Chapter IV (2)

BEWAR, GRAND TRUNK ROAD, _December 31st_.--Yesterday, I rode
with Mac to the Commander-in-Chief's camp. It was farther
off than I had been led to believe, and I had to go
fifty-four miles to reach him. I found him wonderfully fresh
and well, and met with a most cordial and hearty welcome
from him, General Mansfield, and, in fact, from all. Gough,
Bruce, and Mackinnon, all fat and well. I was much pleased
with all I heard and saw; the sight of the sailors and the
Highlanders did my eyes and heart good. Such dear,
wild-looking fellows as these Jack-tars are, but so
respectful and proper in conduct and manner. Our dear Napier
is wounded, I grieve to say, though, thank God! not badly,
and is left behind at Cawnpore. So I am gazetted a _Captain_
at last! All the letters, papers, and despatches relative to
Delhi have been published, and I am again thanked in
despatches by the Governor-General.... Sir Colin was very
complimentary, and my men, under Gough, have won great
distinction and universal praise. I rejoiced to see my old
friend Norman in his proper place, the _de facto_
Adjutant-General of the army; and Hope Grant has done
everything admirably. We Punjaubee cavalry folks are quite
"the thing" just now.... We had a narrow escape yesterday
from a party of the enemy crossing the road _en route_ from
the southward to Futtehgurh; they attacked my sowars after
we (Mac and I) had ridden on, and killed one of them, and
wounded several. Coming back at night, we passed quite close
to the enemy's bivouac, hearing their voices distinctly; but
by taking it quietly, and riding on soft ground, we got past
unmolested and into Bewar (to which place Seaton moved up
this morning) by 3 A. M., having dined with the
Commander-in-Chief last evening. We had ridden ninety-four
miles since six in the morning. I, seventy-two on one horse,
my gallant Rufus. We astonished the head-quarter people not
a little.

I am again indebted to the pen of Lieutenant Macdowell, for a fuller account of the hairbreadth escape which he and my brother had in the course of this ride, in which they so gallantly and successfully opened communication between the two forces.

"CAMP, BEWAR, _Jan. 1st, 1858_.

"You know we took Mynpooree on the 27th. We halted that day
and the two following. On the night of the 29th, Hodson came
into my tent, about nine o'clock, and told me a report had
come in that the Commander-in-Chief had arrived with his
forces at Goorsahaigunge, about thirty-eight miles from
Mynpooree, and that he had volunteered to ride over to him
with despatches, asking me at the same time if I would
accompany him. Of course I consented at once, and was very
much gratified by his selecting me as his companion. At 6 A.
M. the next morning we started, with seventy-five sowars of
our own regiment. I do not wish to enhance the danger of the
undertaking, but shall merely tell you that since Brigadier
Grant's column moved down this road towards Lucknow, it had
been closed against all Europeans; that we were not certain
if the Commander-in-Chief's camp was at Goorsahaigunge
(which uncertainty was verified, as you will see); and that,
to say the least of it, there was a chance of our falling in
with roving bands of the enemy.[64]

"We started at 6 A. M., and reached Bewar all safe,
fourteen miles from our camp. Here we halted, and ate
sandwiches, and then, leaving fifty men to stay till our
return, pushed on to Chibberamow, fourteen miles farther on.
Here we made another halt, and then, leaving the remaining
twenty-five men behind, we pushed on by ourselves,
unaccompanied, for Goorsahaigunge, where we hoped to find
the Commander-in-Chief. On arriving there (a fourteen miles'
stage), we found the Commander-in-Chief was at
Meerun-ke-Serai, fifteen miles farther on. This was very
annoying; but there was no help for it, so we struck out for
it as fast as we could, the more so as we heard that the
enemy, 700 strong, with four guns, was within two miles of
us. We arrived at Meerun-ke-Serai at 4 A. M., and found the
camp there all right. We were received most cordially by
all, and not a little surprised were they to hear where we
had come from. Hodson was most warmly received by Sir Colin
Campbell, and was closeted with him till dinner-time.
Meanwhile, I sought out some old friends, and amused myself
with looking at the novel sight of English sailors employed
with heavy guns. I also went to see the Highlanders, and
magnificent fellows they are, with their bonnets and kilts,
looking as if they could eat up all the Pandies in India. A
summons to the Commander-in-Chief's table called me away,
and off I went to dinner, when I found Hodson seated by Sir
Colin, and carrying on a most animated conversation with
him. We had a very pleasant dinner, and at 8 P. M. started
on our long ride (fifty-four miles) back. We arrived at
Goorsahaigunge all safe, and pushed on at once for the next
stage, Chibberamow. When we had got half way, we were
stopped by a native, who had been waiting in expectation of
our return. God bless him! I say, and I am sure you will
say so too when you have read all. He told us that a party
of the enemy had attacked our twenty-five sowars at
Chibberamow, cut up some, and beaten back the rest, and that
there was a great probability some of them (the enemy) were
lurking about the road to our front. This was pleasant news,
was it not?--twenty miles from the Commander-in-Chief's
camp, thirty from our own; time, midnight; scene, an open
road; _dramatis personae_, two officers armed with swords and
revolvers, and a howling enemy supposed to be close at hand.
We deliberated what we should do, and Hodson decided we
should ride on at all risks. 'At the worst,' he said, 'we
can gallop back; but we'll try and push through.' The native
came with us, and we started. I have seen a few adventures
in my time, but must confess this was the most trying one I
had ever engaged in. It was a piercingly cold night, with a
bright moon and a wintry sky, and a cold wind every now and
then sweeping by and chilling us to the very marrow. Taking
our horses off the hard road on to the side where it was
soft, so that the noise of their footfalls could be less
distinctly heard, we silently went on our way, anxiously
listening for every sound that fell upon our ears, and
straining our sight to see if, behind the dark trees dotted
along the road, we could discern the forms of the enemy
waiting in ambush to seize us. It was indeed an anxious
time. We proceeded till close to Chibberamow. 'They are
there,' said our guide in a whisper, pointing to a garden in
a clump of trees to our right front. Distinctly we heard a
faint hum in the distance;--whether it was the enemy, or
whether our imagination conjured up the sound, I know not.
We slowly and silently passed through the village, in the
main street of which we saw the dead body of one of our men
lying stark and stiff and ghastly in the moonlight; and on
emerging from the other side, dismissed our faithful guide,
with directions to come to our camp,--and then, putting
spurs to our horses, we galloped for the dear life to Bewar,
breathing more freely as every stride bore us away from the
danger now happily past. We reached Bewar at about two
o'clock A. M., and found a party of our men sent out to look
for us. Our troopers had ridden in to say they had been
attacked and driven back, and that we had gone on alone, and
all concluded we must fall into the hands of the enemy. We
flung ourselves down on charpoys and slept till daylight,
when our column marched in, and we received the hearty
congratulations of all on our escape. What do you think of
it? The man whose information gave us such timely warning,
and thereby prevented our galloping on, by which we should
certainly have excited the attention of the enemy, has been
very handsomely rewarded, and obtained employment.

