32

MARCH TO GURAUNDA.

and though there has been great delay in advancing and much vacillation, the former was unavoidable for want of carriage, and for the latter he is not, so far as I can judge, to blame. He and Becher had a grand row yesterday about the siegetrain having been left without any European guard. It was a great mistake sending on the Europeans, and had the Goorkhas attacked the train yesterday it might have been serious. He is a real good fellow, Arthur Becher, and we all like him much, but he is too easily excited. I do not think Chester and he will fall out again.

(Diary) 30th May.-March this evening about five o'clock to Guraunda. Terrible confusion; no tents or anything up for a long time. Ride with Mactier, and come on with General's party.

CAMP, GURAUNDA, Whitsunday, 31st May (1 P.M.).

We arrived here last night about eleven o'clock. We have at present the advantage of having the electric telegraph working in the camp; two or three men belonging to the department came on with us, and in the course of an hour or two a tent is pitched close to the wires and a repeating station formed. Mactier and I went into the tent early this morning, and at our request a message was telegraphed to Umballa to ask if all was right; in a minute the answer came, 'Yes, all right here.' They can't telegraph down towards Delhi; but it's everything if they can continue telegraphing upwards, as at present.

We had rather an unpleasant night of it last night, every one's tent and every one's traps being behind. The General gave us all some tea. At last, about 2 A.M., I was able to turn into bed comfortably, having bought a light little charpoy at Kurnaul. All the servants are behaving very well; and Soobhan (chuprassie), who gave me a deal of trouble on the road down, having stayed behind at Kussowlie without leave, is now making himself useful in every way and doing all he can to regain his lost character.

Frank Turner's troop Horse Artillery and a squadron 9th Lancers came in this morning, and we all, including the 75th, go on to-night to Paniput. It has been decided, however, not to leave this until one or two in the morning, which will allow of our getting a little sleep before we go, and of our reaching

NEWS OF BRIGADIER WILSON'S VICTORY.

33

our ground at daybreak. It is a great thing for us the Horse Artillery having come, as they will always be with us now, and we are honorary members of their mess.

General Barnard appears to be a very good, gentlemanly little man, and I dare say he is as good for the work as most others. He does not apparently want for pluck, and this, I fancy, is nearly all that is required.

We have not been able to find out how poor Colonel Mowatt is. He was left behind at Piplee yesterday morning very ill with cholera; curious his being attacked, for it seems to have been a solitary case, the whole troop, Turner told me this morning, being in excellent health. I am glad to hear that Mrs Hallifax is so cheerful: remember me very kindly to her. I hope to-morrow or next day to be able to send some account of Brigadier Hallifax ; his brigade ought to be two marches beyond Paniput to-day.

Becher has lent me a very nice single pole-tent. With the assistance of a tattie,* the temperature is bearable enough, and altogether I am very comfortable.

It is a great comfort indeed Chester being so well. He bears up bravely, and, I hope, will continue to do so, for we cannot spare him. Yes, I saw the Lahore Chronicle giving me by name as one who 'bolted!' The accusation has not disturbed me; I am quite satisfied that I did right, and that there was nothing dishonourable in leaving Simla as I did.†

Shute and Maisey I saw to-day, looking well, as indeed are all our party, Head-Quarters and Divisional Staff. Hope Grant is here, but I have not seen him; he goes on to-night by mailcart to join the Advance Brigade, where there are three squadrons of his regiment.

Open all letters that come for me. No tidings yet of Colonel Mowatt, so I trust he is recovering, as bad news travels fast. I saw Dr Paton yesterday, looking well. No home mail in yet. Tell Mrs Norman that her husband is very jolly.

CAMP, PANIPUT, Monday, 1st June. All is well with us, and we have been gladdened to-day with the news of the Brigadier's most opportune victory. I have given

* A screen of wet grass or straw.

+ See pp. 12, 13, and 21. The late General Sir Hope Grant, G.C.B.

34

BRIGADIER WILSON'S DESPATCH.

the substance of his despatch, which was a very short one, on a separate piece of paper, to allow of your circulating it to all interested in your neighbourhood.

Substance of Brigadier ARCHDALE WILSON'S Despatch of
1st June 1857.

A despatch was received from Brigadier Wilson this morning stating that on the 30th, about 4 P.M., he was attacked at Ghazeeoodeen-Nugar by a large party of the insurgents from Delhi, who have heavy ordnance with them. The enemy were driven back, and entirely defeated; the Brigadier capturing four of their heavy guns and one large howitzer, with trifling loss on our side. The troops, he states, all of them, behaved most admirably. The despatch was written at 8 P.M. of the 30th, and further particulars are promised to-morrow. Nothing is said of any officer having been killed or wounded, and the casualties that took place were principally from the accidental explosion of a tumbrel after the capture of the ordnance. A Native letter received this morning prior to the Brigadier's despatch says that the insurgents were completely defeated, the Delhi people who went out being the first to fly; and many had reached the city wounded with sabre cuts, evidently showing that the Carabineers had done good service in the conflict. The same post brought a letter from General Hewitt at Meerut, where all was quiet.

