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Chapter V – Further operations in the Duab

Sir Colin’s movements hampered by want of carriage

After the decisive actions of the 6th and 9th December, Sir Colin Campbell was naturally desirous to push onwards whilst the memory of the defeat of the rebels should be yet fresh in the minds of the combatants hampered by and their sympathisers. But there was one material difficulty in the way of his progress. His means of transport were restricted. It had taxed his energies to the utmost to procure carriage in sufficient abundance to serve for the transit of the ladies and children, sick, and wounded, he had rescued from the Residency. These, to the number of at least two thousand, had been sent to Allahabad. In leaving Outram with four thousand men at the Alambagh, he had supplied him with the means of moving his troops in case of necessity. For his own entire army, forced to march rapidly a distance of fifty miles, he had not retained the wherewithal to enter upon a harassing campaign.

December

He could equip a column, but not an army. The supply of camels from northern and central India was cut off. He was forced, then, to remain inactive until the carriage conveying the convoy of ladies should return from Allahabad.

The carriage arrives

This carriage did not reach Kanhpur till 23rd December. Meanwhile Sir Colin had been maturing his plans. Fathgarh – the Fathgarh whose Nawab, the Nawab of Farrukhabad, had cast in his lot with the rebels, and had aided the mutinous Sipahis in the destruction of our countrymen142 – Fathgarh was the first point to be attacked. The occupation of this place, about midway between Allahabad and Dehli, would complete the command over the Duab, which had been secured only partially by the re-conquest of Dehli and the maintenance

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of Agra and Allahabad. That point regained, Rohilkhand would still remain to be conquered and Lakhnao to be regained. To quench the embers of the insurrection in the minor places on the left bank of the Jamnah, and to the east of Allahabad, flying columns would, it was hoped, prove sufficient.

and Sir Colin detaches Walpole to Mainpuri

Sir Colin Campbell’s movements against Fathgarh were planned with his usual ,caution. Availing himself of Seaton’s march from Aligarh, he directed Walpole to make a semicircular sweep by the Kalpi road via Akbarpur to Itawah and Mainpuri, at once threatening the Kalpi force and clearing of rebels the districts dependent upon Agra. At Mainpuri Walpole would effect a junction with Seaton, who was to wait for him there. These, uniting their forces, were then to march on Fathgarh, upon which place the Commander-in-Chief would move by the direct road from Kanhpur. In recounting these separate movements, I propose to follow first Walpole, then Seaton; then, leaving the two combined, to proceed to the leader, who had the shortest distance to traverse, and upon whom it would devolve to fight the decisive battle.

Walpole marches on Itawah

Walpole, taking with him the 2nd and 3rd battalions Rifle Brigade, a detachment 38th Foot Bourchier’s battery, Blunts . troop of horse artillery, and one company of sappers, set out on the morning of the 18th December. The column marched by Akbarpur to Itawah without adventure of any kind. Itawah had been plundered in the early days of the mutiny143. It was now a wreck; the church, the court-house, the private residences were in ruins; but it was held by the rebels.

A few fanatic rebels bar his way

On learning of Walpole’s approach the majority of these men evacuated the place. A few fanatics, however, occupying a covered, square, loop-holed enclosure, determined to hold on to the last. Few in number, armed only with muskets, they were animated by a spirit fiercer even than the spirit of despair – by a determination to die martyrs to their cause. Walpole reconnoitred the place. It was, for a place to stop an army, insignificant. It could easily be stormed. Yet to storm it in the face of its occupants would cost valuable life, and it seemed that easier and less costly means were available.

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The place they occupy is blown up

These easy means were at first tried. Hand grenades were thrown in; an attempt was made to smoke out the occupants with burning straw. But all in vain. Through their loop-holes the rebels poured in a constant and effective fire on the assailants, and for three hours kept them at bay. At last it was resolved to blow up the whole place. For this purpose Bourchier, aided by Scratchley of the Engineers, made a mine, with a number of his gun cartridges. The explosion of this conferred on the defenders the martyrs’ honours they coveted. It buried them in the ruins.

Walpole reaches Mainpuri

This happened on the 29th December. The column marched without further adventure to Mainpuri, and the following day, the 3rd February, joined Brigadier Seaton’s force at Bewar, fifteen miles distant, on the road to Fathgarh.

