The Press. — London, England, 1857-08-08 00:00:00

770 officer of the horse artillery may be believed; for it states that the richer and influential natives at Nagpore were at the bottom of a local conspiracy, which was happily discovered in time:— Combined Fiel.l Farce Camp, Real lency ComponnJ, Napore, June 19. These are stirring times. On Saturday, 13th, at mid- night, the alarm was sounded at Kamptee, and our troop was ordered to proceed immediately to Seetabnldee on field service. accompanied by two squadrons, 4th Madras Cavalry. We were ready in nest to no time, and were on the spat before daybreak. It appeared that at 11 p.m. a trooper of the Napore Irregular Cavalry had been caught tampering with certain sepoys of the Irregular Infantry Regiment, and trying to stir up a mutiny, by telling them " the sutudard of Maltomet " was to be raise .l iu the city of Nagpore at midnight; that all Mussulinans of the city were to rise and kill the Feringhee Kitties ( European infidels); and that on a certain signal (a tire balloon) front the city, the Irreirilar Cavalry were to murder their officers, and join in the general revolt. He at the same time requested the infantry to join ; they refused, and at once made the traitor a prisoner, and ran to report the state of affairs to their commanding officer, Captain Holland. All the ladies and families in Seetahuldee were roused, and immediately driven into Kamptee. At that very time • trustworthy native informed Ellis, the Deputy-Commis. 'loner, of what was about to take place. He galloped off to the Residency, and woke Mr. Plowden, who forthwith rode into Kamptee, and gave the alarm to the brigadier and the rest of the force. By some mismanagement the fire balloon did not go up, and the whole conspiracy has been nipped in the bud, most providentially for all at Seetabuldee. On ow arrival near the Irregular Cavalry lines there, we learned that at 2 a.m. the whole force had been paraded by the officer commanding the force ; the cavalry dismounted and depi ived of their alma ; the battery with guns loaded with grape brought to bear on them, and the Irregular Infantry Regiment in support of the guns. 01 what took place at that parade I am not aware, but it was dismissed quietly shortly before our arrival. The man who was caught inciting the sepoys was brought down to the Residency, and tried at once by drumhead general court• martial. We sentenced him to be blown from a gun ; the sentence was, however, commuted to transportation for life, and he is now imprisoned in the Hilt Fort, Seetabuldee. Five of the principal native officers are confined in irons in the fort also, and are awaiting trial. The native officer who warned the adjutant of danger turns out to be one of the principal ringleaders, but who, at the last moment, feared the consequences. The man we tiled was evidently the tool of influential people in the city, and of men possessing rank and wealth: the native officers of Irregular Cavalry are all well•connected native gentlemen. We are now on the alert lest an attempt be made at a rescue of the prisoners. THE PRESS, AUGUST 8,1857. insurgents. These were held at bar. They left people all round, and the main body went off to the Bank. There they were joined by more mutineers. They plundered and murdered wherever they found Europeans. The towns. people assisted warmly in the plunder, and the mutineers of the infantry were particularly active. The commissioner, Mr. Fraser, on hearing of the advent of the mutineers, had gone down to cut away the bridge, but was too late. On returning he met the mutineers at this place. The mutineers said to the commissioner's escort, " Are you on the side of the Europeans or on that of religion ?" They said the latter. The commissioner, on hearing this, drove off in his buggy. His escort remained passive. The mutineers followed and cut down the gentlemen. He fired one pistol. The mutineers killed people on the road, but being more intent on the magazine, they went to it. After arranging matters for surrounding the place the insurgents and mutineers procee led to the gaol. One of the sentries shot a man, but when they said they were fighting for religion the guard joined them and 500 convicts were released. They then closed all the gates and went into the fort. They paid their respects to the King; he made objections, and said he had no army ; he at last con• seated. Oa the second day they went to the magazine, where many Europeans had taken refuge. After some firing on both sides, the natives, such as Lasears, would do nothing, they hid themselves ; the Europeans alone carried on the de• fence, but seeing that they could do nothing against so many, they blew up the wall towards the river; some 200 of the rebels or more were destroyed by this. They however got in, and destroyed as many Europeans as they could, and plundered weapons, &c., leaving only the guns and powder. Two native infantry regiments were present. They searched, and everywhere they could find Europeans they slew them. On the third day they went hack to the house near the mosque where sonic Europeans hail taken refuge. As they were without water, &c., for several days they called for a sitbadar (deponent was present 1 and five others, and asked them to take their oaths that they would give them water and take them alive to the King; be 'right kill them if he liked. On this oath the Europeans came out ; the mu tineers placed water before them, and said, " Lay down your arms, and then you get water." They gave over twe guns, all they had. The mutineers gave no water. They seized eleven children, among them infants, eight ladies, and eight gentlemen. They took them to the cattle sheds. One lady, who seemed more self-possessed than the rest, observed that they were not taking them to the palace ; they replied they were taking them viii l)urya Gunj. De• ponent says he saw all this, and saw them placed in a row and shot. One woman entreated them to give her child water, though they might kill her. A sepoy took her child and dashed it on the ground ; the people looked on in dismay, and feared for Delhi. The King's people took some thirty-five Europeans to the palace; on the fifth day they tied them to a tree, and shot them. they burnt then bodies. 