The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-27 00:00:00

THli BATTIdiI AT CAWNPO.RE.

We have been favoured with a copy of the fol-
lowing letter from Cawnpore
:
"The Trenches, Cawnpore, Dec. 4, 1857.

. ,
"My dearest Father,—l am going to write you a
highly interesting and exciting letter, telling you el our
exploits within the last week. You will, even before
you get this, I think, receive an account of the fighting
before Cawnpore, but as I doubt not that my own par-
ticular story will be appreciated by you to the fu 1, I
shall give it in miens°. Last Thursday, Nov. 26, after
having been in camp about three miles fr ,in Cawn-
pore for some five or six days, we received orders to
march against the enemy, consisting of the three con-
tingents of Holkar, Soindia, and G-walior, with the
40th N. 1., artillery, cavalry, and other warlike
appendages. Early, then, on the morning of the 20th
Nov. we turned out at 4 a.m.., and having been
inspected by Generals Windham, Dupuis, and Adte (all
of whom, by the bye, took notice of and spoke to me),
we, the 82 i, 88,h, some Sikh cavalry, Rifles, and four
or five guns, marched up the banks of the Ganges canal.
About 3 miles on the other side the sharp whiz cf the
grape and round shot commences, and we are for the first
time in our life under fire. I am not going to describe
all the different feelings, kc., which all people talk about
as having experienced when just going into the fi he,
but all I say ie, that at that particular moment I would
rather have been quietly smoking a cheroot at a comfort-
able distance off ; but then, as the smack of the rifle
mingles with the boom of the cannon, and as with a
British cheer we rush forward over the paddy fields to
drive in the position of the mutineers, the feeling changes ;
we feel as if we are on wings, and begin to enjoy our-
selves amazingly. And now thick and fast fly the
musket balls of the enemy, and thick and fast fall those
who are hit ; but we don't look to the rear, it is all front
work, and we keep going on after the already retreating
sepoys, until suddenly the cry of "Cavalry coming !" is
raised, and quick as thought the 34th Queen's form a
square, and with one thundering volley we redden the
young rice before ns with the blood of all but five. Then
on again ; a little more grape, shell, and round shot,
and we form on the Calpee road, find that we have not
lost any officers, but plenty of men, and with band play-
ing, return—now watch the mistake—to a camp one
mile from CaNynpore. Mark the result. Next day, just
as the 12 o'clock gun from the fort at Cawnpore has
sounded, a rattle of round shot announces that the
enemy, having been allowed to cross the canal, are going
to attack us.
" We showed our weakness yesterday in employing
our whole force against what appears to have been but
a part of theirs, and hence their pluck. You will read
the account of this day's fighting with astonishment, my
dear father, for it tells how English troops, with their
trophies and their mottoes, and their far-famed bravery
an,
were repulsed, and lost their camp, their baggage,
their position, by the scorned and degraded natives of
India.
"It was a sad business, and I dare say you will hear
but a very modified account of it, so I will describe it
impartially. Seeing that we were attacked, the 82d
moved on in front, and we were sent (i.e., two compa-
nies) through a village on oar road flank, and took up a
position on the Nawalegunge . After waiting here
for some considerable period it was reported that the 82d
and 88th were retiring. So, marching down the road,
we found ourselves, in about 20 minutes, on the other
aide of Cawnpore. Wheeling to the right we attempted
t., join the main body, and then what confusion greeted
ue—flying camels, elephants, he.ckeries, servants,
and musket balls ; before as overturned tents, horses,pillaged
officers baggage, and men's kits. Well, we made a stand,
and my company was detached from the others, and had
to take up a position on the top of a large mound of
earth, where we overlooked the whole field of action. It
was a desolate scene, and one to make us feel uncom-
fortable. Again the order to retire was given, and
silently through the deserted bazaar of Cawnpore the
' beaten Feringeee' made their way to the fort. I was
lucky ; allshell-jacket, mybaggage,Ar'
....c.,was saved
with the exception of
throughthe
fidelityofblankets,a
Madras servant. My horse, too, is safe. I found him at
night in the entrenched camp. And now I must give
you an account of the third day, the most disastrous for
us of all.
"The Sepoys attacked us about 10 o'clock. All
through the Bazaar and Canes we kept fighting till
about 2 ; then we advanced, and sustained such as storm
of grape, musketry, and aells, as some of the oldest
among us had rarely or never beheld. My company was
in front about 4 p.m., and repulsed the enemy, rescuing
a gun in great style. About smy captain took off one
subdivision, my fellow subaltern a section, and I was left
with about 20 men at a place where I certainly never

