'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎444] (463/622)

444
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
act of the mutiny at Dacca. For seven long months the
European inhabitants had been sleeping with revolvers under
their pillows and with their guns loaded by their bedsides,
ready for immediate use. All care and anxiety were now
removed."*
This success broke up an intended junction of the mutineers
with those of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, at Chittagong,
who were marching on Dacca. Having received the news of
the action, they halted irresolutely, tried to cross the river
aboveDacca, were opposed by a gunboat, judiciously despatched
by Lieutenant Lewis for the express purpose, and finally dis
persed into the j ungles, where they perished miserably for want
of food, or were hunted down by the Sylhet Light Infantry.
If the Indian Naval Detachment had been repulsed in their
attack on the mutineers' position, and had been obliged to
retreat, a general massacre would probably have ensued, for in
their rear lay the city of Dacca, with a large fanatical Moham
medan population in a very excited state. A copy of the
following letter of thanks, addressed to Captain Campbell, was
received by Lieutenant Lewis, who was himself wounded in
this action, signed by Mr. Beadon, Secretary to Government,
dated the 4th of December, 1857 :—" The Governor-General in
* Lieutenant Lewis says in his despatch:—" The Treasury, Executive
Engineers, and Commissariat Guards were disarmed without resistance. We
then marched down to the Lall Bagh ; on entering the lines the Sepojs were
found drawn up by their magazine, with two 9-pounders in the centre. Their
hospital and numerous buildings in the Lall Bagh, together with the barracks,
which are on top of a hill, and are built of brick and loopholed, were also
occupied by them in great force. Immediately we deployed into line, they opened
fire on us from front and left flank, with canister and musketry. We gave them
one volley, and then charged with the bayonet up the hill, and carried the whole
of the barracks on the top of it, breaking the doors with our musket-butts, and
bayoneting the Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. inside. As soon as this was done, we charged down hill,
and taking them in flank, carried both their guns and all the buildings, driving
them into the jungle. While we were thus employed with the small-arm men,
the two mountain-train howitzers, advancing to within 150 yards, took up a
position to the right, bearing on the enemy's guns in rear of their magazine, and
unlimbering, kept up a steady and well-directed fire. Every one, both officers
and men, behaved most gallantly, charging repeatedly, in face of a most heavy
fire, without the slightest hesitation for a moment. I beg particularly to bring
to notice the conduct of Mr. Midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. Mayo, who led the last charge on their
guns most gallantly, being nearly twenty yards in front of the men. I regret to
say our loss has been severe, but not more, I think, than could have been ex
pected from the strength of the position and the obstinacy of the defence. Forty-
one Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. were counted by Mr. Boatswain An officer responsible for the equipment on a ship and overseeing the work of the ship's crew. Brown dead on the ground, and
eight have been since brought in desperately wounded. Three also were drowned
or shot in attempting to escape across the river. I enclose the list of killed and
wounded. Dr. Best being ill, Dr. Grreen, Civil Surgeon, accompanied the de
tachment into action, and was severely wounded. I was ably seconded by Mr.
Connor, my second in command. Lieutenant Dowell, Bengal Artillery, volun
teered and took command of one of our howitzers, which he fought most skilfully
to the end of the action. We were also accompanied by Messrs. Carnac, C.S.,
Macpherson and Bain bridge, and Lieutenant Hitchins, Bengal Native Infantry,
who rendered great assistance with their rifles, and to whom my thanks are
due."