This victory must be a great blow to the insurgents, and will no doubt have a most depressing effect upon them, and show what little chance they have when all our force is congregated together; this we expect it will be on the morning of the 4th, when Brigadier Wilson is to cross at the Bhagput bridge, close to Raie, where the Advance Column was to be this morning.

We go on this evening a double march, the European Infantry being conveyed on the spare carts; and this will take us within nine miles or so of Raie, to be at hand in case the enemy should come from Delhi on this line of road; but after their defeat by Brigadier Wilson, it is most unlikely they will leave Delhi unless to try to get away to their homes-which, in fact, it is said they are doing in great numbers.

up

ILLNESS OF brigadier HALLIFAX.

35

I am sorry to say that accounts were received this morning of the death of Colonel Mowatt. He, it seems, gave up at oncemade his mind that he was to die, and this, poor man, had a good deal to say to his non-recovery. I am very sorry also to say that Brigadier Hallifax has been pronounced as too unwell to accompany the force, and he went back the day before yesterday to Kurnaul, and I hope by this time is at Umballa. I saw a medical statement of his case this morning, and pray tell Mrs Hallifax, with my kind regards, that there is nothing the matter with the Brigadier that the quiet and rest of Simla will not remove. It appears he had, among other ailments, an attack of ophthalmia, but the principal thing the matter with him was a tendency to apoplexy, which would have endangered his life had he passed another day in a tent. All our party are as jolly as possible, except Congreve, who has fever, liver, and severe cough. I fancy he will not go on with us from here; but nothing has been settled yet.

Chester is, happily, as well and plucky as ever, and he, Norman, and I have taken up our quarters to-day in one of General Barnard's large double-poled tents; there are tatties and a punkah, so that we are very comfortable. The General is very kind and considerate-coming over to Chester's and finding his tent small, insisted on our coming over here. We are also now members of the Artillery mess, and, judging from the dinner last night, we are likely to fare most sumptuously in future.

There is a report that Hansi and Hissar have been plundered, but it wants confirmation. From other quarters the news is good, and the only contretemps we know of is of a small party, a Havildar and eight of the 60th Native Infantry, with two officers, who went to collect boats on the Jumna, having been obliged to cut and run into camp on account of the villagers rising. I think it is likely enough that they were taking boats without paying for them. All got into camp without damage, losing some of their things. Better, perhaps, say nothing of this unless to give a correct version of the affair if you hear an exaggerated account of it.

The telegraph wire was found cut here, but it has been repaired, and is in full operation again. The people of Paniput are very civil, and have come forward with money and stores. Mrs Chester

36

DEATH OF BRIGADIER HALLIFAX.

is not to return to Simla until we have taken Delhi, and, please God, this we shall do before a week is over, unless we have to wait for the siege-train, which is not likely.

No cholera at all in camp. The 9th Lancers haven't had a fresh case since they left Umballa; and, except Colonel Mowatt, Turner tells me there was no case in the Artillery.

(Diary) 1st June.-A party of eight Sepoys (60th), with Captain Fagan and Mr Martin, came rushing in just as we had finished dinner, and said they had been attacked by thousands, and had just escaped with their lives!-Spend the day in Chief's tent, and dine there at five, sleeping at the Artillery as before. People here civil, they say. Colonel Mowatt died of cholera.

CAMP, LUSSOWLEE, Tuesday, 2nd June (10 A.M.).

Poor Mrs Hallifax, there is sad news to communicate to her. Dr Tritton joined us this morning, and brought in word that the Brigadier died last night at Kurnaul. Dr Tritton has promised me that he will himself write to Mrs Hallifax; but I have thought it as well to write a few lines also, which will you read and give her and I know how well you will console and comfort her under her heavy affliction.

All is going on very well here. We had a fearfully long march last night, some good twenty-two miles, but nobody appears the worse for it, and we are now in a most favourable position, being only nine miles from the Advance Column at Raie, where we join them in the morning; and the next day Brigadier Wilson is expected there, and then 'Hurrah for Delhi !' The bridge at Bhagput, close to Raie, is in good order; Brigadier Wilson will cross the Jumna by it. The promised despatch with further accounts of his victory has not come in yet; but there has been a letter from Meerut stating that all was well there, and that Her Majesty's 84th were beginning to arrive at Cawnpore; and things must be quiet all below there, as the letter which mentions the arrival of the 84th talks of the telegraphic communication being open the whole way to Calcutta.

You would have been much amused could you have seen our proceedings of yesterday evening. We all (of our party, I mean) congregated at the Artillery mess, where, after having a cup of coffee, we lay down on the ground till about 10 P.M., when the