required to destroy it was opportunity. The fact that is, in like manner, almost destitute of Europeans. In there were good officers in the Bengal army, beloved and other stations there are one or two European regiments trusted by their men, does not invalidate the opinion we or parts of regiments. Thus, at the great station of have set forth. These officers had triumphed over the Dinapore there was the 10th Foot; at Agra, the 3rd system, in so far as the system tended to make the Sepoy | Bengal Fusiliers; at Meerut, a whole European brigade despise his officers; but they could not triumph over the of all arms, 6th Dragoon Guards, 60th Rifles and artilsystem, in so far as it affected the men. That bad in-lery; at Lahore, the 81st Foot and some artillery; and fluence went on with unfaltering steadiness. Day by day the Sepoys felt that they became more and more the masters of India. Day by day a sense of their own importance grew and flourished in their breasts. They were able to conspire with safety under the very noses of the Europeans; and the gulf which separated them from their officers enabled intriguers to sow the seeds of mutiny unchecked and unseen. Thus the native army of Bengal became combustible, ready to take fire and flame up if a spark fell on it. This combustible state was not produced in a year or ten years; it had been growing for a quarter of a century. In short, it grew as the vicious system of depriving commanders of power was developed; as the Sepoys, on plea of caste, shirked more and more the duties of soldiers, and as the senile system of promotion by seniority produced its inevitable effects. The recent annexation of Oude, the late Russian war, the spread of British dominion beyond the Indus, the scanty garrison of Europeans actually in India in 1857-these were only the collateral influences, and only to a limited extent causes. They were, indeed, rather occasions than causes; the root of the whole colossal evil being the absence of discipline in the Bengal army.

Let the reader figure to himself this army scattered about the country in military posts, from the eastern provinces on the Irrawaddy to spurs of the mountains beyond the Indus on the north-western boundary. Here they are gathered in brigades of two or three regiments of all arms; there stands a solitary regiment of infantry or cavalry; in another place a squadron or a company. From Fort William in Calcutta, up the valley of the Ganges, and beyond it across the Punjaub to Peshawur, ran a chain of military stations; throwing out detachments to the right and left, on one side towards the Himalayas and Nepaul, on the other over the jungles of Central India and Rajpootana, until the outposts touched those of Madras in Nagpore and the Deccan, and those of Bombay in the valley of the Nerbudda. In each of the stations there are the native lines with open parades in front, and the detached quarters of the European community; long rows of thatched dwellings, and cottages standing in gardens or "compounds." In some there are no European troops; indeed, so few are the Europeans in this vast region, that their presence is the exception and not the rule. For instance, the great fort and magazine of Allahabad, at the junction of the Ganges and Jumna, is in the hands of native troops. The fortified city of Delhi, with its two magazines, is entirely occupied by native infantry. In the whole of Oude there is only one European regiment, the 32nd, at Lucknow. At Cawnpore, a very important station, there are no Europeans. Mooltan, the key of the valley of the Indus,

at or near Peshawur, the 27th, 70th, and 87th Foot. In the hill-stations of the north-west and in the Punjaub, the European element was stronger than elsewhere, for there were fourteen regiments, including two of horse, scattered about in that quarter. There were thus about 12,000 Europeans north and west of Delhi, but there were upwards of 40,000 Hindostanees, and beside these several thousand Sikhs and Punjabees. Between the Jumna and the Nerbudda there was not a single European regiment. There were only the civil servants and the officers of the native troops with their wives and families. British India altogether was six regiments short of her complement of European troops; but four of these were in Persia making war on the Shah, and with them were Generals Outram and Havelock. Such was the state of affairs at the end of 1856, when India stood on the threshold of an awful calamity and knew it not. The country seemed to be profoundly tranquil, but there were 5,000 fewer British soldiers than was usual to secure or defend the sway of their race.

The calm was delusive. The 5,000 bayonets and sabres should have been there. The troops in Persia would have been doubly welcome; for with the opening of the new year came the first signs of the impending tempest.

An army like that which we have described is at the mercy of the worst and most daring men. Without any firm principles or habits of military obedience, it is open to the influences of intriguers. Suspicion finds a home in its heart. It is credulous as well as self-confident. Pampered and unchecked for years, it begins to feel tha it is master. Under these conditions a trifle is enough to set it a-blaze. The trifle was forthcoming.

The Government had determined to arm the Sepoys with the Enfield rifle. It followed, as a matter of course, that Schools for the Instruction in Musketry were established. With the old musket instruction was of little avail, for Brown Bess could not be relied on to shoot straight for a distance of a hundred and fifty yards. Therefore, at various points men from several regiments of the native army met to be taught how to load and fire the new rifle. This weapon is loaded with a greased cartridge. It was usual in those days to bite the cartridge, in order to pour out the powder. At Dum-dum, near Calcutta, there was an arsenal, and here these cartridges were made up, chiefly by native servants.

