of that Friday and Saturday, or ar- most experienced and effective offirive at the truth amid the thousand cers of the department, frankly avowconflicting statements, would be well- ed his inability to meet the demands. nigh impossible ; and as being not He declared himself ready to throw absolutely necessary for the elucida- up his appointment rather than attion of the narrative of subsequent tempt it: he would sacrifice himself, events, we do not make the attempt. rather than sacrifice the army. In Suffice it to say, it all resulted in, if this perplexity, the Commander-innot “a causeless panic,” at least a Chief found, as Lord Hardinge* had “shameless flight.

done before him, that the commisThe Goorkhas were subsequently sariat department was not meant for brought to reason, their demands such emergencies ; and, like Lord being acceded to, and their guards Hardinge, he turned to the civil aureplaced; and on receipt of the thorities of the district, and his call second order, under a “general am- was as promptly responded to. An nesty” granted by the Commander-indent was sent in for 700 camels, in-Chief, they marched to Umballa. 2000 doolie-bearers, and 200 carts ;

To resume the narrative of events. and in less than a week Mr Forsyth, Umballa was now fast filling, the the Deputy-Commissioner, had colthree European corps had arrived, lected above 2000 camels, as many each mustering about 800 strong ; bearers, and 500 carts, besides the but there was no accommodation elephants, camels, and carts that for them ; there were not tents flowed in in streams from the Putenough to cover one-half; the men tiala Rajah. Provisions, too, were were huddled together, as many as collected in similar abundance, with could be under canvass, and the rest the assurance that as much more as doubled up in the 9th Lancers' bar- might be required was procurable. racks. How to push them on to Thus the wants of the troops were Delhi was the next difficulty. The met; and after a delay of some ten commissariat arrangements at Um- days, against which the Chief Comballa, although sufficient to meet the missioner, in his eagerness for the wants of the station itself, were recovery of Delhi, was constantly utterly inadequate for the demands and urgently remonstrating-a deof such a force thrown suddenly lay which was deplorable, not only upon them. That department had as giving confidence to the rebels, neither the carriage, camels, ele- and affording time for them to orphants, or carts, now required. Co- ganise a resistance, but even more lonel W. B. Thomson, one of the so as affecting the health of many

Lord Hardinge gave the following evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons, on the 8th March 1853. Question 2029 :

“When the army entered the field, and had to move suddenly from Umballa to the Sutlej, of course we were not so prepared as we should have been if we had expected war a month beforehand. When I arrived at Umballa, having conferred with Lord Gough, I called for the Commissary-General; and he told me that, according to the usual preparations for the army, it would take a month or six weeks before the cattle necessary for carrying the supplies about 150 miles, to Ferozepore, could be produced. I informed him that they must be ready in six days; and I sent for Major Broadfoot, who had served in the commissariat department, who was an officer of very great merit and ability, and who was the Governor-General's political agent for the frontier, and told him the difficulty we were in ; and that, if we had not cattle to carry provisions forward, we must call upon the native powers, who were, under treaty, bound to deposit them where we required them, at such places and on such routes as the Commander-in-Chief might appoint. Major Broadfoot, having received the routes from the Quartermaster-General, sat up the whole night, and the next morning orders were despatched to the chiefs of the Sikh protected states to furnish provisions at the halting places for a march of six or seven days, from Umballa to the Sutlej; and under these arrangements, rapidly made, the army never suffered from want of provisions, though they may have suffered sometimes from want of time to cook them. This service was accomplished by the activity, the energy, and practical knowledge of that most able man, Major Broadfoot."

of those brave soldiers on whom, for not be. The siege-train was coming the time, our empire and our very in next day; the European troops lives depended, hy sowing the seeds had nearly all gone on towards Delhi; of fatal disease under those old tents the force that remained were a mere or overcrowded barracks at Umballa, handful ; the 5th were still armed ; beneath the scorching suns of the and if the Goorkhas would join, they summer solstice-at length the whole would rise, seize the train, and carry of the force was fairly under weigh it off to the King of Delhi. The by the 25th May.

