lines, and halted at the bottom of the ridge on the extreme left of our position. Some time was occupied after the arrival of the

and then ascended, making our way to the celebrated Flagstaff Tower. We

e confusion, were the white walls and roofs of numerous buildings. Tall and graceful minarets, Hindoo temples and Mohammedan mosques, symmetrical in shape and gorgeous in colouring, appeared interspersed in endless numbers among the densely-packed houses inside the city, their domes and spires shining with a brilliant radi

he Great Mogul-that palace in which at that moment the degenerate descendant of Timour, and last represen

ed by the waters of the Jumna. A long bridge of boats connected the fort with the opposite bank of the river, he

nous Bareilly Brigade of infantry and artillery, numbering over 3,000 men, marched across this bridge. Our advanced picket at the Metcalfe House stables, clos

cedonian invaded India, and its origin is lost in the mists of antiquity. Traces there were in every direction, amid the interminable cluster o

s, Mahrattas and Rajpoots, each in turn in succeeding ages had been masters of the city. There had been indiscriminate massacres of the populace, the last by Nadir Shah, the King of Persia in 1747, when 100,000 souls were put to death by his order, and booty to a fabulous amount was carried away. Still, notwithstanding the vicissitudes of fo

ilence had reigned for some time, when we were awakened from our dreams by the whiz and hissing of a shell fired by the enemy. It fell close below the tower and burst without doing any harm; but some jets of smoke appeared on the bastions of the city, and shells and round-shot fired at the ridge along the crest of which a small body of our men was moving. The can

ds those buildings, approaching gradually nearer and nearer to the city,

intervals behind the ruined houses of the old cantonment, which, at the outbreak on May 11, had been burnt and destroyed by the sepoys. A canal which supplied us with water from the Jumna ran round the ridge past the s

half, the right and left front flanks defended by outl

anner only commanded a small part of the city. The bridge of boats remained to the last in the possession of the enemy, and was quite out of range even from our advanced a

to the Ajmir Gate, which was just visible from the extreme right of the ridge. This part was defended by, I think, four bastions, named, respectively, the Water, Kashmi

inching tenacity throughout the whole siege by the Sirmoor battalion of Goorkhas, and portions of the 60th Royal Rifles and the Guide Corps. Incessant day and n

y Major Reid, the officer commanding the Sirmoor battalion. They lost in killed and wounded a number far out of

sposition, they have always been great favourites with the European soldiers, whose ways and peculiarities they endeavour to imitate to a ludicrous extent. In battle, as I have often seen them, they seem in their proper element, fierce and courageous, shrinking from no danger. They carried, besides the musket, a short, h

on and that of the enemy, I shall proceed to recount, as far as my recollection serves, th

rear slope of the ridge. We were completely hidden from any view of the city, and but for the sound of

rrival I performed the melancholy duty of reading the Burial Service over five ga

rath of God on the Egyptians. They literally darkened the air, descending in myriads and covering everything in our midst. Foul and loathsome they were, and we knew that they owed their existence to, and fattened on, the putrid corpses of dead men and anim

by the pickets that it was ordered that for the future, instead of being sent under escort

ationed 150 men. At the beginning of the siege our left advanced flank, on the side of the River Jumna, was exposed to constant attacks by the enemy, and the three pickets mentioned above had been since that time stationed at those places. Each communicated with the other, the one to the rig

ed double rows of sentries to my front al

by an author who knows nothing of the subject on which he has written), rode up to the picket and told me

ntly round the pickets at night, and being present at most of the engagements. He was a perfect Hindustani scholar, and it was reported in camp, though with what truth I cannot say, that he on several occasions entered Delhi in disguise dur

my post to the last extremity, and in no case to fall back, adding that to my picket, and to those on my right and

oar were deafening, but firing, as they did, at random, little damage was done. Nothing can be grander than the sight of live shells cleaving the air on a dark night. They seemed like

sed by in suspense and anxiety, and none was attempted. The firing was continued all night-sleep being i

an wet season-set in, and rain descen

e suburbs to the right front of our position, and the alarm sounded, most of the troops in camp turning out and assembling on th

a man of the Road Department, who had been surprised and cut to pieces by some of the rebel cavalry. The escort also reported that a body of insurgents numberin

