The interest of Mr. Forbes-Mitchell's straightforward and soldierlike story is enhanced by the coincidence that he takes up the pen where Lady Inglis laid it down; and it is hoped that this volume may prove an acceptable continuation of her touching narrative of the Defence of Lucknow, and that, as a record of the Great Mutiny, it may furnish another thrilling chapter in that unparalleled story of suffering and of heroism,—of man's bravery and of woman's devotion.
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| CHAPTER I | |
| The Ninety-Third Highlanders—Sail for China—Counter-ordered to Calcutta—Arrival in India | [1] |
| CHAPTER II | |
| The March up Country—Futtehpore—Cawnpore | [9] |
| CHAPTER III | |
| Start for Lucknow—Sir Colin—the Dilkooshá—Martinière—Secundrabâgh | [26] |
| CHAPTER IV | |
| The Ninety-Third—Anecdotes of the Secundrabâgh—General Ewart—the Shâh Nujeef | [51] |
| CHAPTER V | |
| Personal Anecdotes—Capture of the Shâh Nujeef—A Fearful Experience | [74] |
| CHAPTER VI | |
| Breakfast under Difficulties—Long Shots—The Little Drummer—Evacuation of the Residency by the Garrison | [94] |
| CHAPTER VII | |
| Bagpipes at Lucknow—A Bewildered Bâboo—The Forced March to Cawnpore—Opium—Wyndham's Mistake | [114] |
| CHAPTER VIII | |
| Anecdotes—Action with the Gwalior Contingent—Its Defeat—Pursuit of the Nânâ—Bithoor—John Lang and Jotee Pershâd | [135] |
| CHAPTER IX | |
| Hodson of Hodson's Horse—Action at the Kâlee Nuddee—Futtehghur | [160] |
| CHAPTER X | |
| The Strange Story of Jamie Green | [172] |
| CHAPTER XI | |
| The Siege of Lucknow—Sir Colin appointed Colonel of the Ninety-Third—Assault on the Martinière—A "Rank" Joke | [194] |
| CHAPTER XII | |
| Assault on the Begum's Kothee—Death of Captain M'Donald—Major Hodson wounded—His Death | [205] |
| CHAPTER XIII | |
| Jung Bahâdoor—Gunpowder—The Mohurrum at Lucknow—Loot | [219] |
| CHAPTER XIV | |
| An Ungrateful Duty—Captain Burroughs—The Dilkooshá again—General Walpole at Rooyah—The Râmgunga | [231] |
| CHAPTER XV | |
| The Battle of Bareilly—Ghâzis—A Terrible Accident—Halt at Bareilly—Actions of Posgaon, Russoolpore, and Nowbungabad—Rest at Last! | [252] |
| APPENDIX A | |
| History of the Murder of Major Neill at Augur | [271] |
| APPENDIX B | |
| Europeans among the Rebels | [278] |
| APPENDIX C | |
| A few Words on Sword-Blades | [286] |
| APPENDIX D | |
| The Opium Question | [292] |
CHAPTER I
THE NINETY-THIRD—SAIL FOR CHINA—COUNTER-ORDERED TO CALCUTTA—ARRIVAL IN INDIA
I cannot truthfully commence these reminiscences with the usual formula of the amateur author,—namely, by stating that, "At the solicitation of numerous friends, the writer was most reluctantly prevailed upon to publish his narrative," and so forth. No one has asked me to write my recollections of the past and my impressions of the present. I do so to please myself, because on revisiting the scenes of the Mutiny I have been forcibly impressed with the fact that, like so many memories, the soldiers and civilians who were personal actors in the great uprising are fast passing away.