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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.
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The Indian He Volt. Ver-S Important News...
contained fell details of the conspiracy , and Tvlneh enabled -t iie authorities , timely advised , to siiun tbe coming * vii . Tbe Mouiavie of Poooa , "mfli several ae--compiioes from that station * are now prisoners on board the Hanonrable Company ' s frigate Acbar , awaiting their trial at the next -criminal sessions , for high treason . Arrests have also been made at IBeHgaum . and Ahmedaiuggur of parties implicated in this Mussulman conspiracy . Matters had proceeded so far in Poona , that arrang emeats had been made and materials provided for "blowing up the arsenal . The community of that station lave suffered great anxiety for many days . Tiie author ities have disarmed the natives of the Cantonment Bazaar , but left those of the city , the most to be suspected , in possession of their arms . From the principal out-stations , the women and children are being sent to Poona and Bombay , under military escort .
" Our own city ( Bombay ) is perfectly quiet , and our citizens free from any serious apprehensions of evil . There was considerable alarm , occasioned by reports of the worst character , at the time of the Buckree Eed ; "but those who experienced it have been fully reassured . The community have the most entire confidence in the wisdom , vigilance , and firmness of the Eight Honourable the Governor , who is the commandant of the garrison , and who has left nothing undone in the measures which he has adopted to prevent an outbreak , or to crush it the instant it should be attempted . His lordship is fully alive to his serious responsibilities at the present crisis , and is most indefatigable in his exertions , thus setting an example to all under his authority . Heads of departments receive orders from him before they are out of their beds in the morning , and they are not unjfrequently called upon "by him to report on the execution ¦ of them after they have gone to bed at night . "
Further details are . given in the Bombay Telec / rap / i Tvbich savs : — " The history of the world affords no parallel to the terrible massacres which during the last few months lave desolated the land . Neither age , sex , nor condition lias been spared . Children have been compelled to eat the quivering flesh of their murdered parents , after "which they were literally lorn asmider by the laughing fiends who surrounded them . Men in many instances hare been mutilated , and , before being absolutely killed , have had to gaze upon the last dishonour of their wives . and daughters previous to being p \ it to death .
" Before evacuating Gawiipore , Nena Sahib blew up the magazine . He then retired upon Bhitoor , to which lie was followed by a portion of our troops . On arriving at the palace , however , they found that the bird had £ own . They fired the place , razing it to its foundations , ¦ and carried away at the same time fifteen guns . Nena Sahib , it is said , had an intention of going to Lucknow , Irat when he got as far as the river his cavalry and infantry deserted him . Humour has it that he then de'Stroyed himself and family ; but the general belief is that ho is still alive , and the sum of 5000 rupees has been offered for his capture . Nena Sahib is the adopted
son , of the late Peishwa Bnjee lino , who from the time of lis deposition till his death lived at Bhitoor , in the neighbourhood of Cawnpore , upon the pension allowed iim by the British Government . On the death of the <« x-Peishwa , Nona strove hard , but without success , to obtain from the Indian Government a continuance to himself of the pension allowed to Bajee Rao . Failing in this , he despatched an agent to agitate his claims in England , and transmitted , it is said , to Calcutta , to meet the expenses of such a mission , a single piece of Company's paper of the value of five lakhs of rupees . The mission to England vhb as unsuccessful as the attempt made to influence the local Government .
" The Punjab remains tranquil . The remnant of the Soalcote mutineers have met with condign punishment . Brigadier-lieneral Nicholson crossed her Majesty ' s 52 nd Light Infantry in boats to the island in the Iiavee , on which they Tvere posted , captured their gun , and slaughtered or drove -the whole body of them into the river . A quantity of plunder was recovered . " The following despatches from General Ilavclock have been published by the Indian Government : — " From Brigadier General Ilavelock , Camp Kullenporo dated . Idth July . ,
" We have talcen every gun from the rebels at Fultohpore , twelve in number ; this lias enabled me to equip and take into field nino excellent guns , instead or nix lighter , and with the facility of also bringing into action two light Bix-poundors . " " From Brigadier General TT . ivelock , Camp Tandoo Nuddy , dated 15 th July . My troops were twi <; e engaged this morning , and enpturcd four morogima -with trilling loss . A otrong advanced l
gimr ., under Colonel Tytler , drove tho enemy out o all entrenched positions in front or the villago of () suny , alter a resmtanee of two hours and n half , dining which » io mutiiiouH cavalry , in considerable force , made frequent ; uttnekn against my baggngo , which compelled mo to uso every availablo detachment and gun against them , ¦ m noon w : attacked their ontrendiincnt at thi > . briilgo over the m ivam ; the resistance hero was short but rT ' , ' " ud thc two R » i" taken wore of largo calibre . bl ' i" \ . » UlmS Fllsiliors Particularly distinguished them" 1 'Vom (" Junoral Noill , Allahabad , dated July 10 . 1 Btiivtuil 1 > 27 of thc H'lth ltogimont , partly in
bul-4 eck vans ; tfhey are to march twenty-five males a . night , to Teach in five days . I start this afternoon by dak , and nsnall overtake the 84 tn and move up -with them ; I will go on before them if I can . I shall lose no time . The ¦ mutineers a < ne «* ut of cape , -and converted all the detonators into matchlocks . A Kossid from Luekno-wde-• clares the mutineers there are in "want of shot , firing stones from -the gone . .... " It is reported from I > uckno * v ( on the 10 th July ) that -the attacks of the rebels are Ie 3 s frerpneat , and more feeble than lieretofore . " '" From iBrigadier-General Haveloak , dated Cawnpore Cantonment , 17 th July ,
¦ "B y the "blessing of God , I recaptured this place yesterday , and totally defeated Nena Sahib in person , taking more than six guns , four of siege calibre . The enemy were strongly posted behind a succession of villages , and obstinately disputed for one hundred and forty minutes every inch of the ground , but I was enabled by a flank movement to my right to turn his left , and this gave us the victory . Nena Sahib had barbarously murdered all the captive -women and children before the engagement . He has retired to Bhitoor , and blew up this morning on his retreat . the Cawnpore magazine ; he is said to be strongly fortified . I have not been yet able to get in the return of killed and wounded , but estimate my loss at about 70 , chiefly from the fire of grape . " " From General Haveloelr , iSTawabgunge , July 20 , 1857 , to the Commander-in-Chief .
