Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 3rd October 1857, Edition 2 of 2, Page 6, ^ 2 T-H E LEAPE B v _ Pfe- 393, Qgr6gBg_...

Page 6
Page 6
6 of 24

On this page

  • Text (3)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      The Indian Revolt. Anornsr Targe Mass Of...

      preceding conditions , the efforts of the committee will be specially- directed—First . To enable the sufferers , to live-• with frugality in their respective states of life until other means of subsistence are available ; : —Second . To provide for the maintenance and education of children in cases in -which it has been interrupted or prevented by casualties arising out of the mutiny , and in-which it cannot be provided for from other sources ?—Third . To assist the sufferers to come to this country or to go to-India , when the circumstances render it proper that they should do so , and the means of paying for their passage

      cannot be obtained from any other source ;—Fourth . To afford reasonable aid , by loan or otherwise ^ to officers and others who have lost their equipments , furniture , or other property , by the necessity of sudden flight from their stations or the destruction of their dwellings , when , without such aid , they would he involved in pecuniary embarrassments ;—Fifth . That relief according to these principles be given , without distinction of religion or nationality , to every person , of whatever rank , ¦ who has a just claim upon the sympathy and assistance of the British people . "

      A meeting has been summoned at Hamburgh to express sympathy with the English sufferers in India , and to inaugurate a subscription . We read in the Turkish correspondence of the J > aily ISfews : — " The remaining members of the Polish Legion have just offered their services to the English ambassador . There are only four hundred left , and they -wish to go to India , there to > fight in the cause of England . Their colonel , whose name is Jordan , has placed himself at their head , and will retain the command in case their offer is accepted . Lord Stratford de Itedcliffe has already written home to his Government for instructions respecting these brave men . "

      Intelligence has been received at Penrith of the safety of Captain Harrison , his -wife and family . He was in command of the 2 nd Nizam Cavalry , a division of the CJ-walior contingent , which-mutinied . Lieutenant Holland , of the 38 th Bengal Native Infantry , -was safe at Meerut with his wife at the last advices . A gentleman in the civil service supplies a very animated account of some incidents attending the advance on Ca-wnpore : — ' * ' We fell in -with Havelock ' s force , and marched on to Belunda , nineteen miles from our ground , and twentyfour from the General ' s camp . We arrived there at a quarter to ten o ' clock or thereabouts , and fell out , taking

      up our position on both sides of the road , about one thousand yards this side of Belunda , on a fine open plain stretching to Futtehpore , about three miles off . We had got our tents up , when Colonel Tytler , who had ridden up to Futtehpore , to reconnoitre , galloped hack , saying that tlie rebels were on the road , moving down to us . Immediately the alarm was sounded , and the troops all fell out so quietly and steadily it was quite charming to See thern t Th * na ^ p wag - beautifully laid out , the guns in the centre on the road , aud the troops on both sides , so that they had only to move from their tents to come to

      the front . Out they came , eager for the fun like so many bulldogs , and as jolly as possible , although just off a tiring march .. Out we went , and a crowd of niggers along the road , in the distance , and a boom-boom (_ you know how the big guns speak ) , told U 3 plainly that they were playing at bowls against our advanced guard ( cavalry ) . On they crept , and the cavalry came in , and we saw in the distance closing in—in a semicircle—a vast body of cavalry . On the beggars came , and on we wont , our guns taking up a nice position on the road and on the sides .

      " About two or three feeble and insane attempts were made by the rebels to pitch their shot into ub , but s oraehow or other the guns wouldn ' t fire straight , and a puff and a bang from one of ours sent a ball flying into their first gun , anil we could see tho round shot ploughing them up , and the grape falling on all sides and ah oils bursting over their heads . It was most refreshing . They could not stand it . Those behind cried 'On ! ' while those in front cried * Back ! ' and presently tho whole mass was seen to move on , leaving , to our delight , a thundering l ) ig gun . We moved on , on , and on . Not another shot was fired by them , while our shot went rolling in arnong thorn just as if tho old Allahabad eleven were playing the Futtchporo lot . On , on , and more guns appeared . The cavalry were dispersed by a few shot and eholl , and wo presently found ourselves before

      the city . Guns , dead bullocks , defunct niggers , and broken tumbrils lined the road , and among tho many unfortunates was to bo seen an unfortunate old elephant , whose fato it had been to carry tho General into tho field , an old rascally Subahdar of the 2 nd Cavalry , wlio hud been created a Gonoral by Ncna Sahib . A wag of an artillery sergeant had taken a pop at him , and it want in under tho poor beast ' s tail and out at his chest , pitching tho Sul > alidar Saliib Bahadour on hia noso . Well , we Cavalry ( for I had joined them ) went on to tho right of tLo city , supporting tho Fusiliers , on tlie left a party of the other regiment , and some in tho centre to go up the city with tho guna . On wo went steadily . Here tho rebels made , a slight fltund , and , sneaking about in tho gardens aud houses , pounded volloys into us ; but their fire was a « wild and miserable that tho balls merely

