CAPTURE OF NANA SAHIB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4260, 14 November 1874, Page 1 (Supplement)

CAPTURE OF NANA SAHIB.

After seventeen years the murderer of Cawnpore has at length been captured. It was generally supposed that Nana Sahib was dead, and his name was only mentioned with detestation. It was on the breaking out of the Sepoy revolt in 1857, the English residents of Cuvvnpore were placed in the greatest peril. Their efforts to obtain reinforcements failed, and tho 2nd regiment of native cavalry revolted June 5. Their example was speedily followed by the native infantry. The English, their wives and children, with native servants, amounting to nearly 900 persons, were besieged within a narrow entrenchment, by tho rebel soldiers; commanded by Nana Sahib. They defended themselves heroically against overwhelming numbers. Death, however, rapidly thinned their ranks, and June 21, Nana Sahib sent a message to Sir Hugh Wheeler, offering to allow tho English to proceed unmolested to Allahabad, provided they gavo up tho public treasure, tho guns, and ammunition. A contract to this effect was signed on the following day, and on tho 27th the remnant of -the 900 besieged at Cawnporo embarked in boats prepared ,to convey them to Allahabad. No sooner, however, had they quitted tho shore, than the treacherous Sepoys opened fire upon them, following them along the banks in order to insure their destruction. The boats were sunk, many of the men killed, and tho survivors, with tho women and children, carried back to Cawnpore. Other prisoners, male and female, were brought in, and all who survived wero barbarously slaughtered on the 15th of July. Havolock defeated Nana Sahib near Cawnpore, July 10, and entered tho town on the following day, when the horrors that had been enaoted thero became known.