man to whom the offer was made Small detachments had been already was faithful little Goorkha, and a pushed on as carriage was procured; prudent one; he at once replied that in advance a squadron of her Majesty's he could say nothing for his comrades, 9th Lancers, four companies of ist Fu- but the men of the 5th had better siliers, and two horse-artillery guns to come over to the camp when the occupy Kurnal. When a further de- regiment marched

in in the morning, tachment arrived, this body proceeded and sound them. He himself went to to Paneeput, which had been hitherto Major Bagot, directly on that officer's held by the Jheend Rajah; and being arrival at the camping-ground, and subsequently strengthened by two reported what had passed. Major more squadrons of the 9th Láncers, Bagot called up all the most trustthe remainder of the 1st Fusiliers, worthy of the native officers, told and four more guns, they pushed on them the whole occurrence, and said to Rhye, to hold that advanced post he relied on their honour to stand by within twenty miles of Delhi itself: him and Government, and to bring the last detachment marched out on up any of the 5th Native Infantry the 25th May, and with it the Com- who might come and endeavour to mander-in-Chief.

incite them to mutiny. Several men The whole force thus poured out from the 5th soon came straggling infrom Umballa consisted of her Ma- to the camp as the morning passed on, jesty's 9th Lancers, under Colonel yet not one was seized or brought up. Hope Grant; 1st Fusiliers, under Ma- At length Major Bagot called up the jor Jacob; 2d Fusiliers, under Colonel native officers, and asked them what Showers, (four companies of the 2d was passing ; they admitted that the Fusiliers remaining behind to guard Sepoys were using every argument to Umballa, under command of Cap- incite the Goorkhas to join in mutiny, tain Harris); Captain Turner's troop but as no plan or time for rising had of horse-artillery, Captain Money's been suggested, there was nothing on troop, with the 9-pounders from the which to base à charge. native battery, which had been order- The first report, however, commued in from Noorpoor instead of his picated by Major Bagot to the Umown 6-pounders; one squadron of 4th balla authorities showed the danger Native Cavalry (Lancers), under Col- that threatened ; and that afternoon onel Clayton; and the 60th Native the 5th Native Infantry were quietly Infantry, under Colonel T. Seaton. disarmed. The Goorkhas were sent

On the 28th May the siege-train down into the Saharunpore district ; came in from Phillour, and the the siege-train arrived, and passed on Nusseeree Goorkha Battalion from towards Delhi in safety; and thus Jutogh--a coincidence for a time the cloud which had for some hours fraught with great danger. On the huug over Umballa was dispersed. afternoon of the 27th, an advance- The very next day brought in party of the Goorkhas brought on the tidings that the camp had only reachcamp colours, and had scarcely reach- ed Kurnal, when General Anson was ed the camping-ground when some attacked by cholera. He died on the Sepoys of the 5th Native Infantry night of the 27th, and was buried found their way out and began to the following day. tamper with them. It was suggested Alas ! how many “a soldier good,” to the Goorkhas that their nam in the brave little band that hastened (credit) was already gone, and that along that road panting for glory they would ever be regarded with and revenge, was soon to follow him suspicion ; that a more favourable opportunity for an effective rise could “ To that dark inn, the Grave!”

CHAPTER IV.

It was a checkered prospect on The station of Sealkote remained which the month of June opened in quiet, and no signs of disaffection the Punjab.

appeared, although the whole of the At Lahore little had occurred since European force had been now withthe morning of the 13th of May. The drawn. When the order came for her fort was safe, and strongly garrisoned Majesty's 52d Light Infantry and the by Europeans; and the cantonments Artillery to join the Movable Colof Mean Meer retained the same ap- umn, Brigadier Brind had on his pearance of quiet, yet guardedness. own responsibility held back one

One only change had taken place : hundred men of the 520, and two the Sikh Sepoys of the three Native guns, for the safety of the station, Infantry corps, hurt at being in- where the 46th Native Infantry and volved in the common disgrace with a wing of the 9th Cavalry still retheir Poorbeah comrades, had re- mained ; but a subsequent order spectfully remonstrated ; and Briga- came for them, and this little force dier Corbett, rejoicing to be able to was most reluctantly sent off by the show his confidence in their unshaken Brigadier, under Colonel Dennis of loyalty, drafted them out of their the 52d, to overtake the Column at several regiments, formed them into Lahore. The Sepoys, however, though a separate body, and restored them now without any European check, their arms. Cheering was it to mark continued very orderly. "At Jhelum the happy look and buoyant step the 14th Native Infantry remained with which these men, fretting as sullenly quiet. they had done, with downcast air, at At Rawul Pindee some fears were the implied suspicion, now accepted entertained for the peace of the adthese proofs of restored confidence, jacent frontier, and suspicions of the and with ready zeal relieved the 58th Native Infantry, which indeed Europeans of some of their heavy grew into a panic on the 4th of the and almost incessant guards. This, month, but in a few hours subsided too, was followed by another import- into the former state of order and ant step. To show the fullest con- security. fidence in this class, an order was Along the frontier beyond, in the issued that all Sikhs belonging to Eusofzai district and Swat Valley, regiments quartered south of Um- an attempt was made now and again balla, who were on leave north of by some fanatic Moulvie to create a the Sutlej, should present themselves disturbance;

