CHAPTER XIX.

LIEUTENANT BUTLER AND THE VICTORIA CROSS.

During several years previous to the Indian mutiny the kingdom of Oude had been a source of much anxiety to the Governors of India. It was formerly an independent province, in which were about 3,000,000 people, but in 1856 it became a province of British India. The capital of Oude is Lucknow, one of the largest cities in India, containing at least 300,000 inhabitants; it is a straggling place, extending over nearly three miles, but contains many large important buildings, forts, &c. The streets are very narrow and winding, thus rendering it difficult for any troops to march through it when an enemy is in possession of the neighbouring buildings. A fine river—the Goomtee—runs past the town, and bounds it on one side.

It was on or about the 24th of May, 1857, that the first indications of an outbreak became manifest at Lucknow; at this date there were about 500 available European troops, whilst the mutineers of the native regiments numbered about 4000. In addition to these, the whole of the inhabitants of the district were in rebellion, being led by various leaders, and formed bands of brigands, whose principal object was to hunt down and murder Europeans.

Sir Henry Lawrence was at this time Chief Commissioner of Oude, and, being possessed of great foresight and skill, prepared to receive the coming shock. He put a portion of Lucknow, termed the Residency, into a state of defence, stored it with ammunition and provisions, fortified also a place termed the Muchhee Bhowun, and then waited the course of events.

After having defended himself in these two places from the 30th of May, he, on the 29th of June, sallied out in the hope of cutting off a party of mutineers, but, having ventured farther than he intended, he discovered a most powerful body of the mutineers, and was obliged to retreat with considerable loss, more especially as the artillery he had taken with him deserted their guns and joined the enemy. Shortly after this he found that, with his diminished numbers, it was imprudent to hold two places. Thus the Muchhee Bhowun was abandoned, and the whole garrison were brought into the Residency, and a defence commenced which was certainly one of the most marvellous that has ever been recorded in history.

The ruling mind in Lucknow was from the commencement that of Sir H. Lawrence, and many brave men were accustomed to look to him for advice or directions in various trying circumstances. When, then, he died, on the 4th of July, from the effects of a wound produced by a shell which burst in the room in which he was sitting, his loss cast a gloom on the devoted band within the Residency, and rendered for a time their position even more than ever perilous.

Day by day and night after night a continued fire of artillery and musketry was directed upon the Residency, and the only defence on the part of the besieged, in many instances, was to remain under cover, and thus to escape from the iron hail above them. Among the many singular events that occurred during the siege of Lucknow, there were none that were more exciting to those concerned than the underground combats. The mutineers, having been trained by our own Sappers and Miners, were thoroughly acquainted with the principles and use of mines, and they applied their knowledge in the present instance to the attempted destruction of their enemy. Let any of us imagine ourselves to be shut up in a fort surrounded by a merciless enemy, unable to show even a hand above the walls of the defences without having a shower of bullets aimed at it, and then to know that from several directions there were galleries being driven underground until a spot could be reached beneath us in which a sufficient quantity of powder could be placed to send us, our fort, and guns a hundred feet in the air.

Fatal as the mine undoubtedly is, it, like the deadly rattlesnake of America, invariably makes a noise before it strikes its blow, and thus it was impossible for the mutineers to work underground and yet make no sound; so that the garrison by watchfulness could hear the blows of the enemy’s pickaxe and spade, and could then make what was called a counter-mine, and at the proper time blow up the work of the besiegers. In many cases the defenders broke their way into the galleries made by the mutineers, and shots were exchanged in the darkness underground. In only one instance did the mutineers succeed in their mines; this occurred in consequence of a mine being directed against an outer wall of the Sikh cavalry lines, the noise of the horses’ feet preventing the sound of the miners from being heard. This mine, upon being exploded, buried half-a-dozen drummers in its ruins, and opened a breach large enough to have admitted the enemy, who were, however, too cautious to venture upon an encounter at close quarters, even with a foe which they outnumbered in the proportion of ten to one.

In many instances the counter-mines of the besieged produced most destructive effects on the enemy. In one case where the mutineers commenced a mine a counter-mine was immediately attempted, which, when exploded, blew up the enemy’s gallery, a house near it, and some three dozen men.

In spite, however, of these successes, the condition of the besieged was bad enough.

