'Remarks on the Bashi-Bazouks and other irregulars; including brief reflections on the present war. With a sketch of General William Ferguson Beatson, organiser of the Bashi-Bazouks during the Crimean campaign' by Colonel William Ferguson Beatson Laurie [‎6r] (11/24)

There is one thing clear in this great Eastern question—tlrat if we
are to permanently hold India we must conciliate the Mahomedan
peoples of both Europe and Asia; and it is difficult to see how this can
be done without some more extensive share in their government.
Reverting to the subject of Irregular Cavalry, the writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. may aptly con
clude these few and imperfect remarks with a reminiscence of thirty years
ago. It was during some brief and unimpoitant operations in the
Tributary Mehals (hill districts) of Orissa, against a rebellious Raja King ,
that, on halting with his guns, after a hard day’s work, he came across an
Irregular cavalry post, where something was exciting great attention. A
sentry (a su-war, or irregular horseman) was pacing up and down, with
drawn sabre erect, every nowand then giving a consequential halt before
what silently reposed on. a shield. Yih kya hail “What is this?”
was the question asked. The sentry, drawing himself up, said in the
gravest manner possible —Sir (or Sar) Sahib—“ Head, Sir !” It was
the ghastly head of a robber chief, who had been killed after wounding
several of our men, lying on the shield, the way in which it had been
placed—the beard hanging gracefully over the side—to some giving the
idea that it was still in life, which was strengthened by the manner of
the devoted irregular who seemed to be afraid the head might “ move
on,” or run away; and so, even cheating Death of its own, ensure him
“ a wigging ” from his commanding officer! Here was one great
essential—devotion to duty—in an irregular, especially a sentry ; a small
modicum of the good stuff produced by discipline, which the hero of
our sketch so much admired, which has done so much useful service in
India, and, if called upon, would be ready to do the same in Europe,
Asia Minor, or other parts of Asia.
On the conclusion of the foregoing remarks—which the writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. has
ventured to consider somewhat suitable to the uncertain and troublous
times through which we are passing—a few important facts and rumours
arrested public attention, the most important of which, as bearing on
what has already been set forth, may be very briefly alluded to.
Under the head of “ Circassian Atrocities ” we read, with reference to
an action in a forest at the end of May :—“ Wounded Cossacks found
by the Turks in the wood were brought to the hospital at Soukham
Kald, where they were most kindly tended by the Ottoman surgeons.
Meanwhile, the Russians are ill-treating the inhabitants of the villages in
the insurgent districts, killing even children and old men, and acting in
a barbarous manner.” Again—a German surgeon, coming from Ard ihan,
reported that the Russians, after having taken the fortress “plundered
every Jiouse, and they also set fire to the hospital,
and the wounded soldiers perished in the flames.” After this (the Turks
being Tartars) the Porte’s reasonable objection may be raised to the