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20 Oct 58 Julius Camp Ninsur Mother Hyde Park Place (West) ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Camp ‘Ninsur’ Oude
20th Oct. 58
My dear Mother
Since my last letter we have been travelling the Country in the direction of Fyzabad.
The whole force joined at ‘Keilsa’ from which we advanced steadily on ‘Tandah’ a town that has been in the hands of the Rebels ever since the Mutinies. It is situated in Oude* on the banks of the Gogra.*
The night before we arrived the enemy of course bolted. Some went across the River & others retired into a Fort which we next made for. On our arrival as usual their courage had failed them & they had made off in the night.
The place was surrounded by Jungle. It had a deep ditch & very steep thick wall. We should have lost a few men but it would have soon been ours & there was no escape for them in there. I think they were quite right to go.
They made for a Jungle close to the place where we are now. I believe there are some 5 or 6 thousand all together. There are 5 or 6 of our Columns after them. The whole superintended by Sir Hope Grant who is himself about 8 miles from this.
Did I tell you about the affair Col. Simpson’s Detachment was very nearly having. He was at a River & had to guard 5 Fords with a very small force. The Enemy to the number of 8000 got wind of this & a part crossed higher up the River & came down in Rear of his Camp & the remainder were coming at him in front.
He (Col. S) turned out all his men, 30 of the 34th & 80 Sikhs together with his two guns & was going to commence the game when he heard guns in the distance & found the enemy were making off. After a while he got news that the guns proceeded from a Force of Ours under a Major Raikes which had unexpectedly got on the Rebels rear. Luck was it not?
The numbers of the Rebels varies very much. If they get to a place where there is any loot they are joined by others of the natives & if they have to make a bolt these fellows go quietly away again.
There are no roads in this country & of course we take guns, carts & everything over ploughed Fields or anything that comes our way. Nearly all the Baggage is carried on Camels.
The country round is not much cultivated although very rich. There is a good deal of Jungle in which there are lots of Partridges & Quail. I got two brace this morning. We employ Coolies to beat as there are no dogs. I hear there are lots of Nielghy (large Deer)* & Wild boar. I am going out this evening with my rifle to see if I can find any.
Every place you come to has a Fort; under the Kings of Oude they were allowed. In fact he could not prevent it. Of course the owners did not pay Taxes unless they pleased & occasionally used to fight amongst themselves.
It is a beautiful country & the nights are quite cold. One is glad to have a blanket. The sun still has a great deal of power during the day but nothing to what it had. The Comet is disappearing gradually. It was very beautiful for some days or even weeks.
I suspect we shall pretty nearly have done with our old Friends the Sepoys after this season. Of course I know nothing of the plans that are to be carried out but Report says that we are to get them all inside of a Circle of Columns. If so, someone will have a grand ‘Battue’.*
I am very well & am spending a very pleasant time. There is not that hurry-skurry that there was last year. There are very few of us left & we do the Campaign Comfortably.
Poor Gilley, one of our Ensigns, was shot in the head by his servant (a soldier) by accident out Duck Shooting at Deon Ghat & he is not expected to live as his brain was entered. He was a fine fellow & it is a very sad affair.
Capt. Marsh & young Nufriter (a Cadet doing his duty with Regt.) have gone down sick.
I have heard nothing of any one since I last wrote. I hope you are all keeping well, Mary & her son included. I am very anxious to hear how they are getting on.
I told you I think I heard from Arthur & that he was alright & posted to 40th M.N.I* – the post comes in here every night & I hear the Bombay Mail is in so am looking for a letter from you?
With love to all & a kiss to the youngsters.
I remain
My dear Mother
Yr. affect. son
J D Laurie
* Oude – (Oudh), pronounced ‘Owd’. One of the most populous states in India, mainly comprising low lying alluvial land formed by the rivers Ganges and Yamuna. It had a predominantly agricultural economy, and Lucknow as its capital. It became the north eastern portion of Uttar Pradesh State in 1950
* banks of the Gogra – (Ghāghara river). A major tributary of the Ganges, rising in Tibet and flowing for 570 miles before their confluence at Chapra
* Nielghy (large deer) – Nilgai, actually an antelope
* Battue – Driving of game towards guns; shooting-party of that kind; a massacre
* 40th MNI – Madras Native Infantry. The Madras regiments did not mutiny in 1857 and many survived into the 20th century