A Novle Need.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3703, 6 November 1880, Page 5 (Supplement)

A Novle Need.

An Incident of tiio Indian

Mutiny.

[feom chambeks' journal.]

Two-and-twenty years ago a deed was performed which has scarcely any parallel in the annals of modern wars. The hero of it was a gentleman belonging to the Uncovenanted Civil Service of India, named Thomas Kavanagh, whom we lately referred to in our article on the *' Two Crosses of Honor " as having been killed in battle ; but who, we are glad to learn, is still living, and holding a high officiKt position at the scene of his wonderl!^ exploit. A generation having sprung up since the eventful times of the Indian Mutiny, we make no hesitation in recalling and offering to our readers the story of the exploit itself. India—the brightest gem in Queen Victoria's crown—trembled in the balance ; and the empire was thrilling with horror over the terrible massacre of English women and children at Cawnpore, when the news came that a gallant little band of devoted men were defending themselves in the Eesidency at Lucknow against the hordes of a savage and relentless enemy. From the beginning to the end of this remarkable siege, Kavanagh —civilian though he was—appears to have figured conspicuously in the defence, for no sooner was the Eesidency invested by the mutineer forces, than he set to work to arm and drill all the civilians in the place; and in spite of much ridicule from the military men, ultimately succeeded in organising a corps of volunteers that did splendid service for the State. Tall and handsome, with an evident empressement for military life, Kavanagh proved himself the beau ideal of a hero; and in a book published by him in 1860, entitled "How I won the Victoria Cross," he describes the yearnings of his heart for distinction, and the feeling jof exultation with which, when he rose from a sick bed in which he had been prostrated by brief illness, he heard that the siege was not yet raised, nor the mutiny over. Two-and-twenty years is not a very long period in the history of a nation ; but in these go-ahead and progressive times,' when grand and important events are of frequent occurrence, the past becomes a dim perspective, in which names and scenes that once were as familiar to us as household words are relegated to an, obscurity which they do not deserve. ■ Such exploits as those which we! are about to relate are, however, like hidden jewels, which ever and anon flash forth with greater brilliancy than before, exciting the increased admiration of all who gaze upon them. The siege of Lucknow put to. the test all those qualities which Englishmen possess and exhibit in times of necessity—namely, a sublime confidence in the midst of danger, a noble sense of duty, and an unselfish heroism; and the brave man who is the subject of this narrative seemed to have been endowed with them in an unusual degree.

The inarch of Havelock and his brave column to relieve the devoted band cooped up in the Residency was watched in England step by step with intense eagerness; but, through the losses sustained on the way thither by battle and disease, it became impossible to compel the mutineers to raise the siege; and, even after the entrance of the relief column, it was con* dueled as vigorously as ever. During five long months the little garrison was put to its wits' end to meet the constant and ever-recurring attacks of the enemy. Kepelling sorties, mining and countermining, repairing breeches, &c, was the work that was always going on; and none was more willing and brave than the gallant Kavanagh, who, though wounded several times, was ever to be found at the post of danger. We should also mention here, as an interesting fact, that Kavanagh's wife was also wounded during the siege and laid up for several weeks. At length, in November, came the welcome news that Sir Colin Campf bell—afterwards Lord Clyde—was advancing with a strong British force to the relief of the garrison; and on the ninth of that month Kavanagh learned that a spy had come in from Cawnpore, and that he was going back to the Alum Bagh, with despatches for Sir Colin. Indeed, it had become necessary that Sir Colin's march should be hastened, and that he should be guided to the city by the least hazardous route. But who was to be the guide? Sir James Outram says in a letter on the subject, dated about a year after the event:—'The almost impossi; bility of any European being able to escape through the city undetected, deterred me from ordering any officer, or even seeking volunteers for such a duty/ A volunteer for this extraordinarily dangerous adventure did however present himself in the person of JKavanagh. He had sought out the spy, whose name was Kunoujee Lai, and finding him intelligent, he expressed his desire to proceed with him in disguise to the Alum Bagh. The spy at first hesitated; and urging that there was more chance of detection-by two going together, proposed that they should take different roads, and meet outside the city. This Eavanagh objected to, and then proceeded to finish some business he had in hand, hia mind however gtul dwelling upon the accomplishment of his object. At last ho made up hi« mmd^and proposed the enterprise to Colonel Napier, the chief of Sir James Outram s staff. The Colonel considered the noble offer of Kavanagh to be fraught with too much danger to be accepted, but promised to inform Sir James Outram of it, considering that such zeal deserved notice.

