Chapter VIII (3)

Well, dear parents, as I have but little to do during the
heat of the day, I will try and amuse myself by giving you a
little more news. It is extremely hot here at present; in
fact, enough to roast one during the day, with a hot wind
blowing a perfect hurricane: and, talk about dust and sand,
it's enough to blind one. We have been treated of late to
several sand-storms, as they are called out here, and I
think they have given them their right name. It's awful to
stand and see them coming on: the whole heavens become
black, all is still, not a breath of air: all at once we are
enveloped in sand, the wind blowing enough to sweep all
before it. All doors and windows must be well secured, and
even then it is impossible to see across the room. If one is
caught outside, the safest thing to do is to lie down at
once: if not, you stand a good chance of being blown clean
off your feet and coming to mother earth rather clumsily.
Well, this rebellion has received its death-blow at Lucknow,
although the enemy will give us a lot of trouble in Oude and
Rawalcund; but they will not face our men if there is a back
door left open to escape by. As far as I can see, the
Fusiliers are doomed to disappointment; we must obey orders.
Our commander got a nasty rap from Sir Colin Campbell for
requesting to be allowed to go into Lucknow with us: "Stay
where you are; when we require your services we will send
for you." But it's as well to keep a good look-out upon the
Punjaub, for should the Sikhs break out we shall be in a
hornet's nest, as we are right in the midst of a most
warlike race of people, and not very far from the Afghan
frontier; in fact, the Punjaub extends right up to the mouth
of the Khyber Pass. Some of the most distinguished regiments
in our army are in the Punjaub at present; fine, stalwart
men, that might die, but would never yield! The
Faugh-a-Ballagh[23] boys--the 87th Royal Irish
Fusiliers--are here with us, backed up by the 27th
Inniskillings,[24] both of which noble regiments have taught
the French some very awkward lessons. They call the 87th the
"Aigle" catchers: they captured an eagle from the French on
the field of Barrosa, and routed a whole French division
with a headlong bayonet charge. They call the 27th the
Waterloo lambs, and nice lambs they are at present. Should
our turn come, I have not the slightest doubt they will find
the Royal Fusiliers still, as at the Alma and Inkermann,
true Britons. As it is, we have a good handful in front of
us, for they are a cut-throat looking crew; but they stand
in awe of us. I was talking only yesterday (through an
interpreter) to a venerable looking, intelligent Sikh, who
had fought against us in a number of fields. He informed me
that after the fields of Ferozeshah and Sobraon, his men (he
was an old general) said they would not face us any more, as
we were not men at all, but devils in the form of men, that
nothing could resist. As for this war, it would soon be all
over, and it would be a good job for the Punjaubees; they
would fill up our ranks, and fight to the death by the side
of such dare-devils. He further stated that he had four sons
already with Campbell Sahib, and if he had four more, they
should all go. It's all very well to talk like that now. An
Asiatic generally carries two faces under his turban, and,
mark me, our Government has a long purse, with plenty of
that which makes the wheel turn smoothly. Again, we have
been victorious all along the line, and so long as that is
the case, we shall have plenty to jump into the mutineers'
boats; but with the vast population around us, it would not
do to lose a single battle. Nothing must be left to chance;
and our Government, I think, knows well what it is about.
Rebellion must be crushed at any cost; then the people may
be treated kindly, giving them the right hand of fellowship,
with justice: protecting the weak from the oppressor, and
shielding the law-abiding subject from the lawless. Under
the old system this was unknown; for a chief rajah ruled
with despotic monarchy, and might, not right, carried sway
in every state. Accordingly, if the Maharajah (native king)
was in any way opposed by one of his subjects, he must die:
or if he was left alive, he was horribly mutilated and all
his goods confiscated.

Thus, hundreds of thousands are only too happy to be under
our flag, although I find the East India Company wink at
lots of things they do not want to see or know of. I am
sorry to say we are losing a number of men here through
fever. They tell us we shall have rain next month, then it
will be more pleasant. I am happy to say that I have my
health remarkably well. I am at it by 3 a. m. daily,
drilling first disorderly men; then recruits, then with the
regiment, then at the recruits again; so I have a lively
time of it, shouting and bawling about six hours every day,
except Sunday. I am diving into the "History of India"
(Thornton's). The amount of fighting our people have had out
here is marvellous. Our men have had to hold on by the skin
of their teeth; but the tables have been completely turned,
and it would not do for us to lose what our forefathers
fought so desperately for. Thus far, our men have proved
that they are worthy descendants of the conquerors of
Plassey, and that the prestige of our glorious old flag is
safe in our keeping. We still keep on with the executing
parades. The rope is used pretty freely. Mr. Calcraft is
never complained of for being clumsy. I for one am always
glad to get away from such scenes. I sometimes think there
ought to be a little more time given; the sentence is
passed, and often carried out within less than six hours.
But, again, you must remember we are playing for heavy
stakes, and they say all is fair in love and war. But I must
bring this to a close; it has been my fourth attempt. I am
writing this without a shirt on, nothing but a pair of thin
drawers, but the sweat is rolling off me like rain; so you
see we do not require much coal nor yet many blankets to
keep us warm. Good-bye, dear Parents.

And believe me as ever,
Your affectionate Son,
T. GOWING,
Drill-Sergeant Royal Fusiliers.

Meean-Meer, October 15th, 1858.

My Dear, Dear Parents,

Well, dear parents, a number of eventful things have taken
place since my last. A wing, that is, half the regiment,
have gone into the field, with half the 7th Dragoons, so the
two sevens are together after the enemy; the one to lather
and the other to shave them. A battery of artillery and a
regiment of Ghoorkas are with them. Our wing was near 800
strong. We have had a very near squeak with our nice
beauties in front of us. They meant mischief, but we have
not been caught napping; traitors often have two faces under
one hat. It had been brought to the notice of our commander,
General Wyndham, C.B., that these fellows were armed to the
teeth, smuggled into their camp, and that as only a slender
guard was over them, they would rise and murder all they
could lay their hands upon; and, making their way to
Lucknow, throw in their lot with their comrades who were
fighting the detested Feringhees. All was kept quiet. One of
their number had divulged the whole plan. One morning, a
short time ago, the cavalry, artillery, and the Sikhs
marched upon our parade-ground. We did not know what was up;
every man had been ordered for parade. Our recruits were
served out with arms. We were ordered to _loosen_ ten rounds
of ammunition before we left our bungalows. All sorts of
questions were being asked as to who were going to get it.
As soon as we fell in, we were ordered to load with ball;
but still all was kept quiet. The general rode up to us, and
we saluted him. The hero of the Redan called out, "Good
morning, Fusiliers; I have a little job for you this
morning." Then turning to Col. Aldsworth, he said, "I think
we shall get over it without much trouble." We then marched
off and formed line, with the Sikhs on our left. The cavalry
were formed up so that they could act at once if required.
The artillery, part with us, loaded with port fires lit and
part with the Sikhs. The mutineers were ordered to fall in.
The general and his staff rode up to them, and ordered them
to remain there, on pain of instant death. Two troops of the
Dragoons--about 120 men--dashed in between them and their
camp and faced them. A number of carts, with about 100
natives with them, with picks and shovels, were close behind
us; but still we did not know what was to be the next move,
until the general returned to us. He then informed us with
a loud voice, that in every tent in yonder camp there were
arms concealed under the soil. A number of sergeants were
ordered to go to the left company, I being one of them. That
company were at once ordered to advance. The whole camp was
struck; that is, all the tents were thrown down as quickly
as possible by the natives; the picks and shovels brought
into play. And true enough, arms of all descriptions were
found, wrapped in paper or cloth, just under the soil. We
found pistols, swords, guns, spears, and daggers by
wholesale. They were thrown into the carts. Some of our men
got a good haul in the shape of rupees and gold mohurs worth
about thirty-two rupees each, (£3 4s.); but _they_ did not
go into the cart. We found daggers in their bedclothing in
many cases. A nice youth from the Green Isle, a stalwart
Grenadier belonging to us, found a good _shillagh_, with
lead let into the end of it. He had the whole lot of us
laughing enough to break our sides, at his expressions and
antics. He flourished his stick over his head, and declared
that he would "bate" a squadron of yonder traitors with that
bit of a "_carbine_." The general was with us, and laughed
heartily at him, handing him his flask, when he drank to
ould England and ould Ireland, as, one handing the flask
back to the general, with a salute, he said he hoped that
"his 'oner's cow would niver run dry." These weapons had
been smuggled in from Wozerabad, the Birmingham of India,
about forty miles from here. The disarmed regiment at
Mooltan, we found by wire, had bolted, and were coming on to
join these gents; but what a surprise it must have been to
them when they, many of them, found a strong rope around
their necks before the sun set that day, while others were
sent flying from the cannon's mouth. You remember me telling
you about a venerable old native officer that had served us
for forty years, and was so talkative about his loyalty:
that he had fought and would again, as long as he could
stand, for the British, and that he would be faithful to
death, and got so excited that he even mustered tears. Well,
that very old hypocrite has turned out to be the ringleader.
His own letter to his friends at Mooltan, with the whole
plan, have condemned the old villain and others to a
traitor's death, and he, with nineteen others, were blown to
atoms a few days ago. It would have been all up with some of
us long ago, but a merciful God has been watching over us.

