The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-08-09


the neighborhood, and that it would
be as well for him to be on the alert
After we had got about eight miles
from the outpost we came across the
main road that runs from Cawnpore
| to Agra, when we observed that some
300 or 400 natives had collected about
600 yards down the road towards
Cawnpore. A halt was sounded, and
a couple of scouts sent to find out
whether any of the men seemed to
be armed. In very short time the
scouts returned and reported that
the men were unarmed; that, in fact,
they had collected round two stage
| coaches without horses, and that
somebody had been killed. After re-
ceiving this information we proceed
ed; but 1 accompanied the command
ing officer at trot ahead of the regi-
ment, and quickly got amongst the
crowd, which we found were collect
ed around two dak Charles (stage
coaches). 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 came
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 d.
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
ance, having shot no less than eight
of Feroze Shah's followers anil
three horses. These were all lying
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 authorities at
Cawnpore that the road was not safe,
as the rebel cavalry were prowling
about; but the keeness of the poor
fellows to get to their regiment.
which was on active service, was go
great that they made up their minds
to take their chance. Alas, such is
fatei
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 to the ford. This
we did not actually succeed in doing;
but we overlook the enemy crossing
the ford. Then such a melee took
place as l 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 |
a gallop, and we followed close at |
the same pace. In few minut IS
there was mass of glittering |
swords, men slashing at each other.
horses neighing, troopers shouting,
by wounded, dead ard
riderless horses; in short, it was a
scene quite beyond my powers of de-
'cription. The rebels were principal
y on the defense, we on the attack;
ind right well did our men do their
luty, though in the rebel ranks were
many of their blood-relations.
Feroze Shah was cut down by one
# our native troopers named Azeem
Khan, who did not get off scot-frec,
IS he had his sword-arm disabled by
J bullet; but that had no effect on
he brave fellow, as he still rode on
hecring his comrades to follow him.
am glad to say that he was award
d the order of merit first class)-
he Indian Victoria Cross.
The enemy suffered severely, and
o did we. Amongst our losses was
ur beloved second in command, who
vas cut down by Feroze Shah jus:
efore Azeem Khan got up to him.
However, I will not enter into dc.
allied account of the casualties, for
he list would be heavy; but this bril-
ant affair put stop to any of those
rho escaped ever assembling agair
gainst the British government.
Having ridden over 80 miles in
hree hours, and fought a hard bat.
lie against great odds, our command
lg officer decided that we should
ivouac for the night on the banks
the river, and accept of the kind
ospitality offered by the inhabi.
ants of the surrounding villages
rain for our horses, and flour, rice,
ELK and fowls for ourselves. We
ertainly enjoyed what we could get,
nd after refreshing the inner man
e lit our pipes, and talked over the
amp-fires of the events of the day.
5 soldiers always do. until midnight,
hen we wrapped our martial cloaks
round us and slept the sleep of the
list.
The next day we started back to
but we took three
avs to get there, as our men and
prses had had enough of rapid
arching. On arrival at Chuckmuck-
nr we found some more work before
s-namely, the capture of noted
acoit, Dick Turpin sort of chap
nd the breaking up of his gang; but