The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-03 00:00:00

THE INDIAN MUTINIES.

THE BATTLE OF AGRA•
The following is the copy of a letter received from
a gallant young officer of the 3d Europeans :
" Ara, July 16.

"My dearest Mother,—I wonder whether this
will ever reach you. I trust it will, as it will tell
you that, after a very severe engagement, by the
merciful protection of Providence lam well, and
have escaped untouched, although my position, like
that of most others, was very critical, and I had
severalnarrow escapes. My former letters will have
told you that every European in India is so far in
danger that he must tight for his life, and lucky are
those who have to meet their death or escape it in

open fight. I know not how the press is depicting
our present state in India; but in the North-West we
cannot call an inch of ground our awn except what we
stand on. With small bands of Europeans scattered
in isolated positions, and unable to unite for our
mutual protection, we are surrounded by mutinous
regiments of infantry and cavalry and batteries of
artillery, armed with our weapons, provided with
our ammunition, and taught and disciplined by
ourselves. Our difficulties, too, are materially in-
creased by such numbers of women, and children,
and helpless people, whom we cannot leave, as they
kill unsparingly every European and Christian that
is unprotected. But .1 must not dwell ou the diffi-
culties which beftle us and retard our success, nor
yet oa the causes to which we owe our present dis-
asters. Let me try rather to give you some details
about my first time under fire. Two days before
this action we ascertained, what we had long ex-
pected, that the Neemuch mutineers were at a place
22 miles from us, consisting of the 72d Native n-
fantry, 7th Gwalior Contingent (infantry), three
troops Ist Be n galLigh t Cavalry, the cavalry of United
Malwa Contingent, who joined them at Nisehidpoor
(killing their 2 officers), and a battery of native horse
artillery. Our civil lines were accordingly vacated,
the inhabi'ants withdrawing to the fort, and the
Lieut. - Governor went down to live in cantonments.
The next day, as the enemy had such a large force
of cavalry, and we none, we thought it likely they
might send their Sowars (horsemen) to plunder and
burn the cantonments; so our detachments were
called in to head-quarters. There was also one con-
tingent (Kotah) which had been marched up from " Agra Fort, July 16.
the south-west to our aid, as they were considered "It is with great thankfulness and sincere de
loyal and faithful, and amid all these defections had light I once more sit down to write to my beloved
for a month remained true, collecting revenue for parents. I scarcely know when I write last, or
us, burning disaffected villages, and hanging mu' i- how to begin the 'little history I hope to send off
neei s and rebels ;so we had brought them in to be to day. I think shortly after my last it was that,
reedy to go out with us, if necessary, against tie our second in command being sick, I was ordered,
Ite.,much mutineers ; and they were encamped half- out from Gwalior, with two companies of my regi-
way between Government-house and our barracks, ment and a squadron of cavalry to take away 41
and ad et ichment of them rel ieved me the day before lace of treasure from a detachment of the 53d, who
from my post at Governmant-house, aftertlieleieut-- were supposed to be mutinously inclined. Well,
Governor left it. No sooner had I returned to can- off I went, and in due course got the treasure
tonments than a helve, down-pour came on, and we without fighting for it, and brought it into the pre-
wei e simultaneously ordered to arms ; out we went sidency all right. All this time our own regiment
and found that the Kotah Contingent (cavalry), as was almost in open mutiny, and no one ever ex-
soon as they had reached their encampment, had pected (so they told me afterwards) to see me re-
fire :l on their officers and killed their sergeant-ma- turn again. This was only the Friday morning,
jor ; and after them the infantry and artillery also and Sunday, as you will learn from the papers, was
had bolted all but two faithful native gunners, who the fatal day for us. It was Sacrament Sunday,
had spiked the guns which they had been obliged and I went to church, but at 12 o'clock up went
to leave behind them. We were ordered at once to the mess-house in flames, and, there being a strong
go and capture the guns ; and so this Kotah mu- wind, it was soon burnt down, as well as the bath
Veto disconcerted our movements, as we had al- and another bungalow. The Sepoys were then
ready received orders to hold ourselves in readiness even crying out ' Here's a tamasha (or row), but
to march out that evening to attack the Neemuch wait and si e the one that will come off to-night.'
