The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-16
TALE OF THE
INDIAN MUTINY
BY JUNGUL wALLAH

- OJ cSENoOk w <1SA<AAA %
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
IN December. 1857. along with 20
members Of my corps, was deputed
by Sir James Outram to go from the
AIum-Bagh to Bunee Bridge, distance
Of 16 miles, for the purpose of ascer-
tanning how the garrison at that place
vas getting on. Bunee was the only
position held by us on the main road
between Cawnpore and the Alum
Bagh. which were 4s miles apart.
We got along very well until within
two miles of Bunee when horde of
mutinous cavalry suddenly appeared
out Of tope (clump) Of mango trees
about quarter of mile Off The OFF,
Ger commanding the party decided at
once that our only chance Of escape
was to make the most of the distance
between US and the enemy's cavalry.
and scuttle. So off we went at hard
gallop, making for Bunee, followed up
by the enemy in full pursuit But, to
cut this part Of the story SHORT, we out
paced them, got in safe and sound. and
were entertained to our hearts content
by the garrison.
While we were enjoying our excellent
supper the of1lcer commanding at
Bunee sent an aide-de-camp to say that
he had most urgent Information for Sir
John Inglis, commanding at Cawnpore,
which he was anxious should be car
ried to him at once. The commanding
officer said he was well aware it would
never do to weaken Sir James Outram's
force by detaching a number of men,
and they would not get through the
numerous vedettes the rebels had on
the road; but he thought two of our
men would probably succeed in sneak
ing past any distractions they might
encounter. OF course he was fully
aware that the undertaking was a dan
gerous one; still, the risk must be
taken. So it was settled that two Of
us were to go to Cawnpore. The task
the, officer commanding our party had
to tackle was to select those two, as
every man was anxious for the duty;
but, being a long-headed fellow. he got
over the difficulty by deciding that we
should draw lots. This was done, and
Sergt. Butler and l we're what we con-
sidered the prize-drawers. Poor But
1eri he had been recommended for the
Victoria Cross; he never lived to OBJ
tain 1t. having died at the Alum Bagh
in 1858 from the effects of blow he re-
ceived in the chest from rebounding
round shot.
At ten p. m. we left Bunee, both of
as having a duplicate of the dispatches,
which were in cipher. rolled into small
tin tubes. We got along all right for
about eight miles When we neared
the town of Busseerutgunge we saw by
the glow of numerous fires that large
parties of rebels were encamped on both
Hanks, and that the town was occupied
by some of them. so we halted to con-
slider what was to be done. The conclu-
sion we arrived at was that there would
be no use in trying to get round either
aank, as we did not know the country,
and the town was surrounded by
swampy ground. So we decided that
we must make choice of two courses
either return to Bunee, detected and dis
appointed, and probably to be chaffed
on our heads by the garrison, or make,
dash for 1t and gallop through Bus
seerutgunge. which we knew was only
ialf mile long. The latter course be-
ng adopted, We dismounted, hauled our
canvas horse-clothing from under our
adde's, cut 1t up and tied our horses
aoofs in four folds of canvas, so that
he patter. patter of their feet on the
iard road might be muffled. Having
aona fhia off -, -
within 400 yards of the town without
,eing observed. and then we rode at a
sallop. No sooner had we entered than
We heard the challenge: Who comes
here?" but, taking no notice OF this,
we pressed our spurs into the horses
tanks. flying for life. Within two min
ties after we passed the sentry who
challenged US. hundreds of rebels turned
cut and began to fire from all sides:
sut the darkness of the night favored
a. and we got through scot-free After
proceeding about half a mile we drew
Elm and dismounted to remove the bags
rom our horses hoofs and to give the
rags . breather. This halt was neces-
AIRY. for we had 16 miles farther to 20
sefore we could reach Cawnpore, and
he odds were we would have to make
mother dash for 1t through Onoa, q
sillage about eight miles of 1t was
ncky for US In more ways than one
jhat we did decide on this halt. as
within q quarter Of an hour we heard
ne enemy's cavalry coming down the
;oad. evidently following US up. on
he road we went, and hid behind some
high bushes. relying for safety on the
darkness OF the night and on the horses
aot neighing. The sensible creatures
remained perfectly mute. and we had
The satisfaction OF hearing the eneny-