A Narrative of the Siege of Delhi / With an Account of the Mutiny at Ferozepore in 1857

Provinces which foreshadowed the coming storm, and one regiment of native infantry had been disbanded; but

ulpable neglect, still confided to the care of the native army the large arsenals of Delhi, Ferozep

e may be said of Phillour, in the Punjab-a small station, where only native troops were quartered. The fort of Ferozepore, near the left bank of the Sutlej River, was guarded by 100 men detailed from the sepoy

In that corps I held a commission as Lieutenant, and, during the absence of my

849, when the Khalsa army rolled back in utter defeat a portion of Lord Gough's force, had, under the leadership of Sir Colin Campbell, altered the fortunes of the battle. Advancing in line under a tremendous cannonade, and without

rare discipline, and inured to the climate, who, in the words of the Iron Duke, could march anywhere and fight anything. The army then had not been improved out of existence; reforms, if such they can be called, were received with considerable disfavou

of devotion and courage, the tender solicitude with which the veterans of the Grenadier Company looked after the safety of their youthful commander, during the campaigns of 1857; an

othing occurred for the next two months to break the monotony of life in an Indian cantonment. Parade in the early morning, rackets and billiards during

ortunate regiments had been earning fame and quick promotion in the Crimea and in the recent Persian campa

ey, on occasions, passed our officers without the customary salute, and, if my memory serves, a complaint of this want of respect was forwarded to their Colonels. Our billiard-marker, too, a high-caste Brahmin who had served on our side in the Afghan campaigns of 1839-42 in the capacity of a spy, a man of cunning and intelligence, warned us in u

s usual, on parade; then, adjourning to the mess-house, we spent a few hours over breakfast and billiards, and

p. m., was summoned by an orderly to attend a meeting at the quarters of the Brigadier[1] commanding the troops at Ferozepore. We paid no

proficient at the work. At three o'clock we were in the midst of our occupation, our whole thoughts and energies bent on the accompli

d up, and in our haste upset the utensils, spilling on the floor the contents we had taken so much trouble to prepare. A minute or two passed, and still

h is the matt

ered with considerable di

ns in India have

t serious and alarmed, as became the gravity of the situation, and utterly unable to comprehend what it all meant. This phase of the affair, however, did not last long, and soon changed from grave to gay. A merry twinkle app

for our levity, and, after an interval occupied in the recovery of his scattered senses, p

olt of all the sepoy infantry and artillery, a rising of the natives in the city, the bazaars and the surrounding country, who, almost unchecked, had murdered the European men and women on whom they could lay their hands, and besides, had set fire to and "looted"

tation at his quarters. Intelligence so startling as that just received required no small amount of judgment and deliberation in dealing with

parate directions: the 45th to proceed into the country, leaving the fort of Ferozepore on their right, while the 57th were to march out of cantonments to the left rear of the lines of the European infantry. The commanding officers of these regiments were also instructed to keep their men, if possible, well in hand, to allow no straggling, and to halt in th

quired his presence at the barracks at once, donned his uniform, and, moun

t the house and joined the regiment, which was drawn

the transport of their wives and families to the barracks. This order was obeyed without loss of time, and before half-

ome thirty paces between each. In front of these was the parade-ground where we were drawn up, and before us an open plain, 300 yards in width, extending to the entrenched camp, or, as it was generally

e localities I have endeavoured to describe, and holding this vantag

then detached, with orders to disarm the sepoy guard in the fort, and to remain there on duty pending any a

d our comrades cross the plain, and enter

he gate, and, galloping to where the Colonel was standing, reported that the sepoys, when ordered to lay down their arms, refused, and that one of them, taking direct aim at the Major,[2] shot him in the thigh, leaving a dangerous wound. Our men then

ms in line, and another company was

the sepoy battalions marching from cantonments into the country appeared in sight. Eagerly it was whisp

on, the 45th Native Infantry advancing in almost a direct line to the fort, while the 57th Native Infantry were inclined to their right, an

ed. We could see the officers rushing about among their men, and in another instant the whole mass b

ime than I take to write it the sepoys, with a shout, jumped into the trench,

cession, maddening us beyond control, for we thought of our men, few in number a

en now grasped their muskets, and cries and murmurs were heard, "Why do w

en to fix bayonets, and t

e will a

have a brush with the mutineers, and help our comr

anced, and then, by the

gave the or

ate of panic, throw themselves into the ditch, and mounting the other side, run helterhelterskelter into the country. These were followed by numbers of others, who all made off as

ew of our men were more or less hurt, but of the sepoys many had been killed and wounde

d had served upwards of forty years in the native army, having to the last, like many others at that eventful time, implicit confidence in the loyalty of the sepoys. He feared, also, the responsibility of letting loose the English soldiery to wreak their vengeance on the mutineers, knowing too well that, with passions roused and hearts steeled to pity by the murders and outrages committed at Meerut, and the late wounding of their field-officer, our

e grieved, no less than annoyed, at the state of inaction in which we had been kept, and an uneasy feeling prevailed that during the night the mutinous sepoys, aided by the badmash

