The next morning we were in marching order betimes, and started with the
determination of joining our regiment as early in the day as possible.
We overtook them about nine o'clock, just as they had crossed a nullah,
and had halted on the opposite bank. I immediately sought the acting
adjutant, from whom, after I had announced my name and delivered my
credentials, I received every politeness and attention. He introduced me
at once to the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, C.B., who
received me in the most cordial manner, congratulated me on my
appointment, and expressed himself much pleased at my accession to the
regiment. All the officers of the corps flocked round me, and greeted me
in the most handsome and friendly manner, every one of them inviting me
to breakfast. That invitation, however, I had previously received from
the kind commander of the Prince's Own Irish regiment. This liberal
conduct was the more gratifying to my feelings, as I must confess I did
not anticipate any such friendly reception. I was well aware of the
existing prejudice, and the caution with which officers promoted from
the ranks were usually received; but no such prejudice prevailed in this
distinguished corps: on the contrary, had I been the son of a duke, my
reception could not have been more flattering or friendly. It is true
that I had the most flattering letters of introduction from my late
commanding officer to my present; but as I had not delivered them, the
kindness which I experienced was wholly spontaneous and unsolicited, and
the result of liberal and benevolent feeling. My young companion was
received by all in the same handsome manner.
As I found that the jacket, which I had had made for me in haste when I
was ordered to join the regiment, was widely different from the uniform
of the corps, I apologized for this to the colonel while at breakfast,
and he relieved me from all anxiety on that score, by replying, "Ah,
never mind; the one you have will do very well for fighting in, as it is
supposed we shall have some pretty hard service."
The following day the regiment reached the ground on which the army
engaged in the arduous campaign of Nepaul, in the years 1815 and 1816,
had been directed to form. It was at a place called Ammowah, about
thirty-five miles from the great forest of Nepaul. At the back of this
forest were the strong forts and stockades of the enemy, on hills whose
summits were crowned with milk-white clouds, fringed with glittering
gold; and in the distance were to be seen the snowy mountains proudly
towering over the heads of the more humble hills below.
Considerable delay now occurred in the formation of the army, and time
began to hang heavy on our hands, although we had good hunting,
shooting, and racing, and did our best to amuse ourselves when off
active duty. But this was not the sort of sport for which we were
assembled in arms in this wild and romantic territory of the Nepaulese.
Our object was to reduce this artful and warlike tribe to subjection;
for our disasters the year before had made them bold and overbearing,
and had incited them to laugh to scorn all overtures of amicable
arrangement. They trusted, and not without good cause, to the almost
inaccessible nature of their country, and, from their tremendous
fortified hills and stockades, looked down with contempt on the little
foe below.
The necessary preliminaries to this arduous enterprise having been at
length duly arranged, things began to take a more active turn, and in
three days after we bent our way towards that forest that for ages past
had been the terror of the East, and was indeed a bulwark to the Nepaul
territory. Our march was necessarily slow and tedious; but in three days
we reached a place called Summarabassah, on the very margin of that
terrific forest. On the last day I was in the rear-guard, which did not
reach camp until late in the evening, although a distance of not more
than ten miles. The roads in which we marched might, with great
propriety, be termed bogs. They abounded with deep nullahs, or ravines,
with abrupt banks of a clayey nature. Our heavy guns we were compelled
to get over by means of men and drag-ropes, for the bullocks had no
footing, and many of these poor creatures were much hurt in the attempt
to perform this labour. After the camp was in sight, we were three hours
before we reached it. We had marched at about four o'clock in the
morning, without breakfast, expecting to reach our ground by nine, the
usual time, instead of which we did not get in until past four o'clock
in the afternoon, and then half famished.
We at last reached camp, in front of which, in a kind of inlet to the
forest, stood a large building, two stories high, forming a square. This
was built of stone, and tiled, and had only one entrance, which was a
small door. This security was, no doubt, to protect the inmates against
depredation, and from the nocturnal visits of savage animals. It was
supposed to have been the residence of the collector of the lowlands or
valleys. At this place we established a strong depot, or principal post
of communication, where we could deposit cumbersome or superfluous
stores with safety. On the forest side we erected a strong breastwork or
stockade, with a wide and deep ditch, and embrasures for some guns--I
now forget the number--I think four.
