Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-28
..LUCkNow,, KAtArAGn.
The Death Of the Brave IrislHmam who
Won the Victoria Gross by saving
Lucknow.

Won the Victoria Gross by saving
Lucknow.
One Of the bravest of the brave men to whom
has been awarded the precious little. piece of
gun-metal known as the Victoria Cross has just
died, receiving scarcely word Of notice from
the English press. Thomas Henry Kavanagh's
name is preceded by the fatal asterisk in
OByrne's chronicle of the Victoria Cross pub
lished nearly three years ago, and still more
accomplished contemporary historian records
that Lucknow" Kavanagh slost his life shortly
after his heroic exploit, I'M battle with the
enemy" yet he only passed away a few days
ago. The official record of his deed is brief:
Mr.. Thomas Henry kavanagh, Assistant Com
November. 1857, then serving under the
orders of Lieutenant General Sir James Outram.
in Lucknow, volunteered on the dangerous duty
of p, oceeding through the city to the camp Of
the cOmmander-in-chief, for the purpose of
guiding the relieving force to the beleaguered
garrison in the Residency. task which he per-
formed with chivarous gallantry and devotion"
In 1851 Mr.. kavanagh was a subordinate in one
of the government departments at Lucknow.
Already two attempts had been made to relieve
the garrison of the Residency and to raise the
siege. Havelock and his devoted little army had
succeeded in entering the place. but the mutt
neers closed around it all the more closely and
the garrison found It's numbers increased, but
with a daily, diminishing supply of food. ''On
one sde, we read. ''were only a small
prlckly pear hedge and narrow ditch; on
another low fence like that which ordinarily
environ the common Indian compound, but
the men who were behind these trifiing obsta-
Giles never thought for a moment of f1inching.
They We're half starved. many were suffering
from dysentery, more were wounded, the hail of
bullets under which they stood was unceasing,
they had nothing to cheer them except their
own grand spirits, relief could not possibly
come for some time, and every day made the foe
more numerous and stronger, but their courage
never once gave out" Sir Colin Campbell was
advancing and it was of the greatest Importance
that the exact position OF the rebels and the best
line OF approach to their works should be COM
municated to him. But with the mutineers
swarmng around the Residency there were a
hundred chances to one that any messenger
would be discovered. and nd discovery sCo1ery
meant brutal-probably lingering
death. kavanagh. who had been fighting in the
trenches among the civilians and had been
wounded several times volunteered to carry
dispatches to Sir Collins camp, trusting to his
knowledge of the native language and customs
and to his disguise as Badmash, or swashbuck-
Ter, who had come from Oudh or Delhi to join
the champions of the good cause. Outram en-
deavOred to dssuade him from his mission by
frankly pointing out it's dangers, but Kava-
nagh persisted in rendering his services, and
they were finally accepted. His features did
not lend themselves readily to his disguise, but
he succeeded so well with the burnt cork and
other limited materials at his command that
when towards sunset he presented himself at
the Generals quarters no one recognized him
till he revealed himself, giving his costume
and complexion final touch. and hiding note
OF introduction to Sir Colin Campbell in his tur-
ban. Kavanagh set off at nightfa accompanied
by native spy. Kanaoji Lal. bidding good-by
to Captain Hardnge at the rivers edge The
messengers forded the stream and passed the in
surgent sentries OH the opposite bank ''It is
cold night said the sentinel as at last satisfied
that they were friends, he allowed them to
march on. Eyes; but it will be colder by and
by" was kavanaghs answer. They passed the
ordeal of the picket further on as successfully,
after rigid questioning, and pressed on, at
times marching shoulder to- shoulder in the
ranks with their enemies. Once again guard was
turned out and they were questioned narrowly:
then they Numbered into the enemy's lines at
DilkOOshah Park, and improved the opportunity
to count the guns and estimate the force; then
they waded through a swamp for two hours and
crossed the canal. the Irishman's feet being
badly cut during the passage and, after other
mishaps and labors, at am. they passed
through the last two rebel pickets and soon
were overoyed at being challenged by
an English sentry, After receiving, glass Of
brandy from the officer of the picket
Kavanagh was directed to the commander-in-
chiefs tent. where he met an elderly gentle
man just leaving it, of whom he asked the
whereabouts of Sir Colin Compbell ~ am
Sir Colin Campbell" said the astonished
foot; who are you, sir?" Kavanagh handed to
him Sir James Outram's note. sis this true?"
asked Sir Colin, with some dstrust kindling in
his keen eyes: ''Do YOU doubt me. sir?'' asked
Kavanagh. ''No, no." replied Sir Colin. but
it seems very strange" Kavanagh, who was
worn out with anxiety and fatigue asked that
ne might be allowed some sleep before recount
ing his adventure-a request willingly complied
with In tent darkened for the purpose he
first thanked God for his safety. and then slept,
while the flags sent back yes to the signal
from the anxious garrison, sis Kavanagh
safer" Not until then was his wife,
who had stood by his side in the
trenches and been wounded, informed of
his deed and its success. During the advance
and the severe fighting which followed until
on the 18th the residency was relieved Kavanagh
was with Campbell, advising and fighting. and
was the first of the rescuing force to reach his
former comrades. The rewards Of his herOism
We're the first Victoria Cross given to a person
not holding military rank and the appointment
of assistant commissioner in Oudh. where few
weeks later, in company with Captain Dawson,
he stormed, with handful of native police and
civilians, the fort Of Sandela, in which a large
force of rebels defeated at Lucknow had taken
up its position.
Lucknow, and held that office at the time of his
death. He went home on leave last spring, but
in such ill health that he spent nearly the whole
OF his visit in hospital. He was on his way to
India when he died at Gibraltar, and was buried
with military honors. OF an old Irish family,
Lucknow" Kavanagh was born in the county
OF Cork He. doubtless has relatives in this
country, as his grandfather was compelled to fly
to America after Emmets rebellion, in which he
had taken an active part.
The Mystic Christmas.
John g. Whittier in the Youths Companion
GAN hall" the bells OF Christmas rang,
"All hall" the monks at Christmas sang;
The merry monks who kept with cheer
The gladdest day OF all their year.
But still apart, unmOved thereat,
piOus elder brother sat
Silent. in his accustomed place,
With Gods sweet peace upon his face.
'Why sitt'st thou thus?" his brethren cried