The Press. — London, England, 1857-11-07 00:00:00

time was lost in getting everything ready for a start. The ladies and children were divided into three parties. At midnight they were got safely into their respective boats. One of the party was then sent round to the pickets to call them in. At about two a.m. of the 4th of July we had all embarked. The guns in the fort had been spiked, and the little ammunition we had left destroyed. The order was given to let go; we started in very good order, but no sooner did we pass the fort walls than showers cf bullets were sent after us, and a cry raised that the Ferin• ghees were running away. The sepoys followed us about a mile, firing all along, but doing no harm, for we were a long way out of range. We had not proceeded far when it was found that Colonel Goldie's boat was much too large and heavy for us to manage. It was accoldingly determined to be abandoned, so all the ladies and children were taken on Colonel Smith's boat. A little delay was thus caused, which the sepoys took advantage of to bring a gun to bear on the boats; the distance, however, was too great; every ball fell short. As soon as the ladies and children were all safely on hoard we started and got down as far as Singheerampore without accident, although fired upon by the villagers. Here we stopped a few minutes to repair the rudder of Colonel Smith's boat, and one out of two boatmen we had was killed by a matchlock ball. The rudder repaired, we started again, Colonel Smith's boat taking the lead. We had not gone beyond a few yards when our boat grounded on a soft muddy sandbank ; the other boat passed on, all hands got into the water to push her; but notwithstan ding all our efforts we could not manage to move her. We had not been in this unhappy position half an hour when two boats, apparently empty, were seen coming down the stream. They came within twenty yards of tie, when we discovered that they carried sepoys, who opened a heavy fire, killing and wounding several. Mr. Churcher, aen., was shot through the chest ; Mr. Fisher, who was just be hind me, was wounded in the thigh. Hearing him call oat. I had scarcely time to turn round when I felt a smart blow on my right shoulder; a bullet had grazed the skin and taken off a little flesh. Major Robertson was wounded in the face. The boats were nos aloncide of us. Some of the sepoys had already k,nt into our boat. Major Robert- son, seeing no hone, begged the ladies to come tnto the water rather than to fall into their hands. While the ladies were throwing themselves into the water I jumped into the boat, took up a loaded musket, and going astern, shot a sepoy. I loaded again, but finding no cap I was obliged to retreat, as the enemy were now coming in in great numbers. Lieutenant and Mrs. Fitzgerald were at this time sitting in a corner of the boat with their child. Lieutenant Fitzgerald had a loaded musket, with the bayonet fixed, in his hand. Mr. Churcher, sen., still lay weltering in his blood. The others had all got out of the I»at into the water; Major and Mrs. Robertson, with their child amt Miss Thompson, were standing close to each other beside the boat; Lieutenant Simpson and Mr. Churcher. jun. ' were near them also ; I all this time lost sight of Major Phillot, Ensign Eckford, and a few others. I suppose they were killed. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were about twenty yards from the 'oat; he had his child in his arm apparently lifeless. Mrs. Fisher could not stand against the current ; her dress, which acted like a sail, knocked het down, when she was helped up by Mr. Fisher. I now resolved to make an escape, if possible, to the lead ing boat, which I knew could not have proceeded far, so at once I struck out into the stream. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher continued in a distressing position when 1 passed them unable to render any assistance. I saw Mr. Fisher again, alone, floating on his back, but soon lost sight of him, as it was getting dark. 1 continued swimming for about an hour or more, when at some dis tance I saw the other boat. On reaching her I found everything in confusion; Mr. Rohan, the youngest Miss Guldie, a cbilil, and the only manjee who was on board were killed ; Lieutenant Swettenhain, Dr. Maltby, and one or two were severely wounded opposite Singheerampore by a heavy tire of grape from two guns planted on the heights by the sepoys who had followed us. We repaired the Judder, which held been damaged, and continued our voyage with heavy hearts all that night. Early the next morning a voice hailed us from the shore, which we recognised as Mr. Fisher's. He came on board and informed us