The Sun. — 1862-10-15 (London, England)

EXECUTION OF 7HE RAO SAHIB.  Cawnpore, Aug. 23, 1862. I arrived on the ground before the gaol at 5.30 a.m. on the morning of the 21st August, where a gallows of a most primitive style was erected—simply two uprights of about five inches square and about ten feet apart ; a cross beam of the same dimensions about twelve feet high, and a rope dangling from the centre, with a common slip knot at the end of it. About six feet high was a board with hinges, with a prop underneath to keep it up, with a short rope attached to the prop. There were a large number of natives present. They formed a semi-circle round the gallows, but kept at a respectable distance; and here and there yon would see groups of the better class half hid by trees or walls, evidently not wishing to attract attention. At this time (5.40 a.m) Mr. L—, the magistrate, galloped up; and the native guards (of which there were two companies) presented arms. Mr. L— at once entered the jail, and after the irons were removed, he appeared, followed by a native guard, in the centre of which was the wretched culprit, looking if possible more miserable than ever. He was led to the rear of the gallows, and there seated, while hia arms were being pinioned. Many a wistful look he cast ro.p with his great villainous looking eyes at the fatal noose.. At this time he requested that his body might be given to his mother, which was very properly refused. He then mounted the gallows with the hangman (one of the lowest caste of natives) behind him, and stood on that treacherous looking board. While the rope was being adjusted he slowly looked all round, but evidently met with no sympathetic gaze; he turned his eyes upwards and his lips moved as if speaking, but no one heard him. It is to be hoped he was repenting of the cruel murders he had committedduring the mutiny of 1857, but I much doubt it. The white cap was now drawn over his face. In the meantime a native below caught hold of the rope attached to the prop, and at a nod from the magistrate down came the prop, and with it the Rao Sahib. At this time it was 5.55 a.m. He struggled for three minutes. I may mention that when the rope was put on it was nearly taut, so he had every slight fall. After hanging 25 minutes he was not "cut down," but the rope loosened at the top, and he was let down into the arms of his two attendants pro. tern., who laid him on. the ground rather roughly. The cap was then drawn off, and his face, as you may well suppose, did not wear the most placid. expression. He was a man of about five feet eight inches high, rather well made, with sharp features, and complexion not very dark, large bushy beard and moustaches, and a pair of most cruel and vindictive-looking eyes. He had no clothes on further than a cloth round his loins, the usual dress of coolies. His body was removed to the banks of the river Ganges (close to the spot where so many of our unfortunate people were massacred when trping to escape in the boats in 1857) in charge of a European inspector, and. there completely burned, and the remains thrown into the river. Such was the end of the great Rao Sahib, nephew of that worthy man Nana Sahib. whose similar departure from this world I hope to witness before long, as it is believed he is skulking about not far from this. There were about fifty Europeans present at the execution, and. a sprinkling of the net by any merns fair sex, as their tomplection was most decidedly coffee•coloured. J. C. K.