Composition of Seaton’s force

Meanwhile Seaton, appointed to the command of the force ordered to escort to Kanhpur a large convoy of grain and stores144, had set out on the 9th December for Aligarh. He had under him, of artillery, two hundred and thirty-three men, manning six 9-pounder guns, two 6-pounders, two 18-pounders, one 8-inch howitzer, and two 52-inch mortars; of cavalry, a squadron of the Carabineers, and a few of the 9th Lancers, a hundred and forty in all, and Hodson’s Horse, five hundred and fifty strong, led by Hodson; of infantry, the 1st Fusiliers, three hundred and seventy-six strong; the 7th Panjab Infantry, five hundred and forty strong; of sappers, a hundred and twenty. He was joined on the march by Wale’s Horse and some Sikhs.

Seaton , learning that the rebels are in the Aligarh district

The night before Seaton left Dehli he was informed that a considerable body of rebels had assembled in the Aligarh district, and that they were threatening to attack the small force with which Colonel Farquhar held it. With characteristic vigour, Seaton, in spite of his convoy, proceeded to Aligarh by forced marches.

Marches against them

Arriving there, he placed his convoy under the guns of the Aligarh fort, made arrangements for a field hospital, rid himself of every ounce of extra baggage, and, taking with him a small portion of the fort garrison (a hundred men of the 3rd Europeans) under Major Eld, set out to join Farquhar. He found him encamped at a place called

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Gangari, close to the suspension bridge over the Kali river. The enemy were believed to be some thirteen miles distant..

and sends Hodson to reconnoitre

Seaton at once, then, crossed the river, marched a mile and a half, encamped in some fields, and sent Hodson to the front to reconnoitre.

Seaton and his soldiers are breakfasting, or about to breakfast

Whilst Hodson, accompanied by Major Light of the Bengal Artillery, a very gallant and skilful soldier, were galloping to the front to reconnoitre, Seaton and the other officers sat down to their breakfasts, whilst the men, hungry after their march, watched the cook-boys as they prepared for them the same stimulating meal.

when the alarm is sounded

The officers had breakfasted, the men were about to sit down to their breakfasts, already placed, smoking hot, before them, when the alarm called them, fasting, to their posts. Half a minute before, Light, galloping at full speed, had brought the information that the rebels were advancing on both flanks. At once all was bustle and animation. The infantry, without waiting to put on their coats, turned out, as in the Dehli days, with their muskets and side-arms. The cavalry were in their saddles in less than three minutes. The gunners, always on the alert, were not a whit behindhand.

The troops turn out, fasting

In less time than it has taken to describe it, all arms of the force, thus suddenly alarmed, were in their places. On the extreme right were the Carabineers and Lancers; on the extreme left Hodson’s Horse; the 1st Fusiliers and a hundred men of the 3rd Europeans were in the centre behind the guns; on the left of the 1st Fusiliers were the Sikhs and Rifles.

Seaton advances against the rebels

Seaton moved forward to meet the enemy. He had scarcely set his troops in motion when Hodson rode up and reported to the Brigadier that he had seen the rebels some miles in front filing through a village with guns; that, having watched their further proceedings, he had sent on Light to make his report. Hardly had he finished speaking when the heads of the enemy’s columns appeared in sight – two large bodies, one on each flank. Their infantry soon followed, filling up the gap between the two. Seaton at once ordered the guns to the front. These at once opened on the enemy. The hostile guns replied, and though the reply was feeble, yet from the position they had taken up they were able to rake the British line. Seeing this, Wardlaw of the Carabineers, who had received discretionary orders, charged the

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enemy’s battery. The guns turned at once upon the gallant soldiers led most gallantly.

Gallant charge of the Carabineers who, in spite of losses, capture the guns

But nothing stopped them. Out of the five officers with the Carabineers, three, Wardlaw, Hudson, and Vyse, fell dead; the lieutenant of the handful of Lancers charging with them, Head, was dangerously wounded, whilst of the men six were killed and eleven wounded; but the guns were captured! The cavalry were then led by the only surviving officer, Lieutenant Russell, along the fields, and his men, making good use of their carbines, cleared out the enemy without further loss.