I have not the slightest doubt that we should have destroyed
them to a man, but we must have lost a number of valuable
lives. My company's bungalow is the nearest to their camp,
about 500 yards distant; so poor No. 7 would have been in as
warm a corner as we had on the 18th June, 1855. But, thank
God, it has been ordered otherwise. The Mooltan people, (I
mean the runaway mutineers), are being brought in daily; one
pound, or ten rupees, is offered by our people for every
one, dead or alive. The Sikhs are making a harvest. The
mutineers are tried by court-martial, condemned, and
executed at once. I think you will say that is sharp work.
My dear parents, 400,000 men with arms in their hands are
not to be played with; mind, it's death or victory with us.
If our Government were to dilly-dally with them we should
have the Sikhs against us, as the following, I think, will
prove: "It's time for Britons to strike home; our men are,
so to speak, fighting with halters around their necks. This
is a war of extermination. Some three or four regiments of
Sikhs are stationed at Dera Ishmal Khan, about 280 miles
from here. These gents have struck for the same pay the
British soldier gets, and are determined to fight for it, if
required. These are the nice allies that our wing, the
Dragoons, artillery, and Ghoorkas are gone against: and news
by wire has just come in that they have got a little more
than they asked for. They were confronted by our people, and
ordered to give up their arms; but would not without a
fight: so they got it quick and sharp--grape, shot, shell,
and musketry, with the cavalry riding through and through
them. It has struck terror into the Sikhs all over the
country." So you see that sharp diseases require sharp
remedies. It has reminded their brethren all over the
country that we are still the conquering race. The regiment
of Sikhs here call them at Dera mad fools; but the tables,
you must remember, have been turned. I see by the papers it
has had the effect of making our friends, the Sikhs,
remarkably civil in all parts of the country. Grape is the
best dose that could be administered to traitors; those that
escape remember it as long as they live, and will hand it
down to their children's children.

Our motto out here must be: "We will surrender India only
with our lives." "Nought shall make us rue, if Britons to
themselves will act but true." Shoulder to shoulder we may
die; but so long as India is held in the hands of true
Britons, they will never yield. I trust this will find you
all quite well. But before I close I have a secret to tell
you: before this reaches you I shall most likely have taken
a _rib_ to share my joys and sorrows. It will be like all
the remainder, "for better for worse." I feel confident that
her sweet temper will cheer me in prosperity, and soothe me
in adversity, and that her tender, loving heart will lighten
the burden of life. I always look on the bright side, as I
think you know. I never go half way to meet troubles; I have
learnt by a little rough experience that the best way to
surmount difficulties is to face them manfully. This is a
world of ups and downs, and I feel I want a helpmate.... I
have often thought of your advice to me as a very young man,
before I took the Queen's shilling: "Never to think of
taking a wife until I could support one comfortably." I can
now see my way clear before me, although it's not all gold
that glitters. Mine has been love at first sight--our
courtship has been short--so we will tie the knot first, and
court afterwards. But I must bring this to a close. You may
inform Miss H---- that she has played with the mouse until
she has lost it. Please tend my kind regards to all old
friends,

And believe me,
My Dear Parents,
Your affectionate Son,
T. GOWING,
Drill-Sergeant Royal Fusiliers.

Meean-Meer, (Punjaub),
10th November, 1858.

My Dear, Dear Parents,

Once more a line in health, trusting this will find you the
same. This is a changeable world we live in. It will not, I
expect, be news to you to inform you that one of the
strongest Companies this world has ever seen--that started
with but small prospects of success, but gradually rose to
be Rulers of a vast population and a mighty empire, much
larger than the whole of Europe in area and population--has
passed away. The great East India Company is now a thing of
the past, and we are no longer under their control. By
proclamation, Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria, is
now the supreme Ruler of India. There has been a lot of pomp
and show all through the country. The Natives seem to be
delighted at the change. They appear to have confidence that
they will have justice under the "Buna Ranee."[25] One
portion of the proclamation must have its effect upon the
poor deluded wretches that are still holding out under the
Napaul Hills and Central India. The Royal clemency is
extended to all offenders, except those who have been guilty
of murdering poor defenceless women and children. In
accordance with the laws of God and civilized nations,
justice demands their lives--"a murderer shall die." The
Natives cannot understand how it is possible that we can
forgive men that have rebelled against and fought us, time
after time. Their wonder is that when we were but few, we
destroyed all that came in our way, and now that the whole
country is bristling with British bayonets, and the enemy at
our feet, we forgive. This is a little beyond their
comprehension. The Mohammedans, they say, would not do that.
They do not understand mercy to a fallen foe. Hundreds of
thousands of them have yet to learn that, as Christians, we
are taught to be merciful to our enemies. I find by the
papers that hundreds, yea, thousands of these poor deluded
wretches are coming to the various camps and stations and
laying their arms at our feet. We may rejoice that this
terrible war is now nearly over. As a soldier, I think I
have already had enough of war to know the value of peace,
and I have no desire to show a bellicose spirit. The man
that's fond of war is a lunatic. I know well that at times
it is a necessary evil, and duty--stern duty--must be
performed. A statesman who hurls his country into war
without straining every nerve to avert it, is, to say the
least of it, an unwise man, so we hail Her Majesty's
proclamation with joy. It will be the means of saving
thousands of precious lives. I find that in one province
alone (Oude) 350,000 arms of various kinds have been given
up already; the Mutineers have been pardoned and have gone
to their homes. As far as I can see by the papers from home,
they have put a lot of colouring upon the state of things
out here, and made them appear to the public much worse than
they really are; that's needless, but truth will stand
sifting. An honest account will go best when plainly told.
I could fill sheet after sheet with what, out here, is
called bazaar talk, but only about two per cent. of it is
reliable, and sometimes not that; but it often finds its way
into the country papers, and home papers copy, and most of
it is swallowed as gospel. It's now getting very pleasant
mornings and evenings. I still keep on with my drilling, and
am happy to inform you I have got another step up the ladder
of promotion--colour-sergeant and pay-sergeant of a company.
It gives me a lot of extra work; but I do not mind that at
all, so long as I can give satisfaction to my commanders. It
gives me near two shillings per diem more. I wanted to
resign my drill-sergeantship, but the Colonel would not
listen to me; so I am often at work with my pen when others
are enjoying themselves, or asleep. I have much pleasure in
forwarding you a small draft to get you a little
nourishment. Please to accept it in the same spirit in which
it is sent; and if you do not require it, bank it against a
rainy day. I must now bring this to a close, and believe me,

