It may be observed, in relation to all the military operations in the month of January, that there were certain rebel leaders whose personal movements were seldom clearly known to the British officers. Nena Sahib of Bithoor, Koer Singh of Jugdispore, and Mohammed Khan of Bareilly, were unquestionably urging the sepoys and rebels to continue the struggle against the Company’s ‘raj;’ but their own marchings and retreatings from place to place were veiled in much obscurity. There was, in truth, a very intelligible motive for this; for a price was placed upon the head of each, and he could not fully know whether any traitor were at his elbow. Some of the leaders, such as the Rajah of Minpooree and the Nawab of Furruckabad, were believed to have joined their fortunes with those of the defenders of Lucknow; while Mahomed Hussein, as we have seen, was hovering between Oude and Goruckpore, according to the strength of the Goorkhas sent against him. It was known that many of the Gwalior mutineers, after their severe defeat in December, had collected again in Bundelcund; but it was not clearly ascertained who among them assumed the post of leader.
[131]. A return was prepared by order of parliament, of the odds and ends composing what was called the sea-kit of English soldiers going out to India, the cost at which they were estimated, and the mode of paying for them:
| Articles. | Price. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Two canvas frocks at 3s. 3d. (jackets substituted for frocks in the case of sergeants), | £0 | 6 | 6 |
| One pair canvas trousers, | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| One neck handkerchief, | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| One pair of shoes, | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Three pounds of marine soap, at 7d., | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Two pounds of yellow soap, at 7d., | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Nine balls of pipeclay, | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| One quart tin-pot, with hook, | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| One scrubbing-brush, | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Three tins of blacking, | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| One clasp-knife, | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| One bag in lieu of haversack, | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Needles and thread, | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Three pounds of tobacco, at 2s. 8d., | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Two flannel-belts, | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Two check-shirts, at 2s. 6d., | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| —— | —— | — | |
| £2 | 0 | 8 | |
‘The prices,’ as the return tells us, ‘are unavoidably liable to variation, but those in the above list will serve as a general standard for guidance. These extra necessaries are paid for by the men to whom they are issued, out of pay advanced for the purpose. Tobacco is issued to such men only as are in the habit of using it; and if any man be provided already with any of the above articles, and such are in a serviceable condition, a duplicate supply is not given.’
It will at once be understood that the ordinary equipment of the soldier is not here mentioned; only the extras for the sea-voyage being included. The ‘nine balls of pipeclay’ constitute perhaps the worst item in the list.
[132]. Before the final departure from the neighbourhood of Cawnpore, the British troops did their best to despoil one who received more execration than any other man in India. An officer writing at the close of the year, said: ‘We have made very good use of our delay at Cawnpore. The Highland brigade was encamped at Bithoor, and employed in raising all Nena Sahib’s valuables from a well. The operation was a most difficult one, as the well was deep and full of water. However, it was very successful; for not including their last day’s work (a very good one) they raised 75½ pounds of gold in various shapes, and 252 pounds of silver. The last day they got an enormous quantity of gold and silver, so heavy that a man could just carry it. I hope they will come upon Bajee Rao’s Jewels. There are two more wells yet to open. The Nena is “beating his breast” at our well-successes.’
[133]. One incident of this affair was afterwards thus described by an officer present: ‘A brigade was sent to repair the suspension-bridge. They commenced work on the 1st, and by morning of the 2d had finished it all but one or two planks, which they were laying down, when the chief saw the villagers come out of the village opposite. He desired some one to go and tell them not to be afraid, as they would not be hurt; when all of a sudden bang came a round-shot from amongst them, which killed four men of the 53d. The enemy were then discovered to be in force; the naval brigade soon opened on them, pitching into the village for about two hours, they returning it with an 18-pounder and a 9-pounder. When the firing commenced, we were all sent for, the bridge was soon finished, and then the chief with his force crossed, turned them out of the village, and pursued them with cavalry and artillery for about eight miles.’
[134]. Sir James Outram’s total force in and near the Alum Bagh, at the beginning of the year, was made up of the following elements: