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

VIE INDIAN MUTINIES.

THE BATTLE OF AGRA.
The following is the copy of a letter received from
a pliant young officer of the 3d Europeans :
" Ara, July 16.
"My dearest Mother,—I wonder whether tbis
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 I am well, and
have escaped untouched, although my position, like
. _ _ _

that of most others, was very critical, and I had

Feveralnarrow escapes. My former letters will have
told you that every European in India is so far in

danger that he must fight 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 callan inch of ground our own except what we

stand on. With small bands of Europeans scattered
in isolated positions, and unzble 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
kilt unsparingly every European and Christian that
is unprotected. But I must not dwell on the diffi-
cult:es which bat) U 3 and retard our success, nor
yet on the causes to which we owe our present dis-
asters. Let me try rather to give you some details
about iay first time under fire. Two days before
this ac.ion we ascertained, what we had long ex-
pected, that the Neemuch mu,ineers were at a place
22 miles from us, consisting of the 72d Native In-
fantry, 7th Gwalior Contingent (infantry), three
troops Ist BengalLigh t Cavalry, the cavalry of Unite
Malwa Contingent, who joined them at Mehidpoor
(killing their 2 officers), and a battery of native horse
artillery. Our civil lines were accordingly vacated,
the inhabitants 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
the south-west to our aid, as they were considered
loyal and faithful, and amid all these defections had
for a month remained true, colecting revenue for
us, burning disaffected villages, and hanging muti-
neers and rebels; so we had brought them in to be
ready to go out with us, if necessary, against the
Ne much mutineers ; and they were encamped half-
way between Government-house and our barracks,
and a detachment of them relieved me the day before
from my post at Govec nmant-house, after the Lieut. -
Governor left it. No sooner had I returned to can-
tonments than a heavy down-pour came on, and we
were simultaneously ordered to arms ; out we went
and found that the Kotah Contingent (cavalry), as
soon ati they had reached their encampment, had
fired on their officers and killed their sergcaut-ma-