Outram was at once surprised and pleased by Kavanagh's offer; but he poinflß ou# the extreme danger of such an attempt, and endeavored to dissuade him from it, while at the same time stating how valuable such assistance would be to Sir Colin Campbell. Kavanagh was, however, so earnest in his entreaties, that the General at length consented, with the proviso that if Kavanagh should think the risk too great, and wished to withdraw from the enterprise, he was quite at liberty to do so. Kavanagh was, however,, formed of the stuff of which heroes are made ; and having made himself acquainted with Sir James Outram's plans, lie proceeded to disguise himself for the journey. This he had secretly arranged, as he did not wish his wife to kaow anything of the undertaking until his safe arrival at the Alum Bagh should be signalled to the garrison. A portrait of Kavanagh in his disguise forma the frontispiece to the book we have already mentioned, and he thus describes it himself : " I was dressed as a budmash or as an irregular soldier of the city, with sword (tulwar) and shield,

native-made shoes, light trouaers, a yellow silk kewtah over a tight fitting white muslin shirt, a yellow colored chintz sheet thrown around my shoulders, a cream colored turban, and a white waistcoat or kumurbund. My face down to the shoulders, and my hands to the wrists, were colored with lamp-black, tho cork used being dipped in oil, to cuuse the color to adhere a little. I could got nothing better. I had little confidence in the disguise of my features, and trusted more to the darkness of the night.' To show the thoroughness with which Kavanagh did this part of his work, it is only necessary to mention that the materials of which his costume was composed were borrowed piece by piece from separate natives. When the disguise was thus complete, he proceeded at half-past seven p.m. to the General s quarters, where he at once tested the genuineness of his metamorphosis. Nobody recognised him until he made himself known, and then Six James Outram himself put the finishing touches to his toilet. Placing a double-barrelled pistol in his waistband, and additionally armed with a tulwar, Kavanagh then took leave of the General j and his staff, and proceeded with Kunoujee Lai to the right bank of the river Goomtee, j running north of the entrenchment, accompanied by Captain Hardinge of the Irregular Cavalry. Here the latter bade Kavanagh adieu, after stating that he would have given his life to have done the same thing, and with the words, " Noble fellow—you will never be forgotten ! " left him to his adventure. Kavanagh and his guide then undressed themselves, and began to ford the river, which at that point was about a hundred yards wide. Kavanagh owns that he felt his courage failing him as he entered the water, but seeing the guide walking quickly towards the opposite bank, he followed him. On reaching it they took their bundles of clothes from their heads and dressed themselves again, at the same time narrowly escaping observation by a Sepoy who had come down to. a pond in the neighborhood to wash. On finding, however, that they were not observed, confidence returned.to them, and they proceeded straight towards the huts "in front, where Kavanagh accosted a matchlock man with the remark that it was a cold night. The man replied that it was 'Very cold;' to which Kavauagh laconically added tbat it would be colder by-and-bye. After questioning by the Sepoy^ officer, who commanded the enemy's picket at the iron bridge over the Goomtee, Kar-; anagh keeping out of the light and allowing ibis guide to answer, they proceeded on their way along the bank of the river,;, passing a number of Sepoys and matchlock men, who were escorting persons of rank in palanquins, preceded: by torches. Becrossing the river by the stone bridge, and unobserved by the sentry who was on guard over it, but who was chatting with a native, they passed into the city of Lucknow, where Kavanagh jostled against several armed men without attracting attention, and only met one guard of seven Sepoys, who were amusing themselves with some,women. r . From the city they:"'passed Into the green fields, which Kavanagh had not seen for five months, ;and he saysrjhat a carrot which he $ook frpm,air6adsideiwas the most delicious he had ever tasted. A furjther walk of a few miles was accomplished in high spirits; but they soon found out that they had taken the wrong road, and were in the Dilkooshah Park, which was in possession of the enemy; Here Kavanagh showed his wonted courage by going within twenty yards of two guns, to find out the strength of the enemy. Kunpujee -Lai was in great alarm, as he feared that Kavanagh would think that he was acting the traitor 5 and he begged him not to distrust him; : as the mistake was made by his anxiety to avoid the pickets of the enemy. Kavanagh reassured him; and they then walked into the canal, running under the Charbagh, where our hero suffered much on account of his boots being hard and tight, they having skinned his toes and cut into the flesh above his heels. At length^ after two hours wandering, two women put them into the right direction, and they received further information on the subject from an advanced guard of sepoys, whose questions they had first answered. At one place, a man frightened by their approach, called out a guard of twentyfive sepoys, all of which asked questions, and here Kunoujee Lai became afraid for the first time, and threw away the letter entrusted to him for Sir Colin Campbell.: After wading through a swamp for nearly two hours up to their waists in water, and being nearly exhausted with fatigue and anxiety, Kavanagh insisted upon having some rest, in spite of the remonstrances of his guide. After a halt of about a quarter of an hour, they again went forward, and passed through two pickets of the enemy,, who had no sentries thrown out. This was about four o'clock in the morning, and Kavanagh lay down to sleep for an hour, although Kunoujee Lai again protested against it.

