 23) the men having breakfasted, they marched on till
eleven, when they were halted for three hours under the shade of
a tope; and afterwards proceeded to the village of Koorsee, about
sixteen miles from Lucknow, a strong position. But the enemy had for
the most part evacuated it, and encamped about six miles farther
on. However, the force had a brush, killed about 150 of the rebels,
and took 15 guns, 70 camels, and 2 elephants, besides some carts
loaded with ammunition, which was exploded during the night. The
active part of this affair fell principally on the cavalry, but the
Riflemen were drawn up in line, ready to support them if they had
been wanted. In his despatch on this occasion Sir Hope Grant mentions
Brigadier Horsford, commanding the infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Hill,
commanding the 2nd Battalion, and Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell,
commanding the 3rd Battalion. And on the 24th, the objects of the
expedition having been accomplished, they started for their camp at
seven, and halting as before during the hottest part of the day,
returned to their camp at seven in the evening. Though the weather
was very sultry, the men were not wearied; marching cheerfully and
singing all the return march. This elicited the marked approval of
General Grant, who was in command.
On the 30th the two Battalions moved camp to the Old Cantonment.
On April 5 the Camel Corps was formed by a draft of 4 officers and
100 men from each of the Battalions, and 200 Sikhs. The officers
who were attached to it were Captain Nixon, Lieutenants Scriven,
Eyre, and G. Curzon of the 2nd Battalion, and Major Ross, Captain
H. Newdigate, Lieutenants Austin, Buckley, and Jeames of the 3rd
Battalion.
On April 9 the 3rd Battalion moved camp to the Badshahbagh, and on
the 15th, taking three days’ provisions, six companies started on an
expedition. They marched out beyond the Dilkoosha, and encamped. I
cannot ascertain whether they engaged the enemy during the time they
were in the field, but on the 24th these companies returned to the
camp at the Badshahbagh. And the Battalion soon afterwards went into
quarters at Lucknow.
During the fighting from Cawnpore to Lucknow this young Battalion had
borne their part in action and in marching with great determination,
valour and endurance. But now that excitement had passed away, and no
amusement or interest took its place, sickness assailed these young
soldiers. Many, both men and officers, fell ill, and numbers of the
men died. They were, therefore, left for some weeks in quarters at
Lucknow, to recruit their health.
About this time the Riflemen gave up their European clothing, and
received instead of it dust-coloured linen, with black facings.
On April 11 the 2nd Battalion (forming part of a field force under
Sir Hope Grant) marched from Lucknow to Briesha Talow. They started
at half-past four in the morning, and though the distance was but six
miles, did not reach their camping-ground till eight, the road being
bad, and the progress of the heavy guns consequently slow.
On the next day they continued their march to Utterah, thirteen
miles, over a sandy track and through thick jungle, and did not
encamp till noon. The day was exceedingly hot, with the thermometer
at 110°.
On the 13th they started early, and as it was getting light, near
Baree came on a force of the enemy with three guns, occupying a
ridge at the end of a level plain. Three companies were immediately
extended and advanced across it. The rebels opened fire of matchlocks
at about 800 yards, and though it continued without intermission, no
harm was done. Colonel Hill had intended to go in without returning
this fire, but when the line of skirmishers was about 400 yards from
the enemy, a hare started up, and one of the Riflemen, unable to
resist his sporting propensities, fired at it. Nothing then remained
but to go in with a rush, and the enemy at once broke and fled. The
Riflemen pursued them till ten o’clock, when they encamped near the
scene of the combat. There was a cavalry skirmish; but the ground was
broken and unfavourable for them, and the rebels looted some of the
baggage.