wish to be again. The men were falling fast, when sud-
denly from a road on the left a rush of 82d men, Rifles,
and other corps came down, and the whole, in spite of
the attempts of the officers to rally them, rushed pell-
moll into the fort. The firing and fighting was kept up
until dusk, when we retired from the town, leaving the
mess plate of 10 regiments and the baggage of nearly all
those officers who were murdered in their hands. And
what a list we had of killed and wounded! 3 officers killed
and 8 wounded of our regiment alone. Poor Grier, my
fellow sub., Applegate, and Lieut. Jordan, composed the
former. Col. Kelly, Major Maxwell, and Capts. Stuart,
Cassidy, and Jordan, Lieuts. Lampen, Cochrane, and
Holroyd, wounded. It is extraordinary how I escaped,
and I thank God for it. I have had my escapes though,
and if you don't get too nervous I will tell you them.
On the first day a sepoy had just covered me with his
aim, and was on the point of firing when our colour-ser-
geant took a chance shot, and the' rascal lay writhing
in the dust. Next day, as we were retreating through
the Bazaar, a black, I believe a native, took a shot at
me from the house-top; the ball passed between me and
the left band man of the section. You will own it was a
I pretty close shave. As to bullets whizzing about my
head and shoulders, why every minute the fellows keep
popping away, and as I lie here under the parapet, in an
impromptu kind of tent on the banquette, composed of
two sticks and blanket, the bullets keep whistling over
my head in undesirable proximity.. And now I will con-
tinue this account. Ever since this day we have been day
and night in an outwork of the fort, without covering
from the heat by day and the intense cold by night,
living on ration biscuit, hackerie bullock's' flesh, or
rather gristle, and sighing after the fleshpots of Egypt.
" It is hard work, but my health is excellendeart, and, as
for all things, I thank God for this. My est father,
I wonder how you would like to see your sou either at
the head of his section, cheering the men to the charge,
or in the centre of a square charged by cavalry, or quietly
smoking his cheroot with the round shot and musket
bullets flying around him, or sketching on the parapet
walls with the sepoys taking pot shots at him, or break-
ing his teeth against the impenetrable biscuit, or in the
e-litary watch at night, or, finally, eating his gristle with
Adam's fork and spoon ; for these and such like are his
occupation now. My sketching stands me in excellent
service. I was told the other day by an old officer that
were I to send in a good sketch of the enemy's position
I should get staff employment without reference to length
of services. I have taken sketches all about here, and
doubt not they will be tolerably interesting by and by.
And now I am going to say good bye, and to tell you on
no account to be anxious or nervous about your young
hopeful, for Sir Colin says he won't lose a man he can
help, and has determined to nothing but shell and round
shit them, polishing them off like so much vermin. A
report, indeed, has just come in that they are bolting,
and have, in fact., suceeeded in crossing the river, but of
that there appears but little chance. I forgot to tell yen
that we had an attack on our position last night. They
came on well, but were repulsed almost immediately. I
don't think I ever got up so quickly in my life.
"I have now been eight days without taking my
clothes off. Yesterday I managed to get a clean shirt.
As I turn out in a mud-coloured coat with white facings,
a forage cap with white cover, and my trousers generally
tucked in my boots, cm Zouati, I manage to get up very
respectably. Of course I am obliged to sleep in full cos-
tume, with sword, pouch, flask, and loaded revolver on,
and shall therefore stare in in imbecile manlier when I
next get sight of a bona fide bed. Au mete, the only sport
we have here is leaning over the parapet and getting
no w and then a shot at a sepoy as he runs from one
bungalow to another. You have heard me talk of Dyce,
of Twickenham memory. Well, after the third day's
fight, as I was passing through the hospital, looking at
the wounded, the dying, and the dead, a voice called me
out of the darkness. I turned and saw the person in
question lying on his charpoy with a bullet wound
through his foot. He had been in Cawnpore altogether
about three hours. He is all right now, and I generally
go and sit with him about sunset every evening. I
know nearly all the staff there—Brooke:Amy, Swire,
Elliot, and lots of others. After the first day I was
lucky enough to get a dinner out of the Quarter-
master-General, poor Mr. Rae ; next day at sunset
he was dead. I am told I am looking wonderfully
well and feel so, notwithstanding all the knocking about
I undergo. And, oh ! if I had thought of you all before,
bow in this crisis within the last week have I done so I
flow, when death "as so near that his messenger almost
touened me, and his victims fell thick on each side, I
wished for your sake and my mother, and for those who
are intereste I for me at home, that those messengers
might find a bcurne different from my body, and that I
might get safe out of the deadly shower I
" I have learnt to take things easy, and whits I trust
in Providence I take for my motto, " What is to be is
Ito be,' and I go on my way in a stoical manner. I must
tell you that, should we have a regular fight again, I
have been chosen to carry the colours, of which I ant
not a little proud, BO many seniors being passed over.
"And now adieu. My kindest and most affectionate
lore to my, I hope, not over-anxious, dear mother,
M. NI , G. P., and ail, &o.
'' Poor Col. English I he was shot on the third day."