The following day, Captain Gully, Lieutenants Masterson, Lee, Bowes,
and Ensign Shipp, must needs take a morning ride, and a peep into this
dark and dreary forest--the awe of man, and the haunt of beasts. We had
not gone far, when we saw several bears near a water-brook--no doubt for
the purpose of a morning swim, for the weather was warm. A little
further, we struck into a path, about a yard wide, which we all agreed
to explore. On each side of this path the underwood was thick and dark;
the trees were of an enormous and gigantic size; every hundred yards
were places where it was evident that fires had been kindled; and large
trees had been cut down, and were piled across the pathway, for the
prevention, beyond question, of intruders. We rode on till prudence
suggested the propriety of returning; but our curiosity was not yet
satisfied, so we mutually agreed to proceed about two miles further. At
last we came to a fire which was still burning. Here we called a
consultation, and at last again agreed to proceed about two miles
further. This distance brought us so close to the hills, that we could
discover men moving on them. About a mile further was the end of the
dark and frightful forest of Nepaul, which, the year before, had kept
five thousand men at bay. At the end was some open ground, with large
clumps of bamboo trees, and the open space pebbly. It was evident that
this space was covered with water during the monsoons. We still rode on
a little further, until at last we saw some men running across the road,
whereupon we unanimously agreed that it was high time to return, having
satisfied our curiosity to the full, and at the risk of our lives. We
were fearful that they might have observed us, and have dispatched a
detachment to cut off our retreat; and we now began to count our beads
of repentance; but the trial was to be made; so on we pushed, and
reached camp without molestation, thanking the auspicious stars that
were our safeguards. The distance we had ridden was about thirteen
miles, which, being doubled, made a pretty good morning's ride; add to
which, that during the excursion we had leapt over about a hundred
large trees. For this piece of palpable indiscretion, we were, as we
richly deserved, most severely admonished; but the information which we
had gained was truly acceptable, and we the following day commenced our
march, taking the road which we had so rashly explored, preceded by
pioneers, who soon cleared a way, and made a good carriage-road. We had
scarcely any stoppage, nor did we see a soul of the enemy. If small
stockades had been thrown across this narrow pathway, our loss of men
must have been great; but the supposed inaccessible nature of their
mountains made the enemy slumber in security. We soon got through the
avenue, and continued our march through the pebbly bed before alluded
to. About a mile ahead of this, a small plain opened to view, studded
with small bushes, at the extreme end of which the bed of the dry ravine
took a direction to the left. Here a most magnificent scene burst upon
the sight. The hills at this point represented a flight of stairs; one
reared its golden summit above the other in beautiful succession; the
whole of them were wooded with the most beautiful variegated trees and
shrubs; and, here and there, majestic rocks elevated their proud heads,
and seemed to bid defiance to the besieging enemy. At the foot or base
of these hills were posted two strong piquets of the enemy; one on a
hill to the right, in a house similar to the one described at
Summarabassah: but on our approach they flew into the hills in the
vicinity, without giving us a shot in earnest of being our enemy. This
silence on the part of a subtle and cunning foe informed us, in plain
terms, that something was brewing for us. They seemed to coax and invite
us to advance and view their picturesque country. It was necessary to
establish here a post of communication, through which we could obtain
supplies; for which purpose the house just spoken of was fortified, and
a depot established. Here we waited until this post was well stored with
every requisite for war. During this time, the quarter-master-general's
department was busily employed in reconnoitring the surrounding
country; but, from the intricacy of its nature, but little information
could be obtained which we could on sure grounds act upon. At last,
after our patience was worn almost threadbare with this delay, it was
given out, as the firm opinion of the quarter-master-general (grounded
on unquestionable information from his trustworthy spies), that to force
an entrance at this point would be attended with the most disastrous
consequences. To risk a failure at the commencement of a war against
such a foe, would have been the basis of our ultimate defeat and
destruction; and it appeared, from information not to be doubted, that
in the direction which we had thought of taking, there were stockade
upon stockade, and fort upon fort. The attempt, therefore, to prosecute
our enterprise in this direction, under all these circumstances, could
be considered in no other light than wantonly knocking our heads against
the flinty rocks, or offering our shattered limbs as wadding for the
enemy's guns, or our bodies to fill up some deep vacuity in their new
and numerous stockades. We had more than fifty years' dear-bought
experience, and an officer seventy years of age for our guide. The young
and inexperienced officers, in the ardour of youth, felt mortified at
this information; and, had their will and feelings been consulted, they
would have madly rushed to their graves.