My dear Parents,
Your affectionate Son,
T. GOWING,
Colour-Sergeant Royal Fusiliers.

Rawul Pindee,
28th July, 1859.

My Dear, Dear Parents,

Once more a line in health. This is one of the most lovely,
yea, delightful places I have ever clapped eyes upon. The
climate is quite refreshing when compared with the burning
plains of Meean-Meer. We are just at the foot of what are
called the Murry Hills, or Himalaya Mountains. They rise
majestically all along our front, and we get a beautiful
refreshing breeze morning and evening. I should not mind
completing my time here. I am afraid it is too good to last
long. Well, in reference to our march from Meean-Meer. We
started on the morning of the 5th April. Nothing particular
to note until we came to Wozerabad, the Birmingham of India.
As far as I can see, a Native will do anything with a
pattern. I was astonished, on going through their bazaars,
to see the number of arms for sale. I bought a large dagger,
and a knife with all sorts of blades in it. I find our
Government have bought up the greater portion of the
fire-arms. They are a most war-like race of people about
this part of the country, but their teeth have been drawn.
They are on our side, and so long as they can see that we
are still the conquering race, they will go with us against
all comers. On arriving at the Jelumn, we found it a
rushing, mighty torrent, very wide. We crossed it on a
bridge of boats on the northern bank. We found a very pretty
station, but empty until our arrival. Our other wing
rejoined us here. The Head-quarters remained at Jelumn, and
five companies were ordered on here. I was appointed Acting
Sergeant-Major of the wing. After the first day's march we
bade good-bye to all roads and bridges. We struck into a
hilly country full of little streams; some about 30, others
near 200 yards wide. We had to land on the other side the
best way we could--many of them very dangerous places to get
over in the dark--with a line of Natives with torches to
mark the fords. We had as many as sixteen of these nice
places to go through, in as many miles. We found the Natives
all the way up country remarkably civil; they knew well it
would not do to be otherwise. Although the Mutiny is now
nearly all over, the country is still under martial law, and
our Government are determined to stamp rebellion out with a
strong hand, well rewarding all those that remain faithful.
The Sikhs, Afridis, Ghoorkas, and Beloochees have stood by
us well; and they will now reap their reward in the shape of
good pensions.