Hodson overthrows the enemy on the right

Whilst this was happening on the right, Hodson on the left had dashed with his regiment against the enemy’s horse, and had overthrown them.

The enemy completely defeated

The infantry did not pause to receive. Throwing away their arms, they ran to hide themselves in the fields and ravines, or to continue their flight over the country. They had lost all their guns, one 9-pounder and two 6-pounders, and – what was of greater importance – had received “great discouragement.”

Their mistake

It appeared that they had no idea that Seaton had come up; they hoped to have to do only with Farquhar’s small force of Baluchis. The, discovery that a considerable European force was marching through the districts was a warning to them that from that time forth their occupation was gone!

Seaton occupies Kasganj

This fight received from the name of the town near which it was fought the title of the combat of Kasganj. That town was occupied the following morning. It was a strong place, filled with brick houses, possessing a handsome mosque remarkable for its curious roof and numerous minarets, surrounded by old gardens, encompassed with strong mud walls, and, if well defended, would have been hard to take.

and pushes on to Patiali

Seaton then pushed on to Sahawar, and the next day, the 17th, to Patiali.

where, hearing of the rebels, he sends Hodson to reconnoitre

When, however, passing through a village about two miles off this place, a few shots were heard, and Hodson, who was with the advanced guard, sent word that the enemy’s outposts had fired their muskets, and galloped off. On receiving this report, Seaton brought all his men through the village, then halted, and served out bread and grog to the men, whilst Hodson and the engineers went to the front to reconnoitre.

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Hodson reports the position occupied by the enemy

In about twenty minutes Hodson returned to report that the enemy had formed across the road, barring the entrance to Patiali; that their right and right centre were resting on some large ravines, on the right face and front of which earthworks had been thrown up; that their left centre and left were posted in front of gardens and enclosures, covered on the extreme left by their cavalry, posted in an open country. In front of the centre of their position, and about half a mile from it, was a small village, through which they had calculated the British force would advance. They had laid their plans accordingly.

Seaton forms his plan

On hearing this report, Seaton disposed his force for action. On the right he massed Hodson’s Horse, the Carabineers and Lancers, and some light guns; in the centre the Europeans; on the left the native infantry, and the heavy guns. His plan was to turn their left flank.

Begins the battle with an artillery duel

Occupying, then, the small village of which I have spoken with a few men, and thus constituting that village the left of his position, he brought four guns to the front on the extreme right, and sent four more to take up a position almost enfilading the enemy’s position from left to right. But before these could unlimber the enemy opened fire from a battery of twelve guns. In a few minutes, however, the British guns replied, and the duel commenced in earnest. The artillery contest lasted about thirty minutes, the cavalry and infantry meanwhile being halted. But, as the fire from the British guns had, during those thirty minutes, been gradually gaining on that of the enemy, when that time elapsed, Seaton could contain himself no longer.

then, charging, gains it with his cavalry

Giving the order to the infantry to advance, he charged himself at the head of the cavalry. The enemy did not await that charge. They broke and fled, and when the infantry, which had advanced on receiving the order, reached the spot, they found that their efforts were not required: they had been forestalled by their gallant Brigadier145.

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The rebels are pursued and slaughtered

The gallant charge of Seaton decided the day; but it did not stop the slaughter. The Carabineers, the Lancers, Hodson’s Horse, and the Artillery “got in” among the fleeing enemy, and pursued them for seven miles, taking blood for blood. It is computed that not less than six hundred of the rebels succumbed in the pursuit. On the side of the British the loss was singularly small, one man only having been killed and three wounded. The number of guns taken amounted to thirteen.

among them their hereditary commander-in-chief

Amongst the trophies captured on this occasion were the elephant, the silver howdah, and the sword of the Hakim, hereditary commander-in-chief of the Nawab of Farrukhabad. The Hakim himself had been killed by Hodson. In the choice of an open position in front of one very defensible, he had clearly demonstrated that the qualities which go to form an efficient commander-in-chief are not hereditary. Seaton halted three days at Patiali, chiefly to give time to the administrative officers to reorganise their establishments and settle the country.