were dismissed to our quarters, being warned to hold

r cut off the mutineers on their return to Delhi. The little army, consisting of 1,500 men, cavalry, artillery, and infantry, marched at once towards Alipore. A

advanced for about two miles over swampy ground to a canal, the cavalry being i

tre, and on his return, the order was given, "Guns to the front!" The Horse Artillery gallo

le. The first line consisted of the artillery, in the centre, flanked on each side by the cavalry-cavalry-portions of the 9th La

pen and without trees, bounded at that distance by a village, in which the insurgent guns were posted. Clouds of horsemen, apparentl

hetting over our heads. Still we advanced, hoping that the rebels would stand till we came to close quarters. At 500 yards the fire from our artillery seemed to prove too hot for them; a

up some stragglers; but the insurgents stampeded at a g

Alipore plunder was recovered, besides some ammunition and camp equipment, and, rath

re was no examination by a medical man, he had, through some back-door influence, obtained a commission in the army. All his service had been passed abroad, exchanging from one regiment to another, for it would have been utterly impossible for him to have retained his commission in England. Marching, he was unable to keep step with the men, and on horseback he presented the most ludicrous appearance, being quite unable to ride, and looking more like a monkey than a human b

p, as it was supposed there would be no more work for them to do. We lay down in the welcome shade of the trees on the bank, enjoying our breakfast, which had been brought to us by our native servants, and, in company with an officer of the 9th Lancers, I

e trees and jungle, and some men lying on the ground were hit. The regiment at once fell i

ks high above their heads, they floundered through the water to the opposite side, their drivers vainly attempting to stop their flight.

space, and in sight of the enemy-a large body of infantry outnumbering us by four to one. They were at

ing one so vastly superior, Major Coke deemed it prudent to retire, and

Adjutant to march my men to the left of the bridge to reinforce the Light Company, who were being hard pressed by the insurgents, some of whom were wading through the canal, with the evident intention of turning our left f

were struck down in numbers by our men, who rested their muskets on the bank and took sure aim. Still, the contest was most unequal; the enemy were wading in force through the water on our left,

ith a cheer, crossed the bridge at full speed, wheeled to their left, unlimbered as quick as lightning, and opened fire on the rebe

e black in a few minutes-a horrible sight. These, with the killed and the sick and wounded, were placed on the backs of a fresh lot of elephants, which

n under arms for seventeen hours, most of the time exposed to the pitiless rays of an Indian sun, under fire

and little did we think that that was the last occasion we should see the gallant old soldier. The followi

ed the safety of British rule in India, the cares and anxiety of the task, together with his unremitting attention to his duties and constant exposure to the sun, made him peculiarly su

nemy kept up, as usual, a constant fire upon the ridge a

never tired of gazing at the glorious panorama spread out before

arsenal, the insurgents mounted on the bastions of Delhi 32-and 24-pounder guns and 13-inch mortars, their trained artillerymen acquitting themselves right valiantly, and making excellent practi

city the shot of the same calibre hurled against us, and a reward of half a rupee

cooks, depositing the dishes on the ground, ran in all haste to seize the treasures. I watched the race with interest, and anticipated some fun, knowing that in their eagerness they would forget that the shots had not had time to cool. Two men in advance of the rest picked up the balls, and, utt

situated about 1,200 yards from the walls of the city, and surrounded by trees and gardens. At the outbreak of May 11, it had been plundered and burnt by the mutinous sepoys and badmashes, who also in like manner had destroyed every house belon

o harass the picket, a 13-inch shell would burst either in our front or in our rear. The night passed quickly, and at daybreak, when visiting the sentries, I heard distinctly the bugles of the rebels sounding the reveille, succeeded by other familiar calls. It seemed strange to hear ou

ery day, but after the first horrible experience nothing would induce me to be a spectator. The rain, which had begun on the 3rd, continued almost wi

some distance from the right of the ridge, we for a long time heard no tidings of what was going on. At

centre rear of the camp, in rear of the quarters of the General in command. Here we were joined by some companies of the 8th

re firing into the branches of the trees which surrounded the enclosure. Every now and then the body of a rebel would fall on the ground at their feet, the

de, had, with the greatest daring, an hour before dashed across the canal bridge and charged the picket of the Carabineers, making also for the two guns of Tombs' battery. The former, mostly young soldiers, had tu

n badly wounded, and was on the point of being despatched by a sowar, when Major Tombs, hearing the noise, rushed o