Some of them have had little or nothing to do, but they have
completed their portion of the contract with our Government.
Sir John Laurence may well be called the saviour of India,
for he _is_ the man that saved India. Yes, it was a daring
master-stroke on his part. He had spent all his life out
here. No man breathing knew the Native character better than
Sir John. When the mutiny broke out, Sir John was Governor
of the Punjaub. It had only been conquered eight years.
Thousands of Sikhs all over the Punjaub, then as now,
carried the wounds received from the dreaded Feringhees. But
Sir John, knowing that we were playing for heavy stakes, at
once called upon the chiefs of the Sikhs to rally round the
British standard. He requested them to furnish him with
100,000 men; they did so, and arms were at once put into
their hands. In the name of our Government, Sir John
promised them, if they would serve our Government faithfully
for two years, or until the revolt was crushed, a pension
for life, according to rank; while for all those who fell in
action, or died of wounds or disease, their nearest
relatives should reap the reward. All animosity was thrown
on one side, the temptation of the sacking of Delhi and
other towns that had revolted being ever before their eyes.
Now that it is all over, our Government are faithfully
discharging Sir John's promise, and thousands of these
stalwart men are returning to their native towns and
villages--all loud in their praises of the Big Lord Sahib,
as they call our Government. In many cases their sons are
off, only too happy to take their fathers' places. I find
that all Natives are now enlisted to serve us in any part of
the world we may require their services. There are no better
men in the world than the Ghoorkas, Sikhs, Afridis, and
Beloochees. If we required 400,000 or 800,000, we could have
them in less than one month, and officer them by some of the
wildest boys of our much-beloved Isle. They will go
anywhere, particularly if they are mixed up with some of our
battalions. Should ever the Russians make an attempt on
India, they will find a handful. As far as I can find out,
the Mutiny was not brought about by anything that has as yet
been laid before the public. There has been a system of
bribery all through the service, and the whole scheme of the
East India Company was rotten to the core. Such a system of
bribery from the highest, one would think, had been handed
down from Clive and Hastings. As far as I can see, all the
Native of India wants is justice; and under their old
masters, the much-lauded East India Company, they had a lot
of law. But justice was scantily eked out, unless the
unfortunate client could stump up well that which makes the
world go smooth, and covers a multitude of sins. From such
cases as the following, now beginning to leak out, you may
form some judgment of the laws of the East India Company,
there being one law for the Native and another for the Lord
Sahib, both of whom, remember, being under our
much-respected flag of liberty. A European, in chastising
one of his servants, killed him. Of course his counsellor
(that is, if it was brought to light at all) would represent
to the court in most eloquent language that his client had
been grossly insulted; or if there was no other loop-hole to
escape from--his client, a most peace-loving, fatherly
Christian, in the heat of passion, knocked the deceased down
with his fist or stick, not thinking for one moment of doing
him an injury, but just to teach him better manners. But he
died, it must be acknowledged, from the treatment of this
peace-loving fatherly Christian. He gets off, or escapes the
law by a fine of from 500 to 1000 rupees--£50 or £100.

Now just note how justice was doled out to the Native, viz.,
if he is a poor man. His Sahib hit him, and he returns the
compliment, and being a powerful man, he gives his old
master a good pounding. Well, the Native is duly handed over
to the law, and if he gets off with ten years'
transportation, with heavy irons, he's a fortunate man. As
for the Native army rising, I am not at all astonished at
it. They have been treated worse than the brute beasts of
the field by those they had to look up to, or to whom,
according to military law, they were compelled to show
respect. The whole system of treatment to which they have
been subjected for years was tyrannical; and the Bengal
Army, to say the least of it, has been worried into
insubordination and, depending upon their strength, broke
out into open mutiny. The upshot of it has been the smashing
up of the strongest Company that has ever existed under the
old Jack or any other flag. Already we begin to find the
country gradually settling down, and I do not think we shall
have much more trouble with the mutineers. I find by the
papers our Government are determined to root out all
evil-doers, and all law-abiding subjects shall be protected
from the lawless and have justice; that the same laws that
govern the European shall in future guide, govern, and
protect the Native. And a strong Government has announced
that tyranny and bribery shall be stamped out with the
strong arm of the law; and that all, from the highest to the
lowest in India, shall enjoy liberty of conscience, shall
worship God according to the dictates of their hearts, at
their own shrines or places of worship, and none shall
interfere or make them afraid. This order or decree has been
translated into all the different languages spoken in India.
We already see the effect for good upon the Natives, and I
dare prophecy that it will bind the teeming millions in love
to our glorious old flag. We have a regiment of Mutineers
here, and they are permitted to go where they like about the
station. As far as I am concerned, I have a handful--as much
as I can get through, with the extra duty of Acting
Sergeant-Major, looking after the canteen, "not at all a
bad job" I can tell you, and then my Company's work. But I
must say I have some of the sweets, and say nothing about
the canteen. A good-tempered, pretty girl to call my own;
and, as far as I can see, change of air or new bread is
affecting her wonderfully; but all's well that ends well. I
must bring this note to a close; I have had two or three
goes at it. Trusting this will find you all enjoying the
best of blessings. My wife joins with me in love,

And believe me,
My dear Parents,
Your affectionate Son,
T. GOWING,
C.S., A.S.M. Royal Fusiliers.

P.S.--Do not publish this, but keep it. I have hit out a
little too plainly; but facts are stubborn things, and
stronger than fiction.

T. G.

Peshawur, 25th November, 1859.