ANNMIRSARY 01 THE FOUNDATION OP
T.lll AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

Yesterday being the 70th anniversary of the
settlement of the Australian colonies, a dinner took
place at the Albion Tavern, to celebrate the event.
The chair was occupied by Sir Charles Nicholson,
D.C.L., late Speaker of the Legislative Council,
New South Wales. The vice-chairmen were—Wm•

Archer, Esq., representing Tasmania ; H. C. Chil-
ders, Esq., ditto Victoria ; E. Hamilton, E.g.,
ditto New South Wales ; E. Stephenson, Escl-7
ditto South Australia. The stewards were—H. G.
Ashurst, Esq., W. F. De Salis, Esq., John Dobie,
Esq., F. A. Du Croz, Esq., Wm. Degraves, Esq ,
J. Dunn, Esq., A. L. Elder, Esq., G. R. Griffiths,
Req., J. Gilchrist, Esq., Donald Larnach, Esq., L.
Makinnon, C. D. Riddell, Esq.; J. A. You], Esq.,
A. W. Young, Esq., M. P. Among the guests pre-
sent were—the Right Hon. Mr. Labouchere, the
Right Hon. Speaker of the House of Commons,
Lord A. Beanderk, Lord A. Churchill, the Right
Hon. Sir John Pakington, the Right Hon. W. E.
Gladstone, Sir R. Murchison, Captain Mangts,
M.P., S. GregSol3, Esq. M.P., Major Geu. Cum-
berland, Mr. Merivale, Mr. La Trobe, Major
Gipps, Dr. Dawson, Capt. Sturt, Capt. Co, ran,
Capt. Ramsbottom, Mr. Gardner. Among the colo-
nists present were :—Right Hon. Lord Atial,2y,
Messrs. M. Marsh, M.P., W. M. Manning, LL. D., F.
H. Dutton, G. Elder, E. Willis, H. Hughes, A. Ling
home, R. Sutherland, Walker, R. Brooks, E.
Westby, &c. About 160 gentlemen sat down to
dinner.

Letters of excuse were received from the following
noblemen and gentlemen :—The Duke of New-
castle, Lord Monteagle, Earl of Hardwicke, Lord
Stanley, Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Count Sizye-
lecki, Lord Goderich, Captain Grey, Right Hon.
Sir Charles Wood, Sir C. Trevelyan, Sir C. Fitz-
Roy, Mr. Rowland Hill, Lord J. Russell, Colonel
Rohe, and the Lord Mayor.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the health of her
Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the royal family,
stated that in no part of her dominions were her
Majesty's qualities as a sovereign, or the graces of
her private life more appreciated than in Australia,
and her health was always drunk with as much en-
thusiasm 16,000 miles away as it was in England.
The Prince Consort, he had reason to koobv, in
addition to his devotion to other matters connected
with the prosperity of this country and its depen-
dencies, was well acquainted with the history and

condition of the colonies. On such an occasion ho
could not but call on the company to express their
sympathy with that illustrious lady who bad yes-
terday become a royal bride, amidst the acclama-
tions of a great people—acclamations which would
not be limited to these islands, bit would be re-
echoed to the utmost parts of the British empire,
and nowhere more cordially than in Australia.

(Cheers) It was understood that one of the sons
of the queen was determined to enter the navy, zind
if Prince Alfred should, in the pursuit of his pro-
fession, chance to visit Australia, he might be sure
of receiving a loyal and hearty welcome from the
colonial subjects of the Queen. (Cheers.)
The CHLutme2r then proposes' " the Army and
Navy," alluding to the services of our soldiers in
India, and stating that, in the event of the con-
tinuance of the war in the Crimes. Australia would
have been ready to take her active share in this
greatnational:contest. She had by her contributions
to the Patriotic Fund, towards which New South
Wales alone had contributed 70,0001., shown her
sympathy with the army and navy engaged i❑ that
war. In the naval service Australia felt a deep in-
terest ; the discovery of that colony was due to the
great navigator, Cook, and she owed a debt to
many other officers of the navy for services per-
formed on her sea-board.
The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm, and
was responded to by Major-General Cumberland
and Lord A. Beauclerk.
The CHAIRMAN then [proposed " Her Majesty's
Ministers, and Mr. Labouchere, the Secretary for
the colonies." He said that in arranging the de-
tails of the present festival, it was intended that it
should be regarded simply as a social meetiug of
colonists who were now in London, and it was not
at first desired that it should assume the pr-_‘,,ent