01l the fifth day notice was given that if any one con cealed a European he would be destroyed. People dis guised many, and sent them off, but many were killed that day, mostly by people of the city. Matters remained pretty quiet for two days. The Duna Gunj Bazaar was turned into an encampment for the mutineers. Shops were plundered in the Chandoee Chonk and Dlerreba Bazaar. The shops were shut for five days. The King went through the city, and told the people to open the shops. At each Rate there is a company of native infantry. About 9.00) mutineers are assembled. No cavalry have joined, excepting from Meerut. Some 4,000 or 5,000 new men have been raised. but they are rabble. During the festival of EeJ, while at prayers, there was the dust of • kafila of laden animals. An alarm arose—it was the English army ; the people all rushed helterskelter into the city. The King retused to go on the throne. The mutineers assured him that a similar massacre had taken place up to Peshawur and down to Calcutta. He agreed, and com menced to give older*. He appointed the following officers —2lnkeem, Nussuroola, Mahhoob, Allie, and one other be longing to the mutineers, but deponent knows not his name. His new levies receive tour annas a day. Guns are placed on the ramparts of the town. These are pro nounced strong. The Sappers and Miners are mounting guns in Selimghur. The mutineers say when the army approaches they will fight, and that the native troops with the army are sure to join them. Many mutineers who tried to get away with plunder were robbed ; this has pre vented many others from leaving. A tailor concealed no less than five Europeans; the deponent thinks many more are concealed. The man has been with me ; he speaks frankly and without tear. He is able to narrate evidently many a harrowing tale, but I did not wish to hear any. He seemed really to recall with dismay what he had witnessed. A. FARRINGTON, Deputy Commissioner. Jullnndur, June 5. The Bombay Times of the Ist gives the following list of stations at which the troops have revolted, up to the latest date : •Meernt •Nusseerabad Jullundur •Delhi •Neemuch Azimghur Ferozepore Benares Futtehghur Ailyghur •Hansi .Taunpore Roorkee •Ilissar •Bareilly Xturdann •..Thansi •Shabjehimpore Lucknow Mehidpore To this •Allahabsd may be added. The Bombay paper observes :—" We have indicated by an a , terisk those stations at which the women and children of our countrymen have fallen into the hands of the soldiery, and it is better to draw a veil over the bar barities they endured from these merciless fiends." EXECUTION OF MUTINEERS AT FEROZE- PORE. THE following account of the execution of some of the mutineers at Ferozepore on the morning of the 1:1th June is taken from the Lahore Chronicle, June 17th, whose correspondent appears to have been an officer on the spot : This morning were executed twelve of the mutineers of the late 45th IlegimentNative Infantry. All the available troops and public - establishments were convened to witness the scene, which took place at the south-east of the Sadder Bazaar, and north of the Old Fort—the side at which the mutineers had got in. A gallows had been erected during the night previous, and around it. were the troops drawn up. A squadron of 10th Native Light Cavalry, remnant O. the disbanded ;all Native Infantry, and commissanat and magazine establishment on the east; her Majesty's 61st. Font and Artillery, with twelve guns, on the south; and the city and cantonment police on the west. The mutineers (twenty-four I think) were brought into the centre by a guard of her Majestys 61st Foot; one of the mutineers was brought in a doolie, as his left aim had oeeu amputated in consequence of a fracture caused by a musket ball, tired at him by her Majesty's 61st Foot, when with the mutineers he was in the fausse braie of the fort. Lieutenant Hoggan, by order of Brigadier Innes, read out the proceedings of the general court martial which tried the mutineers, and the sentence awarded to them, to the troops and establishments. Ile then informed the mutineers that if any would become Queen's evidence the brigadier would reprieve them. I believe twelve ac• cepted the offer, and were marched to the rear of the artillery. They stated their willingness to inform upon the ringleaders, and to further divulge secrets to show whence the mutiny originated, and with what view. Of the remaining twelve, two (one being the man with the amputated arm) were taken to the gallows. They as cended the ladder with firm steps, and never betrayed any emotion of tear. On gaining the platform they adjusted their noo.