*

NEWS OF MAJOR OLPHERTS' FORCE.

73

(Diary) 20th June.-A large party went out, under Hope Grant, before daybreak to the scene of last night's action-brought in two captured guns, driving off small parties of the enemy; but Grant was hardly in camp before two guns again opened on the camp, driving in all the followers and cattle. All the disposable force out again. Hard work, poor fellows, but no loss on our side. There were, however, forty or fifty killed and wounded last night; † amongst the former, poor Yule. Some four hundred of the enemy, they say, hors de combat.

CAMP, DELHI Cantonments, Sunday, 21st June.

The dâk, it seems, was brought in yesterday on horseback; the coachman, hearing that the road wasn't quite safe, took a circuitous route with the mail. He properly got a present of twenty-five rupees for his carefulness. Precautions having been now taken to have parties of Cavalry along the road, I hope there will be no further fear for our letters. Letters were received from Major Olpherts yesterday, when he was to be at Guraunda, and he expected to reach here by daybreak on Tuesday morning, the eventful 23rd-which day, it is thought at Simla, is to decide the fall of India !

The addition of Olpherts' force, which, besides Cavalry and Artillery, consists of a regiment of Sikhs-a first-rate regiment, he says-and between three and four hundred European Infantry, would be a very nice increase to our force; but so far as thrashing the enemy goes, they have not the least chance if they attack us again, and some heavy guns have been put in the battery, to protect our right rear, if they try to get round that way again.

The principal thing we want fresh troops for is to give those in camp a little rest, as when there is an alarm the whole of the Infantry is called out, and it is rather hard work for them; but still their health is excellent, and the weather is far from being as disagreeable as one would think.

You ask me what Hope Grant's opinion was about making an immediate assault on Delhi, without waiting for reinforcements. * In point of fact, only one gun was captured.-H. W. NORMAN.

When returns came in the loss proved much heavier than is here stated. Three officers and seventeen men were killed, two men were missing, and seven officers and seventy men were wounded. No less than sixty horses were killed and wounded in our force.-H. W. NORMAN.

74

LETTER FROM MITRALL.

He was not present at either of the only two Councils that I attended, but I am pretty sure that he could not have voted for an assault. It would have been a desperate enterprise, and, if not successful, everything would have been lost. When the first attack was fixed upon-and I don't think I ever told you of this, it was on the morning of the 13th-it would have been in the nature of a surprise, and much more likely to succeed. The attack did not come off on account of some dilatoriness on the part of Brigadier Graves in bringing in the pickets, and after that day the enemy were on the alert. Depend upon it, it has been a wise decision resolving to wait for the troops now coming up the 8th, 61st, and Coke's* regiment-which we look for in eight days or so; but if favourable opportunity offers—and there is a talk now of a split in the city amongst the enemy-we may still go in before the 8th, &c., arrive, but no risk of failure will be run, depend upon it: there is too much at stake.

Your letter of the 19th has just reached me. Tell your friend from me, with my kind regards, that I do not think any one in camp shares her fears of our losing India and of our army being annihilated; there does not seem the least possible chance of such a contingency, and she may rest happy with (D. V.) the certain consciousness of our being masters of Delhi before many days are over. The delay is unfortunate, but it can't be helped.

Becher is getting on very well, but there is some doubt now as to whether the small bone of the arm is not broken; Mactier, however, says it is a matter of trifling consequence. Daly is getting on well also. He is a very good fellow, and a first-rate soldier.

We had service this morning at 6 A.M., and such a long, sleepy

sermon.

Captain EDEN, Political Agent, to Colonel BECHER,

Quartermaster-General.

MITRALL, 21st June.

MY DEAR BECHER,-I've been obliged to move from Pulwal; my men were deserting, though quiet. Shall be near Hodul to-morrow, and stay as long as I can. I'm sorry and disgusted

* Now General Sir John Coke, G.C.B.

NO COMMUNICATION POSSIBLE WITH CALCUTTA. 75

I can't be of more use; I'll do all I can to keep open the communication, nevertheless. You must be in Delhi to-day. Give me a line to send Lieutenant-Governor. This is the third messenger I've sent you. Yours sincerely, W. F. EDEN.

Colonel KEITH YOUNG to his wife.

Camp, Delhi Cantonments, Monday, 22nd June.

I have just had Oree's (bearer) letter read to me, and I find it is a very proper one, without a particle of treason in it. He is very particular in asking after Soobhan's health; tells him that all has gone on well at Simla since we left, that grain is selling at the usual price, and that there is no cause whatever for any uneasiness up at Simla. Oree is evidently no croaker. He gives also an account of the weather, which, he says, is unpleasantly hot, no rain having fallen. The little boys, too, he mentions as being very well.

