The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-08 00:00:00

T 1-1

promised, his own way, ordered his passage back in the
Bengal.
August 21.—Departure of the mail steamer put off 24
hours. Large reinforcements of Purjsubee troops have
come to Delhi. The garrison 'are very dispirited ; ask
what, terms they are to have. Gen. Wilson very properly
says not a man shall leave it alive. Volunteer infantry
reviewed.

August 22.—Tbe Conncl meets to-day, but we shall
not know the result in time. Ava was taken up for Lord
Elgin's yacht. The Mohurrum now Commences ; and
the Commissioner of police shows how safe he thinks the
t)wn now is by frantic efforts to enlist European police
and get European troop; all over the town. My company
is on duty, with some of H.M.'s 29th, 24 hours at a time.
The mails all over the cluntry open.
I wish all the foregoing were, more interesting ; but
think by next mail you will have an account of a fight
in or near Calcutta; perhaps not if Colin Campbell stays,
otherwise there will be plenty of it.
The Phoenix overland mad will tell you all that which
I cannot.

THE MASSACRE AT CAWNPORE.
The following affecting letters were received from
a lady at Cawnpore, and will be interesting as con-
taining the latest news up to the time of their
entering Sir Hugh Wheeler's intrenchment :
Cawnpore, May 27.
Dearest F.,—lt is not yet the mail day, nor will be
for some days, but I am induced to write while the dak
is open to Calcutta, and we are still able to communi-
cate, lest fresh difficulties should encompass us, and you
should be left without a notion of the events of these
days. It is a sad history. We are living in awful rea
lities, and we cannot see the end of them. We were
apparently safe and quiet here till the 21st, when the
2nd Cavalry began to show symptoms of uneasiness, and
intelligence was given that a rising of the native troops
was in contemplation that night. Mr. the
magistrate and collector, brought his wife and children
in to us in the afternoon, and we agreed all to remain
together. -Up to this time no suspicion having hien
entertained of the troops' loyalty, no preparations for
defence ha 4 been made. Now, however, all were astir.
The General (Sir Hugh Wheeler) telegraphed to Luck-
now for succour, the European barrack at the depot was
assigned as a rendezvous, and some families went there
for safety. We, however, determined to remain at our
house until farther alarm were given ; but Colonel E --
said he would go and sleep in the midst of- his men, to
show that he had confidence in them'; so we had only
Mr. H-- to stay with us. Presently, about eleven

o'clock at night, he was called array to make some ar-
rangement, so that we thought it scarcely right to re-
main here alone. Accordingly we took our little nn-
eo. scions children out of their beds, and with the ayahs
off we set in the carriage to the European barracks.
There we found a number of refugees, in a state of great
alarm of course, but for the most part composed and
reeignsd. It was a night of fearful suspense, yet it
passed away without any disturbance, and I had the
happiness of seeing say husband in the morning alive and
well, and we went back to our house for the day. The
danger had been imminent, but the posting of six guns in
front of our barracks, the state of preparation we were get-
. .