-es with their own bands ; their eyes then were bandaged, and their arms pinioned. Another second and they were launched into eternity. Death was instanta neous with one, but the one-armed culprit lingered out for a considerable time, as the knot slipped under his chin. The hangman had to readjust the knot, and, giving him another drop, the throes of the body rapidly ceased, and the vital spark soon became extinct. The ten other mutineers were led away to the artillery guns, but while their irons were being struck off some cried out, " Do not sacrifice the innocent for the guilty." Two others, " Hold your snivelling; die men, and not cowards—you defended your religion, why then do you crave your lives? Sahibs ! they are not sahibs, they are dogs." Some more began to upbraid their commanding officer. "He released the havildar-major, who was the chief of the rebels." The ten men were fastened to the muzzles of ten guns, which were charged with blank cartridge. The commanding officer directed potfirea to be lit. " Ready!" " Fire ! " and the drama was played out. The scene and stench were overpowering. I felt myself terribly convulsed, and could observe that the numerous native spectators were awe-stricken, that tbey not only trembled like aspen leaves, but also changed into unnatural hues. 'the lesson, I trust, will not be lost on them. Precaution was not taken to remove the sponge and load men from near the muzzles of the guns ; the con sequence was that they were greatly bespattered with blood, and one man in particular received a stunning blow from a shivered arm. When I sent you the account of the execution yesterday of the 45th Native Infantry mutineers, I had not then learned of some serious accidents which occurred to some of the spectators. It would appear that some of the artil lery guns, by oversight, were loaded with grapeshot, instead of blank cartridge only. The guns were laced to wards some of the spectators, five of whom have been severely wounded two were shot through the thigh, one at the ankle, one through the calf, and another in the heel. They are all in the station hospital, and I think the limbs of two must undergo amputation. Similar punishments were indicted upon the mu tineers at Peshawur. The officer quoted above, in his account of the local outbreak, adds : Some of the 200 prisoners of the 55th have been tried, and we blew forty of them away from our guns in the presence of the whole force three days ego .a fearful but necessary ex ample, which has struck terror into their souls. Three sides of a square were formed, ten guns pointed outwards, the sentence of the court was read, a prisoner bound to each gun, the signal given, and the salvo tired. Such a scene J hope never again to witness—human trunks, heads, legs, arms, Se., flying about in all directions. All met their fate with firmness but two, who would not l•e tied up; so to save time they were dropped to the ground and their brains blown out by musketry•. Trials are going on, and the mutineers will never forget th! lesson taught at Pesha wur. It is not my business to contrast or compare with scenes elsewhere. I trait and believe we have done what duty demands. THE MURDER OF SIR NORMAN LESLIE. A PRIVATE LETTER from Major Macdonald, dated Rochnee, Jane 14, details the melancholy fate of Sir Norman Leslie : Ou the evening of the lath instant (writes Major Mac. donald) Lieut. Sir Norman Leslie and Dr. Brant joined me in front of my house u usual to take tea, and about a quarter to nine o'clock Pr. Grant got up to go to my house to wind up the clock before learit.g. On his rising from his chair he said, " Who can these follows be r and at the THE DELHI MASSACRES. We now come to the most terrible results of these mutinies ; the private letters received state the bar barities said to have been inflicted upon the unfortu nate English altogether to he beyond belief. The l passengers by the Colombo give some frightful details of the atrocities committed. In one case six European ladies had taken refute in a room ; one of them,very young and beautiful, concealed herself under a sofa. The other five were subjected to the most dreadful and revoltinz outrages by the mutineers, and then beheaded. The blood trickled under the sota, and the young girl concealed there betrayed herself by uttering a shriek. She was seized and taken to the harem of the King of Delhi. The daughter of the English clergyman was driven naked through the streets of Delhi, then subjected to unspeakable out rages by the soldiery, and afterwards cut to pieces. An English lady in the same city was suspended by the feet naked and hacked to pieces. Other women were violated and horribly ill-used, in the presence of their husbands and children. Their children were then tossed upon bayonets, their husbands tor tured and mangled, and in many cases whole fart• lies, alive and bleeding, were then slowly wasted to death. In a word, since the days of Nadir Shah never were such terrible atrocities committed by human beings. Death was a mercy to the poor sufferers. A native of Delhi who had witnessed some of these dreadful scenes voluntarily made a statement to the deputy-commissioner at Jullundur. The following ccmpriae the principal points : First only five troopers came into Delll'. from Meerut. They first went to the house of ( name not clear, so I omit it an agent of the King of Delhi, lien. the Delhi gate inside the town. He came out and said he was in the service of the King. They would not listen to him, but cat him down, and then murdered his wife and family, and told the people to plunder the house. They then went to the houses in Durfa tinnj. Peer Buksh, one of the deponents, saw the troopers go to a pink•coloured house; th. owner was a European ; they killed him, and plundered an 1 burnt the house. They plundered and burnt all the houses in this suburb, which is chiefly inhabited by clerks, and murdered all who could not escape. By this time other troopers and infantry and towns Del* joined in the work of destruction. A numb. rof the tigitives took retuge in a building near the mosque of Attrungzebe's daughter, and began to defend it against the