Early in January one of these men asked a Sepoy of the 2nd Grenadiers for a draught of water from his lotah, or brass drinking-pot. The high caste native was astonished at the insolence of the man, for he was low caste; and if the lips of the latter touched the pot, it would be defiled. He refused with disdain. The low caste man was one of those who made up the cartridges,

A.D. 1857.]

THE DISPUTE ABOUT THE CARTRIDGES.

and he retorted with a sneer that the Sepoy need not be so particular about his caste; for the new cartridges were greased with bullock's fat, and every Sepoy would lose caste when he bit off the end. The Sepoy spread the tale abroad among his comrades. The Hindoos were told that the grease was the grease of the sacred cow, and the Moslem soldiers were informed that it was the fat of the unclean swine; and finally, to meet the case of both, the story ran that the grease was a compound of the fat of pigs and cows. This story has been received as authentic. Whether it be true or not in detail, it illustrates the feeling that the new cartridges, with their unctuous ends and ill odour, had aroused in the native mind. Here, then, was a plot to deprive the whole army of its caste, striking high and low alike, and with its caste of its religion! The fatal story flew on the wings of the wind from cantonment to cantonment, from station to station. In a few weeks the native army was ready to rise and slay.

407

doubt, the chupattie mystery had a meaning, but the heart of it has not even yet been plucked out.

From Barrackpore, a detachment of the 34th Native Infantry went to Berhampore, once a great and important station, 120 miles north of Calcutta. Here were quartered the 19th Native Infantry, the 11th Irregulars, and two guns. The 19th feasted their comrades, and these in return told the story of the cartridges with great additions. John Company had sent Lord Canning to convert India to Christianity, and he had been ordered to begin by destroying the caste of the whole army! The men of the 19th heard, and forthwith believed. They made no inquiries of the English officers. What were the "stranger gentlemen" to them? How could their words in such a matter affect what their brethren had told them? On the 25th, the day after the detachment had come in, Colonel Mitchell commanding at the station, ordered a parade for the following morning. The men were to meet for exercise with blank cartridge, and it was served out. These At first, indeed, the men at Dum-dum appeared to be cartridges were not new. They had long been made up. perfectly reasonable. Called on at parade to state com- Moreover, no grease is ever used in blank cartridges. plaints, they objected to the cartridge, and suggested the Yet the men refused to take them. Not ripe at the use of wax and oil. The Government ordered an investi- moment for mutiny, they yielded when threatened with gation, and in the meantime changed the drill, so that a court-martial. But the same night their passions got in future the end of a cartridge was to be torn not bitten the better of them, and they rose and seized their arms. off. General Hearsey, an experienced soldier, well Aroused by the noise and confusion, Colonel Mitchell known to all the Sepoys, harangued his division at ordered out the cavalry and the guns. But the night Barrackpore, showing them how impossible it was that was dark. Torches were necessary. The ground was they could be made Christians by the mere biting of broken. Neither guns nor horsemen, it is said, could cartridges. But all was of no avail. A native lieutenant be used. Colonel Mitchell doubted whether he could informed the authorities that the Barrackpore brigade depend on his native troopers and native gunners. He was preparing to mutiny. General Hearsey wrote to therefore harangued the mutineers, explained the Calcutta, saying, "We have at Barrackpore been dwell-groundlessness of their fears, and begged them to give ing upon a mine ready for explosion." He admitted that the native officers were of no use, being afraid of their men, and he suggested that a European regiment should be sent up to the station.

up their arms. The Sepoys, still unready for revolt, made a counter-proposition. They would give up their arms, if the Colonel would withdraw his cavalry and guns. He complied, and with this transaction the tumult ended. Here, then, was decided mutiny. It broke out with a running accompaniment of fires in different places, the work of wilful men, bent on spreading the contagion of alarm and treason.