tiog into, and the move of the officers (at least of two) to
bleep among their men, seemed to have checked the
ardour of the mutinously disposed, and they put
off, without abandoning, their evil design. The next
day (Friday) was one full of agony and dread ; and the
night was more than poor human nature, unassisted,
could endure. When my husband left me that night to
go to his pest I never expected to see him alive again,
for soma of his men had been overheard wildly talking
of mutiny and murder. and had made a proposal to de-
stroy their officers. Colonel E-- himself had fully
made up his mind that a death-stroke would be given,
yet he flinched not an instant in the performance of his
duty, lam happy to say. We were preserved for that
night again. I could scarcely believe that my husband's
voice sounded outside the tent (for we had now arranged
for a tent just outside the barrack for ourselves). Atter
that miserable night, the Saturday following seemed like
heaven, for we went to our house and spent the day
quietly there—at least with such quietness as was posei-
bin with the most terrible rumours coming in throughout
the day, and reviving all our saddest apprehensions. Of
course we returned to the depot at night, and for the
first time since our move exhausted nature would be at-
tended for and I fell asleep for some hours, and for a
time shut oat all the horrid realities of our situation.
All Sunday was pretty quiet. The Eed came off that
day and the next, when it was expected that an outbreak
would occur. It did not so, however, and on Monday
morning our minds were somewhat reassured by all the
Mussulmana of the Ist Regiment coming in a body
according to custom to salaam to Colonel E— after
their prayers, and they expressed their intentions of
fidelity, etc, all of which are very well, but not to be
depended on now-a-days. We returned to those melan-
choly night quarters ; oh I such a scene. Men, officers,
women, and children, beds and chairs, all mingled to-
gether inside and outside the barrack ; some talking or
even laughing, some very frightened, some defiant,
others despairing. Three guns in front of our position
and three behind, and a trench in course of forma-
tion all. round: Such sickening sights these for peace-
ful women, and the miserable reflection that all this
ghastly show is caused not by open foes, but by the
treachery of those we have fed and pampered and
honoured and trusted in for so many years. Oh ! I can-
not dwell upon the harrowing thoughts. I must pass on
to events. News came in of the 9th Native Infantry
having turned, Allyghur and, its treasury falling into
their hands, Mynpoorie still held against the rebels by
the collector and his police, but Etawah gone, and the
insurgents on their way here. Now we believe our crisis
bad arrived. The appearance of successful insurgents
amongst the regiments would be the signal to rise, and
all we could really depend upon for defence were our
position behind our guns and the help of about 150 Eu-
ropean eel hers, 40 railway people and merchants, and a
few stragglers. There are two regiments of Oade Irre-
gulars, but I am not inclined to put faith in them. There
are also some Mahrattas with the Rajah of Bithoor who
have come to our assistance. but I can scarcely feel a
comfort at their presence either. The night passed oft
quietly, however, and the insurgents have not yet ar•
rived. We are in our house. About 45 more Euro-
peans are expected to-day and two guns, with seven
European artillerymen. A regiment of European in-
fantry is to come up with all speed from Calcutta, but
some time must elapse ere it can arrive. Tire general is
busy now, and he spiked the guns he could not use yes-
terday, and laid a train for blowing up the magazine,
should an outbreak occur. We are getting pro viaion:=
into oar position, and making preparations in the event
•of being shut up there altogether. The news from Delhi
makes 114 very anxious, for any disaster there will be
fetel to us here, and India must for a time at least be
lost. I need not dilate upon this terrible state of
things ; it tells its own tale too truly. The spirit of re-
vel,. pervades the Bengal army, and it remains to bo seen
whether we are strong enough to put it down, cr whe-
ther we must succumb to the storm. Oar only dance
Lore is to keep things quiet until reinforcements can ar-
rive. I cannot conceal from myself that my husband is
likely to he the Bret to fall. He says if his regiment
mutinies, it may wal over his body, but he will never
ire