force. We started forthwith about 7, all drenched But even in the face of this the authorities never
to the skin, and got back safe, guns and all, about doubted the safety of Gwalior. The day passed
9. About 10 next day, July 5, the Neemuch force oft, and we went to bed as usual, but shortly
was reported on;y four miles off ; so in less than afterwards we were aroused pretty quickly by the
hours we were on the march to meet them, after whole of the troops having risen, and lined all the
despatching what we could of our traps into the roade, with the determination of killing all the
fort. About half-way on we halted and served out Europeans they could lay their hands on. We
grog to our men, but, hearing the enemy were both got up and dressed as quickly as pos-
forming, we had to stop in the middle and go ahead. Bible, and, putting a bag of money into my bear-
As we passed through the village Shahgunge, just er's hands, I mounted my horse to go to my regi-
outside the civil lines, our men moved onward, ment, telling him to take every care of my poor
sin ;in- and giving lusty cheers, such as none but wife. What were my feelings at this moment I
Br tons can. We then formed line with half the cannot exactly describe, as I knew what I had to
battery on each flank, and to protect them, alas ! expect, and yet it was my duty to go and do my
we had none but a few volunteers of militia cavalry best ; so I went away from my home, which I
—composed of officers of mutinied regiments, civi- never saw again. As soon as I got out into the
Haile, merchants, and writers, all of whom didtheir road I was joined by M'Kellar and Ryves (12th),
best, but with untrained horses, and without cavalry who had
drill, they were a poor substitute for disciplined regularly just escaped from Jhansi, and we were
hustled down to parade by crowds of
tee. )pers. Besides these volunteer horsemen our
force consisted of seven companies 3d European Re- the Se
syaddles s who ut their arms between our legs and
much as to say, 'Do not attempt to
g meat (three companies amounting to 200 men be- bolt.' Before we got 100 yards we sustained three
rug our only garrison to hold the fort), and one volleys from men not 15 yards off, but were not
battery of artillery, commanded by poor D'Oyly, touched. The fourth volley saluted us just as we
and tour whole force did not amount to more passed the head of the Grenadier Company, one
than 500 men, against God knows how many ball of which shot my poor charger right through
thousands of the enemy. They say they bad the heart. He fell dead on me, and I had the
5,0 )0 infantry and fully 1,000 (if not more) greatest difficulty in extricating myself, expecting
cavalry, and eight guns, six being of the 11 Art,l a bayeuet in my bank vbery rnomont. In 1444tting
lery battery. After forming we advanced, and the from under him, I tore off my boot, so proceeded
encmy kept retiring, and we continued following to parade without it, as retreat was hopeless. The
till they got to a village, when from behind this first thing I saw almost was poor Major Blake
they sent their first round shot just bang over tue lying mortally wounded, shot through the lungs.
col ours, which, as senior ensign, I was carrying, They said it was useless even to unfasten his coat,
am 1 along with it came several musket shots, t':e
but I insisted on it, and did it myself; placing his
sharp pinging of which reminded us of the r tie
head on my shoulder, and trying to make him
company of the 72d, which we had often seen drawn
speak ; but it was no good ; the poor fellow was
up by our side on the grand parade ground here. dying fast. They made an attempt to carry him
We were ordered to lie down while the art'llery to the hospital, we went the other way to try and
played on this village, in which numbers of the in-
get round to the rear to escape. All the time we
tan try secreted themselves, firing at us from behind were with Blake we were surrounded by hundreds
the walls, while their artillery and main army were of mutineers, but none touched us. After we got
planted in the rear of it. They had a very strong into the light cavalry lines the firing was very
and commanding position, and their rifles did much brisk, and we all thought it was all over with us,
ex( cuticn, as also the grape which they kept firing but
against our guns. We advanced a little, and lay not a merciful Providence watched over us, and
ball hit us. Those who were mounted were
down again two or three times, when out then able to get off, made a rush for it, crossed the
buret their cavalry in such numbers that river, and made straight across the country for
they completely surrounded us, and tried to Agra, leaving me in this delightful predicament.