At this time, the middle of February, another singular sign was observed. A native policeman entered a village of Oude, carrying two chupatties, or cakes. He ordered his fellow official there to make ten more, and give two to each of the five nearest village policemen, with the On learning what had happened at Berhampore, the same instructions. In a few hours the whole country was Government in Calcutta called up the 84th Queen's astir with watchmen flying about with these cakes. This Regiment from Burmah, and ordered the 19th Native proceeding was and remains a mystery. One officer who Infantry to march to Barrackpore to be disbanded. As Saw a watchman run in with his cakes, asked what it they were marching down, an emissary from the 34th met meant. He was told that when the malik, or chief, them with a proposal that, when within a march of the required a service from his people, he sent round these station, the 19th should murder their officers, while the cakes to prepare them for the execution of his orders. 34th did the same; but the 19th refused, and marched "And what is the order now?" inquired the officer. And quietly into the cantonment. Here they found the 84th, the answer, with a smile, was, "We don't know yet." a wing of the 53rd Foot, two troops of horse artillery, and Whatever may have been the reason for this flight of the Governor-General's body-guard of picked Sepoy cakes, there it stands in the forefront of calamity, and is troopers. Two days before they were disbanded, a Sepoy regarded as one of its signs. "How little was it thought," of the 34th, Mangul Pandy by name, endeavoured to writes Mr. Cave Browne, "that therein was really hidden rouse his regiment. In the presence of the guard, who an Eastern symbol of portentous meaning. Five cen- stood by, he wounded Adjutant Baugh. While these turies before (1368), the Chinese had, by a somewhat were in deadly strife, the British sergeant-major dashed similar plan, organised and carried out a conspiracy by in; but he was cut down, and the native lieutenant and means of which their dynasty of Mongol invaders was guard took part in the fray, striking the Europeans. A overthrown." This is a far-fetched illustration. No Mahometan, however, was faithful, and, with the assist

ance of General Hearsey and other officers, Baugh was rescued and Mangul Pandy seized. Riding up to the mutinous guard, with a loaded pistol in one hand, and ordering them back, Hearsey threatened to shoot the first man who disobeyed him, and on this they returned to their posts. Mangul Pandy and the native lieutenant were hanged in due course, and the Mahometan and sergeant-major were rewarded; but for these acts, such was the style of management that prevailed in Bengal, General Hearsey was reprimanded! On the 31st of March, the 19th were deprived of their arms, paid up all their arrears, solemnly lectured in the presence of the whole force at the station, European and native, disbanded, marched out of the station, and sent to their homes. The 19th were really not so much in fault as appeared, for they offered, if pardoned, to serve in China or anywhere; but the Government held it necessary to make an example. For now the fires in cantonments were more rife than ever all up the valley of the Ganges, the midnight meetings of the Sepoys more numerous, and the excitement of the whole army was fast rising to a climax.

to use the cartridge. They did so, but at night they burnt a number of Government buildings. A Sikh now reported the existence of a conspiracy which was to break out in the beginning of May, either at Delhi, Umballą, or Meerut. But General Anson would not believe the information. He was already nestled snugly in the hills, playing whist. And so the month passed away, lighted at its close by blazing cantonments, and marked by the most flagrant signs of universal military disaffection. In addition to this the agents of the King of Delhi and the Shah of Persia and the Moslem priests were at work, preaching a religious war by stealth, while the Hindoo pundits openly prophesied that the reign of the English had lasted its appointed time, and that it was now coming to an end. It is abundantly plain that the Sepoy army, regular and irregular, had determined to revolt, and that nothing was now wanting but a bold initiative on the part of some regiment or regiments. The evils arising from the gross mismanagement of the army by successive Governors-General and Commanders-in-Chief had become too great to be stayed. No remedial measures, nothing short of a general disarmament of the entire force, could These symptoms of mutiny were manifest in Oude and have arrested the mutiny; but for this measure the in the north-west. General Anson, the Commander-in-authorities were not prepared, and if they had been preChief, was on his way to comfortable quarters in the hills. pared, they did not possess the means of executing so He had been appointed to this responsible post, not be- great a coup d'état. cause he was the fittest man to command an army like that of India, but because he was a highly connected English gentleman. He had no special qualifications for the task. In ordinary times, with nothing to do, his ignorance of the natives and his mediocrity would have been prejudicial to the interest of the empire; but he would have passed through his period of service without trouble, and would have come home a moderately wealthy man. He was altogether unfitted for the deadly conflict impending. He did not understand its gravity, and if he had caught a glimpse of the facts, he would have been unable to deal with them. In the middle of March, with the 36th Native Infantry for escort, he went to Umballa. Two non-commissioned officers of this regiment were at the rifle school. They went out to meet their comrades, and were by them repulsed as outcasts-men who had touched greased cartridges and were defiled. In fact, these natives had not touched greased cartridges, for there were none in the school. But that made no difference to the infatuated 36th. The outcasts told their story to Captain Martineau, and he reported it to the higher authorities. They had evidence that the latent fire of mutiny was all around them, and ready to burst forth. The Sepoys pretended that the rifle with its cartridge was "a Government missionary to convert the whole army to Christianity." By this time the whole army had become aware of its strength, and was in communication from Calcutta to Peshawur. General Anson inspected the depot, and suspended the musketry practice of the Sepoys until further orders. He ordered an inquiry, and when all the symptoms were disclosed to him, he actually censured the Sepoys who had made known the fact that they had been repulsed and treated as outcasts by their corps! He next forced the Sepoys, not yet ripe for revolt,

