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1858. THE AZIMGHUR FIELD FORCE
The force extemporised—Jounpore—Tigra—Azimghur—Prestige—
Casualties— Pur- suing column - Mr. Venables - Night march - Painful
news - Ghazepore— Recross the Ganges—Arrah—Preparations—Beheea—Jugdispore
—Resting— Jungle fight—Chitowrah—Heat and exhaustion—Work under
difficulties—Our commissariat lost —Peroo —Bivouac—Return to
camp—Threatened attack— Village destroyed—Our physical condition—Dhuleeppore—
Preparing for attack —Guns recaptured—A sad duty performed—Sick and
wounded—Messenger mutilated— Keishwa— Slaughter —Force to Buxar—Non
effectives—The force ceases to exist—General orders, thanks, and batta.
THE task of the 10th was
looked upon as finished; the regiment had been sixteen years in India,
the entire period continuously' in the plains. With an expression of
glee on the part of the men was the order received to commence our
homeward march,—that is, to proceed towards Calcutta, there to embark
for England. On the 28th of March the regiment turned its back on
Lucknov ; after several hours of weary progress it reached its camping
ground. About midnight we were roused from slumber by the arrival of a
cavalry escort and Staff Officer, with orders that the regiment should
march forthwith towards Goorsagunge, there to form part of a field force
under command of Brigadier-General Lugard, its object to raise what had
become the siege of Azimghur by the combined rebel forces just
mentioned. Before ten o'clock on the 29th our soldiers, to use their own
expression, had "done twenty-eight miles of road, heel and toe,"
disappointed at the unexpected change in destination, but also, in their
own phrase, "ready for the new work cut out for them." Other portions of
what was to be the Azimghur Field Force' quickly reached the appointed
rendezvous, and the process of organization was complete. Then we
learned that the combined rebel force under Koer Singh surrounded
Azimghur; that a body of British, while en route thither from Benares,
had suffered severely while in conflict with them; that therefore the
rapid advance of that under General Lugard was urgently called for.
Continuing our march from
day to day, we traversed much of the route by which our advance upon
Lucknow had recently lain, it being marked by whitened bones of men
slain, ruins of villages, and huts destroyed by fire; otherwise no event
worth notice occurred until the 9th of April, by which date we had
reached Budlapore. On the morning of that day our force marched from its
camp at 2 a.m., proceeding thence direct to Jounpore, a distance of
twenty miles. There information was received that the rebel troops
around Azimghur were commanded by Mendhee Hussun, Koer Singh being
present with them.
Men and animals, tired
out by fatiguing marches, were equally constrained to make one day's
halt. On the morning of the 11th information led General Lugard to
deviate from the regular route and proceed towards Tigra, situated on
our left, adjoining the left side of the river Goomtee, the rebels under
Gholam Hussun being reported to have there taken up a position. A
reconnoitring party speedily discovered the point taken up by about 500
rebels with two guns; they were at once attacked by our irregular
cavalry, eighty of their number killed, the remainder dispersed, though
this small affair lost the life of Lieutenant Havelock, cousin of our
Adjutant.
Another day's halt to
rest our men and animals; the heat already severe, 102 F. in our tents.
Resuming our progress, our force arrived within striking distance of
Azimghur after darkness of the night had closed in, and bivouacked on
the position assigned to us, the rebels for some time disturbing our
rest by their bullets that kept dropping among our ranks. With dawn on
the 15th the several members of our body militant were at their posts,
prepared for the work before them. As the 10th moved forward past a
strip of dense jungle that skirts the river Tonse, a smart fire was
opened upon us from the thicket, as also from a grove at some distance
across that stream. The first of these positions was at once attacked by
our artillery, the infantry rapidly following; by means of a dilapidated
bridge hastily repaired, some cavalry and artillery got across and so
attacked the second. Other portions of our force were engaged with
similar activity at the points assigned to them respectively, the result
being, that after losing considerably in their numbers, the rebels fled
pell-mell, and as we entered the city only some of their killed and
wounded were anywhere met with. It was subsequently found that they had
lost some guns, much equipage and stores, and that, under command of
Koer Singh, they were in full flight towards the Ganges.
