ENGLISHMEN IN THE EAST.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 306, 25 September 1860, Page 4

ENGLISHMEN IN THE EAST.

COLONEIi HINDE. The historian who will take upon him himself the task of writing a comprehensive narrative of the Indian rebellion will render a signal service to the English Bation. We who watch with eager interest the incidents of a campaign nearer home are perhaps too apt to underrate ' the efforts of that handful of heroes who, thousands of miles away, and surrounded by millions of disaffected and fanatical Asiatics, first stemmed, and then turned back, the tide of insurrection which, at one time, menaced the Bafety of our Indian empire and the honor of our flag. It may be that we shall never realise the devotion and fortitude which' the ordeal of 1857^58 elicited. But, judged by the smallness of their resources, and the magnitude of their performances, by the imminence, of their perils, and the triumph of their exertion, no men ever better deserved a niche in our temple of fame than those who in that momentous crisis so nobly upheld the fortunes of this country. It has been the fashion lately to decry the rulers of India, and to impute to them a disrespect of native prejudices; and generally a harsh treatment of our Asiatic subjects. But in this instance the exception has only proved the rule. The few cases which have been cited against the military and civil officers of the Company are valueless in the face of actual results." No one believes that the sword alone saved ludia, or that the most undaunted bravery of our troops would have reconquered our hold had there been no impression created upon the native mind by the universal evidence of our moral superiority. In our latest advices from India there is recorded a career which ought not to pass un« noticed. It ia that of Colonel Hiade, who during the heafc of ihe late contest was in command of the Sewah Rajah's troops, and who, with Captain Osbornei the political agent,. bore the whole brunt of the struggle in that district; Colonel Hinde arrived in England on sick leave shortly before the Russian war broke out. He at once volunteered, and served in the thick of the fight from the commencement to the end of the war. He was Assistant Adjutant-General to General Cannon, acted under Osmari Pacha in the Mingrelian army, [and commanded three battalions of Turkish troops at the seige; of Sebastopol. For these services, be received the English Crimean medal and clasp, the Turkish gold medal for Silistria, and the medal for the Crimea, with the order of the Medjidie, and was recommended for the order of the Bath. After the termination of the Russian war, he returned to India, and on his arrival found the Sepoys ia arms against their rulers. Within an hour after his landing, he reported himself to the Commander-in-Chief, who, having received ah urgent request for an experienced officer from the Eewah Rajah to take command of. his troops, immediately appointed him to that responsible post. On the next day, he was on his road. The Rajah's troops,were like the forces 6f most of the native emirs, thoroughly disaffected and useless. His first care was to raise a force of artillery, cavalry, and infantry—the Rewah Contingent. With this force, in conjunction with some of the Rewah and Nagode troops, he opened the Deccan road, capturing, in leas than eight weeks, 3ix forts and forty-four guns, and a number of prisoners, firmly restoring and recognising the civil administration in Rewah, Nagode, and Bijeeragoorjar. ■■ At the close of 1857 the Rewah Contingent was transformed into a police force, and Colonel HJnde retired from his post after receiving the special thanks of the Government. But he carried away with him a still stronger testimony to his prudence and influence over the native mind in the farewell address to the native officers and soldiers of the Rewah Contingent., If every Indian officer, would set before him the example of Colonel Hinde we might soon lay aside all fear Of rebellion, and hope to govern India with some milder rule than that of the sword. Subjoined is the address of the Contingent. It speaks for itself; no comment is required to set forth in stronger color the genuine feeling of respect and approbation which every line of it indicates:— ' • Protector of the Poor,*-From the time thafc your honor has raised our regiment, you have behaved to each and and all of us with the consideration and kindness of a parent, and protected and cherished the poor, and all have been happy. No one hag dared toroffend or hurt another, owing to confidence in ;your! justice^ and all who have had occasion to appeal to you have gone away satisfied with your decision, and blessed -you. ■■■•■■ ''-■' '■ : ' ■■■ "', - , ■ Wherever you have gone you have made a name for yourself, such as Padsha Nowsherwan, and all pray to God that he will bless* you in every way, and keep you in happiness. ■ ' : We, the Soobadars, Jemadars, and all- others of the Infantry, and Resaldar, Nahib Resaldar, and others of Cavalry have, under your command, remained in the greatest comfort, having no other anxiety but the disr chargeof our duty. ... We now hear that you are going to Agra, and have little hope of ever again experiencing the kindness and good williypu have shown us, and we shall live in the hope that whenever you can, you will send for us: for we have, through your means, earned a great -name; -■ - ■'. ;i- I;-:,:;;: . '''".' ' r '-~ ..' '' " \ . \ Whence accompanied you to Allahabad' on the occasion of your meeting his lordship the GovernorGeneral, his lordship was pleased to include us in the; praises bestowed upon you: therefore we must regret deeply the separation from so good a" commander. We! remember, to, with much pride, the praise you gave' us blithe occasion of, crowning the heights of Punwa-; ree* and beating off the rebels there' assembled to op-; ,pose us. ; -.■ .: \ ': , ; ..v- ; . ':.- ■■;,'■•. We hope again to be placed under your command,; : and pray" for your welfare. • Luohmun1 Singhj Soobadar. I .' ■ Nehal Singh, Nahib Resaldar. j ' Duffadars; Jemadars, Havildars, Naicks,: and Sowars of Colonel Hinde'sFoot: <■■ '■'■■■ ' and Horse. •* • "':';' :-v,'~ r ■_' ' \ Nor was it mere expression, for on its becoming! known that the gallant officer had solicited 'em- j ployment in the Chinese, expedition the whole of | the native officers and men who had served under him of their iown accord .petitioned for leave to volunteer their services and follow him. The career of such a man ought not to be overlooked. He is of the stuff of which the greatest of our Indian heroes have always been made, and we .shall .look forward with interest to his future career and his honorable advancement.