Suddenly they heard the sound of the British challenge,' Who comes there ? ' delivered with a native accent; and to their joyful surprise they found themselves within the lines of Sir Colin Campbell's camp, which they believed to be still many miles distant. An officer of the 9th Lancers conducted Kavanagh to his tent, and gave him a glass of brandy, and he then asked the way to the Commander-in chief's tent. Meeting an elderly gentleman coming out of the tent in question, Kavanagh asked him where he could find Sir Colin Campbell. 'I am Sir Colin Campbell;'%as the quick reply. ' Who are jfcu;;' •.; '■; ' This will explain, sir,' replied -Kava? nagb, taking from- the foldsof Jhis turbani a note of introduction from Sir James Outram. Sir Colin read it hastily, and, glancing at Kavanagh with his keen eyes, he asked if it was true. 'Do you doubt mo, sir ?' asked Kavanagh. • No, No,' replied Sir/ Colin ; ' but it seem 3 very strange.' Sir Colin was anxious to hear his story ; but Kavanagh, worn out with the strain upon his mental and physical system, begged to be allowed some sleep—a request which was immediately complied with, and the tent darkened for ih'e purpose. Here the brave fellow poured out his thanks to G-od for his safety, and dreamed of the honour which awaited him from a grateful country. When he awoke from his sleep, Kdyanagh was very cordially received at Sir Cqlin's own table, where, over a substantial repast—to which he did ample justice—he recounted i to the Commander>in-chiei and his staff,

the adventures through which he had passed. x/ In tho meantime tt\o devoted garrison in the residency had signalled 'Is Kavanagh safef But the signal could not be read. Shortly afterwards however the preconcerted signal—namely, the raising of a flag at the Alum Bagh, told Sir James Outram that the hero was beyond the risk of further danger. Then Mrs Kavanagh was made acquainted with her husband's heroic act, and received the congratulations of all.

We have no space to give all the details of Sir Colin Campbell^ march to the residency ; but Kavanagh, by his bravery and intelligence during tho naarch, was certainly the man who, next to the commander in- chief, contributed most to the success of the attack. Indeed, never was a nobler act than Kavanagh's; and when he appeared again within the walls of the garrison which ho had risked his life to rescue, and was thus the first man to relievo it, the cheers and- greeting with which he was received by his half-famished defenders must have been dear to his soul;

' Lucknow Kavanagh' he was named on the spot, but it was not until the year 1860 that Kavanagh received the reward which was the height of his ambition—the Victoria Cross. This was fastened on his breast by her Majesty at Windsor Castle, in tho presence of her body guard and the members of her family ; Kavanagh having been • the first civilian on whom the decoration was, bestowed.