When we showed them mercy, they laughed us to scorn; to spare the rebel whose hands were raised in supplication, was to receive a bullet in the back, an instant after mercy had stayed the avenging arm. Few people in England can appreciate the intensely acute sufferings their brethren then endured in India. To comprehend the character of the natives, one must see them, deal with them, suffer from their cunning, their hypocrisy, their bare-faced lying and deep-laid treachery, endure their habits of filth, tolerate their insolence of caste and bigotry, perhaps feel the sharpness of their tulwars, or know that a brother's, wife's, or children's blood has been spilt by domestics who had been the "best servants in the world;" then, perhaps, a just estimate of the "mild Hindu," and the way they should be dealt with will be formed. So much for our vengeance. I am fully alive to the many short-comings, and the occasional non-military air of certain passages; for these I solicit the reader's indulgence. What I actually saw I have endeavoured to record and portray faithfully. I must here remark that my journal would never have been published, had not the earnest solicitation of friends prevailed, all of whom were desirous of reading a connected account of the long and harassing campaigns brought to so happy a termination under the able generalship of Sir H. Rose; and as no other account of the events has appeared in such a form, I hope that the following pages may impart to the reader a portion of the pleasure I have enjoyed in recounting them after having escaped so many perils in passing through them. I am deeply indebted to Lieutenant-General Sir II. Rose, to whom this narrative was submitted, for his testimony to the truthfulness of the details sketched by my pen, and for the very valuable assistance he rendered in placing at my disposal official and other papers, which I trust will enhance the value of the work. CONTENTS. State of country on arrival i Bombay - March to Arun, gabad. An up-country railway hotel. The mail, e ** Thul-Ghaut."-Temple H near Nanty. - Neary the Godavery.—En route to Toka.- Firing brings ger river Godavery-First sigirt of mutnou expone a Lone gaum-Arrival in camp.-Arungabar on-The salvation of Asseergnu".- Lapise in Arungabad-Blowing awat muitase Mhow after the mutiny of Bengal troose- looted.-Fall of Delhi, salute fired on 27th Rajan yu -Preparations for march upon Dhar - A-- train at Dhar.-Camp.-Position esta 25th October.-Firing village.-The ring. ber.-Mutiny of Mahidpore Contingent.-Force marches March to Oneil.-News of the battle of Rawul.-Defeat of mutineers.-Gallant conduct of Capt. Abbott and Lieut. Johnston.-The Rohillah.-Taul, Nawab of Jaôra.-Difficult position of native princes.-Crossing the river Chumbul.— Hernia, execution of mutineers.-Before Mundasoore, the affair of the 21st November.-Flank march past Munda- soore.-Battle of Mundasoore, and "relief of Neemuch.". March to Mundasoore, capture of rebels, execution of re- bels, Mundasoore city.-March to Mahidpore.-Execution of rebels.—Oojein.-March to Indore, state of residency, durbar of Maharajah Holkar.—Departure of Col. Durand. CHAPTER IV. Major-General reviews troops and inspects hospitals.- Preparations for campaign in Central India.-General events.-Siege train marches to Sehore to join second brigade.-Arrival in Sehore.-Execution of mutineers.- March for Rhatghur.-Bhopal.-Siege of Rhatghur.- Escape of rebels.-Affair of Barodia.-Death of Capt. CHAPTER V. - - of Shahghur.-Baunpore.-Destruction of palace.-Tal- Behut.-Capture of fort of Chandaree.—Investment of Jhansi. The siege. Arrival of Tantia Topee. The March to Calpee.-Poonch.-Capture of fort by Major Gall.-Koonch.-The battle of Koonch.-Defeat of rebels. -Dust storm.-Destruction of fort of Hurdooi.-Orai.— Effects of the sun upon the troops.-Camp, Calpee.-The Ravines. Battle of Golowlee.-Capture of Calpee.-Calpee, town and fort.-General Rose's " order."-Rebels capture Gwalior.- Scindiah flies. - Sir Hugh Rose defeats the rebels, and reinstates the Maharajah Scindiah.-Remarks. |