that his poor wife and child had been drowned in his arms : his wound was very painful, the ball having passed through the middle of the left thigh. We continued our voyage the whole of that day till we reached a village opposite koosoomkhore, in the Oude territories. Here the villagers offered us assistance and protection. We at first feared treachery, but soon, convinced that they were friends, ac eepted their kind offers and put to shore for the night. We were all hungry, and begged the villagers to bring us Potne food, which they soon did, giving us chupatties and buffalo's milk, which greatly refreshed us. My wound had now become very painful. and my naked back having been exposed to sun and rain all , lay was smarting severely. The boat now, as I supposed, was anchored for the night. I determined to find rest in the village, as T had had none the two previous nights. I asked one of the thackoors if he could accommodate me with ach irpoy for the night in his villoge. He at once took me with him, and gave me plenty to eat and a char- PI. By this time my haulc had become so very• sore that I could find no ease in any position. At night a message came from Colonel Smith, saying the boat was going to leave. I was too weak, however, to pay any attention to it. A second and third came, but I would not go. I had determined to stand my chance, happen what might. The boat left. I hard nothing more of it for several days, till their manjee who took her down returned and gave out that Nana Sahib had fired upon them at Bhitcor, and all on board were killed. I remained in the village for about a month, and subsequently joined Mr. Probya, and came down with him to Cawnpore. Major Robertson and Mr. Churcher, jun., are said to be concealed In a village in Oude, near Futtebghur. rH E PRESS, NOVEMBER 7, 1857. THE MUTINY AT JUBBULPORE. The Edinburgh Courant publishes the following copy of an interesting letter from a young officer at Jubbulpore, 52nd Native Infantry : Sept. 15.—1 am afraid our regiment won't stand. A rajah and his family near here have been tampering with 4' sepoys. He has been caueht, however, with all his family, and is confined in the geld. We have just heard a rescue is to be attempted, so we are all ready. 16th.—Last night tha guns and Madras infantry and cavalry came in. We are glad to have Europeans among us. There are twenty gunners for the two guns, one of which is a 9-pounder, the other a 24-pound howitzer ; so we are all right. 17th.—The rescue was attempted last night, but our infantry beat them back with ease. I got out of bed about midnight and went to see the guns. It was a pretty sight —the portfirea lighted, and the brave fellows sitting on the guns. Some bungalows were burnt down towards morning, but nothing else. 18th.—I have just come back from seeing the rebel rajah and his sons blown from guns. It was an awful sight; but they richly deserved a far worse fate. Fancy—it has been found out that we were all to be rotated alive when caught!! He prayed, as he was being lashed to the gun, that his sur viving children might be spared to burn us. Well, we went down to where the two guns were drawn up, with a detach ment of infantry and cavalry to prevent surprise—the cavalry rushing about, keeping the people back from the front of the guns. Soon afterwards the prisoners arrived, looking very apathetic and nonchalant; their fetters were knocked Mr on the ground. I was quite close to them, RS we officers were inside a circle close to the guns, into which the crowd was not allowed to come. They were then bound to the mouths of the cannon. The way is this :—You stand with your back to a cannon mouth, which is pointed to the hack of the heart—you have now a very good idea of it. The artillery officer, when all was ready, gave the command in a load, clear voice," Division ! ready ! tire !" A boom ! A thud as of a body falling— and all was over. I sin afraid we are all very bloodthirsty, as almost everyone hail a smile of gratified revenge on his lips. We all were thinking of Cawnpore. You know I have a very soft heart, and would most likely have fainted or got siek at home if l had seen the seine before these massacres ; hut I can assure you that although I felt the awful solemnity of two souls going, with a prayer for murder on their lips, before their God, yet I went up afterwards with almost gratified feelings to look nt their faces, still thinking of Cawnpore, Delhi, Meerut, Jhansi, Bareilly, F3zabad. The old man's face was quiet and severe (he never had moved a muscle the whole time before), as was also the young one's ( a man of forty). Their legs and arms fell close to the cannon mouths, they being tied; the head and upper part of the body being blown about fifty yards in front. Quite untouched their faces were, and quite quiet. It is a very quick death, as they can feel no pain, the region of the heart being at once blown away. nose massacres have quite changed me. I believe I could walk over a recently fought battle-field quite unwire•‘. 