When, as already
mentioned, the rebels from their position in the jungle opened fire upon
the ioth, the demeanour of our men, hardened as they were by long
service in India, and accustomed to the work ot war, was such as vividly
to illustrate the advantages of having old soldiers under such
circumstances. Although taken by surprise, our men wavered not with
equanimity our Colonel,' as he turned towards them, said, "Steady, men,
steady." There was a sharp fire of musketry into the brushwood,
instantly followed by a charge with the bayonet; native voices were
heard as the sepoys recognised the soldiers they had to deal with,
calling to their comrades, "Bhago, bliago Mai, this Julian aya" (Run,
brothers, run; the 10th have come). A minute more, and those who escaped
bayonet thrusts by our men were in rapid flight.
Resulting from the day's
encounter a considerable number of dead had to be interred, and wounded
attended to. For the latter accommodation had to be procured, as well as
for our sick, whose numbers had been rendered considerable by the great
fatigue and exposure undergone during our recent long and arduous
marches. As a guard to those so provided for, as well as to hold the
city now in our power against further attack, and leave our force
unencumbered for further action, the 34th was detailed to fulfil both
duties.
A column under command of
Brigadier Douglas started in pursuit of the body of rebels directly
under Koer Singh. They having made a stand against Douglas as soon as
the first panic of defeat had somewhat subsided, the pursuing column was
on 17th reinforced by additional artillery, cavalry, and part of the
84th. Within a few hours thereafter the sound of active firing told us
what was taking place; then the arrival of wounded men declared that
serious work was being done. In due time we learned that the rebels had
been defeated, a hundred of their number killed, and one of their guns
captured.
Among the wounded so
brought in was Mr. Venables, an indigo planter, a typical representative
of the rough, ready, and energetic men who collectively become the
makers of Greater Britain. Mr. Venables had, by his own force of
character, prevented open revolt in the district of Azimghur after the
17th N.I. had mutinied, and, by means of levies raised and commanded by
himself, repelled an attack by the latter; subsequently on various
occasions he was in actual conflict against the rebels. Gangrene of the
wounded shoulder took place, and within a very short time his death
occurred, much to the sorrow and regret of those of us with whom he had
been associated. After his death it was discovered that he wore upon his
bosom the wedding ring of his deceased wife. She had died at Azimghur,
and now his body was laid in a grave close to the remains of her for
whom his affection was manifest in tangible form.
On the 23rd General
Lugard learned that notwithstanding their recent defeat the rebels under
Koer Singh were advancing, as if to threaten Ghazepore. At 9 p.m. our
force was in motion towards them. The night march was long and trying;
for some hours our way was enlivened by the clear moonlight, but the air
was hot and sultry. Occasional halts were necessary to enable the men to
rest for a little, and refresh themselves with draughts of water.
Arrived at Mohumdee next morning, several hours elapsed before camp
equipage arrived and tents were pitched, for as on various previous
occasions our men outmarched their transport train. There news reached
camp that Koer Singh had so far succeeded that nearly all the men
commanded by him had got across the Ganges ; but that Douglas, having
arrived and opened fire upon them from the left bank, their chief had
been severely wounded,' and of themselves many put liars de combat.
Later in the day the
painful news circulated in camp that a small force, composed of men of
35th, the Naval Brigade, and some Sikhs, sent from Arrah to intercept
the rebels then in rapid flight from the Ganges to Jugdispore, had met
with disaster at their hands. The force referred to was that under the
command of Captain Le Grand, 35th Regiment.
Two successive marches
during the hottest period of each day, and we were at Ghazepore.
Officers and men, forced by reason of seasonal temperature to dispense
with outer uniform, wore only khakee trousers and woollen shirts, the
sleeves turned up for sake of comfort. Thus equipped, dusty, and grimy,
our aspect presented a sorry contrast to the neat and in some instances
elegant turn-out of men and women who rode out from cantonments to see
our force march into camp.
