Part 21 (1/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Photo by Bourne & Shepherd, Calcutta._}

THE CASHMERE GATE, DELHI.]

There is nothing in English history, at least during the last six centuries, approaching in horror to the ma.s.sacre of Cawnpore, and it is well that one is not often called on to witness--to share in--the fury, the wild cry for revenge, that rose from England when the tale came to be told there. Nana Sahib waited to encounter the victorious Havelock on July 16; he was completely defeated, fled from the field in the direction of Nepaul, and has never since been heard of. Of the twelve men who left the boat which floated down the Ganges, four escaped after extraordinary adventures, by favour of a friendly rajah--the sole survivors of the European community at Cawnpore.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _A. Pea.r.s.e._}

BLOWING UP OF THE CASHMERE GATE, DELHI.

This was one of the most daring exploits in a campaign remarkable for deeds of gallantry. Advancing across a broken drawbridge in broad daylight, in the face of the enemy's defences, Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, with native sappers to carry the gunpowder, succeeded in laying eight bags of powder against the gate. Home leaped into the ditch unhurt; Salkeld, who held a lighted port fire, was badly wounded and fell back on the bridge, handing the port-fire as he fell to Sergeant Burgess, who was immediately shot dead. Sergeant Carmichael then advanced, picked up the port-fire, and lighted the fuse, but fell mortally wounded. The gate was blown in, killing all its defenders but one, and the British entered without opposition.]

[Sidenote: Siege of Delhi.]

On June 8 General Wilson appeared before Delhi, but his force was far too small to attempt to invest a city held by 30,000 insurgents. General Nicholson reinforced him in August, and on September 20 the place was taken by a.s.sault, Nicholson falling dead at the head of the storming columns.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Sir F. Grant, P.R.A._} {_By permission of Messrs.

Graves._

FIELD-MARSHAL LORD CLYDE, 1792-1863.

Born at Glasgow; entered the army in 1808, and served with great distinction in the Peninsula, China, the Punjab, the Crimea, and was Commander-in-Chief in the operations for the suppression of the Indian Mutiny. For his services in this campaign he was raised to the peerage.

He is buried in Westminster Abbey.]

Seeing that it has been necessary to relate some of the many atrocities perpetrated by the rebel leaders, it would be unfair to keep regarding one that was enacted here by an English officer. A brave young fellow called Hodson, commanding an irregular force well-known as Hodson's Horse, asked General Wilson's permission to capture the King of Delhi and his family. Wilson consented, provided the old King's life should be preserved. The King and his sons had taken refuge in an immense enclosure, the tomb of the Emperor Hoomayoon, adjoining the city, where he was guarded by a strong armed force. Hodson quietly rode up with a small escort and called on the troops to lay down their arms. Believing, no doubt, that the English officer had ample force at hand to enforce his command, they instantly obeyed. The King's life was spared, according to orders, but, shameful to say, Hodson summoned the three Princes--the King's sons--before him, and shot them with his own hand.

It was a horrible act, but in the spirit of vengeance then prevalent, many were found to justify it, and Hodson was never brought to trial. He was killed in action at Lucknow not long after.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _T. Jones Barker._} {_By permission of the Corporation of Glasgow._

1. Sir Henry Havelock.

2. Sir James Outram.

3. Sir Colin Campbell.

4. Sir John Inglis.

5. Sir Hope Grant.

6. Major-General Sir W. R. Mansfield.

7. Sir William Peel.

8. Brigadier Hon. Adrian Hope.

THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW, November 17, 1857.

This picture represents the meeting of General Sir Henry Havelock, Sir James Outram, and Sir Colin Campbell at the Mess House of the 32nd Regiment, in Lucknow, in November 1857. It was executed from sketches taken on the spot by Egron Lundgren.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _J. Lucas._} {_By permission of Messrs. Graves._

CAPTAIN SIR WILLIAM PEEL, R.N.,

In command of the Naval Brigade at Lucknow.]