Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-08-25
Interesting from India.


 BELL, Missionary of the Reformed Presbyte- rian Church of America, and formerly resi- dent of Philadelphia. Dr. CAMPBELL. resides at Saharanpur, seventy-two miles from Meirut, the principal scenes of the late mutnies
 Mission Retreat, LQndo,u, June l, '57.
 My DEAR BROTHER STUART: On the 14th of last month was preparing letters for yourself and others when a sudden and alarming event thrust us into consternation, and compelled us, as 1t did thousands besides in these provinces, to seek the preservation of our lives by flight.
 For some weeks previously great deal of dissatisfaction had been manifested by the Se- pahiS of the Indian army, and even mutiny had taken place ill several regiments, calling for the disbandment of one and the reinstatement of another; but nothing of serious nature was anticipated. The contagion, however, secretly spread, and affected nearly the whole of the native troops throughout the country. One re- glment, the Sd cavalry, in Meirut, seventy two miles from Saharanpur, also became mutinous, and eighty-hve of the ringleaders had been brought to a court martial, and were imprisoned
 Suddenly, on the night of the 10th May, when the English were in church, the Sd ca valry and another native regiment at Meirut rose in arms and murdered many of their off cers, burnt down their houses, or bungalows, massacred men, women and children indiscri- mInately, broke open the jail, and released some eight hundred common prisoners, many of de- colts and murderers. They then proceeded to the work of plllage and plunder The church of England, the Missionary and his wife, for whom they made particular search, provdentially es- capped, but their house and property, and school house, etc, were entirely destroyed and noth- ing saved but the clothes upon their backs.- This was the condition of many more, who were willing to lose all to save their lives. One of my most intimate Christian friends, Dr. Phillips, who had resided many years at Saha- ranpur, and who had been brought to a knowl- edge and love of the truth by attending our mission church, was the first cut down on that dreadful evening.
 After the work of murder was concluded at Aerut the troopers and other native regiments fled to DeIh about thlrty-hve miles distaut.- There the Sepahi regiments with whom plot had been preconcerted, joined with them in general massacre of all the Christian inhabitants and officers, and the horrors of the scene were far more terrible and the slaughter more general than at Merut But few escaped to tell the awful tale. When the officers were slaughtered they proceeded to cut up the poor helpless wo- men and children. Delhi has since been in the hands of the insurgents, and we hear they have placed tho son of the old Delir king on the throne
 Since then native regiments have mutinied at Ambala, Furzpur, Mitan, Lanor, Rurki, Pu- havar, Nuvldabad, Barcily, Allyghur, Fulll- bach, etc. But, as the mail down the country has been stopped, our information is only par tal, and although we write this there is little hope of Its reaching you. Bands of plunder- CTS are now dolng immense mischief all over the country, and what will be the end of these things we know not. British soldiers in India at present are few, and how that the native part of the army are in rebellion, and many of the people desrous of throwing off the British yoke, many are afraid that the English may not be able to keep the country. In this case, the Lord only knows what may happen to me. So far all our missionaries, we believe, are safe- The chaplain at Delhi and it is believed all the missionaries there have been murdered
 As we had no protection at Saharanpur we were advised by the authorities to leave for time and find safety as best we could. It was supposed that we would be the first attacked should the people rise around Saharaupur, while It was thought our native Christians would be secure and remain at least for the pre- sent. All the ladies at the station were sent off by the magistrates to these hills The follow ii'eo ulSul DIOtueI CaiuWeli ana started, not knowing but we might be murdered bv the way. After riding all night on horseback we reached Dehra on the morning of the 18th, and found the people there and here in great state of excitement-poor invalid ladies with their children flying throuh this place, seeking re. fuge in houses that had not grass roofs, suppos- ing that all the bungalows would be burnt and they murdered. The night before l came if cd bo retreat for safety, being flat roofed, and at the highest point of the Landora mountain.
 The panic al Simla was still much greater, but now the minds of the people are more calm and peaceful. Still much deep anxiety pre- vails, as there is no confidence felt in the na- tive army or in the people, Nearly all the missionaries at all the stations have had to be- take themselves to place of safety; some to the mountains some to forts and garrsons, etc.
 An army is now collecting at Delhi, chiefly of British soldiers, and 1t is determined to de- stroy that city and all the mutiuuous troops found in 1t. Assistance has been sent to the magistrate at Saharanpur His house was form ed into a garrison, and the few residents went there every night for protection. He is now turning the tables on the surrounding villages which had commenced the work of plunder and murder, by burning them up and taking many prisoners, etc. We fear it may be some time before affairs shall be sufficiently settled to allow us to carry on operations at our sta- tons before. Theodore, native preacher, writes me, however, that the schools are going on as usual, and that they continue to speak to the people daily at the city church. All the mission property so far as we'll as our personal effects, are safe, but we do not know the hour we may receive the intelligence that our houses are burnt up. These are, indeed, sad tmes- Human confidence seems to be gone. "Our name."
 As ever, dear brother, yours in life or in death,
 J. R. CAMPBELL.
 GEORGE H. STUART, esq, Philadelphia.