On the 14th they marched to Burassie, eight miles; on the 15th to
Mamdabad, ten; on the 16th to Bilhir, also ten, where they halted one
day; resuming their march on the 18th to Filwy, eight miles, they
proceeded on the 19th to Ramnagurh, eight miles, where there was
another halt of a day. On the 21st they moved to Massoulee, eight
miles; and on the day following to Nawabgunge, six miles, where they
halted. On the 23rd, 200 Riflemen, under the command of Colonel Fyers
(with other troops) went with Brigadier Horsford to Jungerabad, about
six miles from Nawabgunge, and took and destroyed the fort at that
place.
Starting again on the 26th they marched thirteen miles to Chinhut; on
the 27th to the Dilkoosha; and on the 28th to the Alumbagh; having in
this expedition swept round that portion of Oude north of Lucknow.
But no rest was given the Battalion. On the day after they marched
into Lucknow they marched out of it; now to the south, and halted
at Bunnee bridge. On the next day they proceeded seven miles to
Kantha; and after one day’s halt there, on May 2 marched ten miles
to Poorwah. Sir Hope Grant was anxious to come up with the force
under the rebel general Beni Madhoo. So starting again on the 4th the
Battalion marched seven miles to Moorawon. On the 5th they halted,
but a reconnoitring party was sent out which took five hackeries
laden with matchlocks and ammunition. On the 6th they marched seven
miles to Dirgpalgunge, and on the 7th five miles to Parthan. Here
they halted on the 8th. During this march the men had suffered much
from the heat, many having died of sunstroke. The duties, picquets,
&c., fell hard too on the officers; for three had been killed since
their arrival in India, two had been sent home wounded, and one sick;
two were on General Walpole’s Staff, two left sick at Lucknow,
and one was sick in camp; so that there were only, besides the
Lieutenant-Colonel, five captains and ten subalterns effective with
the Battalion.
They marched on the 9th from Parthan to Nuggur, eight miles, and on
the 10th to Doondia Khera, seven miles, where they encamped in a
shady tope of mango trees.
From this place Sir Hope Grant thought that he could by a night
march of some twenty miles, come upon the rebels under Beni Madhoo.
Accordingly, at six in the evening the Battalion received orders
to march at half-past eleven. But in the darkness of the night the
various portions of the column missed each other, and not being able
to make out the track, found themselves at daybreak near Nuggur,
where they had encamped on the 9th. Here, accordingly, they halted
and did not encamp till eight o’clock. They made a short halt there,
striking tents at two, and parading in a grove of mango trees,
marched at three in the afternoon. It was then fearfully hot, the
thermometer marking 118° in the tent. The men were struck down by
the sun every moment. ‘Shortly after we marched,’ writes General
Hill, ‘the Surgeon, Fraser, rode up to me with the report, “There
are fifteen men down; all the doolies[290] are full; what are we
to do with the next?” It was a puzzling question, but I suggested
elephants; and meanwhile sent to ask permission to make a sick depôt
at the first convenient spot, and to leave one company to protect it.
However, as the sun got lower the casualties were fewer, and we were
enabled to keep on till the enemy were in sight and a halt was made.’
This was after a march of five miles. The Battalion advanced in
skirmishing order; guns accompanying the skirmishers, galloping
forward and firing two or three rounds until the Riflemen came
up. Thus they went on to the bank of a large nullah, where they
had orders to halt. Sir Hope Grant went off with the cavalry; and
soon the sound of the enemy’s baggage carts was so distinct that
Colonel Hill asked permission to take on his Battalion to capture
them. But it was too late, for the daylight only sufficed for a
smart skirmish across the open. Meanwhile Colonel Fyers, with two
companies, Earle’s under Lieutenant Baillie, and R. Glyn’s, had
captured a gun. It was getting dark, the ‘retire’ had sounded, and
all had joined the main body except these two companies. The gun was
heavy; the ground bad; and the men worn out by heat and fatigue. They
made little way with their gun, and it became quite dark. Then some
horsemen appeared on the left. A question arose what they were. The
general opinion was that they were Sikhs. At last they came near,
and Colonel Fyers challenged; the reply was not satisfactory, and he
fired his revolver. The Riflemen at once poured a volley into them at
thirty yards which emptied half the saddles, and then fixed swords.
