The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1857-12-02
McGREGOR IOWA, WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER g. 1857.
Horrible Atrocities by the English at
Benares.

!
| Benares.
Adventure Of a 18Th Highlander among
the Sepoys- Wholesale Burning Q,
Natiue ViUoges-Hanging up the Sc
poys on trees by soholesale and retail
the Flogging process-Rorri51e scenes
The Aberdeen Herald publishes the
following letter from soldier of the
18th Highlanders, to a relative ii
| Perth
On the evening of the eth of June
there were 24O of the 78th-I was one
of them-and 100 of the Sikhs, and sc
of the sewars. that is, native cavalry,
went out of Benares in carts, except the
horsemen. At three O'Clock pm. next
day, we were divided into three lots to
scour the country. The division l was
in went to village, which was desert
ed. We set fire to it and burned it to
the ground. We were coming back
when gentleman came to us and said
chat village, about two miles off, was
full of them, and they were drawn up
to gave us battle. We marched, or
rather run at them +; we got within 800
yards of them, when they ran. We
fired after them, and shot eight of them.
We were going to the village when a
man came running out to us, and up
with his hand and saluted our officer
We shouted, he was Sepoy-that is, a
native soldier-to seize him. He was
taken, and about twelve more. We
came back to the carts on the road, and
an old fat man came to us, and wanted
to be paid for the village we had burned.
We had magistrate with us he found
him out of harboring these villains and
giving them arms and food. Five min
utes settled it; the Sepoy and the man
that wanted money were taken to the
roadside and hanged to tree. We lay
on tie road all night beside the two
men hanging. Next morning, we got
up and marched some miles through tho
fields, the rain pouring down in torrents.
We came to another village, set fire to
it, and came back to the road. By that
time the other divisions were not idle.
They had done as much as us.
There were about 60 prisoners; 6
were hung that day and about so of
them hogged. After that, the magis-
trate said that there was a Holdar that
he would give 1000 rupees to get, dead
or alive. We slept on the road that
night, and the six men hanging beside
US. At5o'clock P. M. the bugle sound
ed "fall in" Off we marched up to
our knees in clay and water. We came
to village and set it on fire. The sun
came out and we got dry, but we soon
got wet again with sweat. We came to
a village, full ofpeople. We took about
200 and set fire to it. I went in. and it
was all in flames. I saw an old man
trying to trail out bed. He was not
able to walk, far less carry out the cot.
I ordered him out Of the village and
pointed out the flames, and told him as
we'll AS could that if he did not he
would be burned. / took the cot and
dragged him out. ........
l came round corner of street or
lane, aud could see nothing but smoke
and flames. l stood for 4 moment to
think which way l should go. Just as
1 was looking around l saw house aud
the flames bursting out of the walls, and
to my surprise 1 saw little boy about
four years old looking out at the door.
l pointed the way out to the old man,
and told him if he did not 90 would
shoot him. l rushed to the house l
saw the little boy at. The door was by
this time in flames. l thought not OF
myself; I thought Of the poor helpless
child. l rushed in, and after got in
there was sort of square, and all round
this were houses, and they were all in
flames and instead Of seeing the help
less child, l beheld six children from
two to eighty ears old, an old dotted wo'
man, an old man unable to walk withou
: help, and a young woman about twenty
years old, with child wrapped up ii
her bosom. l am sure the child wa:
not above five or six hours old. The
mother was in hot fever. stood ant
looked, but looking at that time woult
not do. tried to get the little boys te
hy but they would not. l took the in
fant the mother would have it | gave
it back and took the woman in my ann
to carry her and the babe out. The
children took the old man and woman
I took the lead, knowing they woulc
follow. l came to place where it was
impossible to see where l was on ac
count of the flames. / dashed through
and called on the others to follow. AT
ter hard fight got them all safe out
but that was all. Even coming through
the fire, part Of their clothes, that di'
not cover half their bodies, was burned
/ set them down in the field, and wen
in at another place. saw nothing bu
flames all around. A little further,
saw a poor old woman trying to com
out. She could not walk; she onl
could creep on her hands and feet.
went up to her and told her I woul
carry her out but no, she would 20
allow me to do it; but, when l saw
was no use to put off with her, / too
her up in my arms and carried her oul
l went in at the other end, and cam
u across woman about twenty-five year
q Of age. She was sitting over ma
# that, to all appearance, would not Sc
e the day out. She was wetting his lip
: with some siste. The fire was comm
II fast, and others all around were in flames
v Not far from this saw four women.
st ran up to them, and asked them to com
and help the sick man and woman GU
$ $ but they thought they had enough
do, and SO they had, poor things; bu
e. to save the woman and the man, Dire
le nv bayonet, and told them if they di