The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-01 00:00:00

LYDIA.

The following is an extract from a letter written
by a soldier in her Majesty's 12th Royal Lancers
in India, to his brother at Godstone, Surrey :
" Banda, July 25 1858.
" I received your welcome letter yesterday, and
how glad I was once more to hear of you all ! • I
therefore lose.nO time in answering it. You will see
by my letter that we are at Banda, where we have
been now for some time. We left Hyderabad in
December, and came across the enemy for the first
time at Chuckeree, near Chuttepore. We marched
all that night, and at daybreak we found the
enemy had fled from their encampment, for the
rascally guides had led us astray ; however, there
was nothing left for us but to follow, which we
did in good earnest, with the horse artillery and
some cavalry. After a hard gallop of seven miles
we came up with them. The guns immediately
opened a heavy. fire upon them, most fearfully ; we
advanced undercover of the guns, following them
up, until we were stopped by the jungle ; we then
returned to the camp, leaving about 120 dead on
the field, and many wounded. We tookl7 prisoners
(some of note). On the 17th we came across them
again, about 40 miles from Banda 2. they had some
heavy guns, about 300 cavalry of the 3d Bengal
Irregulars, and 700 Infantry, of the 32d, 31st, and
42d Native Infantry ; most of them were in their
regimentals. They took up a strong pesition,
covered by some high rocks, from whence they
could sweep the road as we advanced. This was a
terrible moment for us ; in front were broken pieces
of ground filled - with skirmishers, rendeiing it
almost impossible for the cavalry to act, so long as
they held their ground. Our artillery soon got into
capital practice, and opened a heavy fire upon
them, while the infantry, with their Enfield rifles,
soon dislodged them from their position. Their
flanks were now turned, and they soon found they
could do nothing better than to cut; but not until
We had left .about 200 Qf them, dead, with a much
larger number wounded ; .we . were then. recalled.
On the 18th we got orders at sire p.m. to strike our
tents and saddle up. Having got all ready, bag and
baggage and placed them under a strong escort, we
marched out of the village about two miles on the
Banda road ; we then' forthed into line of battle.
Having thrown out a chain of videttes, completely
covering our flanks and front, we dismounted and
bivouacked in the field for the night, ,At daybreak

we mounted. and with a strong advanced guard, 1
After a good trot-we came upon the enemy. This
we soon knewlq their opening a terrible fire upon I
us. The adrance guard immediately t' rew them-
selves into skirmishing order, while the horse ar-
tillery
(v horn my troop was now protecting) gal-
loped tc he front, within 150 yards of their line,
and opened a most terrific fire of grape and canister.
This had a good effect, for down they went by
dozens, while at the same time our main body were
rapidly advancing to our assistance—on our right
the Contingent Cavalry (Hyderabad) advanced up •
at a *Mort trot, under smoke of the enemy's guns,
when they found themselves in front of a deep ravine,
too wide for the horses to leap, and full of infantry of
the enemy, who at once, before we had time to re-
cover, opened a most galling fire upon us, and I
,regret to say killed many and wounded a great
number in less than a minute. The remainder of
our regiment advanced at a gallOp, and with the
aid of the infantry soon made them retire. They
then commenced a running fight, which lasted up-
wards of four hours. We captured several guns ;
but one of my troop-mates had his head cut in two.
We halted for an hour. The commander-in-chief
said Well done, my lads,' and ordered each an
extra glass of grog. We then moved onwards, and
at last succeeded in driving the enemy from his
last lold—a position rather strong—but on we
went, covering the infantry and artillery. About
a mile on the road we found they had got some
heavy guns concealed, yet so posted as to be able to
sweep our lines as we advanced ; while on the
rising ground to the right they had more guns,
and must have played fearfully upon us ; but our
18-pounders were soon brought into play,
which did good service; by these we compelled
them to retire. We then formed line to front
to charge, and got into splendid order. They aban-
doned their guns, and fled across the river to Banda ;
one of the officers, however, stood firm, turned about
and charging through our lines, severely wounded
the brigadier, who was at that moment examining
one of the guns. However the fellow was soon
dispatched, by being run through with one of our
lances. They then fled in all directions. After
trying to firethe city, they took the road to Calpee.
Owing to the excessive fatigue both of man and
beast, we did not enter the town until next day,
for the battle had lasted from six a.m. until nearly
two p.m., and all this under a scorching hot sun.
Early in the morning was seen the Britis flag fly-
ing proudly over the Palace ; with a jolly salute,
and Banda was again ours, after being in possession
of the rebels ever since the outbreak.' So hurried
was the flight of the Nawab and the attendants at
the Palace that food was found all ready on the
table in the grand dining-room, all prepared, ready
for dinner, &c.
"The prize-money will amount to four lacs of
rupees, something. like £400,000 of English money.
The Commander-in-Chief was pleased to compli-
ment us upon our success ; in fact, he stated that
the battles of Kotah and Banda ought to be re-
corded among the greatest achievements of Indian
warfare. Our force consisted of about 1,899 men,
including all carrying arms, while the enemy,
under the command of the Nawab, had about 500
cavalry and 9,000 troops, with a reserve of 3,000
and some cavalry of the Gwalior Contingent—so
that you see we were far outnumbered. Had we
been beaten, Heaven only knows what would have
become of us, as we had to fall back upon Saugor,
a distance of 150 miles. The heat was in the sun
by the glass 145, while in the shade it was 137 ; so
you may form a little idea of our sufferings. Kotah
was not hotter than this place. I think we shall go
to Allahabad from here. But what do you think ?
There is a report of our regiment coming home
when all is peaceable. lam sure I can never relate
all the horrid things I have witnessed. Cawnpore
and Lucknow must always be remembered with hor-
ror. Soon after our arrival here what sights met the
eye ! Heap upon heap were the bones of our mur-
dered countrymen. These were collected together,
a rough kind. of coffin made, and our beautiful fune-
ral service was read by the chaplain ; and there in a
quiet spot rest those bones until the great day. A
tombstone marks the spot, recording their dreadful
deaths. Houses were burnt, the little church nearly
pulled to the ground, and all told a sad tale.
" The rains have now set in, and it has become
a little cooler. I hope the sickness will now abate.
How I long to see dear old England once more."