But the horsemen fled, their leaders were seen through the darkness
endeavouring to re-form them, but without success. The Riflemen, not
without difficulty in the pitchy darkness, rejoined the Battalion.
In the course of this fight the enemy got in amongst our sick. A
smart young Sergeant (Pitt) was being carried in a dooly insensible
from sunstroke, when some of the enemy’s troopers came upon it. The
bearers fled, and this poor fellow was beheaded; the rebels carrying
off the head as a trophy. The mess baggage had also a narrow escape,
the Sergeant in charge of it (Sergeant Cann) being obliged to run for
his life.
I have said that the men were utterly exhausted by the heat, by
their march, and by the fight. They bivouacked on the ground they
occupied. But not to sleep the sleep of the weary; for in the night
an extraordinary panic arose. Men cried out that the enemy were upon
them. Some fired their rifles; some clubbed them and struck out at
everyone near them. At last it wore itself out or was allayed; and
except some broken heads no injuries were inflicted, at least in the
Rifle Battalion. The origin of this panic remains a mystery; the most
probable solution is that either some grass-cutters’ ponies or some
cavalry horses had got loose and knocked down the piled arms, and so
caused an alarm. The loss of the Battalion on this day was three men
by sunstroke.
On the 13th they returned to their old camping-ground at Nuggur,
where they halted two days. Here Sir Hope Grant received intelligence
of a large force of rebels being to the north of Lucknow; he
therefore retraced his steps, and the Battalion marched on the 15th
to Parthan and encamped under a tope of trees. They had not pitched
their tents more than a couple of hours when they were ordered to
turn out, the enemy having shown themselves and driven in the camels,
which were out feeding. However, the rebels disappeared. On the next
day the Battalion marched to Poorwah, seven miles; on the 17th they
halted, but on a false alarm they were turned out under arms. On the
18th they moved to Mirree, seven miles; on the 19th to Bunnee, ten
miles; thence on the 20th to the Alumbagh; and on the 21st to the
Dilkoosha, where they pitched camp on the bank of the Goomtee. On
their arrival at Lucknow they sent fifty-three men to hospital; among
them the Sergeant-Major and the Quartermaster Sergeant.
They remained at Lucknow only three days, marching again on the 24th
to Jellalabad, and on the 25th to Bunnee. In these marches, though
the heat was very great, the Battalion did not lose a man, while the
regiment with them (53rd) suffered much.
They halted for a week at Bunnee, a respite much needed after almost
incessant marches for two months.
On May 11, an attack on Lucknow being apparently anticipated, a
force took the field, in order to be ready to move on any point to
repel it. Three companies of the 3rd Battalion, under Major Oxenden,
therefore moved out of Lucknow and encamped on the Chinhut road. The
heat was overpowering, and many men died every day during their stay
here, which was but short. For on the 15th they broke up camp and
returned to the Badshahbagh.
Early in June, in consequence of repeated alarms of attacks from the
rebels, a camp was formed at Chinhut, about seven miles from Lucknow,
and four companies of the 3rd Battalion were moved to this camp. On
June 8, an attack being expected, they were under arms, but were not
engaged, no enemy appearing.
The remainder of the Battalion, marching at about three on the
morning of the 12th from Lucknow, were joined at Chinhut by these
four companies, by the 2nd Battalion, and the other troops enumerated
p. 386, and proceeding about two miles further on, encamped at
Utterdowna. This march, for it was the hottest season of the year,
was most fatiguing. Leaving the sick at Lucknow, this Battalion had
started 702 strong. And yet about 100 men out of that number were
more or less disabled in this one march.