Resuming the march next
morning, the occurrence of a rain storm drenched us, but even that was
an agreeable relief in the great heat and dust heretofore prevailing. No
halt took place, but throughout that day and following night our wearied
men continued what was indeed their forced march. By daylight on May 2
we arrived at Synhee Ghat. There, by means of steamers ready for the
purpose, the work of crossing the Ganges rapidly proceeded, and by 9
a.m. we were in the Arrah district. We were now reunited to the column
which under Douglas had been recently sent on from Azimghur, it having
succeeded in preventing Koer Singh's men from falling upon Arrah after
inflicting on a small body of our troops the disaster already mentioned.
Not until the 4th were
all our stores and equipment transferred to the right side of the river,
and our force in readiness for further work. The following morning our
camp was pitched at Arrah,1 and thus an opportunity afforded us to visit
places in and around that station with which some recent painful events
were associated. A building occupied a few months past by a civil
servant now presented the appearance of a star-shaped fort from the
embrasures of which the muzzles of guns projected ; masses of ruins told
where other bungalows had been. There stood the small fortified house,
its walls loopholed and battered by rebel bullets, a memorial of the
gallant defence made by Herwald Wake and his few comrades until relieved
by Major Eyre. At a little distance eastward from the city is the scene
of the great disaster of July 30, already alluded to more than once; the
road by which our men had marched, bordered on either side by isolated
houses, at one spot by a clump of "toddy" palms, at another by a tope of
mango trees; there the Hindoo temples at which, it was said, certain of
our men on that occasion were offered as sacrifices to Kali; there the
trees on which others were hung, though, as expressed by those on the
spot, the events referred to are as far as possible "hushed up."
Information reached
General Lugard that the rebels in considerable force had taken up a
position at Jugdispore. He resolved to march upon and attack them
without unnecessary delay. All extra establishment and equipment was
left to be retained in store; sick and men otherwise non-effective
eliminated; commissariat and transport suited for service on which we
were about to enter, alone set apart for the purpose; mobility and
efficiency the two qualities held in view.
In the lightest possible
marching order our advance began on May 27. While it was yet dark,
thirteen miles of road were got over; two more after daybreak, we then
arrived at our intended camping ground; our only incident the capture of
a spy, in the act of counting the numbers and noting the composition of
our column. The rebels had determined to oppose us en route. For that
purpose they took up a position in a tract of jungle through which the
road extended near Beheea; there our artillery opened fire upon them,
and thence they were quickly expelled. The aspect of the sky portended a
dust storm; it was now upon us with all the usual violence of such
meteors, the air so laden with dust that for a time all was dark. Then
came a deluge of rain, soaking us completely, converting the hitherto
parched ground into a swamp, but reducing the temperature from 100° to
85°. As the sky became clear, a strong body of rebels were observed
advancing towards us. At once a party was dispatched against them; brisk
fire by the artillery, then our cavalry dashed in among them; they broke
up and soon disappeared in the jungle. All through next night the camp
was on the alert; pickets patrolled in all directions. In early morning
of the 9th our advance was resumed.
During the march parties
of rebels hovered on either flank, but at a safe distance from our
column. As we neared the town of Jugdispore the enemy advanced upon us
from front and flanks. When they came within striking distance, our
column, already prepared for such an emergency, took the initiative; our
men, to use their own expression, "went at them with a will." Before
sunset that town, together with the palace of Koer Singh, were in our
possession.
The 10th was a day of
comparative quiet; men had to rest after their arduous work; those
prostrated by heat and fatigue be attended to, information obtained
regarding movements of the fugitive enemy, and arrangements made for
further action against them. While our force was thus enjoying
comparative quiet, news reached our commander that the rebels had taken
up a position at Chitowrah, situated deep in a dense jungle, some seven
miles distant from our present camp; that a column comprising the 6th
Regiment was in a position near Peroo to co-operate with us; that the
column under Sir Hugh Rose was steadily closing around Jhansi; and that
in Rohilcund our troops had obtained several important successes.
In the forenoon of the
11th a sufficient guard for its protection being left in camp, a strong
body of our force marched to attack the rebel position at Chitowrah. It
had not proceeded more than three miles when an earthwork across the
road for a short time interrupted progress; that obstacle overcome, a
heavy fire from the dense jungle on our flanks and front opened upon us.
As a reply our artillery opened with grape, after which skirmishers
dashed into the thick forest, with the result that they carried all
before them; but pursuit was impossible by reason of its density.