19th.—Our regiment has gone ! Last night, about nine o'clock, in roshed two of our native officers and some few faithful sepoys, and told us we had better look oat, as the regiment was coming to attack us. We immediately turned out (1 among the rest, in shirt and perjannas, looking as like a scarecrow as possible). A troop of cavalry and 100 infantry were sent at once to the treasury ; it was a fine sight seeing the cavalry prancing away in the torchlight. The regiment went off quietly with colours, regimental treasury, drummers and all—scarcely a man left. We are afraid for the officers who are out from us on detach ment duty—Lieutenants Barton, Cockburn (of Edinburgh), and Macgregor. We sent expresses out to them, bet arc afraid of their not getting off in time. Seven p.m. 19th— Poor Macgregor has been boned by them ; I trust they won't torture him. They have written in to us, offering him to us if we will give up to them the sepoys who have remained faithful to us. We cannot do that; there are upwards of twenty of them, and the fate which would await them if given up would be awful. Some of the poor fellows have begged us, crying, not to give them up. I wonder what we officers will do when all is quiet. I suppose we shall be ordered to some unhealthy depot or ether till a new regiment is formed, or we are drafted into different regiments. 20.1t.—The mutineers have gone off to Nagode to join the 50th, who mutinied on the 15th ult. I forgot to tell you that, b)-the-sye. Their officers are coming here to night ; they spiked the two guns, and blew up the maga zine. 20th, six p.m.—Hurrah ! Barton and Cockburn have come in, very wet and tired with a twenty-five miles' ride. The sepoys told them, quite coolly, to cut! They came off. Barton quietly asked for the rupees which were in his tent, and they were given him without the slightest hesitation ; and the sepoys promised to send their traps after them. So you see our fellows have behaved very well. 22nd.—We have just got news fro:u Dumow (where the column is) of the disarming of our two companies.. . . But I think we must not have too much feeling for the sepoys ; they would cut all our throats as soon as wink. One cannot fathom the treachery of the native character. We shall probably join the Bombay column ; and I, as a sick person, will likely be sent with the ladies to some place of safety. Oh, how I wish I had my health again ! . . . 24th.—We have just got in one of our spies, who tells us they have not allowed poor Macgregor any clothing, and have stuck him on a led horse, guarded by eight sepoys. No news frcm Delhi very particular. I have been moved into a tent belonging to a friend, as I cannot stand the confined air any longer, and am very comfort able. It is rather far from the fort, but I can still hear the sentries challenging. I have very sleepless nights— not a single good night's rest since my illness began —so 1079 they in garrison call me their best sentry, as T am awake all night. I wish you could have a peep of what is going on bdore me. In front of me, adi Tam lying, is the pic turesque encampment, with the white tents glistening in the ann. There goes a large buffalo, passing within a couple of yards of my tent. My coolies are some of them working at a trench raund the tent to keep off wet ; others cutting stumps of trees ; and one is sleeping. Behind me are the prisoners, with their chains clanking, working away at an intrenchment, and now I hear the cavalry bu3le tra-tra-la-la-ing. It is a pretty sight. BLOWING FROM A GUN. A medical officer in Bombay, conspicuous for his bravery and gallantry during some of the late disturbances, gives a description of an " execution parade," which is terribly graphic:— This firat parade was a horrible sight, but the blowing away from guns is most appalling. After the explosion, the grouping of the men's remains in front of each gun was various and frightful. One man's head was perched upon his back, and he was staring round as if looking for his l egs and arms. All ynn see at the time is a cloud like a dust storm, composed of shreds of clothing, burning muscle, and frizzing fat, with lumps of coagulated blood. Here and there a stomach or a liver comes falling down in a stinking shower. One wretched fellow slipped from the rope by which he was tied to the guns just before the