During the whole of June, July, and August, this devoted band maintained themselves against their innumerable foes. The massacre at Cawnpore had shown them what they might expect if they surrendered, and thus, in spite of sickness, want of provisions, and other evils, they held their ground, until, on the 23rd of September, the firing of artillery in the distance informed them that help was at hand. So strangely are some constitutions framed and kept up by excitement that, as we were informed by an eye-witness, in many instances the besieged during several weeks took no other nourishment than a little water and a few mouthfuls of bread per day, feeling quite unable to touch any other food, and, in fact, having no appetite for it.

On the 25th of September, Generals Outram and Havelock commenced their attack upon Lucknow, and early in the morning the first brigade commenced its march. It was soon found that the enemy had made most extensive preparations to meet them, each suitable station being selected for cannon, which played with murderous effect upon the advancing troops. During six hours the gallant band of warriors, each member of which deserved a cross of honour, struggled forward to the relief of their comrades—the English women and children shut up in the Residency. During the afternoon a temporary halt was ordered under the walls of a palace termed the Fureed Buksh; but ere long darkness coming on rendered the next movement one of considerable importance. The Residency was yet half-a-mile distant, and large bodies of the enemy were between it and the palace. To delay till the morning the relief of the besieged might be an unwise proceeding, for the ferocious mutineers might during the night make a successful attack, and a massacre would be the result. It was therefore decided that the 78th Highlanders and another regiment should advance. This decision having been arrived at, a short half-hour only was passed before men, women, and children, who had almost ceased to hope, suddenly found themselves in comparative safety, delivered by the skill and courage of Havelock and his column of relief.

The besieged, who had during a hundred days been shut up in the Residency, were actually surprised by the arrival of succour. Although several intimations had been received to the effect that a relieving force was coming, yet there was no appearance of it even on the morning of the 25th, although considerable commotion was observable among the armed men and sepoys in the town. At about 5 P.M. volleys of musketry were heard in the streets, and the peculiar hiss of the Minié ball was audible. A few minutes later the English troops were seen fighting their way gallantly, and then from every loophole and embrasure, from hospital and house, arose a cheer and shout from every living being within that inclosure that had so long been a prison, and was so near being a grave.

Yet, after all, this relief proved to be merely “succour,” for, as about 30 officers and 500 men were killed and wounded during the march through the town, and as also in the previous actions many men had been lost, the army of 3000 that had left Cawnpore to relieve Lucknow had dwindled into a mere handful. There was also a difficulty about food, for the increase in numbers caused a demand for more provisions, and already there was a scanty supply even for those who previously occupied the Residency.

Those who have been much exposed to “fire” have often experienced many hair-breadth escapes and singular incidents. Several are related in connexion with the defence of Lucknow. An officer was handing a glass of water to a companion, the glass being held low down, when a bullet struck the glass and smashed it to pieces, without, however, hurting either man. Three prisoners were brought in, and were being tried by a drum-head court-martial, when the proceedings were suddenly cut short by a round shot, which, without ceremony, killed the three prisoners, after which the court was dissolved.

It was soon found that the sepoys, having discovered how small a force had joined the garrison, were determined to pursue their attack with renewed vigour, and continued the siege until the intrenchments were deserted on the 19th of November.

We in England who live at home at ease, and perform our morning toilets with composure, can scarcely imagine the effect that would be produced upon us by an event such as the following, related with great coolness by a lady in her “Diary of the Siege of Lucknow:”—

“This morning an 18-pounder came through our unfortunate room again. It broke the panel of the door, and knocked the whole of the barricade down, upsetting everything; my dressing-table was sent flying through the door.”

When the relief had overcome the various obstacles that had been opposed to its entrance into Lucknow, and had joined the besieged garrison, it was found necessary to give up the Residency. This was accomplished by a ruse, and during the night, when the women and children, the wounded and sick, were conveyed in safety to the Alum Bagh, thence to Allahabad, leaving Lucknow to be dealt with by men alone.

It was not till early in March, 1858, that Sir Colin Campbell appeared with a large British force before Lucknow. At this time there were about thirty thousand Sepoys in arms in the city, besides which there were fully fifty thousand armed volunteers and irregulars. The commander-in-chief’s preparations had been most ably planned and carried out. A bridge was soon thrown across the Goomtee, with very little opposition. On the 7th of March twenty-two guns, all of large calibre, were sent across this bridge, and joined Sir J. Outram’s force on the opposite side. On the 8th a decided step was made towards the capture of the city. A heavy fire had been maintained all day on the Martinière, and Sir Colin determined to assault it very soon.