It was the opinion of the more calm-thinking and experienced men, that
if, after the information we possessed, we had proceeded in the same
track, and a failure had been the result, the whole dishonour of the
catastrophe would have fallen on the head of the commander, and have
been visited with the government's disapprobation and censure; but we
had at our head a soldier possessing every requisite for such a critical
campaign, and whose thoughts were now turned to some more practicable
part of the country. Every one was actively engaged in the attempt to
discover some new road, path, or ascent. Spies had now been absent two
days, and some apprehensions were entertained as to their safety,
knowing the barbarity of the Nepaulese; but on the evening of the third
day they returned; but not a syllable could be gleaned from the
quarter-master-general's department; every ear was on the listen to
catch the slightest hint, but all was silence and secrecy throughout the
camp. Rumours were flying about, and strange stories were circulated;
but the prevailing opinion was, that we must give up the campaign, on
account of an impossibility of access into the enemy's country. This was
a death-blow to our hopes. The attempt to force the entrance above
alluded to, would have been through the Chirecah Ghattie pass; but this
was wisely given up as hopeless. There was a small ravine branching off
from the bed of a dry river, in which our encampment lay, and its
entrance looked like the dreary access to some deep cavern. From thence
the spies last came. The moon rose in all her splendour, gilding the
tops of the golden-leaved trees; and all was silent, save the falling of
the distant cataract, when a faint whisper, borne on the refreshing
breeze of night, said, "Prepare to move;" and in one hour after, we
entered this little gaping cavern, leaving the principal part of our
force for the protection of our standing tents and baggage. We were
equipped as lightly as possible. Two six-pounders were conveyed on
elephants, and our march seemed to lie through the bed of this ravine,
which was rocky, and watered by a crystal current that rippled along its
flinty bed. We did not proceed at the rate of more than one or two
hundred yards an hour, ascending and descending every twenty paces; at
one time deep sunk in some dark excavation, and shortly afterwards
perched upon the summit of a rock, the falling of the numerous cataracts
drowning the noise made by our approach. The night was cold and chilly,
but as light as noonday; not a cloud was to be seen; the sky was one
sheet of beautiful blue; but in some of the excavations, where the
blessed moon never condescended to show her bright face, we were obliged
to go back to boyhood, and have a game of blind-man's-buff, for in
those places we were obliged to grope our way completely in the dark. In
these excavations the water was deep and cold; but even in these dreary
spots we experienced some pleasure, for occasionally, through little
fissures in the rock, we could espy the distant moonlit landscape, which
appeared as if viewed through a spy-glass, and was beautiful in the
extreme.
Had the enemy been aware of our nocturnal excursion, they might have
annihilated us, by rolling down rocks and stones upon our heads; but,
fortunately for us, they slumbered on the couch of fancied security, and
heard us not. What with falling and slipping, we became wet through; but
as I had that night the honour of bearing my country's banner, this was
a charge, the care of which afforded me neither time nor inclination to
attend either to personal annoyance or personal comfort. I felt that,
while it was untarnished, I should be proud and happy. My
covering-sergeant once had the assurance to ask me to permit him to
deprive me of the incumbrance. I really thought I should have jumped
down the fellow's throat. "An incumbrance!" I repeated; "how dare you
cast such an imputation on England's pride? No, sergeant: he who takes
this colour, when before an enemy, will take with it my life." "I beg
pardon, Sir; I did not intend to offend you, or cast a reflection on
that flag under which I have fought and bled." I replied, "No, sergeant,
I know you did not intend to offend me, or cast a stigma upon the
colour; but supposing that I should be so imprudent as to give up such a
charge to you, and you should lose it, or be killed, or meet with any
other accident, which in the course of war we are all liable to, what
answer should I make my justly-offended country, when asked, Where is
the banner which was intrusted to your charge? What excuse would it be
to say, I gave it to a sergeant to carry? Should I not deserve to be
carried to the gallows? No, sergeant, the post of ensign is one of most
distinguished trust, and, so long as I hold that commission, nothing
but death shall part me and my flag, while it is my duty to bear it;
but your offer was that of kindness. Come, let us drink to its
prosperity." Here I gave him my little pistol or brandy-bottle; and, in
the most prophetic manner, he said, "Well, Sir, God bless and prosper
our old banner; and, ere to-morrow's dawn, may you wave it over a
conquered foe." I took a drop, and said, "Amen." My young friend, who
had journeyed with me from Dinapore, and who was now my chum, had the
honour of carrying the other flag, and he also gloried in the
distinction; and although he had some twenty desperate falls, and
sprained his thumb, he would not part with it.
