CHANGES IN THE BRIGADES.

195

though they have been acting under his orders hitherto, it was thought best to remove them from under his command here. The 52nd is therefore posted to Colonel Longfield's brigade, and the 1st Fusiliers is to be under Nicholson, whose brigade will consist of this regiment, Coke's corps, and Green's; while to keep Showers in command of a brigade, he being also junior to the two 52nd Colonels, another change has to be made involving a good deal of trouble in the unpitching and repitching of tents, many of which have become so rotten from the constant damp that the latter operation (repitching) will be a very difficult one. In the changes, the 9th Lancers had to move their camp yesterday, and they say the upper part of the mess tent came away bodily when they tried to repitch it.

It is past three o'clock, so I must think of closing this. The only news from the city is that several of the Princes (the wretched curs!) have already left the Palace with their wives, and gone out to the Kootub.

(Diary) 11th August.—A coolish morning. Walk down to look at the 9th Lancers' lines being got ready for the 1st Fusiliers and Nicholson's brigade, of which they are to form part, Her Majesty's 52nd being made over to another brigade. Dine with Greathed at the 8th mess this evening.

CHAPTER IX.

SIEGE OF DELHI (continued)—CAPTURE OF ENEMY'S GUNS, AND ARRIVAL OF NICHOLSON'S COLUMN.

Colonel KEITH YOUNG to his wife.

CAMP, DELHI CANTONMENTS, Wednesday, 12th August.

I was dining with Greathed last night at the 8th mess, and on my return, seeing a light in our own mess tent, I went in and found these home letters (which I enclose) and your letter of the 9th instant. I had just finished a letter to your father yesterday, but was glad it wasn't sent off, as I can now add a few lines and tell of the arrival of these. How strange it seems to us out here, in the midst of all our trouble and turmoil, to read of everything being so quiet and peaceful at home! I wish we were there with the little boys, and not obliged to come out again to this murderous country.

There have been grand doings here this morning, an attack on the enemy's outposts on our left front resulting in the capture of four of their guns, which were brought triumphantly into camp; one of them belonged to Murray-Mackenzie's troop. A great many of the mutineers were killed-probably two hundred of them, including three Native officers. Our loss, I am sorry to say, has not been small, about fifty killed and wounded, and six officers wounded-one Sheriff, a brother of the Miss Sheriff who was at Simla, it is feared mortally: the others not any of them very badly-Brigadier Showers; Major Coke; Greville; Lieutenant Innes, 60th Native Infantry; and Owen, 1st Fusiliers. The enemy, it seems, had been annoying our Metcalfe pickets for some days with guns they had brought out, and it was determined to make a dash for them; the attack was planned last night to come off at early dawn this morning, and every

MASSACRE AT CAWNPORE CONFIRMED.

197

thing was very well managed by Brigadier Showers, who commanded the attacking party. It was a complete surprise to the enemy, who were mostly posted in and about Ludlow Castle-the house, you may remember, just before you come to the NorthWestern Dâk Company's Office.

Our men, both European and Natives, are highly delighted at the success of the expedition; and the first two guns were brought in by men of the 1st Fusiliers, mounted on the horses, which were also taken, and stopping occasionally to give a cheer for Brigadier Showers. By six o'clock the guns were in

camp, so the affair, important as it was, didn't last very long. Having taken the guns, our people returned as quickly as possible, as they were within the range of the city guns, and it was by a piece of shell from one of these that the poor young fellow Sheriff was wounded: his wound is in the head. The 1st Fusiliers and Coke's were the corps principally engaged. The men

of the latter regiment-Sikhs and Afghans-were highly elated at taking the guns, the first they had ever taken; and one of them in speaking to me spoke of the number of Matadeens his regiment had killed. This, it appears, is the name that the mutineers always go by amongst the Sikhs. It is to be hoped that this morning's business will keep the scoundrels quiet for some time to come: they are very much so just now.

I enclose with this a copy of a letter of the 31st July from Cawnpore that reached our camp last night.* This will show you the absurdity of entering the word 'to-morrow' in that letter from Major Tytler.

I was speaking to Chamberlain just now, and it is his opinion that no troops will march from Cawnpore to here until after Havelock has returned there from Lucknow, when with the reinforcements now pouring up country he would probably have four or five thousand men after leaving sufficient garrisons at Lucknow and Cawnpore. This is much what I think myself; and under this arrangement he will probably be up here some time during the last week in this month. It is dreadful to find that the sad tale of the double massacre at Cawnpore is confirmed: no wonder our men slay all the Natives there they come across.

We have just begun to use the tin of tea you sent with the

* See page 198.

198

WE ATTACK THE ENEMY.

port wine, and we want to know if there is any of the Kangra tea in it. It is a very nice mixture whatever it is.

Becher told me just now that Lord William had sent him a pistol, showing, as he said in his note about it, that he bore no malice to him for his letter, but that he considered Simla quite safe, or he wouldn't part with his pistol.

Let Mr Philipe see the letter from Cawnpore, and tell him particulars of the fight. 3.30 P.M., and all quiet.

(Diary) 12th August.-Woke up early this morning before daybreak by very heavy musketry firing, and by Becher coming into my tent in a state of great excitement and telling me it was our attack and not the enemy, and the result very satisfactory. We took four guns near Ludlow Castle, and killed and wounded some five hundred of the enemy. Very amusing to see the Fusilier men bringing in the guns in triumph. Coke's corps was very good too. One man told me they had killed lots of Matadeens (Sepoys). The band of the 8th playing in the Head-Quarters' street this evening.

Captain SPURGIN to Captain SIMPSON.

CAWNPORE, 31st July.

MY DEAR SIR,-Sir Hugh Wheeler and his garrison have ceased to exist. The Nana promised them a safe passage by the river to Allahabad and Calcutta ; but when he got them into boats he treacherously murdered them by bringing guns to fire upon the boats. The women and children appear to have been spared that day, for they were brutally and cruelly murdered (two hundred and ten in number) the day the British troops retook Cawnpore. It is reported that there are two who escaped from the boats; from them an account of the sufferings of the garrison may be gathered. General Neill, of the Madras Fusiliers, now commands at Cawnpore; General Havelock the advancing column to Lucknow : their success has already been great, taking twenty guns the first day. In all probability the column would be at Lucknow to-day.

Fifty-six guns were taken from the rebels between Allahabad and Cawnpore. They blew up the magazine, but heaps of everything have been dug from the ruins-even to gunpowder. All is well here, and a flow of European troops still continues from Calcutta, and regiments coming overland from England.