On June 1 the 2nd Battalion marched again at four in the morning to
Meemteker, six miles, but on their arrival found that the enemy, whom
it was expected to find there, had disappeared. They therefore halted
in a tope. On the 2nd they proceeded five miles to Chumrowlee, a very
hot and dusty march, and encamped in the open. On the 3rd, starting
at three, they made a march of eleven miles to Poorwah, where they
halted for three days; on one of which they were paraded for the
inspection of the Rajah of Kuppurthullah, who had arrived in camp
with a force of his followers.
Sir Hope Grant having received intelligence about this time that a
large rebel force was assembling to the north of Lucknow, he resolved
to leave the pursuit of Beni Madhoo, and the Riflemen began to
retrace their steps towards Lucknow.
Starting again on the 7th early in the morning they marched to
Mirzee, twelve miles, and on the 8th to Bunnee, five miles. These
marches were by a different route from that by which they had marched
through these places on former occasions. On the 9th they marched
to Bunteerah in a very hot wind; on the 10th to Jellalabad; and on
the 11th to the Dilkoosha. On this occasion Brigadier Horsford had
procured for the Battalion the permission to halt in Lucknow itself,
and not merely to march through it as on some previous occasions;
which gave them the opportunity of obtaining some much-needed
supplies, which they had not had since landing in the country.
But the time even for this was short; for on the afternoon of the
12th they marched at three o’clock to Utterdowna, about two miles
beyond Chinhut. Here they were rejoined by the 3rd Battalion; and
the force now consisted of these two Battalions, and a regiment of
Punjaub rifles, part of the Bays, the 7th Hussars, and some Irregular
(Hodson’s) Horse.
They started again, after a very short halt of the 2nd Battalion,
at about eleven at night. They took with them one day’s rations,
cooked, some rum, and all their ammunition. This march was one of the
most fatiguing ever made. The men had been without rest the night
before, and the heat of the tents by day was so intolerable that
sleep was impossible. The road was bad, cut up, and damaged; there
was no moon; and the dust was suffocating. So weary were the men that
whenever a halt occurred, by a block from a gun sticking fast or
turning over, they sank down on the road, many inches deep with dust,
and slept. Soon the water carried with the column was exhausted; no
wells were near or could be found; and the cries of the men for water
were pitiable in the extreme. Numbers of doolies accompanied the
column (the 3rd Battalion had sixty); but these were soon filled, and
the fainting soldiers were left on the road on the chance of being
picked up by the Hospital staff of other regiments, or of rejoining
when strength returned.
At last daylight appeared, and they found that by dint of marching
all night they had arrived exactly where their chief, Sir Hope Grant,
wished them to be, close to Nawabgunge.[291]
In this march and in the subsequent advance on the enemy’s position,
the 3rd Battalion led the column, not without some murmurs from their
fellow-Riflemen of the 2nd, who held that as so much of the previous
hard work had fallen to them, the post of honour ought to have been
theirs. Nevertheless, honour and hard work were theirs before the day
was over.
Having marched thus in darkness and suffering some nine miles, they
turned off the road near Nawabgunge, for the enemy had seven guns in
position, and halted.
They sat down, and water having been procured by some camels having
come up, the men were given a dram of grog each.
Day having now fully broken, they fell in and advanced to a large
square plain broken up with nullahs and uneven ground, and surrounded
in the distance with topes of trees and villages. The cavalry and
guns crossed a small river to the left, and were followed by the 3rd
Battalion. This advanced guard was soon engaged, and forced the
bridge. On crossing the river they came upon the enemy’s position.
They were formed in a kind of crescent, two regiments bearing green
flags being drawn up in the centre. The Riflemen advanced in column,
preceded by Major Bourchier’s company extended in skirmishing order.
As they approached the enemy Colonel Glyn, who was in command of the
Battalion, directed the two rear companies to wheel to the right.
These were Major Atherley’s and one commanded by Lieutenant Cragg.
