A reward of one lac of rupees was offered this day for the capture, within a week, dead or alive, of the Nana, at Cawnpore, and means were taken to have the proclamation widely disseminated. With the larger battery commenced to the south, behind Mr. Ommanney's house, we had three large batteries in progress, and were also busily employed in destroying, as far as possible, any buildings that might give cover in the vicinity. Five or six elephants were in course of training to drag heavy guns, so as to enable us to move out without delay, should circumstances require a heavy gun to be taken out.
27th June.—This morning a letter from Lieutenant Burnes, Adjutant of the 10th Regiment Oude Irregular Infantry, late at Seetapore, was received. It gave an account of the mutiny at that place, and of the escape of himself, Sir M. Jackson, Bart., and sisters (one of whom had been carried off for some days by the sepoys and brought back), and some others, to a place called Mitowlee, where they claimed and received the protection (charily given) of a rajah: they were then all in the jungles, suffering the greatest hardships. It also mentioned the safety of another party with Captain Hearsey; who, however, were also in the jungles. Many of these seem to have had the most hairbreadth escapes. No rain had yet fallen, and the heat was most oppressive. The cholera had abated during the past few days, but several cases of smallpox had, however, occurred. The river was reported to have fallen a foot since yesterday.
A report was in circulation early in the day, that General Wheeler had made terms with "the Nana," at Cawnpore; but few believed it, and in the evening it was reported incorrect, as heavy firing had been heard yesterday at Cawnpore from Bunnee. Three boxes of crow's feet and a great number of musket-barrels and unwrought stores were brought in from the old magazine at the Dowlut-Khana; also a very large quantity of gun carriage-wheels. The force at Nawabgunge was said to be increasing, but very undecided as to what to do. A great force of coolies were at work, and much progress was made in the defences at Muchee Bhawun and the Residency.
28th June.—This morning, at about 3 A.M., we had a heavy fall of rain, which continued with slight intervals till 7 A.M. Sir Henry Lawrence proceeded to Hosainabad and examined the defensive preparations made there; returning by the Muchee Bhawun, he found that the buildings occupied by the 32nd had hardly leaked at all. Divine service was performed in the City Hospital (brigade mess), occupied by the officers of the 7th Cavalry, 13th, 48th, and 71st Native Infantry, at 7 A.M. Spies stated that the 17th Regiment Native Infantry, numbering between 250 and 300 men, had gone with five lacs of rupees to Onao on the Cawnpore road—it was believed with the intention of proceeding to Cawnpore.
It having been reported that there were many jewels and valuables in the king's palace, which might fall into the hands of the mutineers, a party under Major Banks, consisting of fifty of the 13th, twenty Seikhs 71st Native Infantry, and the European Volunteer Cavalry, were sent out to fetch them in; which they did about 6 P.M., and reported that they had discovered a large gun.
About 7 P.M. three different natives brought in the very sad and distressing news that the Cawnpore force, having no more ammunition left, had entered into a treaty with their enemies, after which they had all been treacherously murdered, as they embarked in boats to proceed down the river to Allahabad.
Mrs. Dorin, wife of Lieutenant Dorin, who lately commanded the 10th Regiment Oude Irregular Forces, arrived this evening in a country cart, disguised as a native, and accompanied by some clerks. She was for very many days secreted in a village close to Seetapore, and her escape is wonderful. The Serjeant-Major's wife of the 9th Regiment Oude Irregular Infantry also arrived in a doolie, severely wounded. From 8 to 10 o'clock P.M. it rained heavily. A letter, dated the 21st June, received from Benares from Mr. Gubbins, giving an account of the number of Europeans coming up the country, and describing the state of Benares and Allahabad; reporting also an action at Delhi on the 8th instant, when the British troops captured twenty-six guns. News also received from Agra by letter from Captain Nixon, political agent.
June 29th.—This morning, a brass gun, a 21-pounder which had been accidentally discovered yesterday by the party who had been despatched under Major Banks, to bring in valuables from the palace (called the "Kiser Bagh,") was brought in, carriage and waggon all completely ready for immediate service. Some grape shot and powder, chiefly damaged, was also discovered in an adjacent house.
The people in charge of the palace, without giving a thought to resistance as it was at first expected they might do, nevertheless showed an evident reluctance to give information where the arms, &c. were stored. However, it came out at last, that there were more arms within the palace, and a party was despatched to secure them. Seven cart-loads were brought in; chiefly flint muskets, with a few spears, &c.: 4 small guns were also discovered and brought in.
A small party of volunteers, cavalry (twelve men including officers), were sent along the Cawnpore road to bring in information. After going some twelve miles, they returned, having learnt that there were some two or three regiments not far off them. Captain Forbes, with the Seikh Cavalry, was sent off at sunrise to patrol the Nawabgunge road. Six men were also sent on the Sultanpore road to gain information. Both the parties returned at sunset, Captain Forbes bringing intelligence that the enemy were at Chinât, nine miles off.