· Nothing has occurred of any moment since I wrote to you yesterday. We had a false alarm in the afternoon, and all the troops turned out, but instead of an attack being meditated it seems that a party of Cavalry were escaping from the city and trying to get across the river, when they were fired at from the Fort-Irregulars, most likely, who were tired of the work and trying to get away to their homes.

Maisey told me this morning-and I hope it will prove truethat word has been brought in by a Native servant from Bareilly that the officers of the 18th Native Infantry who were supposed to have been murdered had been escorted out of Bareilly by some men of their own regiment, and had reached Nynee Tal. The report wants confirmation, but is very likely to be true, as the man corroborates the story we had heard of Dr Hay and others having been taken into the city and there murdered.

We have heard nothing more of Shahjehanpore, and no authentic intelligence has been received yet of what has actually happened there. All that I have seen came in a private letter from Tooney Simpson, in which he said that the regiment had mutinied on the 31st May-and here's the 22nd June.

It is most unfortunate our communication being so completely cut off towards Culcutta. We hear regularly from Meerut, and

76

BAIRD SMITH TO BE CHIEF ENGINEER.

there was a letter in from Allyghur yesterday of the 18th instant, I think, when all was well; and to-day letters have come in from Mr Harvey and Captain Eden of the 18th, 19th, and 20th from Pulwal, where the Jeypore and Bhurtpore contingents are some four thousand Foot, one thousand Horse, and seven guns. They are all right, but I fancy they will remain there until Delhi falls, when they will be of essential service in scouring and quieting the country.

You may have heard, perhaps, that the bridge at Bhagput had been broken; this is the road by which we communicate with Meerut. It seems the report is true. It was done by some Goojur disaffected villagers; but a large party of the Jheend Raja's troops are now there, and have recovered nearly all the boats, and as the bridge is one that could not have been kept up in the rains, it won't be put together again, and boats will be quite sufficient to take across stores and things required.

I wrote again to Mrs Daly this morning. Mackinnon and Mactier examined Daly's wound, and pronounced very favourably of it, and I hope he will soon be right again. There is not a better or more gallant soldier in camp than he is. Arthur Becher's arm is getting on very well, but he does not at all like the confinement. Hodson has got the temporary command of the Guide Corps till Daly gets well; certainly the fittest man in camp for it.

We are going to lose Major Laughton-whose wife was in camp. with such a large retinue-he returns to Umballa-LieutenantColonel Baird Smith coming from Roorkee as Chief Engineer in his place. I don't know about Chamberlain making a good AdjutantGeneral after the war is over, but he will be invaluable now, and his presence here will be worth more than a thousand men. We expect him either to-day by the mail-cart, or else he will come in with Olpherts' force in the morning. I hope when the force arrives they will pick General up with it on arrest, and

bring him to a Court-Martial for his imbecile conduct. It is just twelve (noon), and the dâk not in yet, so I will detain this no longer.

(Diary) 22nd June.-All quiet to-day, but the talk is of a grand attack on our position to-morrow. Olpherts' force is at Raie, two marches off, and will join us in the morning. Bad news from

LETTER FROM HODUL.

77

Gwalior a letter from Pulwal says the Gwalior contingent has mutinied; the Gwalior man himself true. Troops ordered to be in readiness early in the morning.

P. H.* to Colonel BECHER, Camp, Delhi.

HODUL, 23rd June.

MY DEAR BECHER,-These blackguard troops began to bolt, and set up a separate standard, and we were, to save the regiment, obliged to take ground to the rear. D― them! they are all alike; as for soldiering, a tom-tom and a lattee is all that should be allowed them as equipment.

Many thanks for the brandy and baccy. This awful heat! I have been very sick, but better to-day.

The Raja of Bullubghur, a scoundrel, sent me the enclosed last night: There are unknown covered ways running all through to north part of Delhi;' but Metcalfe should know about these, one being supposed to run from Hindoo Rao's house to the Palace. However, punch these cossids; and give me an early line, for they are in great anxiety at Agra, and it would be a vast relief to them to get a conclusive note.

That wretched Bhurtpore force kept me, by their mutiny, from joining Head-Quarters, for I left Agra with full credentials, and should have enjoyed the campaign; but what we have had to undergo has been distressing, useless, and disgusting. I hope this will get to you safe.—Yours,

COLONEL BECHER,

Quartermaster-General.

P. H.

This letter is probably from Mr Harvey, although only initials are given. See Captain Eden's letter, page 96.

N