but Vaughan's gallant at Lahore ; here they soon congre- and trusty Punjabees (5th Punjab gated, and at once became the nuclei Infantry) and Nicholson's Police and of new regiments. One cause of Civil Sowars were at hand, and anxiety certainly remained: the 8th promptly put down any such ebulliCavalry, though disarmed, were still tions of feeling. mounted, and as such were a formi,

To the westward all was as yet dable body. The means, however, quiet. The Gogaira country had just were now close at hand for giving had a narrow escape. A sudden atthis finishing-stroke to the bold mea- tempt had been made a few days besure of May the 13th; for, with fore, by the prisoners of the jail, to the arrival of the Movable Column, break out and raise the neighbouring which was already within three Goojurs ; but the guard of Kutâr marches, and was being hurried in, Mookhees * were too stanch, and this cause of anxiety would be at (though only sixteen in number) too once removed.

strong also, and Captain Elphinstone,

A word about these Kutâr Mookhecs. The name liter lly means daggerfaced.” It was an old Sikh regiment, kept on by us after annexation, and transformed into a local police corps. The headquarters were at Moultan, and a detach: ment on duty at Gogaira

the Deputy Commissioner, with his tidings had come in of an appalling assistant, Mr Berkeley, too vigorous nature, and each day was now bringand energetic; so the convicts paid ing its sad confirmation of the bardearly for their rashness : some fifty rowing tale—that every Christian in were shot down in their attempt to Hansi and Hissar had been massaget over the walls, and only eighteen cred. This proved not to be literally contrived to escape. There can be true, for some few did escape ; but little doubt, however, that a couple the sacrifice of life, of every age and of hundred of these desperate con- sex, and the atrocities perpetrated in victs, had they once got the mastery that district, were scarcely less awful and escaped, would have thrown the than those which Delhi itself had whole district into commotion, ripe witnessed a fortnight before. Some as it was afterwards proved to be for Sowars sent in by the Nawab of rebellion ; and troops could have Dadree, at Mr Wedderburn's request, been ill spared at that time to settle first showed signs of treachery. The a riotous rabble, when so many Se- Eed (May the 25th) had been allowed poys in the surrounding stations, to pass over without any Mohammestill armed though suspected, had to dan demonstration and uproar : but be cared for and

looked after. on the 29th they threw off all reAt Moultan all was quiet also ; but straint. Carrying with them the 4th it was felt that the security they en- Irregular Cavalry, they opened the joyed was only due to the proofs al- jail, released the prisoners, attacked ready given that the Sepoys were the civilians in their very kutcheries, not trusted. Major Hamilton's plans where, the Chuprassees and the Seat the first, of bringing all the trea- poys of the Hurrianah Light Infantry sure into the old fort, and strengthen- proving faithless, they fell easy victims. ing it by throwing in the European The rebellion at once spread through Battery, and concentrating there the the whole district; a few hours saw Police (horse and foot), had awed Hansi, Hissar, and Sirsee, involved the disaffected among the Sepoys, in oné common ruin. The populaand given confidence to the residents. tion around rose and equalled them The 1st Irregular Cavalry too (whil- in cold blooded atrocities, the very om Skinner's horse), under Captain Goojurs of the neighbouring district Crawford Chamberlain, were looked hunting down, and most barbarously on with great faith as a check on the ill-treating all who had succeeded in two Sepoy corps a faith which was escaping from the treacherous Sowars subsequently proved to be well placed. and Sepoys. The Nawabs of Dadree

. Ferozepore remained quiet of ne- and Runneea were believed to be cessity. The rebels of the 45th and deeply implicated. The Bikaneer 57th had escaped or been disbanded, Rajah stood forth nobly, and sheland the 10th Cavalry, though not tered all who could escape into his much relied on, were not yet strongly territory, and_by him many lives suspected. The fort was safe, and

her were saved. To punish these rebels, Majesty's 61st on the alert. Still, how- and the still more inhuman Ranghur ever, seditious papers were circulated, population, General Van Courtland, and treason was preached in the of Sikh repute, who had been in civil Bazar with impunity.

