'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎439] (458/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVT.
439
head -quarters of the Regiment which thus commenced the bold
game of rebellion, had been ignominiously disbanded at Bar-
rackpore, on the 2nd of May, for the Mungul Pandy outrage on
the 29th of March, when the first blood of the mutiny was shed;
but as soon as the three companies quartered at Chittagong,
heard of the disgraceful conduct of their comrades, they
addressed to the Government a memorial, in which they de
clared they would remain " faithful for ever." 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. at
Dacca were known to be in league with the 34th Native
Infantry at Chittagong; and it became apparent that the news
of the latter having mutinied, would be received by them
through the post the next day, so that it was desirable to
disarm them forthwith. Accordingly, Mr. Carnac, the offici
ating Collector and Magistrate, called a council of war, com
posed chiefly of civilians, to divide with him the responsibility
of the measure. Lieutenant Lewis and the two subalterns in
command of the Native troops were present, and, though the
non-combatants were in a majority, it was finally resolved to
act as the circumstances of the case imperatively demanded.
The necessary arrangements were, therefore, made as quickly
and secretly as possible for disarming 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. at daybreak
the next morning. The Volunteers were individually sum
moned from all parts of the city and station, and ordered to
meet at the Bank at four o'clock on Sunday morning. The
position was calculated to inspire some degree of anxiety. The
detachment of the 73rd Native Infantry numbered three hun
dred men, who were supported by fifty Native Artillerymen, with
two field-pieces and a well-stocked magazine of ammunition.
The Volunteer named before says " Against three hundred
and fifty men with their 9-pounder field-guns, backed by a
large and disaffected Mahomedan population, our great stand
by and tower of strength were the sailors of the Indian Navy,
about ninety in number, and their two small howitzers, which
they dragged along with them as children would their pet toys.
They were as fine and trustworthy a handful of men as anyone
would wish to command ; well conducted, well under control,
well drilled, steady under arms, full of spirit and confidence,
and like all British tars, with no end of " go' in them. Three
months of constant and careful training had made them equal
in every practical quality to as many old and experienced
soldiers, and as, shortly after their arrival in Dacca, they were
armed with the Enfield rifle, in the use of which they had been
thoroughly instructed, it may well be imagined that they were
regarded by the English residents with considerable con
fidence. Still, if they had to fight, there would be four to one
against them, and, for so small a body, those would be gieat
odds. , , ^ ■, i.
" The Volunteers, though embodied solely for detensive pur-