Great effect on the country of this victory

This halt showed him the marvellous effect which his triumphant march had produced. On all sides the rebels were falling back, terrified, on Fathgarh, or endeavouring to cross the Ganges into Oudh. Some bodies of them, of whose movements he heard, and against whom he despatched a small force, fled on the appearance even of a reconnoitring party146! Seaton thought, then, that he might fairly return for his convoy.

Hodson disposes of two noted rebels

Accordingly on the 21st he retraced his steps. On the 22nd, when within a few miles of Kasganj, he was met by Mr. Cocks, the Civil Commissioner of the division, with the information that a notorious rebel, named Jowahir Singh, who had fought against him at Patiali, had doubled round, and had returned with one son, wounded in that engagement, to Kasganj. Hodson was at once sent to the front to dispose of the question. He disposed of it in his own manner. He killed the son; the father, taken prisoner, was tried by a military commission and blown from a gun that evening. He deserved his fate, for not only was he in receipt of a pension

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from the British Government as a native officer, but he was receiving also the emoluments attaching to the Order of British India, of which he was a member.

Seaton arranges for the convoy

From Kasganj Seaton sent Major Eld to escort the captured guns to Aligarh and to despatch the convoy thence under charge of the escort with which he furnished him. He then resumed his march to Itah.

and marches on Mainpuri

There he received information that the Rajah of Mainpuri, a debauchee, named Tej Singh, had raised a force with the intention of barring the road to him. Upon Mainpuri, then, Seaton marched, via Karauli.

Learns on his march that the rebel Rajah is in his path, to oppose his progress

At Karauli, fourteen miles from Mainpuri, Seaton learned from his scouts that the young Rajah had drawn up his little force in position across the road from Karauli just above the junction with the grand trunk road leading to Agra; that he had occupied walled gardens on either side of the road, and had covered the road itself with field-works.

Seaton out manoeuvres

Seaton’s plan was instantly made. When within a mile of the enemy’s position, he turned off from the main road by a path to the right, hiding his movement, as far as possible, by the dust made by the cavalry, until he had gained a position whence he could rake the enemy’s line from left to right. In vain did the enemy bring their guns to bear on him. Seaton continued his movement until he had reached the point he was aiming at. The British guns then opened.

and defeats them

Two rounds were sufficient. The enemy fled in disorder, abandoning, on the field and in the fort, which they did not attempt to defend, eight guns. Their loss cannot be properly estimated; it did not probably exceed a hundred. Seaton’s amounted to two wounded!

Seaton halts at Mainpuri

Hodson proposes to open communication with the Commander-in-Chief

The action near Mainpuri was fought on the 27th December. Seaton halted in the vicinity of that place till the 31st, whilst Hodson of Hodson’s Horse made a daring and most successful effort to open communications with the Commander-in-Chief. Many gallant deeds were performed during the mutiny, but not one exceeded this in cool and deliberate courage.

Hodson invaluable as a partisan leader

My opinion of Hodson has been already recorded. He was a free-lance of the Middle Ages. But, if his action towards the unarmed and captive princes of the House of Taimur proved that the instincts of the

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natural savage reigned strong within him, his fearlessness, his contempt of danger, his joy in the battle, his ever cool brain, made him invaluable as a partisan leader. When a risk for the general good was to be undertaken, Hodson always came forward to undertake it. In matters affecting, or likely to affect, him physically, he never counted the cost. He was invaluable to a commander. Was information regarding the enemy’s movements required, Hodson would get it. Was a delicate movement at a particular period of a battle considered essential, the execution of it was entrusted to Hodson. Always in the position where his presence was needed, always the first to detect a false movement, always with his life in his hand ready to risk it, Hodson could not fail to be the right-hand man of his general. “He is indefatigable,” said Seaton, to General Penny, when asking for his services – “a soldier of the highest class; I have unbounded confidence in him, and would rather have him than five hundred more men.”

danger of the undertaking he proposed to accomplish

The undertaking to which he now devoted himself was one requiring nerve, intelligence, and activity of the highest order. Seaton’s camp was at Mainpuri. The Commander-in-Chief was reported to be at Gursuhaganj, about forty miles from Mainpuri, marching from Fathgarh. But the country between the two places was the country into which the rebels, so often beaten, had been driven, and though some, doubtless, had reached Fathgarh, others had lingered on the road. The rebels beaten at Mainpuri must of necessity be there.