As they got near the enemy, Atherley found himself facing one of
the regiments with the green standard. He extended the companies,
and after advancing some way ordered Cragg’s company to lie down,
sheltered by some rising ground, and directed Cragg if he saw him
retiring, to pass through his files, and charge the enemy. Then
forming up his own company in line, he fixed swords and charged the
regiment in his front. These were drawn up in all the ‘pomp and
circumstance’ of regular troops. They planted their green standard,
shouted ‘Deen, deen!’ and stood their ground. The Riflemen engaged in
a hand-to-hand conflict, killing many with their swords. It is said
that 150 were thus disposed of. One Rifleman having driven his sword
fixed on his rifle through the shield of his opponent, was unable to
draw it back, and the man making a cut at his hands, he was compelled
to let it go, and it was never recovered. Some terrible drawing cuts
were inflicted. One Rifleman’s hand was cut off at a blow, the next
cut severed the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, the third
cut him across the stomach, and killed him. Meanwhile the enemy did
not yield. Cragg’s company had come up, and the Riflemen were nearly
exhausted. Five of the enemy surrounded Atherley; four of them were
shot by Percival with his revolver; the other was trampled on and
disposed of by the pony on which Atherley was mounted, which was
very vicious. Percival having fired all six barrels of his revolver
drew his sword, and resting it against his thigh, began to reload.
At that instant, looking round, he saw a native aiming a lance at
his side; he evaded it and the man was killed. This sort of thing
could not last for ever. The Riflemen, whom the excitement of the
fight had animated and borne up after their fatiguing night march,
were becoming exhausted. Yet their courage and steadiness were not
without their results, for their opponents began to break off and
retire. Then Quartermaster Harvey,[292] who had accompanied these
companies on his pony, galloped to some of Hodson’s Horse who were
near, and urged them to come and charge the regiment opposed to his
comrades. He urged in vain. In vain did their officers give the word
to advance. Not a man moved. It was well perhaps for him that they
did not understand the epithets with which Harvey assailed them.
But just then he saw some squadrons of the 7th Hussars approaching.
He galloped to them, and told their commanding officer, Sir William
Russell, who was leading, that the Riflemen could maintain the
unequal fight no longer, and must be overpowered unless help was at
hand. ‘We’ll soon clear them,’ was the answer. And in an instant the
Hussars were thundering along at the charge.[293] An instant more
they were on the green-bannered regiment, cutting them up as they
fled at their approach.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the field and against the other body
with the green colours, the Riflemen of this Battalion waged an
unequal conflict. For they were far outnumbered, and so weary from
their night march and the fierce blaze of an Indian sun, that they
were scarce able to load, and when loaded could fire only with a
desultory aim. Many were struck down by the sun in the fight; and it
was impossible to distinguish when a man fell, whether sunstroke or
a wound brought him to the ground.
Sir Hope Grant, who commanded in this action, says: ‘I have seen
many battles in India, and many brave fellows fighting with a
determination to conquer or die, but I never witnessed anything more
magnificent than the conduct of these Zemindarees.’[294]
So far we have seen the part borne by the 3rd Battalion, which, as
I have said, led the column. We must return to the opening of the
battle, and to the 2nd Battalion. In front of it, as they drew near
the field, were some large guns, and the delay of getting them over
the nullah allowed the other and leading Battalion to get a quarter
or half a mile to the front. Before the 2nd Battalion had crossed,
and while they were still expecting orders to advance, an alarm was
given in the rear. A considerable force of the enemy had found their
way to the rear round the right flank, and were cutting up the camp
followers. The number of these was large, as the Bays had brought
on their camp-equipage; and there was no rear-guard, so that the
defence of all this baggage devolved on the 2nd Battalion. At this
time, too, Lieutenant Ames, who was coming up with spare ammunition,
was attacked. Colonel Hill immediately gave the word, ‘Right-about
turn,’ and extended three companies in his now front, sending one
under Lieutenant Baillie to protect his right flank, which was
threatened. The camp followers were running in in a confused mass, to
escape from their pursuers. As soon as these stragglers had passed
the line of skirmishers and cleared the front, the skirmishers
opened fire, and advancing to the nearest cover halted, awaiting the
Artillery which Colonel Hill had sent to ask from the Brigadier.
