Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-19

ed; but | accompanied the command
ing officer at a trot ahead of the regi-
ment, and quickly got amongst the
crowd, which we found were collect
ed around two dak Charles (stage
eoaches). To our horror, we saw the
bodies of two British officers and sew
eral men of the native rebel cavalry
lying near the coaches.
The headman of the village camo
up at once, and said: This is the
work OF Feroze Shah and his party,
who came down the road about half
an hour ago from the Futtygurh di-
rection, and overlook these officers,
shooting both of them and driver.
The party went straight towards the
Jumna." He added that the deceased
officers had made a desperate resist
auce, having shot no less than eight
of Feroze Shah's followers and
three horses. These were all living
dead on the road. We found out
later that the officers were travelling
from Cawnpore to Delhi TO join their
regiment, and that they had been
warned by the civil au-Rorities at
Cawnpore that the road was not safe,
as the rebel cavalry were proving
about; but the keeuess of the poor
fellows to get to their regiment,
which was on active service, was so
great that they made up their minds
to take their chance Alas, such is
fatel
We were not long in starting after
Feroze Shah, and the pace had to be
made pretty fast if we were to over
take and cut off the rebels before
they reached the Jumna; in fact, we
rode as if for our lives. Instead OF
going by the usual direct route we
took one across country, hoping
thereby to get first 60 the ford. This
we did not actually succeed in doing;
but we overlook the enemy crossing
the ford. Then such melee took
place as 1 had never seen before,
though l had been through a good
deal of severe fighting with Have
locks force at the relief of Lucknow
and at the final capture of that city
under Outram
The river was only four feet deep
at the ford; but here and there deep
er pools had been formed by the cur
rent, and in these many men and
horses on both sides were drowned.
The enemy dashed into the river at
gallop, and we followed close at
the same pace. In n few minutes
there was n mass of glitterinR
swords, men slashing at each other,
horses neighing, troopers shouting,
surrounded by wounded, dead and
riderless horses; in short, 1t was a
scene quite beyond my powers of de-
scription. The rebels were principal
ly on the defense, we on the attack;
and right well did our men do their
duty, though in the rebel ranks were
| many of their blood-relations.
| Feroze Shah was cut down by one
| of our native troopers named Azeem
| Khan, who did not get off scot-frec,
| as he had his sword-arm disabled by
a bullet; but that had no effect on
| the brave fellow, as he still rode on
| cheering his comrades 20 follow him.
am glad to say that he was award
| ed the order of merit first CLASSY
the Indian Victoria Cross.
The enemy suffered severely, and
so did we. Amongst our losses was
our beloved second In command, who
was cut down by Feroze Shah Just
before Azeem Khan got up to him.
| However, 1 will not enter into a dc.
| tailed account of the casualties, for
the list would be heavy; but this bril-
liant affair put a stop to any of those
who escaped ever assembling again
against the British government.
/ Having ridden over 80 miles in
three hours, and fought hard bar
tie against great odds, our command
ing officer decided that We should
bivouac for the night on the banks
Eof the river, and accept of the kind
hospitality offered by the inhabi-
tants of the surrounding villages
| grain for our horses, and flour, rice,
milk and fowls for ourselves. We
certainly enjoyed what we could get.
and after refreshing the inner man
1--we lit our pipes, and talked over the
camp-fres of the events of the day.
as soldiers always do, until midnight,
| when we wrapped our martial cloaks
around us and slept the sleep of the
just.
| The next day we started back 10
headquarters; but we took three
1 DAYS 20 get Ihere, as our men and
horses had had enough of rapid
marching. On arrival at Chuckmucl-
Ipur we found some more work before
us-namely, the capture OF a noted
dacoit, Dick Turpin sort of chap
and the breaking up OF his gang; but
I reserve my account of that affair
for a future oecasion.-Chamber'
| Journal.
\ Dancing Star