75th appearing on the scene, the rebels were shot down in every direction, thirty-five being killed, an

was a fitting prelude to the events

tion, the insurgents in great force and of all arms streamed out from the gates, making in the direction

and detachments from most of the regiments, with Horse Artillery and a few cavalry under the command of Brigadi

vanced bodies of the enemy, chiefly infantry with cavalry and field artillery on each flank. We formed in l

round-shot and grape sent among our ranks. As we advanced, the vegetation became thicker, and we were confronted at times by high hedges of prickly-pear and cactus, growing so close together that it

ended in a steady downpour, soaking through our thin cott

rtillery and musketry. We caught glimpses of the enemy retreating towards the Kishenganj Serai, but the vegetation was so dense in the numerous gardens, and the view so obstructed by stone

, offering a sure aim to the enemy's marksmen. It was a continual rush from one point to another, halting and firing at intervals, the rebels all the time sl

was going on, sent shells and round-shot at every opportunity over our heads, dispersing

nd the fire was so hot and the practice so excellent that the ene

with skirmishers in advance, we drove the rebels before us, the H

entered into a wide lane to the left, the high bank of the canal b

with a rattling fire of musketry. Some climbed to the top of the bank, while others fired down at us from the walls. It was a perfect feu d'enfer,

iers, now a confused mass of Sikhs, Goorkhas, and Europeans, to charge and dislodge the enemy from the end of the lane. He was answered with a ringing cheer

ttempted to shut; but we were too quick for them, and followi

s of our force, who pursued them a long distance, and after a desperate resista

sepoy they could find. Their aspect was certainly inhuman-eyes flashing with passion and revenge, faces wet and blacken

ding in the centre of the serai. They were followed by our men, who entered after them at the door. The h

d hands for mercy, calling out in their language, "Dohai! dohai!" words I well knew the meaning of, and which I had often heard unde

for some time we were alone and few in number in the serai. It was nearly five

our way through; so with fixed bayonets we charged through them, meeting soon afterwards the remainder of the force on its way back. Joining with these, we drove the enemy again before us till we came wi

lowly we wended our way back to camp, arriving there about suns

ded. It was computed that of the enemy more than 500 were killed, and probably twice that number wounded, the dead bodies lying

t too great a distance from the main body of the army, we were directed to change to a position close to the banks of the canal, near the Gener

s Assistant Collector at Goorgaon, seventeen miles from Delhi. On the death of their mother in Ireland, an only sister, a young girl of eighteen years of age, came out to India to take up her residence with him. C--

, and the subsequent mutiny of the native infantry regiments and arti

ette and his family were tortured to death by having their throats cut with pieces of broken bottles, but there were conflicting accounts as to how the Jenningses and Miss C-- d met their end. From what I gathered after the siege from some Delhi na

n, who had also risen in revolt, he disguised himself as best he could and rode off into the country. After enduring great pri

t of nothing but revenge. Armed with sword, revolver, and rifle, he had been present at almost every engagement with the mutineers since leaving Meerut. He was known to most of the regiments in camp, and would attach himself to one or the other on the occasion

-stains-I quite believe he told me the truth. One would imagine he must have tired of slaughter during those six days' fighting in the city, but it was not so. I dined with him at the Palace the night Delhi was taken, when he told me he intended accompanying a small force the next morning to attack a vil

- d. One in particular, whose wife I had known well, was an object of pity to the whole camp. She was the first woman who was murdered durin

such an extent, pervaded the breasts of all who were engaged in the suppression of the Mutiny. Every soldier fighting in our ranks knew that a day of reckoning would come for the atrocities which had been committed, and with unrelenting spirit dedicat

t in the camp; the cannonade continued on eac

picket consisting of 100 men under the command of a Captain. Since the opening of the siege this had been the scene of many sanguinary encoun

f the Engineers had cleared away the trees, walls, and buildings in front of the picket for some di

hots were fired at us, and on being relieved the next morning we r

gents poured out of the Kabul and Lahore Gates in great numbers, making, as usual, for the Sabzi Mandi Gardens and the right of the ridge. They kept up a constant fire of musketr

