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July 1857
 View source information (The Diary Of A Medical Officer During The Great Indian Mutiny)

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July 1st. From the flagstaff battery, saw the Bareilly mutineers crossing the Jumna. The bridge of boats has all been repaired, except at the left bank, where there is a space about one hundred yards without boats. Across this two large barges were ferrying; the current did not appear strong. These Pandys were in no order, but walked in parties of four and five. About three hundred men were waiting on the left bank for the boats. This morning our fire commenced in earnest, the guns all being laid pointing at the Morey bastion. It is expected that a breach can be made at a distance of 1,500 yards. Our firing was good, but two guns from the bastion were fired now and then in reply. Her Majesty's 61st, about 450 men, came in this morning—their band leading them in. Weather has become hot again with­out rain. This evening the wounded (166) were sent to Umballa under the care of Surgeon S, Batson.

July 2nd. The effect of our fire on the Morey bastion was to breach one side partly in pieces. Coke's Irregulars, the 1st Punjaub Infantry, came in this morning, numbering about 1,000 men. From Agra, we hear that two European regiments are expected there by the 4th; probably the 84th Queen's, and the Madras Fusiliers. At Cawnpore, there had been several days hard fighting, but Sir H. Wheeler had got the upper hand. Colonel M. Mackenzie was wounded this morning in the knee by a piece of shell, but not severely. He would be a very great loss at present; I hope he may be soon well again. The Bareilly force have, it is said, about three hundred rupees apiece. It has not come too soon, as we hear the King is badly off for pay. The Pandys get eight and the Sowars twelve annas a day. When their pay stops so will their allegiance. Jackson is assistant surgeon to Coke’s corps. A company consisting of Poorbeas, belonging to the 4th Punjaub regiment, was disarmed thisafternoon, the Subadar and Jemadar being hanged. They had tried to get the Ghoorkhas to go over. The 9th Irregular Cavalry are also suspected, and intended leaving for Delhi this morning at the cross roads, but Coke sent on some of his corps and prevented them.

July3rd.    Last night after an intensely hot day a violent thunder storm came on.  The camp was soon flooded, and everything appeared very wretched except the interior of the tents, which were dry.   The ground was dry by the morning, the soil being sandy and well drained.    Everything was prepared for an assault last night, but at almost the last moment it was again countermanded. This was caused by a report of the enemy being in our rear and going to attack us. This, when reported in Delhi (as it will be without doubt immediately) will put them on their guard. Why publish it until everything is settled, or why assemble regi­ments and then send them back again ?   Someone is exceed­ingly to blame. An attack was expected this morning, but it was not until five p.m. that the alarm sounded. They were seen issuing from the Lahore gate, about three thousand in number, with one heavy gun and five light field pieces. With these were tents, elephants, doolies, etc., in fact, just what we would carry with us on a similar excursion. Their leader was mounted on an elephant with a large umbrella held over him. They took a long circuit; made a bridge across the canal, having brought out materials, and proceeded in a north-westerley direction. Their object, it is supposed, was to capture two lacs of rupees on their way here, with some artillerymen. Our troops went out but saw nothing of them. Weather is getting warmer and warmer daily, it being felt more now that the air is saturated with moisture.