get at our baggage, spare . ammunition, &c., but Just at this moment three Sepoys caught hold of
our volunteer horseman bravely managed to keep me, and said they would try and save me. They
them off. Our small body was then broken up threw off my hat, tore off my trousers and the
into three divisions—the main one to attack the remaining boot, covered me as well as they could
village, another to protect our right half battery, with my horse-cloth, which my groom had
and one company with head quarters and colours brought along with us, and, putting me between
to defend the left half battery, where, of course, I the two, the third walked in front, and what be-
wee ; and being just in front of the village we were tween knocking up one man's musket whose
exposed to the fire of these riflemen, hidden be- bayonet was just at my back and declaring I was
hind mud walls. Soon after we were in position one of their wives, we got through all the sentries
one of our gun carriages took fire, and when we and crossed the river. They then wanted me to
came up it was.in full blaze, one of our tumbrils make the best of my way off, saying thatthe chances
having been blown up. Just after this we saw the were ten to one that my wife was killed by that
cal airy again coming down upon us, so we faced time, but I told them plainly I would not try to
about, and the cowardly wretches, instead of charg- escape without her. After a great deal of persuad-
ing full at us, swerved and galloped past, we the ing they took me down the banks of the river (the
meanwhile letting a volley into them. Oh ! opposite side of which was regularly lined with
it was a tine sight to see them rolling over
sentries to prevent escape) till we came opposite our
off their horses. In the village they had very house, where they set the down, and one man said,
sharp work, and the severest loss in charging ' Now I will go and bring your wife to you if she
up it ; the first volley knocked over our major, is alive ;' so off he went,land after about 20 minutes
he was wounded in the foot, and his horse of the most agonising suspense, dear M— and I
received three balls and fell over upon and injured met again. But how ? As beggars, turned out of
his head. When our brave boys were well into the house and home, and without a farthing in the
villap they dealt destruction on all sides) and the world—no clothes but those on our backs—and in
enemy,_ after a faint resistance, fled in confusion. this plight' we commenced our journey, deeply
They were drawing off in full force, when an un- thankful for our escape, but in despair at leaving
lucky shot of theirs exploded another of our ammu- our homes and the little things that made it dear
nition waggons, and on seeing this they set up ato us—all your likenesses hung up, our nice books,
loud clamour and rallied for awhile ; however, we my dear old violin, and all our plate, glass, clothes,
went on firing till we had expended all our gun papers, even our money and letters—everything
ammunition which had not been blown up, and we had in the world. My own guard at the house
then, being helpless, we had to burn the village, robbed the bearer of the money I gave him to do
forn up our force, and retreat. The want of am- what he could for M—; her watch and chain,
munition was most unfortunate for us, as the which she had in her hand, were taken from leer
enemy were getting short of it. too, and had begun also. I must say the three sepoys with us behaved
firing p'ce (farthings) and bits of stone, so that a few splendidly. Seeing poor M— was unable to walk,
more rounds would have given us a decided vic- they tied my horseoloth in a sort of bag fashion on
toffy, instead of leaving it a half-and-half business, to a musket, put her into it, and placing the butt
but such are the chances of war. and muzzle on their shoulders, carried her iu this
"About the middle of theaction, whichlamted one
.way seven miles, till we reached the Residency, by
honrand three quarters, poor D'Oyley was wounded which time I could hardly put my feet to the
by a grape-shot in the right side. Ills horse was ground, from walking barefoot over the thorny