LL PICKET, SABZI MANDI

e enemy in the Sabzi Mandi Gardens. The struggle was long and fierce, a perpetual interchange of musketry and artillery, our losses, especially in officers, being very se

several little fights on our own account. Advancing, we scarcely knew where, and in our excitement fully engaged in chasing the foe, we all at once came most unexpectedly on to a broad road, with open ground on each side. There, to our front, and scarcely 500 yards distant, we saw a gate with embattled towers, the high walls of the city, and a bastion. We were soon descried by the enemy, who dep

om they had driven to within 600 yards of the city wall; and joining our ow

r, had suffered most severely, their loss amounting to quite 1,000 men; and the next morning they were seen for hours carting the dead bodies into the city. Unusual bravery was shown by the rebels on this day: they stood fairly in the open, and als

groans of the men, many of them with their dying breath lamenting the hard fate which had stretched them on a sick-bed and prevented them from doing their duty in the ranks against the enemy. Fever and agu

ing in the canal at our rear. Here, seated on camp-stools brought out by our servants, we amused ourselves for hours, holding lotteries as to who would catch the first fish, the prize being a bottle of beer. To see us on these occasions, full of merriment, one would scarcely have realized the fact that the men employed in this peaceful occupation were part of an army engag

r forget the agony of mind of one of our gourmands when one day it was reported that the sheep had all been carried off by the enemy when grazing in the rear of the canal. I had also purchased 100 dozen of ale at Umballah for the use of the mess, and this being noised abroad in the camp, we were visit

7 in consequence of sickness and the infirmities of old age. He was succeeded by General Wilson, of the Artillery, an offic

selves, as it was reported, and disputing as to what portion of their army was to lead the next sortie.

action in vogue during previous sorties. There was, however, some very hard fighting in the gardens and serais, where we were received by a storm of bullets; but the men being persuaded to keep well under cover, the losses were not very seri

E SMALL PICKET, SABZI

ENGA

en rolled round the waist. On the fall of a mutineer, a rush would be made by the men to secure the coveted loot, a race taking place sometimes between a European and one of our native soldiers as to who should first reach the body. The kammerbund was quickly torn off and the money snatched up, a wrangle often ensuing among the men as to the division of the booty. In this manner many soldiers succeeded, to my knowledge, in securing large sums of money; one in particular, a Grenadier o

rations on this day; after the action also, he withdrew his men in perfect order, allowing no stragg

picket was soon after cleared, and during future attacks our men remained behind the breastworks and entrenchments whi

irty-six-all of these being regularly organized actions and assaults-besides innumerable others on isolated pickets and advanced posts. They seldom came to close quarters with our men, and then only wh

ion of the usual artillery duel. We took our turn at picket duty with the other reg

n the Flagstaff Tower and the Kashmir Gate. Then they opened fire on the left of the ridge, and moving about continually amongst the trees and buildings, were well sheltered from our batteries, which were unable to make good practice. The rebels also showed

forced them to remove their guns, which quickly limbered up and made for the city. There was a great deal of skirmishing in the gardens and ruined houses before the infantry followed the example of their

a time, some sport was inaugurated in the camp. The men might be seen amusing them

lert from the report that several thousands of rebels, with thirteen guns

g down to us from the Punjab. The convoy arrived safe on the morning of August 1, and the rain falling heavily on that day, makin

n festival called the "Bakra Id," and for some time there

ght pickets. The mutineers returning from our rear had met an equal number, which had sallied from the city, at the suburb of Kish

rt time every available man was mustered, and the troops were hurried fo

ear; it therefore naturally occurred to the officers in command that this assault by the enemy with such v

