26 DEATH OF GENERAL ANSON. was rather warm at one time. I found Chester, Norman, &c. located in the dâk-bungalow, and they managed to make me as comfortable as circumstances will admit; but it's a terrible crush, every room having some half-dozen in it. The first thing that greeted me was the intelligence of the Chief having been attacked with cholera; and he died, poor man, early this morning in General Palmer's house, where he was staying. His death has thrown a gloom over the party, the rest of whom, including Becher,* Congreve,† and Mactier, are all well; and, in fact, there is very little sickness about. The illness of the Chief is not to be wondered at, for they say he was quite unequal to his position in the present state of affairs. General Reed will be Acting Commander-in-Chief; and General Barnard, who is now here, commands this force. Everything seems to be going on well. They are pushing on troops to Paniput, and beyond; and good accounts are received from almost every station of the state of the troops-Native, I mean. The 60th Native Infantry is the only Native regiment here, and it is to march this morning towards Rohtuck. We shall remain here till the siege-train arrives, and it is expected at Umballa to-day or to-morrow, so I suppose we shall be here some five or six days. Brigadier Hallifax is here with his brigade; tell Mrs Hallifax he is looking very well indeed. I gave Plassy's (his little son) letter to him. Bagot's Corps is ordered to Saharunpore, the very place, I believe, that Bagot was anxious to take them to. I hope you have had no more alarms at Simla; there ought to be no cause for any there. Arthur Becher sent out a couple of elephants last night to bring on my traps. (Diary) 27th May.-Poor General Anson! Chester returned about three in the morning to say he was dead, poor man. Chester tells me that he must have felt himself quite unequal to the present emergency; and anxiety of mind has had much to do with his fatal illness. He seems to be popular with very few ; and the Native troops have apparently a great hatred for him, * The late General Sir Arthur Becher, K.C.B.-then Quartermaster-General of the Bengal Army. Acting Adjutant-General of Queen's troops. |