The heat of the day,
great as it was in the open ground, was overpowering while we traversed
the forest already mentioned. It was fortunate for all of us that this
contingency had been foreseen and provided for by General Lugard; skins
full of water, carried by elephants, camels, and bullocks, forming part
of our equipment on the occasion. At short intervals of time and
distance, soldiers and officers indiscriminately placed themselves under
the open mouths of those skins, had their heads and clothing drenched;
then continuing their march until the hot wind effected complete
evaporation, they again and again underwent a similar ordeal.
Nevertheless, many staggered, some fell from heat and exhaustion, others
gasped for breath. Considerable numbers had to be brought along in
doolies; among those so prostrated was Colonel Fenwick. Exhausted as we
were, it was fortunate for us that our enemies were wanting in
resolution to take advantage of our condition.
Wearied and fatigued as
were men and officers, little in the way of food was needed. Tea—that
ever-agreeable beverage under such circumstances—was about the only
thing obtainable at the time. Rest was out of the question during the
night. Impressions of the day's work, repeated pings of musketry from
the adjoining jungle, the thud of bullets on the ruined walls among
which we lay, the occasional arrival of wounded men,—all combined to
banish sleep; while to those engaged in looking after sick and wounded,
whose numbers had become considerable, their work left them worn out and
exhausted.
Daylight of the 12th
revealed to us the scene of action. In jungle recesses mangled corpses;
in the ruins, now utilised as "barracks" for effectives, and hospital
for those struck down, whether by wounds or sickness, heavy moans of the
suffering were intermingled with coarse jests of their more fortunate
comrades. The unpleasant fact transpired that our commissariat supplies
had fallen into the hands of the rebels, while the force was engaged
against them in the jungle as already mentioned. Breakfast for men and
officers became a meal more nominal than real; orders were issued for
the march to be resumed southward, so that our force might the more
effectively co-operate with another making its way from that direction.
Early in the afternoon
our force was on its march towards Peroo, with a view to effect that
junction. As we advanced, the forest became less and less dense;
emerging therefrom into open country, the burnt remains of huts and
villages were passed. Some stray shots reached us from small concealed
bodies of the enemy, but these were quickly silenced by parties of our
men detached for that purpose. Without opposition in more serious form
we arrived, while it was still daylight, at a mango tope, in which we
bivouacked for the night, all necessary precautions being first taken
against surprise. During that night a thunderstorm burst over us; this
was followed by heavy downpour of rain, which soaked us to a degree that
made sorry objects of us, situated as we then were, and at the same time
reduced the ground that formed our beds to the condition of a marsh.
A raid was made upon
cattle and rice, both of which were found among some ruined huts ; the
former were shot, and with the latter cooked, thus meal thus provided
being savoury or otherwise according to whether individuals had or had
not in their haversacks a small reserve of salt. At dawn next morning a
strong party was detached to bring in supplies sent on to us from camp.
It was not long before that escort was engaged with the rebels by whom
it was attacked en route, and having defeated them, proceeded to obtain
the needed supplies, with which in due time it returned to us. As a part
of that escort were some young soldiers of the 6th Foot, recently
arrived from the Cape of Good Hope. On their arrival back from that duty
they were in so exhausted a condition that when time arrived to break up
our bivouac they had to be removed by means of bullock-carts, elephants,
and gun-carriages; the older soldiers of the same party, though much
exhausted, were able to resume the march with their respective
companies.
In the great heat now
prevailing, the distance of nineteen miles that separated us from our
standing camp was got over by ten o'clock that day; many so exhausted
that, unable to keep up with the column, they followed as best they
could, arriving as so many stragglers, but fortunately for them,
unmolested and undiscovered by the rebels. During the absence of our
column, our camp, left under protection of the 84th, was threatened by
the rebels, who, however, were easily beaten off.
An attempt, made by men
engaged for the purpose, to burn down the jungle—work in which had
already cost us the lives of many men— was but partially successful.
While at one point this was in progress, from another came indications
of attack by a considerable body of well- armed rebels. The 10th were
quickly in movement towards them, a few of their bullets telling among
our ranks. Soon, however, the enemy disappeared in the dense forest, our
men returning to the comparative quiet and "comfort" of their tents.