Hindoo Rao's house were holding their own against enormous odds. Masses of infantry with fiel

thing I had ever heard before, and formed one continuous roll, while all around the air was illumined by a thousand bright flashes of fire, exposing to our view the movements of the rebels. They had also thrown up breastworks at no great distance to our front, from behind wh

nteen hours' fighting. Nothing could have surpassed the steadiness of the men and the cool manner in which they met the attacks of the enemy, remaining well under cover, and only showing themselves when the rebels came close up. Our casualties during those long hours only amounted to fifty killed and w

late grand attack had been made by the Neemuch and part of the Gwalior and Kotah insurgents who had mutinied at those places not long before. This accoun

ie, and the officers on picket had to furnish reports during their term of duty, thereby making them more attentive to the discipline and care of their men. In the matter of uniform, also, a great and desirable change was made. Many corps had become quite regardless of appearance, entirely discarding all pretensions to uniformity, and adopting th

of the British uniform. The enemy, on the contrary, appeared entirely in white, having soon discarded the dress of their former masters; and it was a pretty sight to see them turni

o blow up the bridge of boats across the Jumna, and some of

half a mile from the bridge. The other continued its course, and was descried by some mutineers on the opposite bank, who sent off men to the raft on massaks (inflated sheep-skins). It was a perilous deed for the men, bu

lry-more, it must be supposed, in a spirit of bravado than anything else-charged up the road towards the Flagstaff Tower, waving their swords and shouting, "Din! din!" A battery was broug

kept up all day, the guns in the new Kishenganj battery almost enfilading the right of our position. No efforts on our pa

o be little dash or spirit amongst them, and though they made a brave show, emerging from the gates in company with the rest of their forces, waving swords and brandishing spears, t

calfe pickets, their skirmishers advancing close to our defences with shouts, and harassing the men day and night, though with small loss on our side. They also made the approach to the pickets for relie

t of the fight, losing half the number of those killed and wounded-namely, 110. The enemy's casualties amounted to upwards of 300, and they left many wounded on the ground, who were shot and bayon

, though they must have known of the welcome reinforcements we had received that mornin

0 Sikhs and Punjabees, and a battery of European artillery. The reinforcements brought up the Delhi Field Force to more than 8,000 ef

West Frontier. Many stories are told of his prowess and skill, and he ingratiated himself so strongly amongst a certain race that he received his apotheosis at their hands, and years afterwards was, and perhaps to this day is, worshipped by these rude mountaineers under the title of "Nikul Seyn." Spare in form, but of great stature, his whole appearance and mien stamped him as a "king of men." Calm and self

n the direction of Rohtak. They were followed by that great irregular leader Hodson, who succeeded, with small loss

to them in their own language. She was brought before the officer commanding the picket, when it transpired that she was a Eurasian named Seeson, the wife of a European road sergeant. During the outbreak on May 11 at Delhi her children had been slain before her eyes and she herself badly wounded, escaping, however, from the murderers in a most providential manner, and finding shelter in the house of a friendly native, who had succo

re unused to discharging these dangerous missiles, the rockets at first, by their rebound, inflicted more damage on the rebels than on us; but, gaining expe

ts, and this was served so well that not only were the outposts in considerable danger from the fire, but the camp of one of our native

in another; but no effort of theirs affected in the smallest degree the bulldog grip of the British army on the rebellious city. Reports were rife that the King had sent to propose terms to the General, and that the answer

. They were seen from the ridge for hours trooping out of the Lahore and Ajmir Gates, and proceeding far to our right rear. Their i

d, if possible, to bring them to battle. Long before daylight on the morning of August 25 we paraded, cava

he difficulties we had to encounter in traversing a route wellnigh impassable from the recent rains, and ankle-deep in mud. Two broad swamps also had to be crossed, the soldiers wading waist-high in the water, and carrying

with great labour dragging the guns through the morass which extended nearly all the way, we

e canal bridge on the extreme right to a large serai on the left in the town of Najafgarh. Nine guns were posted between th

, facing the town of Najafgarh, and about 900 yards from the serai, the infantry in two line

stirring words, calling on us to reserve our fire till close to the enemy's batteries, and then to charge with fixed b

the quick step till within 100 yards, when we delivered a volley. Then the war-cry of the British so

the ground. The men followed, clearing everything before them, capturing the four guns in the serai, bayoneting the rebels and firing at those who had taken to flight at our approach.

wing and firing on them till darkness set in. The cavalry also-a squadron of the gallant 9th Lancers, with the Guides and Punjabees-did

in the pouring rain, completely exhausted from our long march and subsequent fighting,