eight o'clock marched down to our lines, and drew up on the righ

l out of the ranks, some to lie down on the ground, others f

turned into a blaze of fire. What new horror was this? Were our houses to be

would be sent to clear the cantonment of the incendiaries? Even this was not done: the Brigadier was absent, or could not be found,

wed each other in quick succession till the whole cantonment seemed in a blaze,

black wretches holding high carnival among the burning buildings and laughing at the

apel, our mess-house, and nineteen other bungalows. The sepoys, mostly of the 45th Native Infantry, attended by dozens of badmashes, marched unch

hankful only that the wives and children of our officers and men were safe under o

f one of Her Majesty's regiments, doomed to inaction through the blundering and stupid perverseness of an old sepoy Brigadier. The

epoys, who, as in our case, plundered, outraged, and

r our feet, and sounded like a heavy peal of thunder in the still morning air. Looking in the direction of the report, we saw on the far right side of the cantonment a thick black column of smoke shoo

ions of war, and, fearing that perhaps some rebel might have found his way in for the purpose of devoting his life to the

s belonging to the two native regiments had been blown up by a party of sappers in the fear that they might fall into the hands of the rebellious sepoys. It was

left the spot where we had stood in line inert and

nts. I was ordered to make strict search for, and to take prisoner, any sepoys or bad characters that might be lurking about; and to this end I was to patrol the station from one si

rs before. Why had not a company been detailed to patrol the cantonment

great part of the station, extending the company in skirmishing order when

truction, must have left during the night, and were now probably well on their way to Delhi, while the

e, and numerous bungalows-former residences of the officers-were still on fire. The heat from the burning embers was intense, and as we passed slowl

. Strange inconsistency! It turned out that, some hours before our arrival, the sepoy guard, true in this respect to their trust,

ed the unsatisfactory result of my mission to the Colonel; and, thoroughly tired and

night without one sepoy showing any mutinous disposition. In the early morning, without molesting their English officers, about half the regiment signified their intentio

he service of the East India Company, and were about to become enrolled as subjects of the King of Delhi. Then, in several instances even saluting their officers and showing them ev

ildren murdered before their faces, while those who escaped the fury of the sepoys wandered in helpless flight through jungles and plains, suffering incredible privations. Some few there were who reached a friendly station, or were succoured

ourselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, the large apartment serving at once as mess-house sitting-room and bedroom for us all. The Colonel

ightest danger as regarded their safety; that, even were we attacked by the rebels, they need have no dread of the result, for we were more than a match for double our

d to the orderly-room, and directed to march with the Grenadier company on outlying picket to the left rear of the cantonment, and close to the lines of the disa

was told to keep a sharp lookout, in case the enemy made during the night a flank movement on the station. I was also constantl

the ground, and, without losing time, I drew up the Grenadiers in

e guns, two on the right and left of my

les to the horizon, bare and treele

minous in the heavens. All nature was silent as the grave, and, save for the tramp of the sen

Indian regiments in those far-off days) with ball-cartridge. I had also ordered the men to fix bayonets, and we were thus full

one of the sentinels in f

omes t

was repeated, the sentry at the s

plain, and numerous shots came whistling over our heads, while, clear and distinct, a cry rang out, and we knew that one of the sentries had been hit. Close following the first came several stragg

darkness, but could see nothing. Then, taking with me a sergeant and f

et, and on examination by the light of a lantern, we discovered that he had received a bullet over the region of the heart, and that death, therefore, must hav

hey halted and fired, and then disappeared, probably having lain down to escape being hit by our men. Hearing this, I sent out a small reconnoitring party, which patrolled the plain for some distance

the events of the night, nor did he even ask for particulars as to the manner of the soldier's death. The mutineers, he said, were in scattered detachments still, no d

ption of one encounter with a body of mutineers, which I shall

alf of the two battalions of sepoys, the disarmament of 300 of the 57th, and the impr

Brigadier at last woke up to a sense of his duty; and extraordinary measures we

to be stationed at the main guard to furnish sentries as a cordon round the whole extent of the barracks. Two companies wer

diery who from all directions were making for the imperial city, plundering and ravaging on the route, this duty was cheerfully undertaken. But a

in the ground. This duty was performed entirely by the English soldiers, and continued for a fortnight in the hottest season of the year. In the receptacles thus formed all the barrels of powder, as well as the small arms, ammunition, etc., were packed and stowed away, the whole being covered with earth to the depth of several feet. This was a very ne

s some native labourers carrying spades and shovels, proceeded, under orders from our Colonel, to search for the silver plate buried under t

r. A little lower down we came on more; and here were seen spoons melted almost out of shape by fire. The large silver dishes, plates and cups-many of the latter of priceless value, for they had been acq

ly served in the corps. These were twisted out of all shape, and beyond hope of repair, of no value but for the bullion. Other articles

mess furniture. Costly goods had been sacrificed which no money could r

incompetence by which we had lost property amounting in value to ￡2

iment for loss sustained. This committee, after due consideration, placed the estimate at a very low figure-viz., ￡1,500. The parsimony of those in power refused us full paymen