shot under him very early, and he was stooping ground. On arriving there we met three other
down putting his shoulder to the wheel to ex ri- people just escaped, and I gotanelephant, on which
cafe one of his guns when he was wounded, poor we all mounted, intend'ng to seek further protec-
fellow, dangerously. He was brought in, and after tion in the Lushkur with the Maharajah, where
lingering in great pain 28 hours he died on the lots of people had gone ; but before we had got
eveng of the 6111. He was much belovel by ad, ' half a mile we met nearly a dozen carriages, all in
and truly son y were we to lose at such a time so full gallop, accompanied by the body guard, in full
good an officer and so nice and kind and gentle- retreat back to the Residency.' Well, we went
ee a of the n
on, a fellow. When woundel he sat down on ' bout ship' in less than no time, aid a party of
gnus and went on giving his orders, till
at last thq the Sowars were left with us, and we seen after arrived,
sa;_l, ,A.y, I pain was too much for him, and lie where mutual congratulations were exchange 1, and
stone oner they have done for me now I Put a in half-an-hour we were all provided with carriages
gu es.' Heygeave, and say I died fighting my and set off to Agra. By about 2 o'clock we reached
brought in toe ny friends ; and after he was the first sage bungalow, where we alighted, and
house, he had Copt,two or th achell's a brother officer's soon after got a Lit of chappattie (or native bread)
in , him, as also his ant/ladies constantly attend- I and a little water, and after some hours we resumed
of er Mende. The neat n (arming Griffin), and our Journey, which was one continued series of
dap after we came in I alarms, with hunger and discomfort, till we arrive I
w tit to see him, but he was
th nigh he st:11 spoke in his o hardly conscious, at Dhotepore, from. whence we were provided with
kind gentlemanly native carts (fur the ladies to ride in) and elephants,
v.iy,
to make the best of our way into Agra (36 miles).
" But to revert to the sequel of the
in; our retreat the enemy followed battle. Dur- Poor M— kept up bravely, but we were so dead
and
all the way jute the city, the cavalrye. were upon I
lie with one gun asleep that we could hardly keep on the elephant ;
1 but the beast's broad b ick prevented our fading off.
bosh our Banks as long as we were in open kaored,
l By daylight we reached ne Political's, Major Mac-
bu -, took care not to come within reach ofthe fort I
go ns• The very last shot fired from this gun (which most kindly\Pltersen's, where M— was so exhausted that he
sent her on in his cartiaga with his
could move about •
appears was the only left they . ) sister • and they soon reached Agra, where after
caw a just over the colours, and .
killed two men in some time she
ca- I ter recovered, and has been getting bet-
frr nt of me. And one thing is certain, if their , ever since. Mrs. Polwhole sent her some
valry had hail one grain of pluck they might have clothes,
'
and I got some from Frazer, of the 44th ;
d d '
cut us up almost to a man. One time. lowar s was to
a few days we got a quota of our pay, which
th, close of the action, some dozen of them gal
• - was to last us a preci •
ous long time. We have now
lobed in actually between the company I was with : a room in the fort, and I am appointed Superin-
and the se- I tendent of the Ist division
, guns we were otectin and cut down 1 of the Commissariat.
venal of our volunteer horsemen; we had to form 'We are 7,000 people in the fort, all living in gun-
ow company into three sides of ass quare and stand ( sheds and casemates ; the appearance of the interior
til I they came at us, but they never did. Our loss 'is arousing, and the streAs are named. We have
was-very great-30 icilled, and 3 officers and 62 men I Regent, Oxford,' Quadrant, Buirneto „n, and Low-
wounded, of whom 8 have since died, and 2 others; ther Arcade. Ours is Trafalgar-square, 'Nos. 48
of sunstroke to-day. The artillery lost 3 killed and ' and 49. I can hardly believe all that has happened
17 wounded, among whom were 2 officers, poor to u 3, but I trust all will soon be over now, and

The following is from an officer in command al
Agra :