Our march now became more and more tardy, and the ascents and descents
more difficult and intricate. In some places rocks of gigantic size hung
some hundred feet over head. These sudden and tremendous hills and dales
indicated that we could not have far to go; for the last hill was
scarcely accessible. The soles of both my boots had long refused to bear
me company any further; but I had one faithful soul that bore me through
every difficulty and hardship.
The morn now began to break through the cerulean chambers of the east,
the faithful moon still lingering on the tops of the western hills, loth
to bid us farewell. I was of course in the centre of my regiment. We
halted a considerable time, till broad daylight, when we could see, from
where I stood, the soldiers in advance of us, ascending by means of
projecting rocks and boughs. We were halted in a kind of basin,
surrounded by high hills. In the course of a couple of hours, the whole
of the 87th regiment, with our gallant general and suite, ascended this
difficult ghaut. From this eminence we could see a great distance; and
on every hill we could discern signals, which were communicated from
post to post. From this we concluded that the enemy had gained
information of our approach; but I do not think they knew whereabouts we
were, as will appear afterwards, but merely that some of our troops had
marched from their old ground.
What will not good examples effect on the minds of soldiers? Our gallant
general walked every yard of this critical march, encouraging his men.
These well-timed examples will accomplish wonders. The question now was,
how to get the guns up, and the powder and shot; but those who are
accustomed to wars in India are not often at a loss for expedients.
Having got all the men up, except the rear-guard, the pioneers went to
work with their pickaxes, some making a road, and others felling trees.
As we were but two regiments, the general's primary object was to place
our little force to the best advantage. This accomplished, the guns were
our next object. Having cut a good deal of the most prominent part of
the hill away, and laid trees on the ascent as a footing for elephants,
these animals were made to approach it, which the first did with some
reluctance and fear. He looked up, shook his head, and, when forced by
his driver, he roared piteously. There can be no question, in my
opinion, that this sagacious animal was competent instinctively to judge
of the practicability of the artificial flight of steps thus
constructed; for the moment some little alteration had been made, he
seemed willing to approach. He then commenced his examination and
scrutiny, by pressing with his trunk the trees that had been thrown
across; and after this he put his fore leg on, with great caution,
raising the fore part of his body so as to throw its weight on the tree.
This done, he seemed satisfied as to its stability. The next step for
him to ascend by was a projecting rock, which we could not remove. Here
the same sagacious examination took place, the elephant keeping his flat
side close to the side of the bank, and leaning against it. The next
step was against a tree; but this, on the first pressure of his trunk,
he did not like. Here his driver made use of the most endearing
epithets, such as "Wonderful, my life"--"Well done, my dear"--"My
dove"--"My son"--"My wife;" but all these endearing appellations, of
which elephants are so fond, would not induce him to try again. Force
was at length resorted to, and the elephant roared terrifically, but
would not move. Something was then removed; he seemed satisfied, as
before; and he in time ascended that stupendous ghaut. On his reaching
the top, his delight was visible in a most eminent degree; he caressed
his keeper, and threw the dirt about in a most playful manner. Another
elephant, a much younger animal, was now to follow. He had watched the
ascent of the other with the most intense interest, making motions all
the while, as though he was assisting him by shouldering him up the
acclivity; such gestures as I have seen some men make when spectators of
gymnastic exercises. When he saw his comrade up, he evinced his pleasure
by giving a salute, something like the sound of a trumpet. When called
upon to take his turn, however, he seemed much alarmed, and would not
act at all without force. When he was two steps up, he slipped, but
recovered himself by digging his toes in the earth. With the exception
of this little accident, he ascended exceedingly well. When this
elephant was near the top, the other, who had already performed his
task, extended his trunk to the assistance of his brother in distress,
round which the younger animal entwined his, and thus reached the summit
of the ghaut in safety. Having both accomplished their task, their
greeting was as cordial as if they had been long separated from each
other, and had just escaped from some perilous achievement. They
mutually embraced each other, and stood face to face for a considerable
time, as if whispering congratulations. Their driver then made them
salaam to the general, who ordered them five rupees each for sweetmeats.