Still, it was very advisable to attempt to open out communications with the Commander-in-Chief, and, the task being difficult and dangerous, Hodson naturally volunteered to execute it.

Hodson and McDowell start on their dangerous errand

His offer was accepted, and on the morning of the 30th he set out, taking with him his second in command, McDowell, a very gallant officer, and seventy-five of his own men. He carried on his person Colonel Seaton’s despatches.

Hodson rode straight to Bewar, fourteen miles distant. There he left all his escort except twenty-five men. With these and with McDowell he continued his course to Chhibramau, another fourteen miles, where he again made halt.

Leaving their escort behind

From this point he determined to push on to Gursuhaganj accompanied only by McDowell. The distance was about twelve miles. Leaving, then, the twenty-five

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they reach their destination to find the Chief still distant from it

native troopers in Chhibramau, the two officers rode on alone. They reached Gursuhaganj in safety, only to find, however, that the Commander-in-Chief’s camp was at Miran-ki-sarai, some fifteen miles further off.

Alarming nature of the situation; but they push on and gain the Chief’s camp in safety

The situation was alarming. The villagers reported that the rebels, seven hundred strong with four guns, were within two miles of the place. But hesitation never entered into the calculations of Hodson. He and his comrade continued their journey, and reached the headquarter camp, without adventure, at 4 o’clock in the morning. They had ridden fifty-five miles in ten-hours, without change of horses.

while he is there the road he traversed is occupied by the rebels

It happened that on the road between Chhibramau and Gursuhaganj Hodson had bestowed alms upon a native. A very short time after he had left the former place, it had been entered by a party of two thousand rebels on their way to Fathgarh. These men overpowered and killed the troopers, and, having gathered from the villagers that Hodson and his companion would return, they resolved to lay wait for them. Meanwhile, Hodson had been splendidly received by Sir Colin Campbell, had been closeted with him the greater part of the day, and had dined with him.

Hodson and McDowell start to return

At 8 o’clock in the evening, he and McDowell set out on their return journey. They proceeded without adventure till within five or six miles of Chhibramau.

They are warned of the danger threatening them

Here they were stopped by the native whom Hodson had befriended in the morning, with the information that Chhibramau was occupied by the rebels, who were on the look-out for them. It was near midnight, the moon was bright, and the wind cold. It was neither the time nor place for deliberation, nor did Hodson require it. He determined to push on.

By prudent boldness they escape the danger

Dismounting, then, from their horses, he and his companion led them to the soft unmacadamised strip which forms the border of an Indian road, and, followed by the native, walked on. They gradually approached Chhibramau: they entered it: they saw the camp of the enemy: they heard the hum of voices: but they reached unseen the further end of the village. On emerging from it, they dismissed their guide, with a promise from him to join them in their camp, remounted, and rode on.

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and return

At Bewar they were met by a party which Seaton, hearing of the surprise at Chhibramau, had sent out to look for them.

Seaton effects a junction with Walpole

Seaton, indeed, alarmed at the reports brought in by the troopers left at Bewar, had moved on to that place on the 31st. Here he remained with his convoy till the 3rd January, when, as already related, Brigadier Walpole joined him there. Seaton’s force came at once under the orders of that officer.

Footnotes

142. Vide Volume III. pp. 230–2.

143. Volume III. pp. 106-8.

144. Vide page 83.

145. “On we move, and, to our surprise, without receiving a shot from the enemy, whose guns, we found, on reaching their position, had been captured by Colonel Seaton, who had led the Staff and horse artillery, with some few of Hodson’s Horse. In fact, seeing the enemy wavering, this bold charge, led by Seaton, decided matters, so far as the guns were concerned.” – The 1st Bengal Fusiliers after the fall of Delhi (Blackwood’s Magazine). The writer of the article was at the time attached to the 1st Fusiliers.

146. “On the appearance in the distance of the reconnoitring party they had fled precipitately. The officer went over the ground on which they had been encamped, and found their food still cooking on the fire, their pots and pans, and all their baggage standing apart. The fear of us had fallen on all the district round about.” – From Cadet to Colonel, by Sir Thomas Seaton, K.C.B.

This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
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