      whistled over our heads . Well , we were told to move on ahead and watch the enemy , and did so , and found them scuttling off in all directions , and suddenly came on a party of about thirty of the 2 nd Cavalry . " In another part of the same letter , written-on the Jul

      following day ( y 16 th ) , the writer says : — " I had no time to finish this yesterday , aud so take up my pen again . We have had two more fights again today , beating the villains off and taking live guns , including a 32-pounder and a 24-pound howitzer . Butto resume my story . On seeing the enemy Palliser called the men to charge and dashed on ; but the scoundrels scarcely altered their pace , and met the cuemy at the same pace tltat they came down towards us . Their design was evident ; they came waving . their swords to our men and riding round our party , making signs to them to come over to their side . We could not dash out upon them as we were only four to their thirty , and when our men hung back a dash out would , onljhave ended in our being cut up . One or two came in at us , and one or two blows were exchanged . Palliser was unseated by his liorse swerving suddenly , and then the

      row commenced . The 2 nd Cavalry men tried to get at him . and his native officers closed round him to save him , and they certainly fought like good men and true—the few of them . I got a couple of slaps at them with my Colt while they were trying to get in at Palliser , but Gayer , the doctoT , was the only one who got a sword cut at them . He gave a scoundrel a very neat wipe on the shoulder in return for a cut at liis arm , which only touched' the coat . While this was going on the rear men turned tail and left us , galloping back as hard as their horses could go , and the whole body of the Cavalry appearing from behind some trees , we were forced to return , at a deuced good pace too . I never rode so hard in my life . It was a regular race for our necks , for the whole of the fallows were behind our small party , thirsting for our blood . I had a couple of fellows just behind me , but my old horse managed to carry me along . "

      A letter from a non-commissioned officer of the S 4 th regiment , dated fro in Oude , August 1 st , gives a few instances of those fearful acts of retaliation to which the atrocities of the Sepoys have stimulated our men : — " At Cawnpore , a cookboy , who was with tlie G Company , by some means escaped ; being a Bengalee , of course he could mix with the remainder of his class without detection . He is but a lad . He told us that Mr . Saunders was nailed down , hands , feet , " knees ; that these barbarians the first day cut off his feet and ears and nose , and so left him until the next day , when some other pieces were cut off him , and he died . Ho had killed six men , and would have shot Nena Sahib also , that terrible ruffian , but his revolver did not go off .

      1 oor Gildea shot five , and , when there were but a few of ours left with him to defend their barricade , the insurgents sent to say that , ns there were so few of them , and they did not want any more bother , they would provide them with boats and permit them to pass unmolested . Our men were glad to accede , but when in the centre of the river they were fired upon with cannon , and their boat sunk . Many a widow and orphan of the E aad G companies are left . I saw the place onr men defended at Cavnporo ; it was completely battered and riddled : how they managed to hold it I can't make out . " One of the insurgent collectors took two of our ladies for his own private ends ; but Iliad the . pleasure of laughing ht his countenance as he swung injrimt of onr camp . He was an ugly-looking scoundrel . Those ladies had , of course , been killed before we arrived .

      " As Jbr hanging , it is nothiny j it is quite a common thing to have a Jhiu strung up every day the least thi-nrj wilt do it . We have a provost marshal and his staff heTe , and they would hang a European if they found him plundering , or give him a dozen on the spot if they found him half a mile from his camp ; hut , as for a nntive , the least thing is sufficient to hung him . We have had one European hung ; but they nro very loth to do anything to the Europeans . Tho fellows missing I hear had such a lot of rupees that tliey could not keep up , and they were too greedy to throw tlicm away . Cawnpore idus full of alt kind of liquor , from champagne to battled beer , and ottr Jtllows used it too freely . The authorities were enraged at this . "

      . A narrative of occurrences within the walls of Delhi by a native lius been published . It does not add much to our knowledge . The writer observes : —• "If anything takes place between the Mahomoihins and Porbeaa ( natives of the Eastern provinces ) on tlie Eed day , Delhi will soon fall into the hands of the English . " It seems that somo quarrels and fights have already occurred between them . On -August 8 th , the writer notes tlio blowing up of tlio l > owder manufactory in tho city by it ahell from the ^ English camp . Somo five hundred sirtificers and others , he stutes , are said to have been killed by the explosion . Under the head of " Latest from Delhi , " the Poona Obsej-vcr Extra , of August 27 tb , make * the following statement : —

      "A lottcr from Aboo , dated tho 11 th inat ., mentions that tho King of Delhi ban offered to make terms with us , on tho condition that tlrirty-aix laklia of rupeoa

      I annually , instead of fifteen as heretofore , should be secured to him and his successors . This pronosal was of course peremptorily declined . He was informed that nothing but unconditional surrender could he no cepted . " u

      ^ 2 T-H E Leape B V _ Pfe- 393, Qgr6gbg_...