On this reward of their merit being ordered, they immediately returned
thanks by another salaam.
At the top of this ghaut we left five companies of native infantry to
protect our baggage, that must necessarily follow through this pass.
Pioneers were also left to cut down the hill, so that our large guns
might be dragged up by means of men. This arranged, we pushed on for
about a couple of miles. Our route lay through the bed of a river,
which was then dry, but which, from the enormous trees that had been
washed down its current, must be rapid and destructive during the
monsoons. I believe the whole distance we had accomplished did not
exceed five miles, and we had been upwards of sixteen hours on the move.
By the evening, the enemy had learnt of our being in their country with
a large force, with elephants, guns, &c., which so much alarmed them,
that they dared not so much as take a peep at us. They said that we were
not men, but devils, and that we must have descended from the skies.
Some set forth that we were seen soaring in the air in aerial cars,
drawn by elephants. Thus, their idolatrous superstition frightened them
out of their wits; and until some of them, more courageous than the
rest, had ventured and felt that we were men, they could not be
prevailed upon to return to their posts, nor would they ever believe
that we had ascended the ghaut; and, indeed, to view it even after the
hill had undergone such a metamorphosis, it was then almost beyond
credit that the whole army, with twenty-four pounders, should have been
got up.
Our next object was to keep firm possession of what we had attained with
so much difficulty; for which purpose a small hill was selected for the
general safety, on which we established outlying piquets. From hence we
could reconnoitre the surrounding neighbourhood; but we had scared the
foe far into the woods and hills. The beauteous sun, which had in mercy
dried our wet clothes, was now on the decline, but assumed such an awful
colour, that it looked like a blood-stained banner. It had, when this
idea came across my mind, half buried itself behind the highest hill
visible from our new and exalted situation. When the sun had wholly
retired behind the hills, the golden rays which lingered on the scene
rendered it truly magnificent and ravishing. The mountains in the
distance were so high, that their tops seemed to touch the clear blue
clouds, while those which exceeded the others in height seemed pushing
their smaller neighbours headlong, to crush the foe below.
When the sombre robe of eve began to spread itself over the beauteous
scene, fires were seen as far as the eye could reach. These were signals
of alarm, and we could not expect anything less than a desperate effort
to drive us down the ghaut again; for the prevention of which every
possible preparation was promptly made. We were cold, hungry, and
barefooted. There had been an order that every man should bring three
days' provisions; but, by some mistake, this order had been neglected to
be properly communicated, for it ought to have been verbally published
on the morning of the day we marched. The expectation of something to do
in the night made us forget the cold and hunger. An additional outlying
and advanced piquet was ordered, and I was the next for duty. This
piquet was thrown out about two hundred yards in front of the others--a
subaltern's piquet. The first line of piquets threw out a chain of
double sentinels, the extremities of which formed a link with those
thrown out from the hill above, forming one-eighth of a circle round the
general body. Mine was rather a piquet for reconnoitring, and, in case
of alarm, to join the first piquet behind me. It was now about twenty
hours since we had had anything to eat. I was therefore hungry, and,
consequently, in good watching order, for an Englishman is always
irritable and peevish when his belly is empty. Repose was quite out of
the question, for bedding we had none, except the earth. I could not
sleep myself, and I took care that my little piquet did not slumber on
their posts. Of water there was plenty, for a most lovely crystal brook
murmured close by; but we were quite cold enough without that. It grew
dark and lonely, fires being forbidden to those on piquet, while those
on the hill had enormous ones. Speaking beyond a whisper was also
forbidden. Thus posted, we fully expected to be attacked; for the enemy
was famous for night-work. I visited my sentinels every quarter of an
hour. I could always find them by their teeth chattering. I had
forbidden them from challenging me, as I gave them to understand I
should always whistle when I was going round, and thus the enemy would
stumble upon my little piquet, and we could, if overpowered, retreat to
a stronger. Thus things went on till the moon rose in all her eastern
splendour, which enlivened the scene considerably; for when she was
thoroughly roused from her slumbers, we could see a great distance. All
was hushed as the tomb, save the crackling faggot, and the distant
roaring of beasts of prey. All of a sudden, two of my sentinels bellowed
out so that the echo resounded again, "Who comes there? Who comes
there?" Bang! bang! went both their muskets, and, in an instant, my
whole piquet were on the spot; and the whole line were ferreted out of
their beds of dried leaves--guns loaded--matches lit; all was ready for
the conflict: when it was found that the alarm was occasioned by a bear
or tiger lurking close upon our post, and which, in all probability, if
not timely disturbed, would have walked off with one of our men. The
circumstance was explained to an aid-de-camp who had arrived, and all
was again quiet; and the two sentinels got finely roasted by their
comrades, who had been obliged to turn out from their hiding-places.