July 4th.    About twelve p.m. guns were heard at a long distance in our rear. At the same time a blue light was sent up, and immediately answered at the Cashmere and Ajmir gates. The enemy came out of the city and advanced half up the ridge at the right battery, when they retired. Soon after this some Sowars came into camp, and gave infor­mation that the Pandys had attacked Allipore, where Captain Younghusband and some two hundred Sowars were posted. They retired about two miles towards Raie. The village was looted and burnt, but nothing of ours was lost. Before day­light our troops were on the move to intercept them in their return. Captain Money's troop, Scott's battery, H.M. 61st, Coke's Rifles, some squadrons of the lancers and the Guides' cavalry were sent out.    On coming within fourteen hundred yards we opened fire, but the enemy, after firing, weakly fled, and a running skirmish was kept up. The loss on either side was small, the Pandys thinking discretion the better part of valour. No guns captured, but an ammunition waggon and cart, both full. By whose fault our guns did not approach nearer is uncertain. Two of them stuck for alittle in some marshy ground, and this intimidated them from proceeding. The enemy's guns were, some of them, drawn by bullocks, so surely our light field pieces and cavalry could have cut them off. Great mismanagement did occur, and we have lost a grand opportunity of destroying the whole party. When our troops came up they had passed through a village, and were on an open plain with no shelter for about two miles. How our cavalry could stand and see this going on is the fault of the officer in command. Our troops returned after following them some distance. The guns came back to camp,  the  soldiers remained in a village. While the action was going on about two thousand men came out of Delhi. These, approaching the village about twelve a.m., and seeing only some of the Lancers, expected to cut them to pieces, but Coke's Rifles were hid in a nullah, and the 61st behind a wall. When they had advanced close, the latter jumped up, fired a volley, and went in with the bayonet. The Pandys lost a con­siderable number. Our guns were again sent out, but before they reached this body had disappeared. The sun being very strong, and the day scarcely bearable, being the hottest we have had, and not a breath of wind, our men suffered exceedingly from the heat. Five men alone of Tomb's troops were brought in. All remained quiet in the rear after this. To show how things are managed, a good instance occurred to-night. Two bridges were said to allow the enemy to cross and re-cross the canal when they chose, and to be of no use to us.  After they had been effectually blown up, an order came not to do so as they were found of great benefit to us. Alas! that there is no one of decision in camp. How different if Sir C. Napier had been here, or even if Brigadier Wilson had the command.

July 5th,Sunday. Heard service by Mr. Rotton this morning; he gave us a sermon on the uncertainty of life, which ought, at such a time as this, to be constantly before us. What a commentary on this, is what is occurring at head-quarters.  Yesterday morning I saw Sir H. Barnard on the flagstaff tower looking well, and watching the progress of the fight. Now he is dying. Early this morning he was seized with cholera. He has overworked himself with writing and anxiety. How radically decayed must the management of an English army be, when it requires its chief to toil to the death.    Lord Raglan was one victim, here we have another. Such things never occur among Continental nations. He was chief of the staff in the Crimea, and came out here in place of Wyndham, of Redan celebrity. Although not a great general, being too fond of giving way to the opinions of others, yet he had endeared himself to all who came in con­tact with him, by his gentlemanly conduct and desire to please everyone when it lay in his power. Certainly, God's ways are not as our ways. Two chiefs of this force have already been struck down by the same dire disease, within a short period, and many less useful officers spared. The General died at three p.m.   It seems that sixty of the Jheend Rajah's men were killed at Allipore yesterday. Whether this has disgusted him is likely, as he was faithfully promised assistance whenever in danger of being attacked. At any rate, he is off to his own country to raise more men, he says; probably to wait until affairs take some turn.

July 6th.  Had a dreadful storm last night; sky as black as ink; lightning flashing continually, making everything as distinct as daylight. It rained as only tropical storms do, and our camp was soon like a lake, nothing visible but tents and "water, water everywhere." This morning everything, of course, soaking. Heavy clouds floating about give warning of more rain. The 4th Irregulars have bolted from Meerut. A volunteer corps has been raised there, who, with two guns on elephants, go about collecting the revenue. It is now rumoured that we are to await the arrival of Sir H. Wheeler, who is coming up with some European regiments. The rebels in the city are quarrelling again.   Last night there was a great commotion, beating of tom-toms, etc. The Bareilly men are told that they ought to go out and fight, while the others remain at home smoking and enjoying them­selves. Over this bone of contention they are, it is said, snarling.    The treasure (two lacs) came in safely this after­noon, with eighty Artillerymen and a wing of the 17th Irregulars. The latter are not trustworthy, and are to be sent back to their homes.  The funeral of Sir H. Barnard took place this morning in the churchyard; it was attended by a great many officers.  Major-General T. Reed, C.B., who commanded at Peshawur, and now officiating as Commander-in-Chief, is to be the commander of the force here assembled. He does this to allow Brigadier N. Chamberlain, a capital soldier, to be the director of everything.