Short was the rest
enjoyed by them. On the third day an attack from our side was directed
upon two villages occupied by the rebels in our near vicinity. Similar
attacks on other villages succeeded each other; a convoy with supplies
from our base at Arrah arrived; attempts on a larger scale than
heretofore to burn down the forest were made, but unsuccessfully; and
so, with the hot season upon us, did all concerned try their best to
carry out the general work we had to do.
Some idea of the physical
condition of our troops may best be gathered from the particulars now to
be given. Soon after the middle of May fevers and bowel disorders had
become very prevalent among them ; in other ways they suffered severely
from the prevailing heat and fatigue. As to myself, according to my
diary, "from the time I became attacked at Azimghur, I have found it
impossible to throw off my illness, and now am exhausted and debilitated
to a great degree by the continued heat. Were it not my duty to hold out
for the benefit of my wife and children, I would certainly apply for
sick leave." By that time, although our force had been only ten days in
the field and jungle near Jugdispore, the number of non-effectives was
so great as to seriously impair its efficiency and mobility as many of
these as could be so disposed of were accordingly sent under strong
cavalry escort to Arrah. Cases of sunstroke were of occasional
occurrence, though far less so than we had expected. Our transport
suffered scarcely, if at all, in a less degree than our men, thus still
further adding to the daily increasing difficulties under which we were
expected to act as an efficient force. Another phase of our difficulties
arose from the want of vegetables as part of our food. From the day when
we first took the field supplies in this respect have been absent, the
result being that men and officers are more or less suffering from land
scurvy.
On the 20th our force
made an attack on the village of Dhuleeppore, recently destroyed, but in
the ruins of which a body of rebels had assembled. The result of that
attack was discomfiture to them, though, unhappily, unusually heavy loss
to the assailants.
Then followed a few days
of comparative rest to our men; but meanwhile the rebels re-occupied the
position from which so recently they had been driven. Arrangements were
accordingly made for a renewed attack on that place.
At daylight on the 20th
our force was in motion: one portion by a road just within the skirt of
jungle, a second along the plain on which the affair of a few days
before took place. As they drew close upon the rebel position, fire was
opened from two howitzers captured on the occasion of the disaster to
the party under Captain Le Grand already mentioned. Three rounds were
fired before the 10th and 84th were able "to get at" the rebels. Once
among them, the guns were quickly recaptured, many of the gunners
killed, the rebels in flight. Our men returned to their tents.
Our camp ground had
become so offensive, and otherwise objectionable, that, leaving for a
time a body of our force sufficiently strong to hold its own in case of
emergency, the larger portion, under orders by General Lugard, proceeded
to take up a fresh position. The move involved a march of four miles and
upwards. While en route we traversed the scene of Le Grand's disaster.
Isolated bones, some partly gnawed, lay scattered about; fragments of
utensils of sorts strewed the surface,—sad relics, in their several
ways, of the episode referred to. A halt was made; the fragments of what
had been gallant men carefully collected and most reverently interred.
We then resumed our way.
The numbers of sick and
wounded had now exceeded the capacity of our transport; it became a
matter of necessity to get rid of them, so that the force might be left
ready prepared for further action. Being provided with a strong cavalry
escort, I started with a full convoy of such non-effectives. We
traversed a piece of country directly in front of the rebels, halting
under the shelter of a mango tope during the hottest hours of daylight;
resumed the journey at nightfall, and reached Arrah before daybreak.
There the sick and wounded were disposed of in hospital; our return
journey quickly resumed, and without adventure we were again with our
force in time for further work.
A few days prior to the
date now reached, a messenger had been sent with dispatches from General
Lugard to the officer in command of a column co-operating with his own.
The man presented a sorry plight as he returned to camp; his nose cut
off, his right hand severed at the wrist, his face and other parts of
his person besmeared with blood, himself faint, bewildered, and dazed.
After a time he related the story of his capture. He had reached his
destination without mishap, had delivered the dispatches of which he was
bearer, received those in reply, and started on his return journey with
them. While passing through a rebel village on his way he was arrested,
his papers taken from him, he himself ordered for execution, as traitor
and spy. On the plea that in the state of mutilation inflicted upon him
his appearance would be more deterrent among possible vaverers in the
rebel cause than would be the fact of his being put to death, the
extreme penalty was commuted.