' . 'Nena Sahib ' s followers appear to be deserting him . He has fled from Bhitoor , which -was occupied yesterday without resistance . Thirteen guns were found in the place . His palace is in flames . General Neill has joined me with a strong reinforcement of British ¦ soldiers . " Lucknow quite safe for the present . " *' From Brigadier-General Havelock , dated Camp , Cawnpore , 2 1 st July , to the Commander-in-Chief . " I am free to cross the Ganges ; Nena Sahib ' s force at Bhitoor is entirely dispersed . We have brought from the place sixteen guns and a number of animals , set t f re to his palace , and blown up his powder magazine . A portion of rny troops and five guns are already in position atthe ' nead of the road to Lucknow . The whole army is full of hope that we shall soon be united on the ¦ left bank . "
A writer from the camp between Unneepore and Tewareepore , says , under date-July 15 th : — " I was obliged to leave off writing yesterday afternoon . Wehave had two encounters ? withtue enemy today , driving them on each occasion from the position they had talcen-up , and capturing their guns ; for all details respecting these affairs I refer you to the despatches from the General . By the way , you may hoar General Havelook abused for not having advanced from Allahabad sooner than he did . I heard a lot of abaurd reports on the subject while I was in Benares , some of which probably reached Calcutta . Now , 1 know , from the best authority , that the General advanced the moment he could procure carriage for his division , a most
difficult matter at the present time , and I consider that no man could have done better than he has done since we left Allahabad . We had to disarm about 150 Irregular Cavalry yesterday evening ; they had miBbobavod shamefully during the action of the 12 th , hanging back when ordered to charge by their officers , and bolting when charged by thc enemy ' s cavalry . " We are all delighted to think they have been disarmed , as it was disgusting to have a lot of fellows acting with us upon whom we could not dopend . As yet the volunteers arc woak in point of numbers , mustering only gome twentyeight men , most of them officers belonging to regiments that have'been disbanded . Wo arc to be increased immediately , though , by about forty men , from the ranks of thc Europeans , fellows who can ride . "
The writer adds that lie would not have missed rill this for any money , and that he considers himself very lucky . An officer writes thus from Allahabad on thc 2 Gtli of July : — " Havelock ' s forco left Allahabad on the evening of the 7 th , the rain pouring down in torrents ; and , after it censed raining , tho heat of tho sun became so intense tlmt several of the force were smitten down by sunstroke . Of the 78 fch , throe died from thin cause , viz ., Quartermaster Sergeant Tulloch and Privates Gibbs and Menzics , of the Gronadiers . When the brigadowere about iifty or sixty miles from thin , they : found tho enemy drawn up in great numbers , and occupying a strung position to oppose the further progress of our little foroe .