Meanwhile, the now left was enfiladed by two of the enemy’s guns, and
Captain Dillon was sent with two companies to take or to silence them.
The skirmishers were keeping up an incessant fire, which the enemy
briskly returned, at a distance of about 400 yards, but as the
Riflemen were well covered they did not much suffer. As no Artillery
made its appearance, Colonel Hill ordered the men to make a rush on
the enemy. They did so, and the rebels retired through a village;
when the Riflemen were ordered to halt. Having waited there till the
enemy had disappeared, the Battalion moved to a tope of mango trees
not far from the river, and there awaited further orders.
Some time after, a large body of cavalry appeared in their rear
(the proper rear of the column). These were at first taken for
Hodson’s Horse; but infantry soon appeared, and it was ascertained
that they were enemies. Two companies of Riflemen moved down into a
hollow which afforded good cover; and as the cavalry passed, gave
them a volley at about 500 yards. This the infantry returned with
a straggling fire and then turned and fled. The Battalion remained
in the tope during the day and till about six in the evening, when
they were ordered to join the rest of the column, then two or three
miles in advance. They reached their camping-ground about seven, and
pitched their tents.
I may here note some of the incidents of this fight. As some of the
3rd Battalion were advancing on the enemy, who were receiving them
with a sharp fire, some hares were started between the opposing
ranks. More than one Rifleman aimed and fired at the hares, not at
the foe.[295]
One man, a Ghazee,[296] being cut off from his companions, seemed
determined to make a desperate fight for it. Setting his back to a
tree, he stood, sword in hand, glaring fiercely on his pursuers, for
some officers and men had followed him into the tope. Some shots were
taken at him, which he tried to avoid by dodging round the tree, but
he was wounded and made more desperate. At last a Pioneer of the
3rd Battalion, Samuel Shaw, rushed at him and closed with him. The
Ghazee wounded him on the head with his tulwar, but Shaw, drawing his
Pioneer’s sword, sawed at him with the serrated back and despatched
him. Shaw rose from the ground covered with blood, but his opponent
was slain. Many who witnessed it declared that this combat with a
fanatic determined to sell his life to slay his foe, was the greatest
instance of cool courage they ever saw. For this act Shaw received
the Victoria Cross.
Quartermaster Harvey, on going into a tope of trees where the
Battalion were about to encamp, came upon a man who seemed inclined
to make off. On Harvey stopping him, he fell at his feet and offered,
if his life were spared, to show him where a quantity of powder was
concealed. Accordingly, Harvey and Percival followed him, and he
brought them to a place where there was a bullock-cart laden with
seven casks of powder. This was exploded and the bullocks taken
possession of.
The casualties of the Regiment on this day were: of the 2nd
Battalion, Lieutenant Lawton severely wounded, and 1 corporal and 2
privates wounded; in the 3rd Battalion, 1 corporal and 11 privates
wounded, and 1 Rifleman missing.
But far worse than the injuries done by the enemy’s fire, were the
sufferings of the men from exposure to the sun. The 3rd Battalion
lost 14 men from sunstroke; in the 2nd Battalion 1 man died of
sunstroke, and many others suffered from it, of whom 2 died on
the next day, and another on the 15th.[297] Fortunately, the
supply of water was plentiful, and the bheesties[298] assiduous in
administering it. Some of the men were raving; some lying on their
backs as if dead, while the bheesties sprinkled them with water. So
great was the exhaustion, that on Sir Hope Grant’s giving an order
that tents were to be pitched, Quartermaster Harvey went to Brigadier
Horsford to say that in the 3rd Battalion the men were so utterly
exhausted that they could not do it, and begged him to allow the men
to lie down in the shade. The Brigadier replied that the General’s
order must be obeyed, but consented to take him to Sir Hope Grant, to
make his report in person to him. Sir Hope insisted, and said ‘the
tents must and shall be pitched.’ On Harvey’s return to his Battalion
the men turned to, and set about pitching the tents; but many fell
down through sheer fatigue, and slept on the tents they were ordered
to pitch. Yet they afterwards had reason to see the wisdom of General
Grant’s determination; for the shelter of the tents perhaps saved
many lives; and as the enemy were still hovering about, and might
again attack, it was essential that the regiments should be in some
formation.