July 7th.    Weather excessively warm. The flies still tor­menting us in swarms. No relief from them, they are so active and persevering. From the city we hear that the King holds frequent durbars, at which the English are represented as monsters of cruelty.    The Pandys have only seven lacs (700,000) percussion caps. This appears a large number, but on such an occasion, and with no prospect of getting more, it is small in reality.

July 8th. Rockets were again tried last night, but, as usual, with only partial success. Two went into the city. The Bareilly force, disgusted with the other mutineers at their cowardice, have left the city, and are encamped outside the walls to the S.W. This morning a force under Brigadier Longfield was sent out to attack them. It consisted of H.M. 8th and 61st, one squadron of Lancers, one squadron of Carabiniers, the Guides' cavalry, 1st Punjaub Infantry, etc., and eighteen guns! Yet with this imposing force nothing was done except blowing up a bridge. Our troops seem perfectly useless in any movements. Of pluck there is no want, but to have it directed in the proper direction seems impossible with the officers we have. No one seems to have any ability when a combined movement is required. The Generals are too old, and want energy. A great deal of firing during the night, which for some time has been unusual.

July 9th. The firing of the enemy became almost inces­sant towards ten a.m.; about that time the alarm sounded, but, before the men could turn out, about one hundred Sowars of the 8th Irregulars made a charge on our right flank. They got up within charging distance unperceived, the gardens and trees concealing them. At that side we had two guns of Tombs' troop, under Lieutenant Hill; and twenty Carabiniers under Captain Stillman. Hill, to give his men time to load the guns with grape, charged them alone. He cut down two, but he and his horse were knocked down by the rush. The Carabiniers were drawn up, and, when ordered to charge, hesitated, turned and fled; Stillman only got one man to follow. He charged, but no one would come within reach of his sword. The Sowars galloped on but, on approaching the tents, walked. They asked twice ofColonel Mackenzie's bearer if the sahib was in his tent. He luckily said no. Lieutenant Rudd, on seeing them pass, went out and asked them where they were going.   Expecting to escape by attack­ing no one, they went to the native troops and told the men to follow them. They, however, remained staunch. Being thus disappointed in the object of their attack, they rode down to the churchyard, intending probably to cross at the bridge, and return by the other side of the canal. They were frustrated in this by meeting some of our troops, and returned hesitating. They killed a conductor (European) who was coming in with some ammunition from Umballa; then cut down several of our hospital patients who had run out of the tents on their approach. Two hundred of the Fusiliers were by this time drawn up along the graveyard wall, but some staff officer ordered them not to fire as they were our own men. Several shots from theother side of the wall, from those who were dismounted, opened their eyes. Volley after volley was sent after them as they retreated slowly along the canal, but only three or four fell. The others were pursued, and their leader, with fifteen men, were killed. The former belonged to the 1st Oude Cavalry. In the graveyard two were killed—one who had taken shelter up a tree, and the other hiding below some wood.    In the pursuit, one man tried to cross the canal, but his horse fell. He immediately dismounted, took off his boots and uni­form, and began washing his "cummer-bund" (waistcloth). This being seen, he was shot. Another party of their cavalry, about two hundred in number, appeared on the other side of the canal, threatening our near battery, but thirty of the Lancers kept firing and intimidated them. A few rounds of shot sent them to the right about. When Hill had picked himself up, he found two men in the act of charging him. One he shot with his pistol, the other Tombs did for. They were in the act of retreating to the mound on their right, when the latter Sowar rose and was making off with Hill's pistol. Tombs and he, on seeing this, went at him.   