For ourselves I need-only say, that even shoutd our
poiition be strong enough to hold out, there is the dread.
tul exp:3snre to the heat of May and Juno, together with
the privations and confinement of besieged sufferers,:to
render it very unlikely that we can survive the disasters
which may fad upon us any day, any hour. lam
going to despatch this to Calcutta to be sent through
our agents there, that you may know oar situation. My
dear little child is looking very delicate ; my prayer is
that she may be spared much suffering. The bitterness
of death has been tasted by us many, many times daring
the last fortnight, and should the reality come, I hope
we may find strength to meet it with a truly Christian
courage. It is not hard to die oneself, bat to see a dear
child stiffer and perish, that is the hard, the bitttr
trial, and the cup which I must drink, should God not
deelie it fit that it should pass from me. My com-
p inioo, Mrs. H-----, is delightful ; poor young thing,
she has such a gentle spirit, so unmurmuring, so desirous
to meet the trial rightly, so unselfish end sweet in every
way. Her husband is an excellent man, and of course
very mach exposed to danger, almost as much as mine.
She has two children, and we feel that our duty to our
little ones demands that we would exert ourselves to
keep up health and spirits as mush as possible. There
is a reverie to this sad picture. Delhi may be retaken
in a short time. Aid may come to us, and all may
subside into tranquility once more. Let us hope for
the beat, do our duty, and trust in God above all
things. Could Ibe spared I will write to you by the
latest date. As long as we can live in our house during
the day we suffer but little comparatively, but we may
be shut up at any time. We must not give way to des-
pondency, for at the worst we know that we are in
God's hands, and he does not for an instant feriae°
as; He will be with us in the valley of the shadow
of death also, and we need fear no evil. God bless you.

Cawnpore, June 1.
"For the char.ce of this reaching you, I send a few
lines via Bombay that you may have the latest news of
ne. The revolt has spread since I wrote last. Etawah,
Allyghtir, and Muttra and Bolundshar have all been
plundered, and yesterday came news of a serious emeute
at Lncknow—the - worst thing that could have
happened for ns, as it seems almost impossible
that disturbances so near should not create a com-
motion amongst the troops here. The Commander-in.
Chief has disappointed all expectation ; his delays
may lose India. It was essential that a blow should
be struck at Delhi on the instant. There he is awaiting
the arrival of a battering train from Philoor, and does
not expect to be before Delhi till the 9th. Scarcely
anything short of a miracle can keep people quiet for b 0
many days, and the insurgents are meanwhile strengthen-
ing themselves and collecting in large numbers, and of
courso gaining confidence from our lamentable weakness.
We want a \ Napier now, not a cautious calculating
speculator. It is very sad, hut we cannot do anything.
h efruer
havedi disc-tern. Our weak position here, with a mere handful of Euro-
phtheonauntrsity,hepwelaeoemeascareaunodo,ik:itn3vgery great danger, and daily and
agnoidngthoautt
tthoesilreempeaarzsuornelt is supposed
i oft
their
i:,1,,1ay stlfehar,o; i..hvniaags wthhoandn
danger,dae r
wonder
t a cbty,
ful effect in restraining them.
accidental But
spark everybody
ula
y knowsset
ofeivnefnanitt.ry and one 01
that this cannot List. Any
the whole of the three regiments
we keep oar
cavalry in a blaze of mutiny • and
position where we are entrenched, with six
must be sacrifice d ; and I do not attempt to conceal frome'r...
myself that my husband runs greater risk than '
any cn,
of the whole force.
" Europeans are almost daily arriving from Calcutta,
but in small numbers-20 and 30 at a time. We been
now about 300, I believe. Every day that. we escape
free of disturbance adds to our strength, and gives a
better chance for our lives. Property is no; to lie
thought of, as confLigrations always accompany the out-