"It appears from the reports afterwards received, that the
party that cut up our men were fugitives from Etawah, where
a column of ours, under General Walpole, had arrived. They
consisted of about 1,500 men, with seven guns, and were
proceeding to Futtypore. We rode in at one end of
Chibberamow in the morning;--they rode in at the other. They
saw us, but we did not see them, as we were on unfavorable
ground. Thinking we were the advanced guard of our column,
they retired hastily to a village some two coss off.
Meanwhile, Hodson and I, unconscious of their vicinity, rode
on. They sent out scouts, and ascertained that only
twenty-five of our sowars were in the village, upon which
they resumed their march, sending a party to cut up our men,
and, I suppose, to wait for our return. All Hodson said
when we were at Bewar, and safe, was 'By George! Mac, I'd
give a good deal for a cup of tea,' and immediately went to
sleep. He is the coolest hand I have ever yet met. We rode
ninety-four miles. Hodson rode seventy-two on one horse, the
little dun, and I rode Alma seventy-two miles also."

Colonel Seaton, in a letter written shortly afterwards to Mrs. Hodson, thus describes the anxiety he felt:--

"MAHOMEDABAD, _Jan. 5th_.

"Oh, what a fright I was in the night before we marched from
Mynpooree. Your husband knew that I was most anxious to
communicate with the Commander-in-Chief, and volunteered to
ride across, and as Mr. Cocks said that he had most positive
information that the Commander-in-Chief was at
Goorsahaigunge, I consented. He started at daybreak, taking
a strong party of his own regiment.

"At sunset, one of his men returned, saying that he and
Macdowell had left a party at Chibberamow, and ridden
forward; that the party had subsequently been surprised by
the enemy, and cut up.

"At first, this seemed most alarming, yet I had the greatest
faith in his consummate prudence and skill. I knew Macdowell
was with him, and I said to myself, 'If those two are not
sharp enough to dodge the black fellows, why the d---- is in
it.' But still I could not help feeling most uneasy, and
saying, 'Oh, dear! what should I say to his poor wife!' I
did not sleep one wink all night. In the morning a sowar
galloped in with a note from him. Oh, what a relief to my
mind!

"The day before yesterday, we rode over together to the
Commander-in-Chief's camp at Goorsahaigunge, and found he
had moved on four miles beyond the Kalee Nuddee. We
followed, and came in for the tail of a fight, as there were
still some dropping shots. I was received with great
cordiality by the Commander-in-Chief, and warmly
congratulated on our successes.

"Your gallant husband has now left me, and I find it most
painful to part, for he is a warm friend and true soldier;
always ready with his pen, his sword, or his counsel at my
slightest wish; indeed, he often anticipated my wishes, as
if he could divine what I wanted. I missed his cheerful
manly face at my breakfast this morning, and am not in a
good-humor at all to-day."

In a letter to England of the same date, my brother says:--

At last, after twelve years' service, I am a Captain
regimentally from the 14th September last; poor Major
Jacobs' death after the assault having given me my
promotion,--dearly purchased by the death of such a man! I
have much to be thankful for, not only for the most
unhoped-for escapes from wounds and death, but for the
position I now occupy, and for the appreciation my work has
received from those in power. My new regiment has done good
service, and got much [Greek: kudos].

On January 1, 1858, he writes to his wife from

CAMP, BEWAR.--I must write a few lines on this _jour de
l'an_, though they will be but few, as we start shortly for
the Commander-in-Chief's camp at Goorsahaigunge,
twenty-eight miles off,--the "we" means Colonel Seaton,
Light, and myself. I do hope it will then be decided when
we are to join the Chief, which, for many reasons, I am most
anxious to do. Macdowell wrote you a capital account of our
expedition to Meerun-ke-Serai, which you will get before
this reaches you. He is _game_ to the backbone, but he has
not the physical stamina for such an adventure as that. I am
sorry to say I lost three of my men killed and four wounded,
and my horse, saddle and bridle (English), were lost. I wish
you could coax ---- out of that horse he got of General
Anson; life and more than life sometimes depends on being
well mounted.

