CHAPTER IIL

ADVANCE ON DELHI.

Colonel KEITH YOUNG to his wife.

KUSSOWLIE, Monday, 25th May (3 P.M.). Here I am quite well, having arrived this morning without any trouble or annoyance. The rain overtook us at Boileaugunge; but, with the assistance of the waterproof, I escaped a ducking. We were only, however, able to get as far as Hurreepore last night. The Goorkhas have gone down the hill to Kalka, and no further apprehensions need be felt about them now at Simla.

I write this from Mrs James Becher's, where I am going to tiff (lunch); and purpose leaving for Kalka this evening, and probably shall go with Dr Faithful to Umballa by buggy-dâk in the morning. The road is perfectly open and safe, and ladies continually coming.

Mrs Chester is very well, and Chester much better than she expected. Mrs Arthur Becher also here, very well. Mrs Chester will remain here for the present. Dr Nisbett has been detained at Umballa, there not being a single medical man in that place. Mrs Norman is also here, but I have not seen her yet; and many other ladies. Mrs Chester would go to Simla at once, but she promised Chester not to leave Umballa until she heard from him. The Chief was to have left for Kurnaul yesterday, and expected to remain there some days; so I have plenty of time to join. All officers are ordered to join their regiments.

(Diary) 25th May.-Off as soon after daybreak as I can manage it go through Sabathoo; the Goorkhas just precede us as we reach Kussowlie, and go through gently. See Bagot; full of complaints of the treatment of the Goorkhas-the scoundrels!

AT UMBALLA AND KURNAUL.

25

UMBALLA HOTEL, Tuesday, 26th May.

I have not loitered long on the road; by my letter of yesterday, from Kussowlie, you would have had tidings of me so far. I came down as I had intended in the evening after paying Mrs Norman a visit: she was very amusing about the flight on Friday afternoon to Solon and Dugshai. I reached Kalka in time to have a little dinner with Bagot, who declares his regiment to be a most orderly set of men considering the way in which they have been tried. They halt at Kalka to-day, and perhaps longer, having no carriage to bring them on to this their first place of destination. Where they are eventually to go I know not. They were not allowed to take charge of the Treasury again at Kussowlie, at which Bagot is very irate; but the men, it seems, made no objection when the decision was communicated to them, but marched cheerfully on to Kalka. I spoke to several of the men along the road, and they said they would willingly go on to Delhi with me to punish the ruffians there; but I am not so sure after all that they would do so.

I came in here this morning in the mail-cart, arriving soon after eight. It was delightfully cool, so much so that my puttoo coat was in requisition; it is so cool that I have determined to go on in the mail-cart when the Loodianah dâk comes in. The Chief went yesterday. My baggage must follow the best way it can; they have promised to forward it from the post-office.

They have just come to tell me that the mail-cart is ready, so I must say good-bye. The siege-train is expected to-morrow or next day. All is quiet here, and everything seems looking up.

(Diary) 26th May.-Called at about half-past three-not long in getting ready. A cup of tea and off. Dreadful storm soon after daybreak; dark as pitch, and then heavy rain. First two miles of road covered with people going to Kussowlie; every woman and child from Umballa ordered up. Get to hotel at Umballa at about eight. On to Kurnaul by mail-cart; very hot; no adventures; reach at six.

CAMP, KURNAUL, Wednesday, 27th May (8 A.M.).

I got here all right about sunset yesterday, and do not feel at all the worse for the journey; though I must confess the sun

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.