My Dear Parents,

Once more, a line or two in answer to your kind letter, just
to hand. As for the small amounts I have sent you from time
to time, do not mention it, but rather thank Him who is the
great disposer of all. I feel it a pleasure and a duty to
contribute a little of what this world mostly prizes towards
your comfort: and my fine bouncing rib encourages me. And
kindly tell me what a man will not do for a warm-hearted
pretty girl, with her arm around his neck, and her sweet
lips close to his: "O do send poor mother a little this
time; we can spare it." Please send your photos, with the
next letter, in cabinet size. We will send ours by the next
mail, as I find there is a good photographer in this
station. Our No. 1 is a whopper--a strong healthy child; I
hope he will make a man in the world some day. This is a
lovely looking station, but it has a cruel name for thieves
and murderers, fever and ague. It is much colder here than
in any place in which we have been. The Himalayas are on our
right, left, and front. We are all served out with an extra
warm coat, padded with wadding; and we require them nights
and mornings. Now for a little news about our march up here.
We marched out of Rawul Pindee on the 20th October with a
regiment of Native cavalry--a portion of Hodson's
Horse--that have fought so desperately for us all over the
country. I find they are fine-looking men, with a lot of go
in them. They have some wild spirits as officers to lead
them. We had likewise a regiment of Native Infantry, and a
battery of Horse Artillery with us. We escorted up here more
money than I ever saw in my life before. We had some 600
camels and a great number of elephants, carrying bags of
rupees, 1,000 in each bag.[26] A camel can carry four bags.
The elephants were used to carry tents and other heavy
baggage. It was all a job to load up the money; we had
thirty lacs to load and unload every morning. The string of
camels and elephants made a great show; for we had close
upon 300 of them with us. Then came all kinds of vehicles,
country carts, &c., many of the wheels of which were
octagonal, or any shape you like but round; some hundreds of
tattoos (small ponies), shaggy looking, but strong, most of
them belonging to the grass cutters, for the cavalry and
artillery. Then came all the rag-tail of the native bazaars,
native women riding on poor puny donkeys; these poor
creatures are not much larger than a good-sized Newfoundland
dog. Goats by wholesale: and as for monkeys and parrots,
these were perched upon the top of the baggage in swarms.
The whole of this medley goes swinging along beside the road
or track; as for dust, we were not short of that. We found
but few bridges all the way up, and as we came to the
streams, which were very numerous--some of them ugly places
to get over--we had to land on the other side the best way
we could; and a nice lot of beauties we looked, but as all
were alike, we could not laugh much at each other, except in
a few cases where the men had had a roll in the water, or
got into a hole of about seven or eight feet, and had to be
pulled out. I managed to pop into one of these nice holes
one morning, quite over my head; they pulled me out, and of
course, had a good laugh at me. But laughing is sometimes
catching. At some of the streams there were a number of
villagers who offered their services to carry anyone over
for about two annas--threepence. Then came the sport. Many
of these Natives were tripped up, and both Native and
European would have a roll or flounder for it; all would be
taken in good part. As for game of all kinds, they will
hardly get out of your way, and one with a fouling-piece can
soon have a good bag. There is a very strong force kept at
this place. It is close upon the borders of Afghanistan, and
our people are not going to be taken short with them; for
they are a treacherous lot and know no law, but might is
right with them. We found one of our sentinels this morning
lying dead at his post: his rifle and accoutrements were
gone, and he, poor fellow, had been stabbed in the heart. I
will be bound our fellows will pay them out for that
yet--it's only lent. We must keep a sharp look-out. I never
attempt to go out here at night without my loaded revolver.
I am happy to say we are both of us keeping our health well.
I think I told you in my last, a commission was offered me
in a Native regiment, but I declined it. I shall stop with
the old Fusiliers. Trusting this will find you all quite
well,

Believe me, as ever,
Your affectionate Son,
T. GOWING,
C.S.R.F.

P.S.--Wife sends her love to all. Will drop a line next
mail.

T.G.

Peshawur, April 14th 1860.

My Dear Dear Parents,

Once more, a line in health from this sickly station. This
is, I think, about the worst place we have on all the plains
of India--they may well call it the Valley of Death. There
is a kind of fever here that brings the stoutest down to
the brink of the grave in a very short time. Thank God, I
have escaped it thus far. And again, unless we are well on
the alert, we do not know when we may get up and find our
throats cut, for no other crime than that we are "Feringhee
sowars"--English pigs. We are surrounded by the scum of the
earth--cringing cowards. They will not face our men, but as
far as I can see, they take delight in murdering with the
dagger, in the dark, any they can pounce upon; but a number
of them have already met a traitor's death. I find, by your
last, that you are mistaken about Santa Topee. He was not a
brother, or in any way related to that fiend of a Nana
Sahib, but his right-hand man. He was a black-hearted
monster of the deepest dye, but he has met a traitor's
death. Hanging was too good for him. To recount his
bloodthirsty deeds to poor defenceless women and children,
would make your blood run cold. If our laws would have
permitted it, he ought to have been tried by a judge and
jury of women, and I do not think he would have died in two
minutes, for he was a wholesale murderer.