_January 3d._--We did not get back from Goorsahaigunge till
two this morning, very weary and tired, and now comes an
order, just as I am sitting down to write, for my regiment
to march at once to join the Chief's camp near Futtehgurh;
so I am again reduced to the mere announcement that I am
safe and well. I have just heard that the rebels have bolted
from Futtehgurh.

FUTTEHGURH, _4th January_.--A night-march of twenty-five
miles, tents up at 1 P. M., after which breakfast, and two
interviews with the Chief and his staff, have not left me
much daylight or time for the post. Futtehgurh was abandoned
as I foretold, and our troops are all concentrating here,
not a shot having been fired. We remain here a few days, but
a few inglorious but needful burning expeditions will
probably be all we shall have to do. Our dear friend Napier
is recovered, or nearly so, from his wound. I hope he will
join the Chief, who appreciates him as he deserves.

_January 5th._--The anniversary of the most blessed event in
my life again to be spent in absence.... I see no chance
just yet of any vigorous action by which the war might be
concluded, and we released from this toilsome campaign. The
Commander-in-Chief is tied by red tape, and obliged to wait
the orders of Government as to where he is to go! Are our
rulers _still_ infatuated? You complain of the shortness of
my letters, and with justice; but the most important
business, often the safety of the force, depends on my doing
my duty unflinchingly. Colonel Seaton dines with me to-day
to drink your health on this _our_ day. I have spoken for
Reginald[65] to come and do duty with him; but I fear that
"Seaton's fighting column" has sunk in the sea of this great
camp, but I will do my best to get the dear boy down here.

_6th._--We march to-day, with a brigade under Colonel Adrian
Hope, on some punishing expeditions. I hope to return in
three or four days, and where we go next is not known.
Seaton has subsided for the present into the simple Colonel
of Fusiliers, which seems hard enough after all he has done.
I hope they will soon give him a brigade.

CAMP, SHUMSHABAD, _January 7th_.--Here we are on the move
again! Colonel Hope's brigade, consisting of the 42d and 73d
Highlanders, 2d Punjaub Infantry, a Royal Artillery battery,
two guns Bengal H. A., a squadron of Lancers, and half my
men--a splendid little force with nothing to do I fear but
pull down houses, the owners of which have all escaped. We
are only a few miles from the place to which we pursued the
enemy from Puttialee, and had Colonel Seaton been allowed to
push on _then_, we should have caught and punished these
rascals as they deserved. Brigadier Hope is a very fine
fellow and a pleasant; about my age, or younger if anything,
though, of course, longer in the army. When he knows more
of India he will do very well indeed, I should think. Wise,
Macdowell, Gough the younger, and a Mr. Cockerell, are with
me. I can make out nothing of our probable plans, or rather
of the Chief's. "Waiting for orders" seems to be the order
of the day. If something is not speedily decided, the hot
weather will be on us before our work is over, and this
would tell terribly on us all.

CAMP, KAIMGUNGE, _January 8th_.--We remain here to-morrow,
and then return, I fancy, to head-quarters. I can bear up
manfully against absence and separation when we are actually
doing anything; but when I see nothing doing towards an end,
I confess my heart sinks, and my spirit hungers after rest.
I should be very, very glad if dear Maynard would make up
her mind to join you. It would be a real comfort to me to
think that we had been able to do anything towards
contributing to her peace or comfort. Independently of my
sincere regard for her, she is her father's daughter, and I
owe him too much gratitude and reverence not to desire to
show it in every way to all of the name and blood of
Thomason.

KAIMGUNGE, _January 10th_.--Our time has been taken up with
riding about the country after Whippoorwills, which elude
our search and grasp, the only consolation being fine
exercise in a fine country. Will you ask Lord W. Hay
whether, if the report of his going home be true, he will
resell me the mules? I should be most thankful to get them
again, and twice the number; they are much better for
baggage than ponies, carry larger loads, and do not knock up
so soon.

CAMP, FUTTEHGURH, _January 12th_.--We returned from our
brief expedition this morning, not having effected much,
though we frightened many, I have no doubt. I was just
talking to Colonel Hope (himself an old 60th man), about my
dear good friend Douglas, when I got your letter inclosing
his most welcome one. How rejoiced I shall be if he returns
to India with his battalion! I quite long to see him once
more. Indeed, as time goes on, old ties of affection and
friendship seem to unite themselves more intimately with
newer and dearer ones, and my heart pines more and more for
home and all which nought but home can give.