character and aspect. The Australian colonists had
their local politics ; but in this country they had no
political creed but that of undivided allegiance to
the Queen and respect for all constituted ministers
and administrators. This, as colonists, was their po-
litical creed in England, and it was also their poli-
tical feeling in the colonies. It had, however, been
suggested that they should solicit the honour of the
company of several gentlemen distinguished in po-
litical life and in the scientific world who had mani-
fested an interest in the prosperity of the Australian
colonies. That request had been kindly complied
with by many of those gentlemen—by the ieht
hon. gentleman the Secretary for the Coloniea, by
Ms. Gladstone, by Sir John Pakington, and by Sir
R. Murchison—(cheers)—to which last gentleman
the Australian colonies owed no small acknowledg-
ment, on account of his having predicted, by se; en-
tifio induction, the existence of gold in those colo-
lies, and whose predictions, if they had been at-
tended to, would have led to the working of the
gold fields years before they were entered upon.
He could not, in proposing the toast, pass by with-
out acknowledgment the ability, urbanity and
kindness which characterised the conduct of the
right honourable gentleman who now filled
the office of Colonial Secretary. (Hear, hear.)
It was impossible for any one to have any
intercourse with that right hon. gentleman with-
out coming to a sincere conviction that he was ac-
tuated by an earnest desire to do his duty to his
sovereign, and to the colonies over which he pre-
aided. (Hear.)
Mr. LABOUCHERE, who was received with much
applause, in returning thanks for the compliment
which had been paid to her Majesty's Ministers,
said that the task of adminiitering the affairs of a
country like this was always a heavy burden, and
the times in which we lived were not calculated to
form an exception to the rule. Her Maj.-sty's
Government were fully conscious that they could
only discharge their duties with advantage to the
sovereign and the country, and with honour to
themselves, by receiving the support aed conll lenca
of the great body of the intelligence of the p'-ople.
To himself it was a gratification of no ordinary
kind to accept the invitation he had received to be
present on this occasion to bko ad vantage of the
kindness and hospitality which were offered to him,
and to avail himself of the opportunity of meeting
a large number of gentlemen who were inter ested
in the noblest British colony, and to be able to ex-
press his deep sympathy in the objects which had
assembled them together on that day. There had
been times when the relations between the Auttra-
lian colonies and the Colonial-office were not i)lto-
gather of an amicable description. (Hear, hear.)
He had no -wish to go back to those times. (Hear,
from 'Mr. Gladstone, cheers, and laughter.) lie
believed that that state of things was not owing to
the fault of former colonial rulers, who were men
of the highest ability and of the purest and most
patriotic intentions ' • but it was the fault of the
system, under which no man could well perform
iris duty. The affairs of a colony thousands of miles
off, and of a people naturally jealous of their rights,
were conducted at home under a system full of de-
lays and complications, and the result could be no
other than discontent and dissatisfaction. We had
changed all that—(hear, hear)—and had adopted a
simpler and wiser process; and in order to govern
the colonies well we had resolved to govern very
little—(loud cheers)—and to leave the manage-
ment of the details of Australian affairs altogether
to Australians. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) It was
thought that they could manage their own affairs
more ely and effectively, and certainly more
satisfactorily to themselves. (Hear, hear.) They
Taarhave made some mistakes ; but if they had
u
- not,: the 'government of A stralia would have ben
unlike-any otherin the world. At any rate, if they
did, the remedy was at hand. They could change
their administrati
ousthe Anstralians were not at
.Plan which it was find
heal; and laughter.) ge anleow to adopt. (Hear,
never
from a Poveraer of Austral' but he pheentoedunadditesspeccib
that l'iMtS in the midst of a
he
cri
p,opte who --;lited'oewn-t
Onlartliear,tiiellaughter)-- r had got Ind of
one set ministers and
aandnd lawnasghter.)kinThg Tr. for
hifothei.
ever, was the action of a free
--ere-bung their rights, and it was a condition
on:i war© ex-
to those free institutions and that reap
Yeirtment under which the Australian colonies were
prospering. (Hear, hear.) He had endeavoured
during the time he bad been at the Colonial...office
to conduct his relations with the colonies in the
spfrit which was due to their responsible govern-
ments. There could be no greater mistake than to
'give a colony responsible government and not
allow it to have fair play. He had acted on the
principle of giving it fair play, and he had found
most excellent coadjutors in that policy-in the able
men who were now the Governors of the Australian
provinces. Fortunately for the two most con-
siderable of these provinces, on the inauguration of
responsible government they had the advantage of
the co-operation of Sir William Dennison, at New
South Wales, and Sir Henry Barkly, at Victoria.
(Hear.) One of the most important functions which
remained to the Minister for the Colonies was the
recommending to the Cr wn
o those persons who
were to occupy the places of governors in thos-e
colonies-30 much depended on their sagacity,
judgment, and temper. Only one of the pr,nent
governors was appointed since he had been Colonial
had
had Governor of Victoria ; but he
had the satisfaction of recommending Sir H. B. arkly
for that office, and be was sure it would be colt