Naught now was heard, save some pathetic execrations on the disturbers
of the night, by some poor fellow who had lost his warm berth. Thus
passed the night. This was in the month of January, and a bitter night
it was.
The following morning it was truly laughable to see the men crawling
from a huge heap of dried leaves, like pigs out of their straw. Thus
enveloped, they had managed to keep themselves warm during the night.
Some companies' liquor and biscuit had arrived; and, a short time after
daylight, my men and myself had something to eat, in the delights of
which meal we forgot the cares of a soldier, smiled on the hardships
that were passed, and thought little of those to come. I had some tea,
which revived me much. I must confess I do love to be on duty on any
kind of service with the Irish. There is a promptness to obey, a
hilarity, a cheerful obedience, and willingness to act, which I have
rarely met with in any other body of men; but whether, in this
particular case, those qualifications had been instilled into them by
the rigid discipline of their corps, I know not, or whether these are
characteristics of the Irish nation; but I have also observed in that
corps (I mean the 87th regiment, or Prince's Own Irish) a degree of
liberality amongst the men I have never seen in any other corps--a
willingness to share their crust and drop on service with their
comrades, an indescribable cheerfulness in obliging and accommodating
each other, and an anxiety to serve each other, and to hide each other's
faults. In that corps there was a unity I have never seen in any other;
and as for fighting, they were very devils. During the Peninsular war,
some general officer observed to the Duke of Wellington, how unsteadily
that corps marched. The noble duke replied, "Yes, general, they do
indeed; but they fight like devils." So they always will while they are
Irish. In some situations they are, perhaps, too impetuous, but if I
know anything of the service, this is a fault on the right side; and,
what at the moment was thought rashness and madness, has gained Old
England many a glorious victory.
Our magical or aerial flight up the ghauts, with guns and elephants,
seemed to have bewildered the enemy, for we could not get a glimpse of
one of them; and it is not clear to me that they had not flown to their
capital, to see if some of us had alighted there, or that we were not
soaring in the air in that vicinity.
The sun rose in majestic splendour, and the scene before us was a little
world of woody hills and valleys. The brilliant rays of the luminary of
day exhibited to the eye nature's masterpiece in scenery. Golden woods,
that would have defied the pencil of an artist, and which surpassed the
sublimest creation of the imagination; glittering hills, that vied in
brilliancy with the rising sun; rippling rills, that whispered, "Come,
ye thirsty souls, and drink of the crystal brook; and, ye passing
seraphs, stay and dip your wings in the pure stream, ere ye ascend to
the realms of love;" lofty towering pines, that nodded, "Come and see
the things on high;" and cataracts, that rushed headlong down the rocky
cliff, and imparted a wild beauty to the whole, beyond the power of
words to describe. There sighed the weeping willows, which, by the cool
brookside, dipped their new-born leaves in the rippling waters, to steal
more tears that they might weep again. There sported the golden fish,
sheltering themselves from the meridian sun, beneath the shade of the
overhanging foliage. There grew the blushing rose, calmly reposing on
its downy moss, and smiling that it had, when fair maidens were asleep,
robbed their cheeks of all their beauty. There flourished the gaudy
tulip; and the blue-eyed violet dwelt on the mossy banks. The little
minstrels of the grove tuned their morning notes, and their seraphic
melody lulled the whole to sweet repose. Oh, that ever human blood
should defile these beauteous scenes! or that the horrors of war should
disturb the sweet harmony established by nature in the fertile valleys
of this sweet and picturesque country! But in this paradise of beauty
dwelt a cruel and barbarous people, proverbial for their bloody deeds,
whose hearts were more callous than the flinty rocks that reared their
majestic heads above their woody mountains. They are more savage in
their nature than the hungry tiger that prowls through their dreary
glens; cruel as the vulture; cold-hearted as their snowy mountains;
subtle and cunning as the fiend of night; powerful as the rocks on which
they live; and active as the goat upon the mountain's brow.