employ ever since the annexation, At Umritsur a very desperate con- and was at the time at Ferozepore, spiracy, entirely Mohammedan, in- was called on to raise a force. volving even officials in the local Readily did he desert the pen and court and a Jemadar of his own Sow- the office-desk to resume the sword ars, was detected by Mr F. Cooper, the and saddle. His name acted like a Deputy-Commissioner, who was him- charm. Many an old Sikh, who had self to have been the first victim ; laid aside the sword for the ploughand nothing but its timely discovery share, now sprang forward at the prevented its proving fatal to nearly call. And he who had held high all the residents of the station, and command in the days of Runjeet disastrous to the whole country. Singh found Sikhs again rallying to

But from the Hurrianah district his standard, and was soon surrounded by a body of old trained soldiers.* obeyed. Many of the troopers maliThe Bikaneer Rajah sent at once five ciously let loose their horses, which, hundred men, and the Nawab of freed from all restraint, bore down Bhawulpore was called on for a on those of the Irregulars, causing similar force, which he reluctantly great confusion and some injury and tardily supplied. General Van among the Irregular Sowars : CapCourtland was soon in the field with tain Nicholson himself was lamed by & force sufficient to reconquer and a severe kick in the mêlée. The feat, hold that district.

however, was achieved, and the seAnd where was the Movable Col- curity of Lahore greatly increased. umn? In its now reduced propor- The Column halted for a week, and tions it entered Lahore on the morn- during that time was called on to ing of the 3d of June, consisting witness, and take part in, for the first of her Majesty's 52d Light Infantry, time, a public execution, which for under Colonel Campbell, Major many weeks after was to be a painDawes' troop of Horse Artillery, fully familiar scene. Two Sepoys of Captain Bourchier's light-field bat- the 35th Light Infantry were charged tery, Major Knatchbull's native bat- with using seditious language, and tery, a wing of the 9th Light Cavalry an endeavour to instigate their comunder Major Baker, the 16th Irregu- rades to open mutiny. They were lar Cavalry under Major Davidson, tried, and condemned to be blown a wing of the 17th Irregular Cavalry away from guns : the three native under Captain Hockin, and the 35th officers who reported their conduct, Light Infantry under Colonel Young- and bore witness against them, were husband.

deservedly rewarded. The execution It found temporary accommodation took place on the 9th of June, in the in the old disused lines which, in the presence of the whole Column. At its days of " the Regency,” had held the close, Brigadier-General Chamberlain Army of Occupation. The arrival addressed the 35th Light Infantry, in of the Column from above, and the his own manly style, to the following 2d Punjab Cavalry under Captain effect :Nicholson from Kohat, furnished the means of completely disabling the Native officers and soldiers of the disaffected troopers of the 8th Cav- 35th Light Infantry-You have just seen alry, which was effected in the fol- two men of your regiment blown from lowing manner : By a slight change guns. This is the punishment I will in the usual marching order of the inflict on all traitors and mutineers, and Column, as they entered Lahore, her pour consciences will tell you what punMajesty's 52d were placed in front, Those men have been blown from a guu,

ishment they may expect hereafter. and it had been privately communi- and not hung, because they were Brahcated to the officer commanding, that, mins, and I wished to save them from while the left wing and the rest of the pollution of the hangman’s (sweepthe Column halted at Annarkullee, er's) touch, and thus prove to you that the right wing was to march on to the British Government does not wish Mean Meer, and take up ground at to injure your caste and religion. I call the central picket. It arrived in upon you to remember that each one of the dim twilight, and drew up along- you has sworn to be obedient and faithside the picket, which consisted of ful to your salt. Fulfil this sacred oath, two companies of her Majesty's 81st

and not a hair of your head shall be hurt.

God forbid that I should have to take Foot, and four guns of the Horse Artillery, and Nicholson's Irregular Ca- the life of another soldier, but, like you,

I have sworn to be faithful, and do my valry.' The 8th were then ordered to duty; and I will fulfil my vow by blowdeliver up their horses. Overawed by ing away every man guilty of sedition the presence of so large a European and mutiny, as I have done to-day. Listen force close by, and the unsympathising to no evil counsel

, but do your duty as Punjabees at their side, they sullenly good soldiers. You all know full well

66

Many of the fine old fellows knew perfectly the European drill, but only the French words of command, which told of the days when Runjeet had his forces trained by such men as Ventura, and Allard, and Avitabile.