A friendship of thirty years’ duration, the value of which I need not here estimate, is my sole, but sufficient, reason for the exercise of the most graceful privilege of an author, in dedicating to you these pages, wherein your name occupies a conspicuous place in connection with the memorable events which I have endeavoured, faithfully and impartially, to record.
List and Short Description of Places
Book 7 – Feebleness in Bengal and Strength in Bihar
Chapter 1 – Panic and Panic-mongers in Calcutta
Mr. Beadon’s Line of Six Hundred Miles – Views of the Government – Their First Awakening – Character of General Anson – Further Awakening of the Government – Mr. Grant’s Practical Advice – Lord Canning Acts on the Advice – The Press of India – The Gagging Act – The “Feigning Confidence” Policy – Its Collapse – Panic Sunday – Disarming of the Barrackpur Sipahis – The King of Oudh – Sir Patrick Grant, K.C.B – Unfavourable News from outside Calcutta – Sir Henry Havelock, K.C.B.
Danger of Mr. Beadon’s Line – Major MacDonald at Rohni – Patna – Mr. William Tayler – Early detects the Character of the Crisis, and meets it boldly – Mr. Halliday – Major-General Lloyd – Reasonings for Leaving the Danapur Brigade armed – The Latent Feeling at Patna – Mr. Tayler shows a Bold Front – He Arrests the Wahabi Conspirators – Fresh Discoveries of Treason – Mr. Lowis – The Patna Rising – The Rising crushed – Major Holmes and the 12th Irregulars – Mr. William Tayler and Mr. Halliday – The Government refuse to order Disarming – They cast the Responsibility on General Lloyd – Remonstrance of the Calcutta Merchants – Their Remonstrance disregarded – General Lloyd’s Half-measure – Its First Consequence – Consequence of the Development of the Half-measure – Reflections on the Event – Murder of Major Holmes – Mr. Tayler faces the Emergency – Inaction of Major-General Lloyd – Kunwar Singh joins the Mutineers – Mr. Tayler urges vigorous action – Captain Dunbar’s Detachment starts for Arah – Foresight of Mr. Vicars Boyle – The Defence of Arah – Captain Dunbar’s March – His Force is surprised, and compelled to retreat – The Garrison of Arah still holds out – Vincent Eyre – Eyre resolves to attempt to relieve Arah – Assumes the Entire Responsibility – Is undeterred by the defeat of Dunbar – Advances and attacks the Enemy – A Severe Contest is decided by a Bayonet Charge – Eyre relieves Arah – Eyre and Tayler jointly save Bihar – Critical Position of Bihar during Eyre’s Advance – Mr. Tayler prudently contracts his line – The Result at Muzaffarpur – Mr. Alonzo Money and Gaya – Mr. Money’s Conduct Inexplicable – How Mr. Money’s Action and Eyre’s Triumph affected Mr. Tayler – Mr. Halliday dismisses Mr. Tayler from his Post – The Dismissal as Ungenerous as Unjust – What Mr. Tayler had accomplished – Recantation of two of his Judges – Justice notwithstanding is still denied him – The Denial a Scandal to England
Chapter 3 – Bihar, Bengal, and Banaras
Arah after the Relief – Eyre resolves to follow up his blow – Marches against Kunwar Singh’s stronghold – Fights a Battle and captures it – Eyre is ordered to Allahabad – Sir James Outram arrives in Calcutta – Is appointed to command the Lakhnao Relieving Force – Mr. Grant sent to administer the Central Provinces – Resolution in Council regarding the treatment of Mutineers – The Disarming Order – Colonel G. M. Sherer at Jalpaiguri – Arrival of Lord Elgin in Calcutta – Formation of the Naval Brigade – Arrival of Sir Colin Campbell in Calcutta – Who saved Bihar and Banaras?