FUTTEHGURH, _January 14th_.--I was unhappily so much delayed
by a tedious review yesterday morning, and an interview with
the Chief afterwards, that I did not get to my tent till
after post-time, though I am thankful to say I found some
very precious missives,--the dear girls' letters were a
treat indeed, and gave me very real pleasure. I am beginning
to hope that I shall have my previous services recognized;
for although I do not know that any record of the promise of
a majority was down in Leadenhall Street, still Lord
Dalhousie's promise was distinct, and there is evidently
every desire on our present Chief's part to do me justice.
You ask about my position here, and do not quite understand
how the safety of the camp can depend on my vigilance. This
referred not to this camp, but to Colonel Seaton's (now at
last a Brigadier), where I not only was Assistant
Quartermaster-General, but had all the outposts to furnish.
_Here_ I am desired to continue my intelligence business;
but there is another officer (Captain Bruce) actually in
charge of the department. I suppose it is intended rather to
employ me when detached from the main force, as the other
day under Brigadier Hope. However, I am at present in charge
of all in Captain Bruce's absence, and my continuing it or
not depends very much on circumstances. Nothing can be
kinder or more cordial than the Commander-in-Chief and
General Mansfield. We seem destined to halt here at present;
half the day has been occupied in changing ground. So when
one can't get one's tent pitched till 1 or 2 P. M., there is
little time for writing for a post closing at 5, considering
that business and eating and washing have to be performed. I
must try and write more to-night.

CAMP ON THE RAMGUNGA, _January 15th_.--I left off my last
letter with a promised intention of writing more last night,
but the result of dining with the Chief was, that I was kept
up so late and had to rise so early that I was fain to carry
my weary limbs to bed at once. We have been occupied all day
in getting down here from the big camp at Futtehgurh some
ten miles off, so that I am again perforce obliged to renew
instead of fulfilling my promise. You will hear of me before
this reaches you; General Grant and Majors Norman and Turner
having taken wing to Umbala for a few days. They have had no
holiday since May, and heartily deserved one, though I must
confess I did feel a little envious when I saw them off.
What would not I give for home once more!

We are here to force a passage across the Ramgunga, a
confluent of the Ganges on the road to Bareilly; but it does
not follow that we shall go there when the passage is open.
Brigadier Walpole commands, and we have enough troops to eat
up Rohilcund; whether we (_i. e._, my regiment) partake of
the "finish" in Oude or not, no one can pretend to foretell.

Colonel Becher will be at Umbala soon, on his way home. You
will be kind to him I am sure, both because you like him
personally, and because he has been most kind and
considerate to me. It was very ungracious as well as
ungraceful, that his name was not mentioned in the
Despatches as it ought to have been; but he is not the only
one who has cause to complain of the "ungraciousness" of our
Delhi General.

CAMP ON THE RAMGUNGA, _January 17th_.--We are still in the
same undignified attitude of looking at nothing and doing as
little; but the halt has been very useful to me in the way
of getting through business, and I have hardly stirred from
my table all day. The plundering propensities of some of my
men have given me much occupation and annoyance, as I always
feel that the ill-conduct of a regiment must more or less
reflect on the officers. The rascals will not discriminate
between an enemy's property, which is fair game, and that of
the villagers and cultivators of the soil. I have several
times been obliged to bring them up with a sharp hand to
save myself from discredit. I sent three sowars to-day to
the Brigadier with evidence and proof enough to hang them,
but he begged me to dispose of the matter summarily myself;
but as I did not choose to be judge, jury, and hangman all
in one, they saved their lives at the expense of their
backs, though I believe the punishment was greater to me
than to them, for I abhor flogging, and never resort to it
but in the extremest cases. Still I must be obeyed by these
wild hordes _coute qui coute_; and when reason and argument
fail, they must learn that I will not weakly refrain from
sterner measures. I am happy to find Sir Colin ready to back
me _a l'outrance_ so as to maintain discipline. Have you
written to our dear friends Napier and Prendergast yet? The
latter is in Calcutta with his bride long ago. Sir James
Outram and Napier have given Mister Pandy a glorious
thrashing at Alumbagh. Hurrah!

_January 19th._--I had to go over to see the Chief,
yesterday, and did not return till night. I also saw good
Colonel Seaton and Becher, who (the last) starts in a day or
two for home and England. I did know about Mr. Wemyss's good
appointment, for Sir Colin good-naturedly gave me the letter
to take to him. Wemyss is a lucky fellow, and will, I hope,
do credit to his luck. I only wish I had some family
interest to bring into play; my lieutenant-colonelcy would
be certain. H. Maxwell is to be the new Adjutant of my dear
old regiment, and ought to make a good one; there is no one
now with the regiment who has any experience of the work,
and Maxwell is more likely to learn than many; he has grown
such a tall handsome fellow since we saw him at Benares, and
is said to be a fine soldier in the field. Mac has a letter
from Lord William speaking with enthusiasm of the conduct of
some of the ladies during the Simla panics. He does not seem
to be the only one who thinks that heroism in the hills is
confined to the weaker sex. I am working to get some pay as
Assistant Quartermaster-General, in addition to my pay as
commandant, which the pay officer objects to, on the ground
that one man cannot draw the pay of two offices. They should
have had two men to do it then; for I worked like a slave,
and the laborer is worthy of his hire. I saw and had a long
talk with your "charming" Mr. Raikes yesterday.

_January 22d._--There has been no news of public importance
for some days, so I am taking advantage of the halt and
comparative idleness to work off arrears of business and
papers, and to prepare rolls and pay abstracts for Captain
Swinton's office. I have consequently not been half a mile
from my tent these two days; moreover, I am resting my
unlucky ankle, which has given me much pain and trouble
lately. I am very glad Mr. Montgomery is at Umbala. I am
sure you would tell him how grateful I have ever felt for
his assistance in raising my regiment; the two troops he
sent me I shall call Montgomery's troops, and the men will
like it too. I am sadly off for horses, so if you really do
not care to ride until "the sweet time of grace" of our
reunion, I shall be very thankful for Selim. Will you ask
Mr. Forsyth to ascertain for me by telegraph, whether Mr.
Eliot at Loodiana has sent off my other troop from thence? I
must try and get as many of my men together as I can during
this halt.