Ucforo tho action commenced , General Ilavelock addressed tho 78 th thus : — 'Highlanders ! when we worts going to Mohamrch , I promised you a field-day . I could not give it you then , as the PersianH ran away but , Highlanders , wo will have it 'to-day , and let them bob what you are mado of . ' At it then they wont , ami our men did hIiow them what they were mado of , for , after nevcral hours' hard fighting , tho rebels fled , ami our 'fellows charged and captured eleven guns at the point of the bayonet , together -with somu nniiminition nnd treasure . After tins affair , the brigadu recommenced their march , ami , coining across Lho scoundrels a second time , guvo them buttle , dispensed thorn , arid captured four mores guns . When -within nix miles of Oawnporo , they camo stcmsu tho enemy n third time , drawn up for
battle , and again fought them , bat this was the tundeat fight of any they had hitherto engaged in . The mutl-© eew , however , fled , after a fierce encounter , leaving usin possession of the field , and fourteen guns ^ tto out the rebels up fearfully , and might have done still greater execution , if we had had any cavalry that cirald fee relied upon . After the action was over , General Havelock disarmed and dismounted the native cavalry ,-anti made coolies of them , for refusing to charge-when » rdered . It is likely tliey will be hung . General Havelock gave aur men great praise for their bravery tbat day . " The following is taken from a letter dated Cawnpore , the 18 th of J " aly , from the pen of an officer of the 1 st Madras Fusiliers : —
' - 'As I told you in my last letter ( lltli ) , a » d as we had expected Jill along , we found the rebels in position At Puttehpore , with , twelve guns . On Sunday , the 12 th inst ., ~ we arrived within two miles of their position , at aboiut seven o ' clock 5 I was sent out with a party of oiar men ( 1 st Madras Fwsiliers ) to reconnoitre , bat when we had advanced about half a mile from the camp they commenced firing on us with their heavy g-uns , « ndthefr cavalry came towards us . We fired on them , but , as oar party consisted of only about sixty men , -we retreated leisurely towards the camp . As soon as we got there the whole force was under-arms . This was about seveji o ' clock a . m . We now advanced regularly . against them , and in about three hours we drove them from their
position , took twelve guns , and drove them from Futteh .-pore pell-mell . If -we had only had some cavalry we could have cut them nearly all up . We halted the other side of Futtehpore that day , and also the next morning ; On Tuesday , we inarched sixteen miles to Kullianpore , but did not meet ¦ with the enemy . On Wednesday , w « marched about five miles , and found the rebels in 41 strong position , with six guns . We soon silenced their guns , and advanced-against them , and , after about two hours' sharp firing , we thoroughly routed them , and they retreated to a bridge about three miles ofFj where they
had another very strong position , with six guns . Oai Enfields did splendid " work , and we soon -silenced their battery . I was in front with the skirmishing party all day . We rushed up to the battery and took their bridge and guns , when they all fled before us like so many sheep : they really are arrant cowards . Tlius ended oilt day's work . Poor Major Renaud , who commanded out detachment , was wounded early in the morning in the leg ; he is now better , but I fear his leg will be obliged to be amputated ; he is a very gallant officer . I was with him at the time , but he would not allow me to remain , but said , ' Go on with j T our men . '
" On Thursday , we marched against the enemj' , about . 6000 strong , who were in . position about five miles frotn . Cawnpore , and this was the hardest day ' s work we ever had . They had six or eight guns , in two separate batteries . "We advanced straight against them , and they poured grape and round shot into us , like so many hailstones , yet our loss was not very great . We lay down , and then advanced against the first battery , which was taken in fine style . I went off with a small party ( about forty men ) to the right flank , where the cavalry were threatening us , and some of their infantry had a . strong position . We kept them at a distance with oar rifles , ancl once , when some of the cavalry ( about live hundred ) came down upon us , -wo formed square , aud .
they did not dare to eouio near us . This elicited great applause from the general and everybody . My iparty then joined the main column , and we now advanced against the other battery . When we came within range , down poured the round shot and grape . Wo wci _ x 3 ordered to lie down , but the scoundrels had got . theii distance so well that several wero wounded . Six in an of her Majesty ' s C'ith Hogimont were killed , and poor Captain Curri e , of tlie 81 th , severely wounded by a , round shot . We had several men wounded . I had a bullet on my topic ( felt hat ) , which providentially glanced off , and Captain llaikea had a portion . of -hid
sword-hilt carried away . Well , fanpy 1 when they saw ua down ngain they thought wo wero afraid to advance , so they sounded the advance , and then the double . The ( Srencrrfl ( Ilavelock ) now gave his order , ' Itiso up ; advance ! ' The whole lino gave a < : heor—such a chcor' ! it must hnrve mado the villains tremble from head to foot , ami advanced in lino against their battery , under a , lioavy cross fire , which they kept up very well , but ( li < l not do ue much damage , as they fired so high . They evacuated their'battory , and fled in every direction . IV 0 jfired into thorn till they were out of range , and then TUflhcd up the hill and found , to our Joy , Cawnporo about half n m ! lo in front .
" Wo bivouacked on tho rising grounu for the nirfht . You shot / Id have heard tho cheer we gnvo ris our gallnnl , commander , Gcnenel Ilavelock , Todo down tho lines j Lt was indeed a fine- night . He on every occasion praiaM owr men , nnd is going to nrakc a flpecial report dt us to tho 'CJomniander-in- € Mef . Only fancy our horror on hearing that the fmfno night wo gavo them sudh u boating at FuttChporo they killed , or rather innHHiicrofl , nil t \ ve ladies whom they hitherto linrt Hjinreel in Cawnpore ( oxreept five or nix who were concealed by tlioh lmtivoflervants )! M i ' kh Wheolor , rlio daughter of flir TI . Wheeler , tlioy tmy , killed iivo of theso IIcikIh with a revolver Lxifon ; they could gist near her . Wliut an heroia Hpirit she must have hmd 1 Tho si ^ ht of the place where UiCMeTwor ladiim were murdered is indeed awful . Long
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 19, 1857, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_19091857/page/3/
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