jor ; and after them the infantry and artillery also and Sunday, as you will learn from the papers, wits
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 t') 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
tiny 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 t,..e 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 off, and we went to bed as usual, but shortly
wss reported on)7 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 roads, 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. sible, and, putting a bag of money into my bear-
As we passed through the village Shaligunge, 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
singing and giving lusty cheers, such as none but wife. What were my feelings at this moment I
Britons 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
lians, merchants, and writers, all of whom did their road I was joined by M'Kellar and Ryves (12th),
best, but with untrained horses, and without cavalry who had just escaped from Jhansi, and we were
drill, they were a po it substitute for disciplined regularly hustled down to parade by crowds of
t:oepe-s. Besides these volunteer horsemen our Sepoys, who put their arms between our legs and
force consisted of seven companies 3d European Re- the saddles, as much as to say, 'Do not attempt to
g'ment (three companies amounting to 200 men be- belt.' Before we got 100 yards we sustained three
ing 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 sour 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
5,000 infantry and fully 1,000 (if not more) greatest difficulty in extricating myself, expecting
cavalry, and eight guns, six being of the H Arta.- a bayonet in my back every moment. In getting
lery battery. After forming we advanced, and the from under him, I tore off my boot, so proceeded
enemy 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 pcor Major Blake
they seat their first round shot just bang over the lying mortally wounded, shot through the lungs.
colours, which, as senior ensign, I was carrying, They said it was useless even to unfasten his coat,
and along with it came several musket shots, the but I insisted on it, and did it myself, placing his
sharp pinging of which reminded us of the r fle head on my shoulder, and trying to in tke him
cempaey:f 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 ware ordered to lie down while the artillery 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
fan try secreted themselves, firing at us from behind were with Blake we were surrounded by hundreds
the walls, while their artillery and main army ware 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 cemmanding position, and their rifles did much brisk, and we all thought it was all over with us,
executicn, as also the grape which they kept firing' but a merciful Providence watched over us, and
against our guns. We advanced a little, and lay not a 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
burst their cevelry 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 predcament.
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 to.
was ; and being just in front of the village we were tweenknocking 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 that the chances
having been blown up. Just after this we saw the were ten to one that my wife was kil'ed by that
cavalry 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 toak 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 fine 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, whore they set me 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
be 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
village 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 le tying
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 hooks,
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 bad 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
form 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 tier
enemy were getting short of it, too, and had begun also. I must say the three sepoys with us behaved
firing pice (farthings) and bits of stone, so that a few splendidly. seeing poor M— was unable to walk,
mere rounds would have given us a decided vie- they tied my horsecloth in a sort of bag fashion on
tory, 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 shouldeTs- carried her in this
" About the middleoftheaction, whichlastedone way seven miles, till we reached the Residency, by
hourand 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. His 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
cate one of his guns when he was wounded, poor we all mounted, intending to seek further protec-
fellow, dangerously. He was brought in, and after tion in the Lusbkur 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 6th. He was much beloved by all, half a mile we met nearly a dozen carriages, all in
and truly sorry 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
manly a fellow. When wounded lie sat down on , bout ship' in less than no time, and a party of
one of the guns and went on giving his orders, till Sowers were left with us, and we seen after arrived,
amtiil,rit the the pain was too much for him, and he where mutual congratulations were exchange), and
, 'M t they have done for me now ! Put a in half-an-hour we were all provided with carriages
stoue over ray grave, and say I died fighting my and set off to Agra. By about ,2 o'clock we reached
guns.'
brought in
11-. had manyfriends ; and after he was the first stage bungalow, where we alighted, and
tot°3•Pt. Machell'e, a brother officer's soon after got a bit of chappattie (or native bread)
house, he had
rug him, as also his
three ladies constantly attend- and a little water, and after some hours we resumed
Thei snuebialttdern (young Griffin), and . our journey, which was one continued series of
other friends.
after we came in I alarms, with'hunger and discomforts, till we arrived went to see him, but he a_y
was hardly conscious, at Dhotepore, from whence we were provided with
though he still spoke in his -.13 own kind
gentlemanly native carts (f. r the ladies to ride in) and elephants,
way.
to make the best of our way into Agra (36 miles).
"But to revert to the sequel of th(Sla ttl
a e. Dur- Poor M— kept up bravely, but we were so dead
the enemy followed tie • .. • t
ing our retreat , with: one gun asleep that we could hardly keep on the elephant ;
city, and the cavalry
ali the way into the
were upon but the beast's broad back prevented our falling off.
both our flanks as long as we were in Open
retch ground, By daylight we reached the Political's, Major Mac-
but took care not to come within
.of the fort phersen's where al— was so exhausted that he
last shot fired from this gun (which m . ,
guns. The very est kindly sent her on in his carriage with his
r
left they could move about) siste •
appears was the onlyand they soon reached Agra where after
and killed two men in some
came just over the colours,.time she recovered, and has been getting br4t-
'dertain if their ea- ter ee •
front of me. And one thing is , . ever since. Mrs Polwhele sent her some
luck they might have clothes, and I
valry had had one grain of p. a t ' from Frez of the 44th ;
One time, towards and in a few says we some r,
cut us up almost to a man. ays we got a quota of our pay, which
them gal- was to last us •
the close of the action, some dozen of
with a precious long time. We have now
was , a room in the
loped in actu illy between the company I fort, and I am appointed Superin-
tendent of tl and the guns we were protecting, and cut down SO- Ist division of the Commissariat.
We are 7 000-le
veral of our volunteer horsemen ;we had to form , people in the fort, all living in gun-
ourd sheds and casemates ;the •
company into three sides of a square and stanappearance of the interior
till they came at us, but they never did. Our loss ,is amusing, and the streets are nani l se_ . We have
was very great--30killed, and 3 officers and 62 men Regent, Oxford, Quadrant, 13inlington and Ours is Traf-1 • '
Low-
wounded, of whom 8 have since died, and 2 others ' ther Arcade. . A g r-3quare, Nos. 48
of sunstroke to-day. Therartilleryhardly lebeee all that l 1
lost 3 killed and ' and 49. I can . has rappeued
17 won:soled, among whom were 2 officers, poor to us, but I trust all will so.-,n ke over now, and •
1 .