Book 8 – The North-Western Provinces, Central India, and Rajputana
The North-West Provinces – Mr. John Colvin – The News of the Mirath Mutiny reaches Agra – The Magnitude of the Crisis is not recognised – Maharajah Sindhia – Mr. Colvin applies to Sindhia, and Bharatpur for Aid – Revolt at Aligarh – Revolts at Balandshahr and Mainpuri – Gallantry of the Powers and of De Kantzow – Revolt at Itawah – Mr. Colvin’s Proclamation – The Sipahis’ answer to the Proclamation – Mr. Colvin resolves to disarm them – He disarms them – Increasing Difficulties of his Position – Sindhia sends his Body-guard to Agra – Forebodings of Mutiny at Gwaliar – The Crisis there arrives – Mutiny of the Gwaliar Sipahis – Some escape to Agra – The Clouds in the Distance
Chapter 2 – Salmi and Bundelkhand
Jhansi – Its Garrison in 1857 – The Civil Officers trust the Rani – Outbreak of Mutiny at Jhansi – The Surviving Officers are besieged in the Fort – After a Gallant Defence they accept terms from the Rani – They are betrayed and massacred – The News of the Jhansi Massacre reaches Naogang – The Sipahis at that Place mutiny – Adventures of the Retreating Europeans – Loyalty of the Nawab of Banda – Action of the 50th Native Infantry
Colonel Henry Marion Durand – Takes up the Office of Governor-General’s Agent for Central India – Geographical Position of Central India – Its Military Occupation – Garrison of Mau – The Line of the Narbada – Early Policy of Colonel Durand – Durand accepts a Guard of Holkar’s Troops – Gloomy News arrives from Without – General Woodburn’s Column diverted to Aurungabad – A Native Banker learns that the favourable News from Delhi are Untrue – The Maharajah’s Troops attack the Residency – Description of the Residency – Description of the Mutineers and their Leader – Colonel Travers – Travers makes a Gallant Charge and drives the Rebels from their Guns – Durand sends to Mau for Hungerford’s Battery – Gallant and Persistent Efforts of Travers – They are frustrated by the Refusal of his Men to act – All the Native Troops refuse to face the Rebels – Summary of the Situation – Courses open to Durand – Was Holkar Loyal or Disloyal – Hungerford’s Battery – The Troops at Mau mutiny – Durand evacuates the Residency – The Impossibility of a Retreat on Mau – Is forced to retire on Sihor – Summary of Durand’s Conduct – Durand’s Subsequent Proceedings
Chapter 4 – George Lawrence and Rajputana
Rajputana – Colonel George St. Patrick Lawrence – The Condition of Rajputana in May 1857 – Colonel Lawrence sends to Dig for European Troops – The Arsenal at Ajmir is secured – Colonel Lawrence appeals to the Rajput Princes – The Sipahis at Nasirabad mutiny – Those also at Nimach – European Troops arrive from Disa – They occupy Nimach and Nasirabad – Major Eden and the Events at Jaipur – Captain Monck-Mason and Jodhpur – Captain Showers and Udaipur – Summary of Colonel Lawrence’s Action
Agra in the Last Fortnight of June – Mr. Colvin authorises Retirement within the Fort – Disposition of the Native Troops and Levies at Agra – Mr. Colvin is forced by Illness to resign his Authority to a Council – Brigadier Polwhele – The Kota Contingent at Agra mutinies – Mr. Colvin recovers and resumes Authority – Brigadier Polwhele determines to advance and meet the Enemy – Battle of Sassiah – The British retire before the Enemy – Agra is plundered – Order is at last restored – Life in the .Agra Fort – Military Measures adopted – Expedition to Aligarh – Mr. Colvin’s Health fails – Mr. Colvin dies
Chapter 6 – The North-west Provinces