Thus at about six in the evening the two Battalions encamped on the
field of Nawabgunge.
Sir Hope Grant, in his despatch dated June 17, 1858, speaks most
favourably of the Rifle Battalions.
‘Brigadier Horsford,’ he writes, ‘I am much indebted to for the very
excellent way he led on the infantry, and for the support he gives me
upon all occasions.’
He also mentions
‘Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, who with his Battalion so gallantly and
successfully protected our rear: a most important service.
‘Lieutenant-Colonel Glyn, a most excellent officer, and whose
Battalion, the 3rd, behaved so well, being actively employed during
the whole day.’
He also favourably notices ‘200 infantry under Major Oxenden,’ and
repeatedly mentions the ‘two companies of the Rifles under Captain
Atherley.’
Yet in his published work ‘The Sepoy War,’ Sir Hope Grant, or his
editor, Captain Knollys, R.A., gives all the credit of these gallant
deeds to the 60th, which was not near Nawabgunge at the time.
FOOTNOTES:
[268] Forty men under Ensign Travers were left to guard the canal
bridge.
[269] ‘Defence of Cawnpore,’ by Lieutenant-Colonel Adye, C.B., p. 19.
[270] General Windham’s Despatch, November 30, 1857.
[271] Letter from General Payn.
[272] Captain Curzon’s notes.
[273] Major Grey (retired), died December 11, 1874.
[274] The Hon. Major Milles, died June 7, 1871.
[275] Lieutenant Pemberton, of the 60th, temporarily attached to the
Rifle companies, was also wounded.
[276] Captain F. C. Playne died at Hamilton, Canada West, December
18, 1863.
[277] _i.e._ a grove or clump.
[278] Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Walpole died July 12, 1876.
[279] General Windham’s Despatch, November 30, 1857.
[280] Lieutenant Armstrong, who was attached to the Riflemen as
interpreter, was also wounded in this sortie, being shot through both
legs, one of which was amputated.
[281] Lieutenant-Colonel B. F. Alexander, retired.
[282] Colonel Ross’ letters; and General Mansfield’s Despatch,
December 10, 1857. He specially mentions Brigadier Walpole,
Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford, and Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers.
[283] A different place from that of the same name, where the battle
subsequently took place.
[284] Lieutenant Henry D. Baillie, died November 1858, on passage
home.
[285] Captain Riversdale R. Glyn, died at Aden, December 11, 1859.
[286] ‘Sepoy War,’ 245.
[287] A kind of pea, which grows very thick and tangled.
[288] Major Sir Henry Wilmot, Bart., received the Victoria Cross for
his gallant conduct on this occasion. He has retired from the army.
Nash and Hawkes also obtained the Cross.
[289] I cannot conclude the mention of Lucknow without noting that
Havelock, whose name is indissolubly connected with it, was an old
Rifleman. He entered the Army in the 1st Battalion July 20, 1815, and
served in it till 1821.
[290] Dooly, _i.e._ a litter.
[291] Called Nawabgunge-Burrabunkee to distinguish it from other
places of the same name.
[292] Major Harvey, Paymaster.
[293] The officers of Hodson’s Horse joined in this charge.
[294] ‘Sepoy War,’ 291.
[295] An exact counterpart, or repetition rather, of what occurred at
Sabugal. See p. 82.
[296] A champion who fights against infidels.
[297] On the evening of the battle 24 men were buried in one grave.
[298] Water-carriers.