It was on this day that the officer whose exploit we this month illustrate gained the Victoria Cross. An officer, who also gained the Cross on the same day, had led a portion of his company against a two-gun battery and spiked the guns; thus the most advanced position of the troops was secure from artillery fire. It was of great importance that the skirmishers on the opposite side of the river should be made acquainted with this success, and Lieutenant Thomas Adair Butler, 1st Bengal Fusiliers, swam across the Goomtee, climbed the parapet, and remained for some time exposed to a heavy fire of musketry. He, however, gave the information that he wished, and was prominently mentioned by Major-General Outram in general orders. For this act of coolness and bravery he was allotted the Victoria Cross: an honour well deserved. There are many men who, in the heat and excitement of action, will take a prominent lead, and will then perform more than they would be disposed to do in moments of calmness; but when a man swims across a broad river in the face of an enemy, and remains by himself exposed to a severe fire, he must indeed possess those characteristics entitling him to be called brave.

Sir Colin Campbell was well acquainted with the peculiar style of fighting preferred by the mutineers. If behind stone walls, earthworks, or in buildings, the rebel sepoys would remain under fire all day. If, however, they were brought into close contact with cold steel, their courage deserted them, and they made the best use of their legs. In his orders for the attack on the Martinière, he particularly insisted on the application of cold steel. “The men employed in the attack will use nothing but the bayonet. They are absolutely forbidden to fire a shot till the position is won.” The description of the Highlanders’ advance is thus graphically given by Dr. Russell:—“Our guns were now thundering away, mortars, howitzers, and 24-pounders, at the pits, huts, and Martinière, from which the enemy kept up an incessant fusillade of the weakest sort, the only thing remarkable about it being its pertinacity. The time wore on, and at last the Highlanders and Sikhs came marching from their camp, and drew up behind the Dilkoosha. The enemy had remained steady in their trenches under the fire of six mortars and ten heavy guns and howitzers. But the instant they caught sight of our bayonets, and that the lines of the Sikhs and Highlanders came in view, we observed them, by twos and threes and groups, and at last in masses, running and marching at the double, as fast as they could clear out of the works, and moving to the rear, or stealing off under cover of their parapets. We saw the Highlanders, with skirmishers thrown out in front, advancing rapidly, without a sound in their ranks, towards the Martinière, while the Sikhs, on their flank, agile as panthers, ran at full speed towards the trenches, from which the enemy, firing a few hurried shots from their muskets, were flying so fast that not a man was left inside by the time our troops were within two hundred yards of the Martinière. In less than ten minutes we saw Highland bonnets among the trees in the park, and the Sikhs rushing through the vines in the rear, looking in vain for an enemy.”

By the 19th of March the entire city was in our possession, being thus gained after sixteen days’ fighting, counting from the first advance of Sir Colin from the Alum Bagh. Taking all things into consideration, the heat of the climate, the number of the enemy, and the fact of his fighting from behind stone walls or earthworks, this advance on and capture of Lucknow is a most marvellous achievement, especially when we consider the small loss that our troops suffered.

Every private English soldier in India at that time was worth a considerable sum, for his loss could not be easily replaced, and thus a wise and prudent general had to spare his men as much as possible, and to calculate previous to a battle whether even success could afford to be purchased by the loss of a given number of men.

When Lucknow was entered by our troops a scene was witnessed that baffles all description. The wealth of India has ever been known as immense, and much of this had been collected in Lucknow. The palaces of princes and private houses of rich natives were alike open to view, the owners having left them in the greatest haste upon the arrival of the English conquerors. Soldiers, whose spare pay amounted to scarcely more than a few pence per day, were able to lay hands upon gold and silver ornaments, watches, and jewels enough to buy a king’s ransom. In one instance a box, which was being carelessly handled by some men, was stated by those well informed to contain jewels to the value of one hundred thousand pounds. Unfortunately, this fell into the hands of some one unknown, who shortly disappeared with the box, and neither was afterwards heard of. Camel and elephant loads of rich brocades were carried away from the city, whilst wealth of every kind was scattered about in wild confusion.

Not only in India and England, but in all Christian countries, the defence and capture of Lucknow caused great excitement and interest. The massacre of upwards of eight hundred men, women, and children at Cawnpore had sent a thrill of horror throughout Europe at such cruelty and disregard of life, and as our forces in India were comparatively few, it did not seem improbable that the brave defenders of Lucknow might meet a similar fate. Thus the encounters during the first two weeks of March, 1858, will be remembered by all; and those who on these occasions gained the Victoria Cross, must feel and be known as men who risked their lives in a great and glorious cause, not only for the honour of their name and country, but for the triumph of Christianity and mercy over cruelty and vice.