We were obliged to proceed with caution, and with our eyes open, step by
step. We had intended to have remained here the whole of this day, to
enable our supplies to come up; but these having arrived early we
commenced our march in continuation of the same bed of the river. We had
not been in motion an hour, before the enemy's fires were lighted, as
signals that we were again on the move. Our march was difficult, as we
were obliged to cut our way through underwood, and pass through several
rivers, which much impeded our progress. These streams are fed and
nourished from the tremendous cataracts from the high hills before us.
We found that the enemy had strictly watched our movements during the
night; for, every quarter of a mile we advanced, we found fires still
burning, and some earthen cooking-vessels in which they had boiled their
rice. Having proceeded about a mile, we came to a sudden and abrupt
turning in the river. Here we halted, and the light company was sent on
to reconnoitre. We then moved on again, and when we had rounded the
turning of the river, which swept round the bottom of a little hill, a
small plain opened to our view. It was fertile with a kind of yellow
grass, that perfumed the air with its odour, something like sandalwood.
This grass, we were informed afterwards, was a deadly poison. Here we
came to another halt, our spies having returned, and informed us that we
were not far from a very strong post of the enemy. This news flew
through the ranks like wildfire; the flints were adjusted--bayonets
firmly fixed on--cartridges arranged--and every eye beamed delight. I
did not much like my present situation, in the centre of the regiment;
it was not what I had been used to; but being one of the youngest
ensigns, I was obliged to comply. I thought it strange that the colours
should be in the centre, and would, if I had dared to make such a
proposition, have suggested that they might be moved to the front; but
my commanding officer, good and kind as he was, would, I am sure, have
rode me down for my impudence; so I contented myself by getting on the
toes of my lower extremities, and peeping over the men's heads to see
what was going on. The light company were busy all this time in
exploring and examining the localities on our right and left, that we
might not be hemmed in. This is a necessary precaution in a mountainous
country; for the enemy may open the door to you and bid you enter, and,
when well in, may shut you in, so as to leave you no possibility of
escape. Young officer, never be inveigled in this manner, but take care,
especial care, that you can always insure that last extremity--a good
retreat. My eyes lingered on the light bobs as they ascended the
surrounding hills, and I wished to be with them, to see what was to be
seen. This was a most critical campaign, and required more prudence and
caution than I ever possessed in the whole course of my life. In such a
country you could not tell but your next step might be in the cannon's
mouth. I was thus thinking, when I saw the adjutant running towards the
centre of the regiment, vociferating, "Pass the word for Mr. Shipp; pass
the word for Mr. Shipp."--"Holloa!" thought I, "what's all this about?".
At last he came up to me, and said I was to join the light company
immediately. This was making me a light bob, indeed. I made over the
colour to my covering sergeant, by the adjutant's desire; but at that
moment a thought struck me, that perhaps this was the last time I should
ever bear it; for I could not foresee but that that day--nay, that
fleeting hour--might be my last; so I pressed the colour to my bosom and
kissed it: why should I be ashamed of it? I was a soldier, and the oft
blood-stained banner was my pride.
I soon joined the light bobs, for I could run and jump with the best of
them, and the column now proceeded slowly. The fine light company of the
25th regiment of Bengal Native Infantry were with us, and there was the
greatest intimacy between this native company and ours, and more
familiarity and good-fellowship than I had ever witnessed during my
course of service in India. We now ascended a small hill, at the bottom
of which we saw several men running away. Our soldiers were not cruel,
nor did they ever wantonly throw away their fire. A soldier ought to
guard every round intrusted to his care, for the protection of his
country and himself, as the apple of his eye; many a brave man has lost
his life in battle for the want of a round of ammunition, which, in all
probability, he had been careless of at the beginning. It is not only a
crime, but a folly, for men to be wanton in this particular. I took
about ten men with me, and the acting adjutant followed, and we soon
came up with these poor frightened and bewildered creatures. They threw
themselves on the earth, but did not supplicate for mercy--a thing
unknown among themselves. They seemed rather to meet the pointed
bayonet, than to run or cringe from it; but, when they saw that we did
not lay on them the finger of harm, they kissed our feet and then the
earth, in token of gratitude. These poor creatures were not soldiers,
but poor, solitary, and oppressed villagers, that had been sent for
rice, of which they carry great loads, by a strap or belt over their
heads, in baskets made of the willow-twig. We were directed by our
general to let them go, that they might tell our enemies that we were
not bloodthirsty murderers. When this was communicated to them by one of
their countrymen, the eye of fear brightened up; we could see the tear
of joy in their eyes; they bowed, a hundred times in the most abject
prostrations to our feet; then stood towards their village, seemingly
dispossessed of any fear. I dare say these poor starving creatures would
willingly have sought protection under the shadow of our mercy, rather
than return to be the slaves of a tyrannic government.
