Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1859-08-27
Gle polpuesian.

E Not every one who shuddered at the atroc-
tiles of Nena Sahib, in the commencement of the
Indian rebellion, does know that Nena Sahib and
Tantia Topee were one and the same. From the
Boston Courier we quote an account of his cap
ture and death:
The CAPTURE AND DEATH OF TANTIA ToPEE-
The last news from India informs US that the
British have at length gained an efectual victory
over the most formidable of their enemies among
the rebels. Tantia Topee has been taken, tried,
condemned and ingloriOugly hung. He was the
most lndetatlgabe and the most dreaded of the
native rebel chieftains, and deserved death un-
doubtedly. But he was worthy nevertheless, of
less disgraceful end. He has been executed as
felon, while he merited the fate of soldier
With an army of Sepoys, FIVE or six thousand
strong, Tantia Topee has for a long time evaded
the most vigilant pursuit, and resisted the best
bravery of the British troops, while he has sue
| ceeded, In series of marvellously rapid strides
over the country, in committing the most annoy
ing and harrassing and destructive aggressiOns
upon the settlements and the army of the British.
He has carried on a sort of guerrilla warfare, and
in frequent covert assaults upon the Queens
forces has cut of heavy baggage, spare horses,
artillery wagons, &c., and many villages have
been plundered and burnt by his desperate fol-
lowers. He caused panic wherever he appeared;
commerce and all peaceful operations were thrown
into confusion by his presence and his progress
was marked by a succession of extraordinary
escapes from the best laid plans of the British to
arrest him. By the rapidity Of his marches, he
scarcely ever failed to distance his pursuers, and
when he was compelled to stand his ground, he
was generally successful in turning their attacks
so as to leave himself and his forces comparative
ly unharmed.
He retired from repeated skirmish and battle
only to recuperate his energies and prepare him
self for further aggression OF renewed defence.
He was occasionally betrayed and his secret
movements revealed by some faithess followers
but he was seldom at loss in eluding the conse-
quent pursuit. With his men we'll mounted, the
rapidity of his movements was such that the cam
el corps was the only one which could follow him
with success. He repeatedly made march of 80
miles day, over hilly and jungly country.
Previous to his final defeat and his capture, by
stratagem, the most serious discontinue he ex-
perieneed was at Oodeyporte, where, after a hot
pursuit, he was forced to halt and draw up in bat
tie array. Brig. Gen. Parke had overtaken him
at this point, and brought him to a stand, and the
pursuit and the battle are claimed to have given
the British General very high position in mill
tary history.
Having ascertained the direction Of Tantia To-
pee Brigadier Parke commenced a march which
is without parallel in military annals. With two
S-pounucr guns OF the BOMBAY artillery, DOuy
of Hussars, the I'd Light Cavalry, the Alden
Horse, l25. Guzerat Horse, some of the Guico-
wars contingent, and 100 of the 72d Highlanders
on Saudnee camels, he marched in nine days 24l
miles, crossing the Nerbudda. Tantia had just
sufered.a defeat in a skirmish with Maj. Suther-
lands Highlanders and Rifles, and had marched
6O miles without stopping, mounting his men on
fresh horses, which he had seized in the villages
and exchanged for his own tired ones.
On coming up with Tantia, Parke's vanguard
surprised his pickets. A hot battle ensued, in
which the rebels were secuted and driven from
the field, with loss of 90 killed and more wound
ed. Tantia's forces divided into three bodies in
efecting their escape, but were subsequently rail-
lied by their undaunted cheftain, and marched,
jaded as they were, with their usual quick move
ment, into the mountains, where they were met
by other and fresh troops, also in pursuit. and
their leader entrapped and taken and reserved, as
it seems, for an ignominious death upon the gal
lows.