As for that blood-thirsty monster, Nana Sahib, he has thus
far escaped the sword of justice. One million of money has
been offered for him, dead or alive, by our Government; and
as large as India is, if he is alive, he will have to keep
very quiet. But the general opinion is that his form no
longer disgraces this earth--that he has destroyed himself,
or was killed in some of the encounters with our troops on
the Nepaul frontier. He knew well that his doom was almost
instant death, had he fallen into our hands. The Afghans
have become wonderfully civil of late. They have found out
that the "Feringhee ray"--English reign--is not all over out
here, and that civility is much cheaper than shot, shell,
cold steel, or a rope. As for a Native army, we _must_ keep
up one, or send out at least 50,000 more men, to hold this
vast country. The old Bengal Native Army has been almost
destroyed. There are a few regiments that have remained
loyal, and the places of the others are filled up with
Punjaubees and Afridis--inhabitants of the lower range of
the Himalaya Mountains. One would almost pity some of the
old mutineers that escaped the ravages of war. We have a
number of them here. They tell us all sorts of tales as to
what brought about the Mutiny. But, so far as I can find
out, they were badly treated--buffeted and knocked about by
their officers--and it was no use complaining. The fact is
this, with at least thousands of them, it had been
prophesied that we should hold the country for one hundred
years, starting from Plassey (1757); that none could stand
against us; then we should have to bow to them and eat the
dust. But they have found the sons of Albion, side by side
the heroic boys of Ireland, bad hands at eating
humble-pie--that we are still the conquering race, and
determined to hold what has been handed down to us. I find
the country generally is settling down under the sceptre of
Her Most Gracious Majesty. All those that have been faithful
to us are now reaping their reward; and that will have a
wonderful effect upon the Native mind. All through those
dark, troublesome days, with treachery all around, there has
been a silver line running. Some have proved faithful until
death, although of the same creed and caste with the others;
and while in the midst of the ranks of these blood-thirsty
villains, have come out boldly, ranged themselves by our
side, and fought desparately for us. These men are now
reaping their reward. I have much pleasure in forwarding
herewith our photos. You will find a corner for them in the
album, I think. Hope you will like them. It's not a good one
of my better half, as her attention was upon the child. Must
bring this to a close,

And believe me,
My dear Parents,
Your affectionate Son,
T. GOWING,
C.S.R.F.

P.S.--I enclose a letter from my rib; and from her long
stocking she has desired me to forward you a nice little
present of £----. This is the first from her, but if we are
spared it will not be the last.

T. G.

Peshawur, October 26th, 1860.

My Dear, Dear Parents,

I think I told you that Rawul Pindee was a perfect paradise
upon earth, contrasted with this infernal hole. For if ever
there was a hell upon earth, or a hell-doomed place, this is
the spot. We are infested with the scum of the
earth--thieves and murderers all around us. It's no use
trying to tame them or to take them prisoners; they will not
be taken alive if they can help it, and the only way to stop
their little game is to shoot them. There is nothing too hot
or too heavy for them to walk off with. They will creep on
hands and knees right into the men's barrack-rooms, and
steal their rifles and accoutrements, ammunition, etc. They
are in a state of nudity, greased all over, and armed with a
large dagger. Should anyone try to stop or take them, look
out for the dagger. We have already had several men killed
by them. I think I have encountered the enemies of our
country as often as most men of my age. It's far better to
have an open enemy to deal with, than such brutes as we are
infested with. They come around the barracks during the day,
under the pretence of selling all sorts of articles; at the
same time they are taking stock of what they will return for
at night, under a different garb. I think I told you before,
that there are no walls around the barracks out here--at
least, we have not met any yet. An order has been issued to
challenge and fire at once, if not answered; but that has
been found ineffectual--several men having lost their lives
simply by challenging them. So our men have reversed the
order,--fire first, then shout out, "Who comes there?" You
will say, "that is murder well out." Well, it has been
brought in day after day as justifiable homicide; for in
every case, that deadly weapon, the dagger, has been found
by the side of the would-be murderer. We have had nearly
twelve months' training with these gents, and the Fusiliers,
the 93rd Highlanders, the 98th and 19th Hussars or
"dumpypice," (as we have called them on account of their
diminutive stature), have pretty well thinned them out, one
would think. Mind this has been going on since we took
possession in 1849. The Afghans then were supposed to be our
allies, but in fighting the Sikhs, on the field of Goojerat
(21.1.1849), thousands of these nice allies were found in
the ranks of our enemies. The Sikh boundary on their
north-west was the river Attock, and as a punishment to the
Afghanistan Ruler, our people annexed to our dominion the
whole slice from the Attock to the mouth of the Khyber Pass,
Peshawur becoming our frontier station. Well, since then,
hundreds of them have been shot; but still they are as
daring as ever. It is not safe to lie down to sleep without
a loaded revolver under your head. In the summer-time, it is
so hot that the doors must be left open to admit air. One of
our sergeants caught a fellow very cleverly a short time
ago. He had a large hole dug in front of his door, put a
slab over it, had it well secured during the daytime, so
that it would not tilt, and at night set his trap. We often
laughed at his contrivance. He has a very natty little
housewife, and his front room always looked the picture of
comfort. He had his rifle and sword so placed, that anyone
coming up to the door, during the daytime, could see them.
He had not very long to wait before he got his reward, in
the shape of a wild-looking savage monster, armed with two
murderous-looking daggers. This hole or well was about ten
feet deep, with a sort of man-trap at the bottom. The
sergeant's quarters were not far from mine. I heard the row,
and of course I must go to see the fun. His batman or
servant is an Irishman. The first salute I heard was: "You
murdering villain, an' how the d--l did you git in thir?
Arrah! sergeant, dear, the d--l take me if it is not the
same identical blackguard that was selling Afghan cats here
yesterday!" We managed to get him out with ropes, but he
struck out left and right with his daggers, and before we
could disarm him, he got a tap on the head with the butt-end
of the rifle, and a taste of the bayonet he was looking
after (from the owner). This fellow was transported for
life. I have bought one of the daggers for 20 rupees. The
sergeant got 200 rupees from the Judge for his ingenious
trap, and I think he had the laugh at us. So you see we are
in the midst of a nice lot. The noted Khyber Pass is just in
front of us, about five miles from the barracks--and this is
where most of these gents hail from.