We now came to a wider river with a rocky bed, and, a little higher up,
was the strong post before alluded to. We could see the ends of the
houses standing some thirty yards from the river, whose banks, at this
place, were high and abrupt. We therefore crossed a little lower down,
when the 87th light company was pushed on at a good round trot. Here was
a square building, something like what I have before described at
Summarabassah, but on a much larger and stronger scale. This we
surrounded and entered. About fifty men were in this place; but, on
seeing us enter, they ran out at an opposite door, but were met by the
European soldiers. Many of them escaped; the others, some of whom showed
fight, were killed. The house was empty, except that some unshelled
rice and saltpetre were strewn about it. On looking round, we discovered
another building of a similar nature, about three hundred yards further
in the wood, to which there was a narrow path. Into this we struck, and
expected every moment to be saluted with the contents of a cannister of
grape, or with a volley of musketry; for the building commanded this
road or pathway from two or three hundred loop-holes. In this building,
or, rather, near the door of it, lay a man dead, dreadfully mutilated.
We pushed in, and the few soldiers that occupied the house ran out into
the wood, which was close to this building, and thus escaped, with the
exception of about five or six, who were shot by some good marksmen.
This house was also empty, save that some little grain was scattered
about here and there. They did not, I should suppose, expect us to dinner,
although their cooking utensils, well filled, were boiling on the fire.
These we broke for fear of poison, a crime they were fully capable of.
On looking at the poor mutilated man, he was discovered to be one of our
spies, respecting whom our kind-hearted quarter-master-general had
expressed the most anxious solicitude. My expressions, in describing
these savages, may have been thought to have been too severe and
exaggerated, when I accused them of being barbarous and cruel; but the
reader shall now judge for himself whether or not this accusation was
unfounded.
In all nations, even in Europe, the practice of punishing spies is
recognized as just; but their execution is generally public, and not
without the sanction and approbation of the governor or
commander-in-chief; and no piquet, post, or guard, dare inflict the
penalty of death. This poor creature was seized, and literally cut to
pieces; and it was supposed, by the medical people, that he must have
died a death of extreme agony, for the ground under him was dug up with
his struggling under the torture which had been inflicted on him. His
arms had been cut off, about half way up from the elbow to the
shoulder; after which it appeared that two deep incisions had been cut
in his body, just above the hips, into which the two arms had been
thrust. His features were distorted in a most frightful manner. Our poor
fellows wept bitterly over the sight, and swore, in the bitterness of
their anger, that they would revenge this foul and bloody deed; and I
had great difficulty, with their gallant captain, in restraining them
from following those savages into the wood. The pioneers having arrived,
the poor wretch was committed to his last home, amidst the sympathy of
all around.
Ettoondah was the name of the place where this barbarous murder had been
committed; and a more lovely or more picturesque spot there is not in
the created world.
Here we had some tolerably good fishing, by tying our horse-blankets
together, and then dragging the stream. We remained here some days, for
the purpose of making this our grand depot; for which purpose, in the
lower house, which was better situated than the other, and not so near
the wood, we built a large and strong stockade, with six embrasures for
guns. This house we converted into store-rooms, and here we left all our
superfluous baggage. I had no superfluities; one thing on and one off
was quite enough for any man on such a service, and I often regretted,
with many of my brother officers, that we had not brought packs, like
the men, which would have carried our all safely, and entirely relieved
us from the apprehension which we now felt of losing those things not
immediately in our presence.
The domestic fowls, kept by the natives, had strayed into the adjoining
woods, and there bred, and had become very numerous. At night they
roosted on the trees, without any apparent fear of molestation. Firing
was most strictly prohibited within a mile of camp; and justly so, or we
should, if permitted, have had the soldiers firing away their
ammunition, and the camp alarmed. Many of the fowls, however, were
caught and eaten.
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