xvi MEMOIR AND INTRODUCTION. in the Army Staff. In private life he was much esteemed and respected. I may here mention an occurrence that I think shows the transparent honesty of his face. When he was living a little way out of London in 1860, he was hurrying through the streets to catch his train to take him home, when he became aware that he had lost his purse. He went up to the first policeman he saw and asked him to lend him half-a-crown. The policeman evidently thought that Keith Young looked like a man to be trusted, and immediately handed to him the coin he asked for. I think this is striking evidence of the confidence which Keith Young's appearance inspired. I do not think it was possible to conceive any one more thoroughly upright, or to meet any one who was more liberal to all with whom he was brought in contact. For his services at Delhi he received the Military Companionship of the Bath. His death in 1862, at the age of fifty-four, may be attributed first to exposure during the war. He, as well as most officers who served throughout the Siege of Delhi, had suffered from the exposure, but the effects of that exposure were greatly aggravated by his mission to Meerut in the height of the hot season of 1859. When what was called the 'White Mutiny' broke out, consequent upon the transfer of the European soldiers of the East India Company to the direct service of the Crown, the prospect was very grave, and the Commanderin-Chief ordered a special Court of Inquiry to assemble at Meerut to hear what the Company's soldiers had to say. Every individual soldier was allowed to come MEMOIR AND INTRODUCTION. xvii before this Court, and the Inquiry was so important that Lord Clyde thought it expedient that it should be conducted by the Judge-Advocate General. Colonel Keith Young conducted this anxious duty with his usual ability; but it is believed that this employment at the hottest period of the year had a bad effect on his constitution, and led to his lamented death. Mrs Keith Young has decided to publish the letters written to her by her husband during the first portion of the Mutiny (which included the Siege of Delhi), as well as a few letters received by him, or written by him to friends or relatives, in the same period; and I have esteemed it a grateful duty to offer this Introduction to these letters, mostly written by him who was my dear friend, and with whom I often took counsel concerning very difficult and perplexing questions. ROYAL HOSPITAL, CHELSEA, 1902. H. W. NORMAN. CONTENTS. OUTBREAK OF THE MUTINY.-24th February to 24th May. The greased cartridges-Mangul Pandy-Mutiny of troops at Meerut-Native invaliding rules-Bad news from Delhi-Depar- ture of General Anson from Simla-Colonel Keith Young ordered AN ACCOUNT OF THE OUTBREAK CONTAINED IN A LETTER TO LONDON.-14th May to 25th May. Massacres at Delhi-Camp at Umballa and Kurnaul-Death of General Anson-Waiting for the siege-train-The Army of Retri- bution-Letters from Meerut-Escape of Sir Theophilus Metcalfe- March to Guraunda-News of Brigadier Wilson's victory-Brigadier Wilson's Despatch-Illness and death of Brigadier Hallifax- Wilson's second victory-In camp at Raie-Hodson of 'Hodson's Horse-Arrival at Alleepore-News of fresh mutinies-Arrival of FIRST BATTLE BEFORE DELHI, AND COMMENCEMENT of the Battle of Budlee-ka-Serai-Death of Colonel Chester-In Camp 'Gallant Guides '-Regiments leave England for India-Occupation enemy by Majors Reid and Tombs-Carelessness of the Engineers -The dead Fakeer and his mother-Enemy attack us in force, - SIEGE OF DELHI (continued)—ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS.– Arrival of Olpherts' force-Sir Neville Chamberlain arrives- Mutiny of the 4th Irregulars-Our losses and reinforcements since 8th June-Anxiety about Cawnpore-Commencement of rains- Arrival of Colonel Greathed and the 8th King's-Cawnpore reported safe-Bad management at the Bhagput bridge-Letter from Simla— 'Delhi must soon be taken '-Fidelity of the Hindoo princes-Enemy again attack us, but are driven back with loss-Letter from London -Reasons for the Mutiny-Arrival of reinforcements at Calcutta- Sikhs and Poorbeahs—Arrival of Coke's Corps-News from Agra SIEGE OF DELHI (continued) - ILLNESS AND DEATH OF SIR HENRY BARNARD-GENERAL REED ASSUMES COMMAND.- News from Agra and Allahabad-Heavy rains-Raja of Bul. 106-132 |