      ^ T-H E LEAPE B _ Pfe- 393 , Qgr 6 gBg _ 3 , 1857 .

      The Orient. China. Intelligence Has Been...

      THE ORIENT . CHINA . Intelligence has been received from Hong-Konr to the 10 th of August . On the 3 rd of that month , Admiral beymour declared the liver and port of Canton in a state of strict blockade . Five hundred gunners and drivers of the Royal Artillery , who h ad arrived by the troopships Neleus -and Moors Forth , were to leave Hon # - Kong for Calcutta , in her Majesty ' s ship Sampson , on the 12 th of August . The Antarctic , from Calcutta to China , has been lost in the Malacca Straits . Trade at Hong-Kong has shown signs or improvement , and there has teen some demand for manufactures . PERSIA . Telegraphic despatches from Trieste and Marseilles with intelligence from Constantinople to the 19 th , state that up to the 10 th of August Herat had not been evacuated , and that Mr . Murray had remonstrated -with , the Persian Government on the subject .

      The Day Of Humiliation. Two Proclamation...

      THE DAY OF HUMILIATION . Two Proclamations by the Queen , dated Balmoral , September . 24 th—uue having reference to England and Ireland , the other to Scotland—fix next Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., as the day for solemn Tast , Humiliation , and Prayer ,.. to solicit forgiveness for the national sins , and to implore the Divine blessing ou our arms in . India . A pastoral letter from Cardinal Wiseman was read on Sunday morning in all the Roman Catholic

      places of worship in London . It appoints to-morrow ( Sunday , the 4 th ) as the day for the Papistical net of prostration and prayer , and orders that a collection be then made for the sufferers by the mutiny . Tiio Cardinal then proceeds to make some observations which certainly disprove the accusations recentty preferred against him by the Times , to tlie etfcct that lie sympathizes with the Sepoys , and is devoid of pity for our suffering country men and country women in India : —

      " Truly ( he observes ) , had it been merely war with , its usual array of evils that we had to deplore—had there been suddenly commenced the conflict of brave men in honourable warfare—5 t would have been enough to sadden us and to direct out thoughts to supplications for peace . But here it has been the sudden rising of an immense army , subject as much as our troops at homo to the Crown of this realm , —armed , trained , clothed , and fed by the power which there represents it ; their rising by conspiracy , which has silently and darkly included tens of thousands , to break out openly like a plague in separated spots , under one law of cruel perfidy and treacherous brutality . Almost without exception , us 3 'ou all have learnt , regiment after regiment has murdered the officers who had led them to battle , aud who trusted in their fidelity , till the volley was lired or the thrust was made which laid at the foot of cowards

      those -who , livhig , Lad mado them biave . I or , transformed by that deed of treachery from soldiers into assassins , these hordes of savage mutineers seem to have cast as-ide the commonest feeliug 3 of humanity , and to have not merely resumed the barbarity of tlieir ancient condition , but borrowed the ferocity of the tiger in I > fc jungle , to torture , to mutilate , to agonise , and to destroy . Nay , if we had imagined to ourselves the unchecked excesses of fioiidiah fury by which legions of demons let loose against a tribe accursed of God would have muvked their progress of devastation , tlio liiuLuro would have fallen short of what has l ) eeu perpetrated , iu « land that we called our own and thought taut we hsiil blessed with earthly happiness , on "those whom many around us knowwhom some near us have tenderly luved .

      , may Cardinal Wiseman thea expresses a hope tliut tins terrible convulsion of oux Iuuiuu empire nitty ultl " mutely turn to good , since the wisdom of Uod can weave the vilest of men ' s designs and the blackest of their actions into a wob of providential niorcics and of unstinted goodness . ' He trusts that uu' sweeping away of tl > e old ami rotten basis oi civilization' may be followed by ' a . justor ami <* purer reconstruction of it . ' Ho Uion proceeds : " Yet , however confident wo may feel not « JJ v future but of present mcrcv , it in so covered » ' »» ' ol "

      aspect of actual severity , so " mingled with « # " pending judgments , that our first thought limit be w of propitiation , mul of calming tho Uivino ii «« litf « " whloh visits ua and tlwit diBtnnt dependency lor iwgrossions and sins , which , If dimly seen by man , nm ' cloar to ( Jlod ' a penetrating eye . So sudd *)" . ^^ expected , so overwhelming , and apparently wi ( 1 ' j , i 'V-, '' j ' a calamity comes , no doubt , by the pernuH .-mni oi i and has its reasons buried in Ilia uiumnreluilHo »» ' Hud it fallen upon our forefathers in Catholic ll : !> ' would have aeea tlio stroels of Hub « it . y troildou lllt ( f direction by penitential pToceuaiona of muu a » Kt ^

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 3, 1857, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_03101857/page/6/