The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-15 00:00:00

THE END OF A BRAVE OFFICER!

Among the oflicerswho fell in the recent engagement
with the Wagheers in India was Captain Charles
La Touche, an officer of long and honourable ser-
vice. 'The following letter, communicating the sad
event to Miss Burdett Coutts, has been forwarded for
Publication by that lady, as likely to interest many
persons, and as being in some degree a recognition of
the gallant services of Captain La Touche :

Canip Mashanda, Kattywur District, January 8, 1868.—My
dear Madam, —lt is with the deepest regret I have to . . .

- --
nounce to you the death of Captain Charles La Touche,
which occurred on the 29th of December, when gallantly
leading his men at a charge against the insurgent Wagheem
I have known Captain Charles La Touche for many years,
and, at the request of his widow, I take up my pen to give
you the few particulars regarding ray noble young friend,
and as I know your interest in him and his family to be
great. I hope the same will be acceptable. Poor Charles
La Touche was my assistant in this agency, and very lately
I had put him Into a new appointment temporarily—viz.,
superintendent of the new native levies raised, called the
Federal Sebundy." Ile entered on the duties with his usual
ardour, and with one of the native officers, a nobleman of the
country, called Synd Ulcer, had gained the affections of the
men, who were ready to go with him anywhere. We had
been trying to come across the gang of insurgents known to
be under one of their leaders called Dews Munch, On the
26th we made a forced march, and found that the gang had
been at the very village that morning. We then pitched our
camp there, and proceeded to prosecute our inquiries. On
the 2911, news was mought in about midday that the gang
had been turned out of a sugar-cane field, and had taken ups
position on an isolated hill, and were defying the native
raw levies. We galloped on ahead with our cavalry and
surrounded the hill, and awaited the arrival of the infantry.
They came up by half.past 5 pm., when I directed the hill
to be attacked on each face. Jlajor Reynolds, of his old
regiment, the 17th, took fifteen men up the south face, while
Captain Ribbed, the other assistant, took the remainder of
the 17th, fifteen men, up the south-west face. I took the
native levies to the north face, but could not get them to
face the enemy, and, leaving them, went up, as best I could,
with some of nip regular cavalry on the north-west face,
alone practicable, and that with difficulty, for mounted men.
The hill was taken with a dash, each party gallantly led by its
officer. Poor Captain llibbert was shot on reaching the
crest, but killed hie man. Ile was again shot mortally, and
lingered until midnight, dying in my arms, resigned and
happy, and quite prepared to meet his Maker. Major Rey-
POWS was shot through the head, last luckily the ball only
grazed, and he will recover. When I reached the crest I
found Charlie all safe, and doing deeds of valour. He had
killed the leader with his own hand, and as the rest of the
gang broke and ran down the north-coot face of the hill, he
and his men pursued, and, seizing a horse from a native, he
knocked the man off, mounted, and galloped aft, the fugi-
tives, calling out to his men and the native levy to follow,
but only a few did so. Ile shot one Wagheer dead with his
revolver, and wounded another, and dismounted from his
hone to finieh him with his sword, when the man fired his
matchlock from his hip; the ball hit poor Charlie in the
right side and stomach, and he fell, and as he did so killed
his opponent with a thrust of his sword. Synd flyer rushed
up, but too late to save him, and he expired In his arms in
abut a quarter of an hour, breathing messages of love to all
his dear relatives anti friends, and begging Government might
be told how he had done his duty. I caret describe to you
the sorrow I felt when I heard he had breathed his laet. It
has clouded our otherwise splendid victory, for we killed 17
out of 26 of the rebele, including the leader, and captured
two alive, wren only getting off, but of these three were seen
to bc wounded. I have reported to Government the noble
and gallant conduct of your protege. In him we have lost a
first-rate political officer—zealous and hard-working, and
ready for any duty. 1, too, have lost a warm and genial
friend, but I have the consolation, which must he one for his
family, that he died a noble death, resigned, and 1 think pre-
pared to meet his God. His pcor disconsolate widow is in-
consolable. Poor Charlie begged me to look after his poor
Minna and her baby, aM. shave just returned from seeing
her, and doing all I could to assist her in her melancholy
work of preparing to go home, which she has decided on
doing the 29th of this month. Captain W. La Touche has
arrived frem Surat, and is doing all he can for both widows.
Ile will have written to you, no doubt, about his poor bro-
ther's estate. Poor charlie used often to talk to me of you
and your affectionate regard for him. I know you will feel
as shocked as all his friends have been at his premature
death, but it was in God's hands, and we must be resigned
to Ills will. I have buried bins near this village, in the same
coffin with his bosom friend, Henry Ilibbert, end have niade
arrangements to have a proper tomb erected, the chief of
this district, his Highness the Jain of :inner, hating given
me every assistance. I hope also to erect • monumental
column on the top of the hill as a memorial. I trust, dear
Madam, you will excuse this hastily-penned letter. Sly time
is limited, and I still have to account for the rest of this
gang. I have a small force out with me, and hope yet to be
successful. With deep sympathy for you and his sorrowing
' friends, I will subscribe myself, W. W. Annktisos, Colonel,
Acting Political Agent, To Miss Burdett Coutts.