breaks,_and we maybe quitesure of our bungalows being
burnt do widirectly tronblie commence. All have gone
at Lucknow, they say. We have hitherto been very
fortunkttiii_nending our dale a home. It is at some
risk that we leave the entrenchments, but there would
be risk ale" in encountering the fearful heat, se we pre-
fer gunning the chance of a-surprise to the certainty of
great suffering for our children, and ourselves in tents
at this hottest season. The barrack is fearfully
crowded, so we should be no better off there. You
will scarcely be able to realise the fearful state we
are in ; we can scarcely d 9 so ourselves. No one
can ! say how or where the trouble is to end. Mrs.
H--- is a sweet companion in affliction ; we shall
stick close to each other as long as it pleases God to
spare us. Last night, after much fatigue, of mental tor-
ture and several nights of imperfect rest, I fell quite into
a s ate of stupefaction. Body and mind alike refused to
be longer active; it was necessary—jest nature asserting
her rights to restore the exhausted powers. And there
was:my child, so restless ! Mrs. H. took her and walked
about with her, and soothed the little thing, that I might
not :be disturbed. I believe we shall be some support to
one another under every trial.. Our English letters came -
in a day or two ago, one from you up to April 14. I
cannot reply further to it now. In the presence of these
awful realities little else can be thought of. Such nights
of anxiety I would never have believed possible, and the
days are felt of excitement. Every note and every
message come pregnant with events and alarms.
Another fortnight we expect will decide our fate, and
whatever it may be I trust we shall be enabled • to bear
it. It is supposed that the Lucknow mutineers have
gone towards Delhi. General Anson must meet the
increased band' of -rebels—as well as he may. May we be
preserved from the evils that the incapacity of our
leaders naturally entails. If these are my last words to
you, you will remember them lovingly, and always bear
in mind that your affection and the love we have ever
had for each other is an ingredient of comfort in these
bitter times.

.DEATH OF COL. RAVELOCK AT THE BATTLE
QF RAMNUGGER, ON TIM 22d NOV., 1848.

At a time when every English heart beats high in
expectation of tidings of the fate of the gallant Major-
General Havelock, and of his devoted force, it may not
be inappropriate to cast a retrospective glance at the
action in which the brother of the present General, Cul.
Wm. Havelock, K.H., lost his life on the batde-field,
at the head of his regiment, the 14th Light Dragoons.
At the commencement of the second week in
NOvember, 1848, Lord Gough moved across the
Satlej, at the head of General Gilbert's division. On the
22d of November, his lordship placed himself at the
head of the advanced troops, and moved towards the
Sikh army. After advancing some time towards the
Cherish, and passing the village of Reannugger, the
enemy became apparent. Their main force occupied the
opposite, or right bank, but some troops and guns
were left in a small island, in mid-channel of the
river. The 31 Light Dragoons and the Bth Native
Light Cavalry easily drove back the advanced pests of
the enemy, and our Horse Artillery pushed on into the
deep sand of the river, and opened fir© on the enemy on
the other side.
But our light six-pounders were no match for the
heavy guns of the enemy, and one field-piece and two
ammunition waggons had to be relinquished, as they had
become deeply embedded in the quicksand.
The enemy, seeing our dilemma, crossed over with
4,000 cavalry, on which the ardent Colonel Havelock,
who had, as " the fair-haired boy," distinguished him
self at Busaco, Salamanca, and Vittoria, and was
wounded at Quatre Bras, demanded permission to
charge this overwhelming force. No sooner had the
assent been reluctantly given than he dashed off with
his regiment, and threw himself on the crowd of
Sikhs, who lined the high bank of the river.
So impetuous was the onset, and so effectually did
Havelock and his troopers ply their swords, that all
gave way before them. Yielding to his love of glory,
Colonel Havelock did not stop here, but reforming bii
men, attacked the Sikh forces, which were now crowd-
ing round him, a second time. Their guns, jingalls,
and matchlocks were now brought to bear on the daring
regiment with terrific effect, and it was during thie
second charge that the hero fell, covered with wounds
and surrounded by the bodies of his devoted dragoons.
The Adjutant-General of the army, Brigadier Cureton,
his oldest and most intimate friend, galloped to the spot
to restrain his ardour, but too late ; and he too fell glo-
riously, is trying to rescue his friend.
So brilliant was this action esteemed that the sth
Native Light Cavalry, the only regiment which sup-
ported the 14th in the attack, presented at the close of
the campaign, a beautiful silver cup to that regiment,
"in commemoration of their joint charge," a tribute
which stands solitary and unparalleled in the history of
British India.
We fervently hope that the hero of Cawnpore will be
spared for a lengthened and prosperous career, and live
t.) be the highest ornament to the profesaion of nrms,
and become the successful leader of our armies.--tdver-
riser.