The rascal said his father had been killed by the latter, and that his life would alone atone for it. He kept waving his sword, made a cut at Hill, then at Tombs; both were parried. Hill made a lunge, the fellow jumped aside, giving him a cut across the top of his head.    Tombs then  ran  him through.    The cut is not severe, although the outer table is injured in one place. This daring attack, and their slow retreat, is the admiration of everyone, so contrasted with the conduct of our Dragoons. One man immediately behind our tent dismounted from his horse, took that of the apothe­cary and left his own. Lieutenant Hodson, 1st Europeans, who had raised some Irregulars, came up with some of them. Not suspecting they were the enemy, he asked them where  the  Sowars were. They pointed in our direction which he took, while they retreated.    With the cavalry, a large body of infantry had come out and advanced to our right flank. Brigadier Chamberlain sent one party to attack them, while he and the guns proceeded towards the Subzee Mundi to intercept them. This ruse succeeded, the enemy coming up within a short distance of the guns without seeing them. Grape was immediately poured into them, when they retreated into the walled gardens. From there they were successfully driven, and they at last sought shelter in the Ead-ghur Serai. This they had barricaded, and made quite impregnable, without guns. Scott's battery was brought forward, and the gates blown open. Out of this the Pandys rushed, but were exposed to the musketry of our men ready to receive them. We followed in pursuit, and it was not until the guns at the Lahore gate opened with grape that we retired. The Rifles and the Ghoorkhas had a very hard fight of it when the enemy came out about ninea.m. Their loss was consequently heavy. That of the Pandys must be very great. It kept raining from morning to night, and, although very disagreeable, it made it cool and good for fighting. The whole talk of the camp is the conduct of the Dragoons. Captain Stillman  remonstrated with the men, and tried in vain to get them to charge. Only one man named Roberts would do so. The others rushed into camp, many without helmets. Where they went, or whether they reassembled, no one seems to know.  Captain S.  I saw with the Fusiliers, by himself. Colonel Custance, when he heard of it, put them all under arrest. That something ought to be done to these cowards there is little doubt, as a warning to others, but this remains with the Chief.   There is scarcely a precedent in British history, of twenty dragoons on piquet, and entrusted with an important post, being put to flight by one hundred horsemen without firing a shot or making a charge.  Alas! for India; if such conduct goes un­punished, our star will soon set. The 14thDragoons bolted at Chillianwallah, but then they had showed good fight previously, having been well pounded, and like a man who has been well punished in a fight, could not come up to the scratch. The 6th Dragoon Guards had no such excuse, and that they may soon have an opportunity of washing out this stain on their fair name is what everyone wishes. Her Majesty's 8th had 8 killed and 11 wounded; the 61st, 2 killed; the 1st Europeans, only 3 wounded. The loss fell to the Rifles and Ghoorkhas. Total killed, 1 officer (Lieutenant Mountsteven) 8th Queen's, and 40 men; wounded, 180. Total hors de combat, 220.

July l0th. Rained almost incessantly last night. This morning fair, but very watery; a strong breeze from the north-east blowing. The enemy are computed to have lost one thousand men killed yesterday. The 14thN.I. have risen at Jhelum. Two companies of H.M. 24th were sent against them, but did not succeed in killingall by evening, although they had two guns with them. Colonel Ellice and an ensign were wounded. Twelve Europeans were killed, and sixty-six wounded. During the night three hundred tried to escape, but, being followed, were cut to pieces. One or two alone swam the Jhelum. Our gun, which they had captured, was found in the river. The enemy came out about four p.m., and attacked our sappers and coolies, destroying walls near the Subzee Mundi. After killingseven or eight of the latter, they retired into the city on theadvance of our men. A committee is sitting upon the 9th Irregulars for yesterday's business. Although supported by Brigadier Chamberlain, their old officer, they are to be sent out of camp, and the 17thIrregulars from Allipore brought in.

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