The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-16 00:00:00

THE CAWNPORE MASSACRES.

The following is an account of the defence and
massacre at Cawnpore by Lieut Dalafosss, one of
the survivors :

" Sem° time before any disturbance broke out at
Cawnpore, and it was only expected that there might be
an outbreak among the troops, General Wheeler order-
ad over from Oude a reeisnent of Irregular Ca.valty,
which was quartered in different parts of the canton-
ments. At the some time officers were ordered to sleep
in the lines with their men ; and assistance was asked
from the Rajah of Bithoor, the }Tana, who sent some 200
cavalry, 400 •infantry, and two guns, which force had
the guarding of the Treasury. A few days later the
Oude Irregulars were ordered out of the station, as the
General found he could not trust them, and were re-
lieved by a company of the 32d Regiment from Lucknow.
General Wheeler gave the order for all the European
inhabitants to sleep near the 32i Regiment's bak-
racks, also for the Artillery to be ready to move
, down at any moment. On the 2d of Juno
two companies
.of the 84th Regiment arrived
from Allahabad ; but on the morning of the 3d
General Wheeler gave orders for one company of the
84th, made up to its full strength, together with the com-
pany of the 321 Regiment, to maroh to Lucknow, so
that we had left at Cawnpore GO men of the 84th Regi-
ment, 70 of the 321, 15 of the let Madras kesileera
and a few men of the Artil:ery with six guns.
" Oe the morning of the 4th of June the officers of the
cavalry, the let and 56th Regiments were ordered to
discontinue sleeping iu their lines ; but the 531 Native
Infantry being considered loyal the officers of that corps
were still to be with their men. On the afternoon of the
Sunday Lieutenant Ache a• rived with half a battery of
Oude Horse Artillery, two 9 pounders and a 24 pounder,
having been oblised to retire on Cawnpore, as the troops
that were with him on bis way to Futtyghur had mutinied
on the road on the sth of June. The trenches being
finished the guns were placed in, and provisions for about
25 days were ordered in them. At ;shout 11 o'clock that
night the cavalry rose, taking with them their arms and
two horses each. Early xt morning the Ist Regiment
Native Infantry was reported to have gone. Tee 531
appeared still loyal, remaining iu their lines ; but ai none
of the officers were with their men, and as there was do
one to look after them, they also went off, without any
one missing them, between 8 and 9 o'clock, taking with
them the regimental treasure and colours, and as much
ammunition at they could carry. That afternoon every
house was burnt, fires were seen in every direction; we
could do nothing but stay wilt re we were, being too few
in number to meet the rebels, as all the Golundazes
belonging to the artillery had gone away soon after Lieut.
Ashe's arrival, and volunteersfor the artillery were either'
in from the infantry. Next morning, the 7th of June, a
letter was received from the Rajah of Blamer, who was
supposed to be see our side, saying he meant to attack us.
Soon after two guns opeced upon us. from the north-west
and musketry from all directions. On the Bth three
more guns were brought against us. Toe number of guns
against us increased daily, and on the 11th the enemy
bad playing upon us night and day three mortars, two
24-pounders, three 18-pounders, one or two 12-ecunders,
about the same number of 9-pounders and one 6-pounder.
On or about the 12th of June the insurgents by firing
set on fire the large barracks in which all the women of
the 321 Regiment and the wounded were placed. No
sooner was the fire perceived than the • assembly' was
soueded, and every wan had t t stand to his post, as we
exeected to be attacked. There was no place fur the
women and children to go to bet the trenches, where
many of them had to reinalu night and day. There was
I u Shelter nowefor the need any where during the day
and from this date we have lost five or six men daily
from sunstroke. On the —of June, alter having bout
on half rations fur seine days, the Rajah sent a ha:f-
caste woman with a note into the trenches, t the effect
that all soldiers and Europeans who had nothing to do
with Lord Dalhousie's government, and would lay do NII
their arms, should be sent to Al:ahabad. Gentled
Wheeler gave ordtre to Captain Moore to act as he
should consider beat. Captain Moore that evening
signed a treaty to the effect Celt the Rajah should pro-
vide boats and carriage for the won eded and ladies down
to the river bank, while on our side we were to give up
what treasure we had, together with wine and eirnuei-
tion. On the 26th a committee of officers %vent to tle
river to tee that the beats were reedy and serviceable
and every hing being reported ready, and carriage fur
the wounded having :snivel, we save our gee-, &0.,
ant marched out on the morning of the 27th of June,
about 7 o'click. We got demi to the river and into