_23d._--Our friend Colonel Seaton is to have command of a
district to be formed of Allygurh, Futtehgurh, Mynpooree,
and the post at Meerun-ke-Serai. It is a very honorable and
important post; but he would prefer, and I for him, a more
active command. I expect the rest of the force will move
into Oudh soon, and I do trust to be at the ultimate capture
of Lucknow, which ought to earn me the Queen's Cross, if
"deerin do" can gain it.

_24th._--They say we are to move soon, but no one knows for
certain, as I have not been into head-quarters for some
days; meantime my pen is busy, _very_ busy, with six months'
arrears to work off, but I am getting on at it famously.

FUTTEHGURH, _26th_.--Late last night I was roused up by an
order to march in here at dawn, so here, accordingly, we
came; and now at 10 P. M. we are off again, on some
expedition which will last us a few days.[66] The Chief
sent for me as soon as we came in, and was very
communicative, and asked my opinion in most flattering
terms. I gave it honestly, and only hope he will follow it,
if we are to make an end of this business before another hot
season sets in. I fancy the whole force will be in motion
soon towards Oudh; but nothing is certainly known as yet,
except that we go to our old place Shumshabad. Colonel
Adrian Hope again commands the brigade; we start almost
immediately, and shall, I hope, do something effective.

FORT FUTTEHGURH, _Jan. 28th_. (_Written with the left
hand, in pencil._)

Though I sent you a telegram, I must manage a few words by
letter to tell you that there is not the very slightest
cause for alarm on my account, for I am really quite well;
only my right arm will be useless for some weeks, but I can
do my duty, and intend to march with the Commander-in-Chief.
What grieves me most is the loss of poor Mac; he was
invaluable to me as a brilliant soldier, a true friend, and
thorough gentleman,--I mourn as for a brother.[67]

_January 29th._--My constant fear is that you should be
alarmed for me. I assure you there is not the slightest
occasion for anxiety. I have a cut on my hand, and another
sabre-cut over the forearm, but neither will be of more than
temporary inconvenience. I am obliged to write with my left
hand, _that is all_. I go about as usual, and dined with the
Chief last night. It was a splendid little affair at
Shumshabad, and our men and officers did wonders, and have
gained great credit. We charged a large body of the enemy's
cavalry, superior in numbers, and all else, to ourselves.
They fought us desperately, returning twice to the charge.
We then attacked their infantry, all fanatics, who fought
with the courage of despair. Their loss must have been
immense; but we have lost one who outweighs them all. I
cannot tell you how much I feel it. We bury the dear fellow
this evening by the side of the murdered Tudor Tucker.

In a letter to England of the same date, he says:--
CAMP, FUTTEHGURH, _Jan. 31st, 1858_. (_Written with left
hand._)

My usual fortune deserted me on the 27th, at Shumshabad, for
I got two sabre-cuts on my right arm, which have reduced me
to this very sinister style of writing (absit omen). We had
a very stiff fight of it, as we were far in advance of the
rest of the troops, and had to charge a very superior body
of the mutineer cavalry; but there was nothing for it but
fighting, as, had we not attacked them, they would have got
in amongst our guns. We were only three officers, and about
180 horsemen,--my poor friend, and second in command,
Macdowell, having received a mortal wound a few minutes
before we charged. It was a terrible _melee_ for some time,
and we were most wonderfully preserved. However, we gave
them a very proper thrashing, and killed their leaders. Two
out of the three of us were wounded, and five of my men
killed, and eleven wounded, besides eleven horses. My horse
had three sabre-cuts, and I got two, which I consider a
rather unfair share. The Commander-in-Chief is very well
satisfied, I hear, with the day's work, and is profusely
civil and kind to me. The force moves on to-morrow towards
Cawnpore and Lucknow, which has at last to be conquered; for
neither Outram, Havelock, nor the Commander-in-Chief were
able to effect a footing in Lucknow. All they could do was
to bring away the Residency garrison. All the lion's share
of the work, in the six weeks which intervened between the
_soi-disant_ relief of the Lucknow garrison by Havelock, and
the real one by the Commander-in-Chief, was done by our
friend Colonel Napier. He is the best man we have left, now
that poor Sir Henry Lawrence and Nicholson are gone. The
next is Major Tombs, or I am much mistaken.... I hope to
return to Umbala when this war is over, to be refitted and
get my men trained and drilled, which is very necessary. I
do hope to be able to get home and see your dear faces once
more, as soon as our great task is accomplished. I want a
change, after twelve years of work, and I want to try what
home and good treatment will do for my ankle, which is very
bad; in fact, I am unable to walk a hundred yards without
pain. Well, I think I have done pretty well with my left
hand. They say I shall be well in six weeks. _I_ say in ten
days; I trust so.

* * * * *

_To his Wife._

FUTTEHGURH, _Jan. 30th_.

Mr. Raikes tells me that he wrote to you immediately after
the action at Shumshabad, lest you should be made unhappy by
report. This was most kind and thoughtful of him; and I do
hope, therefore, that among so many kind friends you will
have been spared any unnecessary pain. Everybody is very
complimentary; even men I never spoke to before. A
flattering rascal told me he considered it an "honor
(forsooth!) to shake even my left hand." I might become too
proud with so much notice, but the memory of 1854-55 is ever
before me. The Commander-in-Chief has been unable to move as
yet, for many reasons, but I fancy we shall march ere long.
I am wonderfully well, and the big wound is actually closing
already! is not that famous?

