New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
THE GREAT MUTINY.
AN ESCAPE FROM DELHI
THE SEPOY MUTTNY. As Seer by subaltern
From Delhi to Lucknow. by Colonel Edward
lfuo mn Charl Scrfbuerfs Sons

Wharf Emo pp. SS Charles scrlbner's Sons.
There are now in the land Of the living very
few Euglshmen who witnessed the outbreak Of
the Mutny at Delhi Colonel Wharf is prob
ably the only surviving officer Of the Delhi gar
rison and il was certainly not the fault Of the
rebeuous native troops that any foreigner was
left TO tell the tale. We have had other mar
ratives OF the terrible events Of May II, 1887,
in the city on the Jumna, but We know OF none
quite vivid and thrilling this simple recital
by one who at the time young subaltern
in a native infantry regiment stationed there.
The fact that the English officers OF the garrison
had only native troops under their command
meant Of course. unreheyed tragedy when the
moment Of mutny came, for. while a few OF
The SepoyS hesitated FOR a little to join their
fellows and still responded in a haf-hearted
way 10 orders. it was not long before they
were murderiue and burning with the rest.
Again in Colonel Vibalts story, as in the recol-
lectious OF all other chronicles OF that period.
We are brought face to face with the most ex-
traordua,y phase OF the hid"ous episode-the
blrdnes, of the English Government and sol
diers i'm India TO the plain signs o. coming 'rou-
be. they seemed to have an almost stolid
sense Of security and were III every way far
from ready to cope with Instruction.
The opening Of the revolt took place OF The
evening of May 10 at Meerut town ~ a few
hours distance from Delhi, whittier band Of
the mutineers hurried. The troops stationed at
Delhi were i'm cautonments about tvo miles
outside the city and morning parade was over
and the officers hal returned 10 their bungalows
when d report that Sepoys from Meerut were
making d disturbance within the walls Of Delhi
sent The troops under their English officers
marching rapidly 10 the Cashmere Gate and
Main Guard This Main Guard sinai
fortified enclosure inside the Gate which was
always earrisoned by a detachment OF fifty
Sepoys under a European officer. II was here
that the most agonizing incidents Of the day
occurred Young Wharf coming ny hastily with
his company escOrting two guns, reached the
Cashmere Gate at the moment when the colonel
OF his regiment, who had preceded him 70 the
city was carried out Of the Gate literally hacked
10 pieces. one arm just below the shoulder
says Wharf. was almost severed, Such a fear
ful sight ] never beheld The poor man was still
alive and though scarcely able 10 articulate'
distinctly gathered from the few words he
gRspeo out that We had no chance against the
cavalry troopers as our own men had turned
against u.s." There was indeed no chance FOR
Europeans that woful day in Delhi Vibart's
own regiment suddenly disappeared a. into thin
air, and the men OF another regiment, who had
been Oh duty at the Main Guard, refused to fire
the muuneers when called upon TO do By
their officers In order TO save the life Of the
unhappy colonel as he was being pursued and
cut down before their eyes. They even tainted
these officers, our author says telling them that
the time had arrived TO take their revenge
people who had tried, ss they asserted 20 sub
vert their caste and religion. number % the
officers who had hurried from environments 10
the city had met cruel death In the Main
Guard and near it The mutineers were ap-
parently In a state OF ruthless rage for the poor
fellows were hacked about IN every conceivable
way All over the city AL tina; morning the
SepOys were numbering Europeans
and burning their houses and a. the day wore
on II was q comparatively small number Of sur
vivors mostly ladies' who sought the Main
Guard for protection. Here the officers from the
cantonments made 8 stand with a few Ian
guidly faithful Sepoys Of their regiments. and
here in the densely CROW ded enclosure they re
NAMED without food drink through the
scorching heat Of that awful day. Safety was
not possible IN Delhi then, and an attempted
retreat to cantonmeuts precptated slaughter
Il the hands OF the Sepoys almost at the first
discharge" writes Wharf y saw Captain Cor
don fall from his horse a musket ball had
pierced his body and he fell without sroan
within q few feet OF where was standing. The
aext moment ! saw Miss Forest hastily dis
mount from the gun wagon on which she was |
seated and jump across his PROSTATE body 1t
seems some Sepoys had advanced toward her
p a threatening manner, and shooting &
wounded conductor who was sitting by her /
side had compelled her TO alight The |
horrible truth now flashed over me-we were
being massacred right and left without any /
means Of escape! Scarcely knowing what was
anir,cs r..A.. f.r rarrr tNhLcL leade from |