Lieutenant Cockburn at Hathras – The Cavalry of the Gwaliar Contingent mutiny – The Officers and Volunteers fall back on Agra – Saharanpur – Muzaffarnagar – Bareli – Reasoning of the Sipahis at Bareli – Favourable Antecedents of the 8th Irregular Cavalry – Their Commandant, Captain A. Mackenzie – Forewarnings of Mutiny – The Native Infantry at Bareli mutiny – The Officers collect at the Cavalry Lines – Action of Captain Alexander Mackenzie – His vain Endeavours to lead his Men against the Rebels – The Officers retire on Naini Tal – The Rebel rule in Bareli – Shahjahanpur – The Mutiny and Slaughter there – The Survivors retire towards Oudh – Budaun and Mr. William Edwards – The Mutiny of the Troops and his Flight – Muradabad – The 29th Native Regiment on its Trial – They rise in Revolt – Escape of the English – Political and Social Life in Rohilkhand under Khan Bahadur Khan – Fathgarh – Doubtful Behaviour of the Sipahis there – They mutiny on being joined by the 41st Native Infantry – The Europeans enter the Fort – Siege of the Fort of Fathgarh – The Garrison are forced to take to Boats – They are pursued – Events of the Pursuit – The Gains of the Nawab of Farrukhabad
Book 9 – Oudh
Chapter 1 – Oudh and Henry Lawrence
Effects of the Annexation of Oudh – Sir Henry Lawrence – The “Caste” Question – Reasons why the Danger in Oudh was likely to be excessive . The One Chance of averting Danger – The Garrison of Lakhnao – First Symptoms of Disaffection at Lakhnao – Sir Henry Lawrence appeals to the Native Soldiers . The Appeal is too late – He recognises the coming Danger and prepares. – The 7th Oudh Irregulars mutiny – They are deprived of their Arms – Sir Henry holds a grand Durbar – The good Effect of it is but transitory – Sir Henry is nominated Brigadier-General – The City of Lakhnao and the Location of the Troops – The Ladies and Children are brought within the Residency – Captain Gould Weston is sent to restore Order in the Districts – Captain Hutchinson is sent on a similar Errand – The Results of the two Missions – The Sipahis at Lakhnao mutiny – The Position improved by the Outbreak . – Sitapur – Precursors of Mutiny there – The Mutiny and its Consequences – Malaun and Mr. Capper – Muhamdi – The Preparations there – The Fugitives from Shahjahanpur arrive there – The Retreat and Massacre – The Fugitives from Sitapur – Sikrora – Mr. Wingfield, C.S – Mutiny at Sikrora – Mutiny at Gondah – Mr. Wingfield and others are received by the Rajah of Balrampur – Murder of the Bahraich Officials – Malapur, and its Officials – Faizabad – Rajah Man Singh – Mutiny at Faizabad – Many of the English leave in Boats – Murder of the Fugitives – Sufferings of Mrs. Mills – Escape of Colonel Lennox – The Civil Officials of Faizabad escape – Murder of Colonel Fisher and Others – Generous Behaviour of Elijah Hanwant Singh – Wonderful Escape of Captain W. H. Hawes – Sir Henry Lawrence’s Opinion on the Situation in Lakhnao on the 12th of June
Chapter 2 – The leaguer of Lakhnao
Illness of Sir Henry Lawrence and its Consequences – Major Banks and Colonel Inglis – Sir Martin Gubbins – Views of Sir Henry Lawrence regarding the Native Troops – The Military Police at Lakhnao revolt – Presence of Mind and Daring of Captain Gould Weston – Colonel Inglis follows up the Mutineers – Personal Daring of Mr. Thornhill, C.S – Sir Henry fortifies the Residency and the Machchi Bhawan – His Anxiety regarding Kanhpur – Soundness of his Reasons for not attempting to relieve that Place – Hears of the Surrender of Kanhpur, and resolves to strike a Counter Blow – Battle of Chinhat – Sir Henry’s Decision to fight that Battle vindicated – Gallantry of Captain Anderson – Sir Henry concentrates his Forces in the Residency – The Weakness of his Defences – Comparison between the European and the Asiatic Soldier – Description of the Residency Enclosure – Proceedings after Chinhat – Sir Henry Lawrence is killed – His Character – The Debt of England to Sir Henry Lawrence – The “Posts” of the Residency described – Difficulties in the Way of the Defence – That Defence as described by Brigadier Inglis – Tactics of the Mutineers – Proceedings of the Garrison – Lieutenant Sam. Lawrence and the First Sortie – The First Grand Assault – Gallantry of Young Loughnan – The Repulse, and its Effect on both Parties – Death of Major Banks, and Assumption of Supreme Authority by Brigadier Inglis – The Three Weeks following the First Grand Assault – Angad, the Pensioner and Spy – The Second Grand Assault – The Repulse, and its Effect on both Parties – The British Soldier during the Siege – The Kanhpur Battery – The Third Grand