JOR RAINBY COMMANDED TH

GEME

orty-one Years in Indi

y met with a most obstinate resistance, their young commander, Lumsden, being killed. The General then sent part of my regiment to dislodge the reb

ived the regiment of one of its best and bravest officers, and me of a true friend. He had shared my tent on the march down and during the whole campaign, a cheery, good-hearted fellow, and one who had earned the respect of office

authenticated in our army. On looking over his effects, it was found that he had written letters to his nearest relations on the night before marching to Najafgarh; and he had also carefully made up small parcels of his valuables and trinkets, with directions on them to whom they wer

efore sundown, and were played in by the bands of the two regiments, while many

below the mark, for our artillery fire was very destructive, and the cavalry committed great havoc amongst the host of fugitives. The battle of the 25th was the most brilliant and decisive since that of Badli-ki-Serai on June 8. All the guns, thirteen in number, we

, causing us a loss of thirty-five men. It was their impression that the camp had been left almost bare and defenceless by the wit

always met by a murderous musketry from the enemy's sharpshooters, who fired down behind breastworks. It was resolved, therefore, on August 30, to drive them out from their cover, and on two or more occasions this was performed by the Goorkhas and the 60th Rifles, who, as usual, figh

s the chief rendezvous of officers when not on duty. About this time I went to the to

n the top of the tower. The Afghan laughed, and then, looking with contempt at the diminutive sentry, a dwarf in comparison with himself, he attempted to push aside the bayonet. Losing all patience, the Goorkha at this threw down his musket, and drawing his kukri, the favourite weapon of his race, he rushed at the Afghan with up-lifted blade. This was too much for our valiant hero, who quickly turned tail, and disappeared down the circular staircas

reinforcement to us by their Ameer, Dost Mohammed Khan of Kabul, but really as spies to watch our movements, and report the state of affairs t

the force, and one of our officers, who shared my tent after poor Gab

orted disaffection among the Sikh population, who, it is said, were beginning openly to assert that the British army was unable to take Delhi. To check this feeling, the Chief Commissioner had urged General Wilson to lose no time in making preparations for

being ourselves, and the 8th and 52nd Regiments. To cheer the soldiers, the bands played in camp of an evening, while some officers and men engaged in sport of various kinds

ble loss was experienced, unparalleled in the annals of the siege. The enemy's battery across the river had

early hour. Some 100 men and officers, beside Sikhs and native attendants, were grouped around, when a loud hissing sound w

r, while groans and cries were heard. One soldier fell mortally wounded by my side, and on looking around to count up our losses, we found that two of my regiment had been k

He rolled over and over on the ground, presenting such a ludicrous appearance in his wet, nude state, and covered with earth, that, notwithstanding the awful surroundings of the scene, I and others co

er 2 and 3, but there were no attacks of any consequence on the pickets, a

t 400 European infantry and the Belooch battalion, the last a most savage-looking lot of men, who, however, did good service, and fought well. Besides these, a party of Sikh horsemen, in the service of the Rajah of Jhind-a

abis, 700 strong, followed the same day by the Kashmir contingent of 2,20

of distant music, the most discordant I have ever heard. The bandmaster jumped up from his seat, exclaiming: "Mein Go

ound in the appearance of the soldiers, who were mostly Sikhs and hill men of good physique; but their ludicrous style of marching, the strange outlandish uniform of the men, and the shrill discord of their bands, creat

orking parties, both of European and native soldiers, and the usual picket duties, the greater part of the army was continually employed in this arduous work every night and a portion of each day. Nothing coul

uties; and the young officers of that corps covered themselves with

of September 7, about 700 yards from the Mori bastion. No. 2, to the left front, near Ludlow Castle, a

also on that day. And, lastly, No. 3, on the extreme left, with six guns at the short distance of 180 yards fro

forty-five heavy guns and mortars were in position, strongly entrenched, and ready to silence

, and keeping up a sharp musketry fire from an advanced trench they had dug in front of the walls. At the two latter places, where the men of my regiment were employed, the fire

r work; the men were cheerful and active, never resting for a moment in their labo

be made from the right of our position, where all the great conflicts had taken place. There they were in strength, and it was our weakest point; whereas, on the side near the Jumna, we were protected from being turned by having the riv

1: White

in the ankle on this occasion, and a serge

h Native Infantry, was wounded

round-shot, which in its course also knocked over some san

5: Lieuten

up one of their own powder factorie