d, had met us in deadly conflict only nine years before. From the latter, then, as well as from the sepoys, there was cause for great anxiety. Every precaution, therefore, was necessary to guard the Ferozepore Arsenal, the largest, next to Delhi, in Upper India. The temper of the Sikhs was uncertain; no one could foretell which side they woul

rans of Runjeet Singh's Khalsa army, the men who had withstood us on equal terms in many sanguinary battles, animated by intense hatred of the Poorbeah sepoy, enrolled themselves in the ranks of the British army, and fought faithfully for us to the end of the war. Their help

t, their whole appearance stamps them as men who look upon themselves as "lords of the soil," whom it would be difficult

rest. It had been a belief that they would in the future acquire the sovereignty of Hindostan, and I know for certain t

nation or under their own leaders did they capture and plunder the Mohammeda

alry, infantry, and artillery, all had risen in revolt. The wave of mutiny was surging to and fro throughout the land, and as yet little had been done to stem the tide. True, a sm

few days of excitement, and also missed the comforts and ease to which we had been accustomed in former hot seasons. The barracks were cl

e lessened somewhat in degree, we felt a choking sensation from the effects of the dry, still atmosphere. No officer slept in the barrack-

elate, as it shows that, notwithstanding the state of dejection to which we had

dies of mutinous sepoys. The order-book each evening, reminding us of the danger, inculcated strict vigilance on picket and on guard. So long did thi

Irishman, imbued with the spirit of fun, and the jolliest fellow in the regiment, that

was then and there decided that, as the sepoys would not attack us, we would crea

be made on the remaining officers when asleep outside the barrac

r the attack was to be given by the originator of the plot, who would take upon himse

nd the assaulting party, consisting of six stalwart young subalterns, lay down on their beds outside the barracks, r

ing to sleep, but at length, in the small hours of the morning

silence our force was marshalled for the attack, and then, without any word of warn

lly the older officers (for in our zeal we spared no one), seemed perfectly bewildered, and in the midst of the shower of blows which rained on them without intermissio

blow, commanded us to desist. He might as well have spoken to the winds: our blood was up, and the spirit of fun had taken posse

ctical judgment, turned now into a confused mêlée. Friend and foe were mixed up in one grand shindy, and for many minutes the battle continued without intermission. Blows fell fast and thick; there was a rushing about of half-cl

s something more than a joke, and threatened to report us to the Colonel. We pointed out to them that such a proceeding would be absurd, for had they not also compromised themselves by joining in the fray? It was not long, however, before they were struck with t

her regiments of Her Majesty's infantry. Great amusement was caused by the recital, no

ed the arsenal on May 13, had been proceeding for some time. It was a general court-martial composed of thirteen officers, presided over by a Li

with regard to all these men, and they were accordingly found guilty. Sentence

hammedans and high-caste Hindoos, were to expiate their crime by that most awful

e in India, the last instance occurring in 1825, when a native regiment m

d been for hundreds of years the recognized punishment for mutiny and rebellion t

ebels, to prove to them that we were resolved at all hazards to crush the revolt, and t

penalty by blowing away mutineers at the mouths of c

else consigned to the sacred stream of the Ganges, cannot partake of the glories o

d who have lost limbs in fighting against the infidel. The joys of Paradise, where ever-young and beautiful houris minister to the wants and pl

an by the death we were about to inflict on them; and it was for the awe inspired by the punishment t

the north side of the fort, facing the native bazaars, and at a distance of some 300 yards. On this two

and playing, marched to the place of execution, and drew u

of six guns, appeared on the scene, forming up on our left

th of wind stirring; and I confess I felt sick with a suffocating sense

s, were seen moving from the fort. They advanced over the plain at our rear, and

and some distance from the guns; but I had provided myself with a pair of

Two of the wretched creatures were marched off to the gallows, and pl

the guns to be loaded,

laced a quarter charge

rs, the muzzles standi

ou

but could detect no traces of fear or agitation in their demeanour. The twelve stood t

the sentence of the court-martial, and at its conclusion th

ene at this time, and, overcome with horro

e. And then all at once the silence which reigned around was broken by the oaths and yells of those about to die. These sounds were not uttered by men afraid of death, for they showed the most stoical indifference, but were the long-suppressed utterances of dying sou

fires, waiting for the word of command to fire

atching without emotion the port-fires, about to be applied to the touch-holes, when the

ns, through which were distinctly seen by several of us the

cting, the two sepoys to be han

ing like their comrades, were bound to them, another discharge, and then

a stench which only those who have been present at scenes suc

horrible to relate, at each discharge the recoil threw back pieces of burning

ng before me, I noticed the ground torn up and earth thrown a slight distance into the air more than 200 paces away. Almost at the same time there was a commotion among the throng in front, some running to and fro, while others ran off

e; but how to account for the sight we ha

a military execution, the band struck up an air, and we marched back to barracks, hop

d has never been explained. At this time a "cantonment guard" was mounted, consisting of a company of European infantry, half a troop of the 10th Light Cavalry, and four guns, and two of these gu

ions by blowing away from guns on any large scale by

of the Military St

Brigadier-G

2: Major

Colonel Willi