The month of May came. It was the height of the hot season. There is little doubt that the Sepoys, who had seen that their European masters feared the sun, had calculated on its enervating effects. The storm was gathering to a head. The strife was going on sullenly at Meerut as well as at Umballa. At Lucknow, also, it was in progress. On the first days of May the 7th Oude Irregular Infantry refused to touch cartridges, which, they admitted, were in every respect such as they had been accustomed to. The men were in absolute, but passive mutiny. On the 3rd of May, threatening to kill the European officers, they seized their arms and the magazine; but a force of cavalry and artillery arriving, the mutineers were panic-stricken, and gave up their arms. It was then discovered that the 7th Oude and the 48th Native Infantry were actually conspiring. Thus face to face with danger, Sir Henry Lawrence, Commissioner in Oude, began to make those preparations which, in the proper place, we shall describe. He had already struck down promptly the first mutinous regiment. He was destined to save the power of England in Oude, and to sacrifice his life in so doing.

This scene at Lucknow aroused the Government at Calcutta. But mild measures were the order of the day. A native lieutenant at Barrackpore had been caught in the lines of the 70th, urging his men to revolt. He was tried by a native court-martial, and sentenced to dismissal. The effect on the Sepoys is indescribable. "This," they said, "the only punishment for mutiny! They are afraid of us: we can do as we like." But, alarmed by the mutiny at Lucknow, Lord Canning determined to disband another regiment. The corrupted 34th was to be so punished this time. Directing the 84th Queen's, a wing of the 53rd, and two batteries of artillery upon

A.D. 1857.]

MUTINY AT BARRACKPORE.

409

Barrackpore, he ordered the officer commanding at the European troops, and here were the 6th Dragoon Guards, station to disband the mutinous regiment. It was done, or Carabineers, the 1st Battalion of the 60th Rifles, and but the punishment was felt to be no punishment, and two troops of Horse Artillery. There were also the 11th the men went off exulting with their pay. In the order and 20th Native Infantry and the 3rd Native Cavalry. of the Governor-General, disaffected soldiers were told The commander of the station was General Hewitt, a that mutiny would draw down upon them sharp and cer- worn-out old officer, of whom it had once been reported tain punishment like that inflicted on the 34th. But the officially that he was totally unfit for any command. Bengal Sepoys had been long hardened to radical insub- Nevertheless, he was employed. Signs of disaffection ordination, and the sharp and certain punishment of had been plentiful at Meerut. The Sepoys ceased to disbandment for mutiny had no effect on them. This salute their officers, and night after night the alarm of scene occurred at Barrackpore on the 6th of May. It was "fire!" rang through the cantonment. But, surely, so

the second instance of paltering with mutineers. The men thought, the Sepoys would not venture on mutiny Government seem to have thought that they had in the presence of so strong a European force. Vain destroyed the mutiny, root and branch. In five dayslusion! The natives of India, inferior as they are to from that time Meerut was sacked, and the streets of the Western race which rules over them in moral Delhi were running with European blood. qualities, are quite their equals in shrewdness and intellect.

The town and station of Meerut lies about forty-five miles north of Delhi, in the upper part of the Doab of the Jumna and Ganges. As no European troops could be stationed in Delhi, without violating the arrangements made when we dispossessed the Great Mogul of his territories, Meerut was fixed on as a station for 191-NEW SERIES.

The Sepoys had taken the measure of General Hewitt's character, and probably knew they had little to fear in consequence of his weakness and incapacity. Moreover, they were eager to try conclusions with their masters, for years of obedience to their caprices had

As the disaffection of the Sepoys was manifest, Colonel Carmichael Smith, of the 3rd Cavalry, determined to bear it no longer. IIe paraded a part of the regiment, ninety men, and ordered them to take the cartridges, showing them, at the same time, that the end was to be torn not bitten off. Only five obeyed. The rest were deaf to exhortations and warnings. They stood still, in passive mutiny. This fact was reported to Brigadier Archdale Wilson, and by his order the whole of the mutineers were arrested. They were tried, as usual, by a native courtmartial, and sentericed to long terms of imprisonment. On the 9th of May, by order of General Hewitt, the whole of the force in the cantonment, European and native, was paraded. As soon as they were drawn up, the Europeans were directed to load. Then the mutineers were marched in, and so placed that any resistance would be followed by their destruction. Their uniforms were stripped off, and they were placed in irons. "The only sign of emotion was one deep sigh which burst at once from all the black battalions." The disgraced troopers actually reproached their comrades for permitting the execution of the sentence; and we may well believe that nothing but the loaded guns in front, and the grim men of the Rifles and Carabineers, prevented the armed Sepoys from attempting a rescue. The shackled troopers were marched off to the gaol and placed under a guard of native policemen; and the Sepoys returned to their lines to plot treason, and communicate their intentions to the regiments at Delhi. The sun went down on that Saturday, May the 9th, and darkness covered up the meetings of swarthy soldiers planning a general revolt for the next day.