explosion, and his arm was nearly set on tire. Whilst hanging in his agony under the gun, a sergeant applied a pistol to his head, and three times the cap snapped, the man each time wincing from the expected shot. At last a rifle was fired into the back of his head, and the blood poured out of the nose and mouth like water from a briskly handled pump. This was the roost horrible sight of all. 1 have seen death in all its forms, never anything to equal this man's end. Another writer from Peshawur gives more de- tails : It was an awfully imposing scene ! All the troops, European and native, armed and disarmed, loyal and dis affected, were drawn up on parade, forming three sides of a square ; and drawn up very carefully, you may be sure, so that any attempt on the part of the disaffected to rescue the doomed prisoners would have been easily checked. Forming the fourth side of the square were drawn up the guns (9-pounders), ten in number, which were to be used for the execution. The prisoners, under a strong European guard, were then marched into the square—their crimes and sentences read aloud to them, and at the head of each regiment ; they were then marched round the square, and up to the guns. The first ten were picked out—their eyes were bandaged, and they were bound to the guns, their backs leaning against the muzzles, and their arms fastened to the wheels. The port fires were lighted, and at a signal from the artillery-major, the guns were fired. It was a horrid sight that then met the eye ; a regular shower of human fragments of heads, of arms, of legs appeared in the air through the smoke, arid when that cleared away, these fragments lying on the ground—fragments of Ilindoos and fragments of Mussulmans, all mixed together—were all that remained of those ten mutineers. Three times more was this scene repeated ; but so great is the disgust we all feel for the atrocities committed by the rebels, that we had no room in our hearts for any feeling of pity; perfect callousness was depicted un every European's face; a look of grim satisfaction could even be seen in the countenances of the gunners serving the guns. But far different was the effect on the native portion of the spec tators ; their black faces grew ghastly pale as they gazed breathlessly at the awful spectacle. You must know that this is nearly the only form in which death has any terrors for a native. If he is hung, or shot by musketry, he knows that his friends or relatives will be allowed to claim his body, and will give him the funeral rites required by his religion ; if a }Undo°, that his body will be burned with all due ceremonies; and if a Mussulman, that his remains will be decently interred, as directed in the Koran. But if sentenced to death in this form, he knows that his body will be blown into a thousand pieces, and that it will be altogether impossible for his relatives, however devoted to him, to be sure of picking up all the fragments of his own particular body ; and the thought that perhaps a limb of some one of a different religion to himself might possibly be burned or buried with the remainder of his own body is agony to him. But notwithstanding this, it was impossible for the mutineers direst hater not to feei some degree of admiration for the way in which they met their deaths. Nothing in their lives became them like the leaving of them. Of the whole forty only two showed any signs of fear, and they were bitterly reproached by the others for so disgracing their race. They certainly died like men. After the first ten bad been disposed of, the next batch, who had been looking on all the time, walked up to the guns quite calmly and unfalteringly, and allowed themselves to be blindfolded and tied up without moving a muscle, or showing the slightest signs of fear, or even concern. Whence had these men this strength ? Their religion, bad as it may be and is in all other points, at least befriends them well at the hour of death ; it teaches them well that great and useful lesson, how to die. In explanation of the stoppage of the (hilts between Moults!) and Lahore, the following extract from a letter dated Moulton, the 19th of September, will go far to explain : The peace of the Moult/in district has within the last few (lays been disturbed. A. hand of marauders, headed by the Customs Peons, who mutinied on learning that they were to he dismissed under the provisions of a recent order directing the dismissal of all Hindostanees, have attacked and plundered the Hurappa Tubseel, bordering on this district (and attached to Gogaira), taken off the horses, bullocks, and camels from some of our post-office chorines, possessed themselves of the arms of our rural