A body of rebels having
destroyed an indigo factory and taken up a position at Kishwa, our force
started at 3 a.m. on the 2nd of June towards that point. As we
approached it, a heavy though happily ineffectual fire was opened
against our ranks. The ioth marched steadily onwards. The rebels did not
long remain to permit our men to close with them; pell-mell they fled,
the Madras guns sending several charges of grape-shot after them, the
cavalry then taking up the pursuit. We afterwards bivouacked in the
open.
Driven thence, the rebels
returned to their former position at Chitowrah. By daylight on the 4th
of June our force advanced upon them in two separate columns: the one
along the narrow jungle road already mentioned; the other, under the
command of Brigadier Douglas, by the southern border of the same jungle.
As we neared the densest part of forest, in the heart of which lay that
hunting seat of Koer Singh, we suddenly found ourselves exposed in a
semi-circle of fire in front and both our flanks; fortunately without
much damage to our numbers. There was a momentary halt, then a cheer,
and into the forest dashed the 10th, trusting to their bayonets rather
than their rifle fire. The rebels fled, at first through and from the
thicket whence their attack had been made, our men following close upon
them; next, through ruins of houses and enclosures; through a cactus
hedge, across an open plain, our soldiers gaining upon them in the race,
the result being a loss to our enemies of ninety-four, fallen by bayonet
thrust of our regiment alone. Wearied and exhausted, a short rest had to
be allowed to men and officers. In our return journey towards camp we
again traversed the ground over which the running fight described had
taken place; the rebels killed in the early part of the day were
represented by so many masses of skeletons, blood covered, some few
shreds of flesh still adhering, thus telling what had been the work done
in the interval by jackals, dogs, and vultures.
The immediate result of
the rebel defeat at Chitowrah was that their force divided itself into
small parties, each of which seemed to proceed on its own initiative,
some as marauders, others with the apparent object of making for Buxar,
and thence across the Ganges. With a view to act against the latter, a
portion of our force, reduced as it now was by casualties and sickness,
was placed under command of Brigadier Douglas, and proceeded on the duty
assigned to it.
To the regret of all
associated with him, General Lugard completely broke down in health;
several of the officers were ill or had been invalided; the numbers of
our soldiers who had become non-effective was very large. Under the
circumstances in which we were thus placed, the fact became evident that
unless it was intended by the responsible authorities that our force
should be permitted to melt away and so cease to exist, a speedy return
to cantonments was necessary to preserve that portion which still
existed of its component elements.
Great, therefore, was the
relief with which, in obedience to orders to return to cantonments, we
marched away from Jugdispore on June 15. Our first day's march was no
more than six miles long. Our men, however, had no longer the stimulus
of expected fight to brace them up; many fell out en route, to come in
as stragglers during the day. Continuing our journey, we once again
passed through Arrah, then crossed the Soane, marching into quarters at
Dinapore on the 19th of that month. The Azimghur Field Force had done
the work assigned to it, and now ceased to exist as such.
The arrival of General
Orders, in which were contained the official dispatches relating to work
performed by the force of which we had so recently formed a part, became
naturally enough an event of importance to most of us, gratification to
some, disappointment to others. Much praise was accorded to the 10th
Regiment, as a whole, for arduous work efficiently done, and special
reference made to individual officers whose services were "mentioned" in
those dispatches. Paragraph 19 of the Orders in question gave the report
by Sir Edward Lugard thus: "I beg most especially to recommend to His
Excellency's notice - [myself], Surgeon of the 10th Foot and Senior
Medical Officer in charge of this force; his exertions have been
untiring; though at times suffering from sickness, he never quitted his
post, but continued his valuable superintendence. I feel more indebted
to him than I can express." With reference to which the entry made in my
diary at the time was: "I am thankful to God for having enabled me to
fufil my duties satisfactorily, and, for the sake of my dear wife and
children, hope advancement may speedily follow so handsome an
acknowledgment of services performed." A few days afterwards we had the
further gratification of reading "Orders" awarding to each of us six
months' batta. |