_January 31st._--I have been busy until post-time with
looking over poor Mac's things, and taking an inventory of
them for his mother. I am sure you will write to her as soon
as we can ascertain her address. We march on towards
Cawnpore to-morrow morning; it is a grief to me to be
disabled ever so little just at this time, but in a very few
days I shall be all right again.

_January 31st._--The Chief wont let me go on just yet,
though I really am perfectly able to do so. I am not a bit
the worse for these wounds, beyond the temporary
inconvenience and disgust at being _hors de combat_ in such
times as these. I look forward with the utmost pleasure to
seeing our friend Napier at Lucknow; I wish we could hear
from him. Inglis's despatch is, as you say, most touching,
and his conduct most admirable, as well as hers. I always
thought her a fine character.

_February 1st and 2d._--I am really doing very well, and the
wounds are healing wonderfully fast. In ten days I hope to
use my arm; they threatened me with six weeks! I have indeed
cause for gratitude, not only for my preservation from
greater evil, but for this rapid recovery; happily I was in
good health at the time, and these wounds depend almost
entirely on the state of the blood. I shall remain here
until the day after to-morrow, and then accompany Brigadier
Walpole's brigade to join the Chief at Cawnpore. Colonel
Burn drives me along in a buggy; for though I _can_ ride, it
is not advisable to run the risk of a shake. Every one is
most kind; Sir Colin markedly so. We are to have prize money
for Delhi after all; this will please as well as benefit the
army, the soldiers not being over-well contented with the
six months' batta, thinking that was all they were to get.
It is hardly, perhaps, to be expected that the masses should
be satisfied with the mere consciousness of having done
their duty through such months of suffering as those before
Delhi.

A soldier wrote upon the walls of the Delhi palace (alluding
to Lord Canning's foolish order about six months' donation
of batta, which is but thirty-six rupees and some odd pence
for each man):--

"For the salvation of India, the British soldier gets
thirty-six rupees ten annas, or one rupee one anna per
battle;" adding:--

"When danger's rife and wars are nigh,
God and the soldier's all the cry:
When wars are o'er and matters righted,
God is forgotten and the soldier slighted."

Would you credit it? The Calcutta wiseacres sent up orders
to institute a strict inquiry who wrote this _jeu d'esprit_.
What nuts for the rascal who did it to see how deep his hit
had rankled!

_February 3d._--I am overwhelmed with letters of
congratulation, which I can only acknowledge by a few lines
in this sinister writing. Light has written very warmly,
also Lord William; you must thank them both for me at
present, as we march for Cawnpore early in the morning. So I
shall be at the capture of Lucknow after all! and after that
may God restore us to each other to part no more!

CAMP, JELLALABAD, ON THE GRAND TRUNK ROAD, _February
5th_.--We shall be at Cawnpore in four days more, I trust.
Nothing can be more favorable than the state of my wounds,
and I have felt scarcely any inconvenience from travelling.
I am fortunate in having Colonel Burn for a travelling
companion; pleasant, intelligent, and warm-hearted. He
drives me in his buggy, and we breakfast together _al
fresco_. Fancy the Carabineers of poor Captain Wardlaw's
squadron sending a deputation, headed by a sergeant, to say
on the part of the men how grieved they were that I was
hurt, and to express their hope that I should soon be well
and in the field again. I confess these things are more
gratifying to me than any mention in despatches.

CAMP, MEERUN-KE-SERAI, _February 6th_.--We had a very trying
march this morning, a gale of wind bringing up clouds of
dust and grit, which cut one's face and eyes to pieces. I
half wished I was a lady to wear a veil! We overtook
Maunsell, of the Engineers, who was so badly wounded at
Delhi, poor fellow; he is quite recovered, but his handsome
face a good deal disfigured by the wound in his forehead.
The Governor-General is at Allahabad, and I believe Sir
Colin is gone on to meet him. I am doing well, and getting
more handy in the use of my left hand, but 'tis a cruel
nuisance having only one to resort to. The weather is
getting warm very fast in these parts, and I fear we shall
have the hot weather on us very soon. However, as soon as
Lucknow has finally fallen, I shall make every effort to get
away to organize and discipline my regiment, and for rest
and home for myself.

_February 8th._--I go on into Cawnpore in the morning,
making two marches in one; my arm has not been going on
quite so well the last three days, owing, the doctor says,
to the sharp wind. The wound on the thumb is nearly closed,
and I shall be all right, I hope, after two or three days'
quiet at Cawnpore. The getting up in the cold mornings is
very trying, now that I am unable to ride or walk to get
warm.

CAWNPORE, _February 10th_.--I got here in good time
yesterday, but was kept constantly at work fomenting this
tiresome arm, which had got somewhat inflamed from the
effects of the journey. To-day we cross the river, and
encamp a mile or two on the other side, and there I hope to
halt for a few days. I found letters here from Calcutta, and
have had a visit from Charles Harland, who is as jolly and
hearty as ever. Our friend (Napier) is Chief Engineer with
the force, and a Brigadier to boot. I hope to see him in a
day or two. I have not been to the Chief's camp yet; it is a
long way off, and my arm has prevented me doing anything. I
shall be very thankful when it is well, if but to use it for
writing,--this left-handed calligraphy is sad slow work.