rooted up the respect and awe which the Sepoy felt some officers ride in amongst them, trying to pacify them, formerly for his officers. but none listen; there is such a clamour that no word can be heard. Some are struck at and wounded. A part of them gallop away to the gaol, whirling their sabres over their heads. One of their officers is carried along with them. There is only a native guard at the gaol; the doors are thrown open with shouts; they set their imprisoned comrades free. A smith is at hand, who knocks off their chains. The officer, who was much beloved in his regiment, entreated the men not to accept their freedom in such a way, and said he would get their pardon if they stayed. They embraced him with tears, but said, after what had happened, they never could trust the Company any more. Fourteen hundred convicts are at the same time let loose, who rush eagerly away to reap the harvest of plunder and violence. A party of the Sowars, with the 20th, went to the lines of the 11th, tɔ turn the tide of disaffection in its ranks, for it was not yet entirely gained over. Colonel Finnis was there, endeavouring to address the men and keep them to their duty. They instantly fired at the unfortunate gentleman. whose death decided the wavering regiment. The Sepoys of the 11th now joined with the rest, but protected the officers and ladies. It was the plan of the mutineers to set upon and massacre the Europeans assembled in church. Fortunately, the signal was given too early. The Sepoys fall upon and kill everybody they meet; joined with the rabble of the bazaars, they run to plunder the long line of beautiful cottages in which the European families resided. They push their muskets into the thatch, and fire; in a few minutes they are all in a blaze. They break in at the glass doors, plunder and destroy everything, and search everywhere with blood thirsty eagerness for the 'Feringhee suars.' Ladies and children are seized, with exultation, and tormented to death. The Europeans who get clear fly away to the English barracks. Some hide all night in the gardens and com-. pounds, hoping every moment to hear the voices of thei: countrymen coming to their rescue. All the bungalow in the native lines are burned and sacked. For two hours the work of hell goes on-tumult, murder, pillage. conflagration. They fight for the spoil and kill one another. And what are our soldiers doing? They are all armed and ready, panting with fury, eager to rescue their dying countrywomen, eager for blood and vengeance-the noble soldiers of our race, able to slaughter twenty times their number of Sepoys. General Hewitt's order comes. What is it? 'Defend your lines!''

It was Sunday. The place was quiet; there was no stir in the native lines; the hours flew by as usual; the period for evening service was approaching. Officers were dressing; the European soldiers were turning out; ladies were putting on their head-gear; the clergyman was stepping into his buggy, with his evening sermon in his pocket. The Rev. Mr. Rolton records that a native servant went to his wife, and said to her, with very anxious and troubled looks, 'Oh, madam, don't go to church this afternoon." "The carriage," he continues, "was then at the door and ready to take us to church, and the service was appointed to take place in half an hour from the time this speech was made. Hearing this singular request addressed to my wife, I naturally inquired, 'Why should not madam go to church this evening?' The servant replied, 'Because there will be a fight.' I asked, 'Who will fight?' The woman answered, 'The Sepoys.' Mr. Rolton did not believe, but soon saw his error. The plan of the Sepoys was to have risen when the Europeans were in church, and to have slain those who were there. But the church-bells and their own impatience ruined the scheme.

About five o'clock the quiet of the evening was broken. A rocket flew upwards in the Sepoy lines. The men rushed forth, seized their arms, and slew at once four of their officers. "The 3rd Cavalry mount their horses;

Such was the fatal order. Instead of attacking the mutineers with horse, foot, and artillery, he ran away frot": them and stood on the defensive. At length he was prevailed on to move, but when he did the mischief ha 1 been completed, and the mutineers were speeding southward to Delhi. Moving in the gloom, the angry Europea – came up within sight of some of their foes, and the gunpoured a shower of grape into the darkness as the Sepoyvanished. There was no pursuit. Captain Rosser offere.1 to ride after them with horsemen and guns, and follow them to Delhi; but General Hewitt would not hear of it, and returned to his lines!