An Incident of the Indian Mutiny.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XV, Issue 3438, 16 November 1894, Page 4

An Incident of the Indian Mutiny.

In the September number of the "English Illustrated" D3paty-surgeon-general Paske supplies a missing link in the chain of the Mutiny. He relates several incidents of the period betwf en Lord Canning's final acceptance of aid from Nepaul and the engagements near Mandori and Chanda. We quote one episode of the period. Information reached the British that a formidale medley of fighting men, with four guna and several trained gunners, ■was marching down the main road from Oudb. "We determined," says Surgeon general Paske, "to take the bull by the horns, and test the mettle of our men in the face of well-served guns. A march of some ten miles brought us to a bend in the road and within view of the enemy, who were occupying a strong position on high ground, and, from the lay of their guns, evidently awaited an attack from the main road. As, however, We pushed through the crops towards their rear, they changed front and faced us —a movement anticipated by our commandant, who intended to take due advantage of it. A flanking party was accordingly detached under a very promising young officer; but owing to the nature of the ground, it made too long a detour, and arrived on the scene too late to be of any service. Meanwhile, we moved leisurely within range, their guns opening the ball and ourspromptly returning the salute. It did not, however, take long to discover that in this artillery duel of two against four, most of the fun was on their side; and after having allowed ample time for our flanking party to put in an appearance, the order was given to storm the ememy's position. To our horror not a man stirred. After every form of argument, persuasion, and threat failed, it only remained for a few European officers to lead the way in the hope that the men might perchance follow. We tl'erefore set out at a brisk pace, the guns flashing in our faces, round shot hissing and tearing overhead, and bullets innumerable pitting along the earth all around. But the hazardous experiment was crowned with success; for ere long the whole force dashed past us with a mighty cry, faces stern and set, their muskets trailing in the left hand, while with the right they gripped their terrible knives. Many bit the dust, but at; last the kookeries got among the rebels, and every gunner iied at his post. To us those gunners undoubtedly owed their training, though they did not die in the Company's uniform; few other Asiatics could have handled their guns with *-uch effect; no others would have died for tnem.