62 A COUNCIL OF WAR. a single advantage over us of any kind as yet. This must necessarily make them dispirited, and they are not likely to become a bit more courageous when they know that a large force is on its way to join us. With our present little Army, after taking the city we could not prevent the mutineers escaping; but with the force advancing we should be able to spare a strong brigade to go in pursuit of the wretches. It is not very pleasant the prospect of being in tents for another ten days or so, but you would be surprised to see how comfortable we are-with tatties and a punkah. As to our living, we could not dine more luxuriously than we do if we were quietly located at Simla, and I have not seen better gram-fed mutton anywhere; and you will be amused when I tell you that the pastry at the mess is about the best I have come across in India— it seems that the Artillery mess cook or confectioner is famous for his skill. I give you all these little details that you may know we are not utterly miserable! Of our party, Norman, Mactier, and myself always dine at the mess; and Becher sometimes. Our tiffin, Mactier's and mine, is a biscuit and a glass of wine or brandy and water. We are nearly at the end of the two boxes I got from Anderson's; but Mactier has picked up another box somewhere, which will last us, I hope, until we get into Delhi. (Diary) 15th June.—Attack by the enemy in force this morning about seven, on right flank; little execution done on them, I fear. Saw one of their colours flying. They were driven back, however, and have not ventured to show themselves since. Go to Greathed, by General Barnard's wish, to talk of waiting for reinforcements. Agree on Council of War, so decide; otherwise there was to have been an assault in the morning. Extract from NEWSLETTER of 15th June (written by a SPY On the night of the 14th Mahbook Ulee Khan died, and will be buried this morning. A petition from the Sepoys of Nussereebad and Neemuch reached the King to the effect that they were coming up with the treasure and magazine stores. Doun Sing plundered if you send us assistance we can come on.' The King wrote in reply that no such assistance could be afforded, that he himself us; DECIDE TO WAIT For reinfoRCEMENTS. 63 was prepared to die, and that any others prepared for a like fate might come on. On account of the death of Mahbook Ulee Khan there is a difficulty to-day about provisions; it is not likely that effective arrangements will again be made for supplies. The mutineers who first came to Delhi have grown heavy on account of their being laden with plunder, and are no longer fit for action, and on being ordered to fight set forth excuses. The day before yesterday the King said, 'If you do not go out, I will blow up the powder-magazine and die.' On this some of the troops went out to fight; and on their return at night, when it was found they also were dispirited and that defeat was only delayed on account of the protection afforded by the gates and walls, the force were still more dispirited. Replies have come to the King from Bhurtpore, Dholpore, and Gwalior. Gwalior says, 'When you are really King I will come to your assistance.' Dholpore was first going to kill the messenger, but let him go; and Bhurtpore said he was always disloyal to Delhi, and would remain so. CAMP, DELHI CANTONMENTS, Tuesday, 16th June. After all, they decided to have a Council of War yesterday afternoon, and, as I expected, it was almost unanimously resolved to wait in our present position for reinforcements; and Brigadier Wilson, I was glad to see, was quite of opinion that this is the right thing to do. He says we are perfectly safe here, that nothing can harm us, and with fresh troops we shall be able to take Delhi with but little loss and with a certainty of destroying the mutineers. Young Greathed, of the Engineers, was present at the Council, and was the great advocate for a forward move at once; but his talk was too fiery and wild for any one to listen to. Here therefore we remain for the next eight or ten days, and in that time it will be surprising if the dissensions among the mutineers do not increase. Two villagers came in this morning from Allyghur, bringing an extract of General Orders appointing Patrick Grant Provincial Commander-in-Chief. I questioned the men, who said they left Allyghur two days ago, when all was quiet there, and the road and telegraph open to Agra. The collector was at * See page 56. 64 ANOTHER COUNCIL OF WAR. Allyghur, and some European troops were also arriving-pushed up, I suppose, from Cawnpore. There was a letter also to-day from Nynee Tal, giving an account of the fugitives there from Bareilly. Brigadier Sibbald is the only one known to have been killed; but several officers of the 18th Native Infantry have not turned up, amongst them young Stewart who married Miss Maul. She was at Nynee Tal. At Almorah the Goorkhas were quite staunch, and Colonel M'Causland has taken the precaution of disarming the Native Artillery, who are said to have plotted the murder of the officers of the 66th. No dâk in to-day; your Hodson was in my tent just now. last letter is that of the 13th June. alarm you appear to have had! These alarmists ought to be tried by a Court-Martial of ladies; consult Mrs Hodson and Mrs Norman about this! (Diary) 16th June.-A very quiet day; hardly a shot fired by the enemy all day long; and we are comparatively quiet, entrenching our positions. Another Council of War this afternoon, when it was decided to wait for all the reinforcements coming up before the assault is made; this will allow of the insurgents being completely followed up and destroyed, and is the right plan. Major MORRIESON to Colonel BECHER, Quartermaster-General.* BHURTPORE, 16th June. MY DEAR BECHER,-The bearer is a hurkara of the Bhurtpore regiment, and one of thirty despatched by me to be posted on the road to bring your correspondence. They have bungled the matter, however, and have been fleeced of my letter, so that the communication cannot be maintained till you receive this. I sent another note-two notes-enclosing copy of General Order appointing Sir H. Somerset to temporary charge of the office of Commander-in-Chief in India, and our old Adjutant-General, Patrick Grant, to be Commander-in-Chief of the Bengal Army before Delhi.† I hope these may reach; but if not, and this * This letter and others from Major Morrieson, Captain Eden, &c., came by secret letter-carriers called cossids. + See page 56. |