CAMP ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE GANGES, _February 11th_.--I
came across the river late in the evening, and am very glad
I did so, as the air is much purer, and there is no dust. My
arm is already better for the rest, and I hope soon to be
able to begin to use it. Do not buoy yourself up with hope
of honors for me. I shall be a Brevet-Major, and nothing
more I expect. It seems the authorities here never sent home
a list of men recommended for honors; and the home
authorities have been waiting until they get one. "Hinc illae
lacrymae!" And we shall all suffer by the delay in more ways
than one. But we are certainly to have prize money, and
this, with the batta, will take us home this time next year
if not sooner. Dear, dear home, sadly changed and contracted
since I left it, but home still, and dearer than ever since
the dearest part of myself will accompany me.... All old
home memories were so vividly revived yesterday by Charles
Harland's visit, and an extract he read me from a letter
from his brother, describing the enthusiasm of the old
people at Colwich,[68] when the news arrived that the King
of Delhi was our prisoner, and how they came to inquire
whether it was really their "Master William" who had done
it? Bless their innocent hearts, where was they riz? as ----
would say. I am sadly at a loss for a second in command, and
do not know whom to ask for, as officers are so scarce. I
have twice made an attempt to ask for Reginald to join me to
do duty, but my fears for you have made me hesitate; and the
lesson of the other day has taught me the fearful risk the
dear boy would run in an irregular cavalry regiment, with
such work as mine. Still, if you and he wish it, I will ask
for him.

_February 12th._--Here I am, you see, writing (such as it
is) with my right hand once more. I am, indeed, wonderfully
better, and hope to be on horseback in a few days. The scar
on my arm is a very ugly one, and will mark me for life; but
then, as I am not a lady to wear short sleeves, it does not
signify. I was much disappointed this morning to hear from
Colonel Bevin, who came out to see me, that Napier had been
through our camp this morning, not knowing I was here! He is
in Cawnpore, and the doctor wont let me go and see him
to-day, and we march on towards Lucknow to-morrow. It will
be some days yet before the whole force is collected at
Alumbagh. Captain Peel has just gone by with his sailors and
their enormous ship-guns, 68-pounders! I have little doubt
but that Lucknow will be in our hands before another month
is over; and then I shall do my utmost to get my regiment
sent back to Umbala to be formed and drilled, which it wants
badly. I only wonder it does as well as it is. I could
hardly take any other appointment, or even go home, until I
had completed this task; and I like my regiment, and what is
even more to the purpose, the regiment likes me, and would
follow me any and everywhere, I do believe.

CAMP, OONAO, _February 13th_.--Only a short letter to-day,
as I have been writing a right-handed one to "O.," to
satisfy the dear anxious hearts at home. I am able to use my
arm, but very gently, and shall ride to-morrow. Oh, the
pleasure of feeling myself on the outside of a horse again!

_February 14th._--Your telegram has been going the rounds
of all the camps before it found me out. Indeed, you must
not be anxious on my account, or listen to the wild reports
which are always rife. Be sure, if anything were amiss,
there are plenty of our friends here to send you the truth.
I could not dream of your coming to Cawnpore. I would not
hear of it even at Futtehgurh, for, though your nursing and
presence would be infinitely precious to me, a camp is no
fit place for you. I am, indeed, going on wonderfully, and
but for the attack of inflammation I spoke of, and which
turned out to be erysipelas, I should have been quite well
before this; and as it is, I am actually nearer to a total
cure than the men (Sikhs even) who were wounded the same
day. My abstinence from spirit-drinking has stood me in good
stead.

_February 15th._--No letters again to-day! I wish the
Commander-in-Chief would come out from Cawnpore, and there
would be some chance of better postal duty. He is said to be
waiting until the convoy of ladies from Agra has passed
down, lest anything should occur to disturb the road where
he had crossed into Oude with the army,--a not unlikely
thing to happen. I have just seen a notice of my birth,
parentage, and education, and services, in the _Illustrated
News_, as also Seaton's account of the capture of the
Princes. Strange to say, the former is not wrong or
exaggerated in any principal point. The latter is also in
the _Evening Mail_, and I have the honor of appearing in big
print in the leading article. I see also a letter signed "A
Civilian;" not a bad _resume_ in its way. I can cock and
fire a pistol with the right hand, and am constantly working
the arm about to prevent its growing stiff; and I want to
show how much the _will_ has to do with getting over these
things.

OONAO, _February 16th_.--I have this morning succeeded in
exhuming four letters from the bottom of about a
hundred-weight of correspondence addressed to all parts of
the world; the bag was sent up here in the night for people
to find their letters as they could. Mine have made me so
happy. This has been a red-letter day too, for I have at
last seen our friend Napier. He rode out here with Sir
Colin, and I need not say how thoroughly delighted I was to
see him once more. He is looking better but older than when
we parted, but his charming, affectionate manner is as nice
as ever. God bless him! I do love him dearly, as if he were
indeed my born brother. A note from him arrived while he was
here; it had been three days going ten miles! Sir Colin was
most kind and cordial, and prophesies I shall soon be
Lieut.-Colonel. I told him I feared there was small hope of
that, unless my majority could be counted as for the Punjaub
campaign, as Lord Dalhousie promised, but that it had not
been put on record. He immediately said, "Oh, I'll do that
with the greatest pleasure; let me have a memorandum of your
services, and I'll do all I can for you, and I hope soon to
shake hands with you as Lieut.-Colonel, C. B., and Victoria
Cross to boot." I confess I liked this, because it was
spontaneous; it is not the first time I have heard a whisper
about the Victoria Cross, and I confess I do care most for
this; I would rather have it than be made a duke. My arm is
going on admirably, and you may be quite satisfied about me
now I am near our friend; he will always do what is kind,
that we may be quite sure of, and all that is best and
tenderest too, where you or I are concerned. I shall try to
get away immediately after Lucknow is taken, but I fear
every man may be needed for some time, even after that
much-desired event takes place.