About a month ago, my master-cook came running to me early
one morning to report that the whole of the Company's
cooking utensils had been stolen during the night; and as
they are all made of copper, they are worth a trifle. It is
a pity they did not send a note to inform us where they had
taken them; so that we might have sent them something to
cook, if it was only coffee, for it's beginning to get cold
on the hills now. By the bye, we can see snow here all the
year round, although it's enough to roast one in the valley.
It is the unhealthiest place we have in all India. We have
now upwards of 200 men down with fever and ague. Last
summer, many of our men looked more dead than alive, and
were walking about for spite, to save funeral expenses. We
have just mustered number two. We shall call him Arthur
Henry, after his uncle. Mother and child are doing well. We
have had a slice of luck latterly, and I enclose you a
little present in the shape of an order for £----. Please to
accept it from your wild boy as a mark of love. Before I
close this, I must tell you the latest daring attempt at
robbery. An officer of the 98th had been robbed of all he
had in his room. He had suspicion that some of his native
servants were implicated in the robbery, and was determined,
if possible, to find it out. He accordingly furnished
afresh; and, next evening, allowed himself to be carried
home, apparently _drunk_. He was laid upon his bed, his
native servants attending to undress him. There he lay, to
all appearance helplessly drunk. As soon as he was by
himself he jumped up, took his revolver (loaded), and lay
down again. About twelve o'clock (midnight), a man crawled
into the room, and stood over him with a large dagger, ready
to plunge it into his heart had he moved, whilst others
cleared all out of the room, in the shape of arms, carpets,
&c. As soon as they had got all that they could carry, the
signal was given to the would-be murderer to follow. But no
sooner was he off his guard, than out came the revolver, and
the would-be assassin fell dead. Our cool, resolute officer
at once pounced on the others, killing one, and wounding two
others--one of them his own servant. But I must bring this
to a close. We expect to remove shortly from this "lovely
spot" to Nowshira--18 miles from here. They tell us that we
shall be jumping out of the frying-pan into the fire--so far
as thieves and sand-storms are concerned. This is the third
attempt I have had at this letter. Since writing the above,
I am sorry to have to inform you that I have been robbed of
every farthing I had in the house--both public and private
monies. They have made a clean sweep. But I do not believe
that it's a native of India that has robbed me; for in that
case all would have gone, including clothing, jewellery,
arms, &c.; whereas nothing but cash, and some rum I had
bottled for the christening, have been taken. It was done
whilst I was on a visit to my sick wife and child in
hospital. I was only away from home about an hour and
a-half--from 7 to 8.30 p.m. My servant was found drunk, and,
about 10 p.m., we found some rum in bottles, but no cash has
turned up. I cannot at present send what I had promised. I
have lost in all about £60 (600 rupees), including Company's
money. My captain is but a poor man. We were sergeants
together at Inkermann, and he shall not suffer by my
neglect; for in my absence I ought to have put one of our
police at my door, knowing there was so much money in my
box. Whoever has got it, it will not do them much good, and
I shall get over it in a few months. But I shall keep my
eyes open, and if possible, will bring the thief to justice.
We have plenty of "black ones" to look after. I shall
discharge my servant at once, and take that good-hearted
Irishman who saved my life at the Redan. He is a rough
diamond, I know; but as true as steel, and one that I have a
right to respect for his noble conduct to me, when death was
all around.

No more at present, must conclude, and believe me, as ever,

Your affectionate son,
T. GOWING,
C.S.R.F.

Meean-Meer, 26th May, 1862.

My Dear Parents,