Assault – The Assault is repulsed with great Advantage to the Garrison – Reasons of the Author for dwelling specially on the Four Grand – Assaults made during the Siege – Peculiarities which distinguished this Garrison from ordinary Garrisons – Description of the Devices adopted by the Garrison in Loop-holing, Reserve of Fire, Looking-out, and Mining – The Fourth Grand Assault – The Assailants are greatly dispirited by its Repulse – Sickness increases within the Residency – Angad brings Tidings of Havelock’s certain Approach – The Advance of the Relieving Force is heralded – Intense Excitement of the Garrison – They notice Signs of the Enemy’s Defeat – The Relieving Force in Sight – The Meeting of the Relievers and the Relieved – The Early Discovery that it is not a Relief, but a Reinforcement – Honour to whom Honour is due – Brigadier Inglis – Captain Wilson – Captain Fulton – Lieutenant James – Mr. Couper, C.S. – The Glorious Dead – The Native Troops, Captain Germon, Lieutenant Aitken – The Native Pensioners – The Ladies – The Losses sustained
Chapter 3 – Neill, Havelock, and Outram
Brigadier-General Neill arrives at Kanhpur – Havelock crosses into Oudh – He bivouacs at Mangalwar – Havelock beats the Enemy at Unao – Resolves to follow up the Blow – The Advantage he draws from his extensive Military Reading – He finds the Enemy at Bashiratganj – He attacks and defeats him there – Considerations respecting a further Advance force themselves on his Notice – Dominating Force of those Considerations – Neill at Kanhpur – Character of Brigadier-General Neill – He shows great Vigour at Kanhpur – Neill sends Captain Gordon to clear the River – His Correspondence with Havelock – Havelock, having been reinforced, again advances – He beats the Enemy, but again retires – His Resolution to retire justified – He again advances in order to cover the Passage of the Ganges – Success of his Operations – Neill at Kanhpur – Havelock’s Action again considered and vindicated – He marches on Bithur – He fights a Severe Battle with, and beats, the Rebels – Havelock returns to Kanhpur to find himself superseded – Reflections on the Policy adopted by the Government of India of judging, without Discrimination, only by Results – Dangers of the Position at Kanhpur – Havelock resolves to hold it – Captain John Gordon again sweeps the Ganges – Neill is appointed to command the Right Wing of the Expeditionary Force – Specialities of Sir James Outram’s Character – He arrives at Allahabad, and marches thence to Kanhpur – Learns that Mutineers have landed from Oudh to cut him off from Allahabad – Outram sends a Force under Major Eyre against that Enemy – Eyre marches against and crushes the Enemy – Outram arrives at Kanhpur and continues Havelock in command – The unparalleled Self-abnegation and Generosity of his Act – The Orders on the Subject expressed by Sir Colin Campbell and by Havelock – The Strength of the Force destined to march on Lakhnao – Measures taken to ensure the Passage of the Ganges – The Passage, and the Manoeuvres immediately subsequent – Havelock drives the Enemy from Mangalwar – The Force bivouacks at Bashiratganj – The Temper of the Men – The Force advances, and the Enemy flee before them – Approaching the Alambagh, they find it occupied – Havelock captures the Alambagh and bivouacs for the Night – The Enemy turn upon him – Havelock changes his Position, and halts the next Day – On the 25th he advances on the City – He reaches the Charbagh, whence he determines to turn the Main Streets – Splendid gallantry of young Havelock – The Force encounters enormous Difficulties – General Neill is killed – The Troops reach the Residency – The Rear-Guard enters on the Morning of the 27th – It is soon found that it is Reinforcement not Relief – Reflections on the Event – The Gallant Survivors
Appendix A – Sir George Lawrence and General Showers
Appendix B – The Official Report of the Defence of Lakhnao
The House at Arah
Plan of the intrenched position covering the Lakhnao Residency
This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