CAMP, OONAO, _February 17th_.--I grieve deeply at your
anxiety, and can scarcely understand your "terror at the
very name of Cawnpore and Lucknow," except for what has
passed. I am not nearly so much exposed to peril here as at
Delhi; the place, too, and time of year are more healthy; so
continue to "hope on," bravely now as ever, until the end,
which must be very soon.... I am going to spend to-morrow in
Cawnpore with Napier, and have a big talk. The delay in the
brevet is an accident, _not_ owing to the home authorities.
It has gone home now, and my name is in it, Sir Colin told
me.

CAWNPORE, _February 19th_.--I shall ride back to Oonao early
to-morrow morning; the temptation of Napier's society was
irresistible; it is such a pleasure to see him again. There
will be no move hence until the 23d, I think, though it is
getting rapidly hot in this hateful place; but on the other
side the river it is cool, and Lucknow is even more so, I
hear. Osborn Wilkinson has been here, and has gone on
towards Alumbagh. I shall try and get him for my regiment,
if but to do duty; he is a fine fellow and thorough soldier.

OONAO, _February 20th_.--I rode out from Cawnpore this
morning; Colonels Napier and Lugard accompanying me for some
miles,--the latter only arrived yesterday; he is to command
a division as Brigadier-General, I am glad to say. Our
friend is nicer than ever, and looking well.

_February 21st._--As far as I can learn, we (_i. e._, my
Horse) shall have but little to do with the actual capture
or assault of Lucknow, and I fancy our duty will be
protecting the flanks and rear of the army from incursions
of the enemy's cavalry, &c. General Lugard came out this
morning to take the command. I hope Napier will soon follow.
I am very anxious to get on and get the affair over.

_February 22d._--There is not a particle of news of any
kind. I had an attack of fever last night, but it is gone
this morning, and I am all right again; the wound on my arm
is quite closed, and the last bandage discarded; the thumb
is still very stiff, and the joint much enlarged. My wounds
have healed with unprecedented rapidity; and I cannot be
sufficiently grateful that I am so soon enabled to return to
my duty. Dear Douglas Seaton has been very ill again, and
unable to leave England, as he intended, poor fellow. I
believe half his illness is caused by fretting at being away
from his regiment now it is in the field; but he never could
have stood the trial of those months before Delhi. The
Commander-in-Chief tells me that, despairing of getting the
list of recommendations for Delhi from India, the Duke of
Cambridge is making out a list himself from the despatches,
to be corrected hereafter if any omissions occur. The next
mail may, therefore, make me a Major, as I was mentioned
even in Wilson's despatches. God grant I may be able to get
home; that is my great desire now.

_February 23d._--It is midnight, and we march for Alumbagh
at 4 A. M.; so I write a line at once to say I am doing
well, and will send a telegram if anything occurs, which I
do not expect yet. There has been a big fight, within a few
miles of us, between the force under General Hope Grant and
the rebels, and there was a bigger on Sunday at Lucknow with
Sir James Outram's force. I have got hold of a strip of
newspaper this morning, with Brigadier Hope's Shumshabad
despatch, in which I figure so prominently that I am
inclined to indorse it "Hope told a flattering tale," and
send it home to the dear girls. The convoy arrived this
morning (_i. e._, the ladies, &c.) from Agra, so I hope the
Chief will move soon. I was out all the morning with General
Lugard, and was surprised to find how hot the weather is
getting (in the sun) even here; but I am quite well--quite.

In a letter of this date to the Chaplain of the Lawrence Asylum, he says:--

... I have only to add that in gratitude for the many and
unspeakable mercies which I have received during the past
year, and also as a token of most affectionate regret for
Sir H. Lawrence, I shall thank you to note the increase of
my subscription to the asylum to 100 rupees per annum.

FOOTNOTES:

[59] So he did, but ultimately gave himself up, and was hanged by the authorities in Delhi.--_Ed._

[60] Referring to his wife's almost miraculous escape, when the horse on which she was riding fell over a precipice and was killed.--_Ed._

[61] A letter from Delhi, in October, says:--

"The corps raised by that very gallant officer, Captain Hodson, is composed, more than anything we have hitherto had, of the old sirdars and soldiers of Runjeet Singh's time, in consequence of which, and the skill of their commander, they are already an extremely efficient corps.

"I was talking this morning to a very independent looking Resaldar, who seemed to be treated by his men much more as they do a European officer than is ever seen in our service, and who bore himself as the inferior of no one, and I found that he had been long a colonel of artillery in Runjeet Singh's service, and very openly went through the part he had taken against us in the revolt of 1849."

[62] _From Despatch from_ COLONEL T. SEATON, C. B., _to_ MAJOR-GENERAL PENNY, _Commanding at Delhi_.

"KHASGUNGE, _Dec. 15th, 1857_.