Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/400

392 SIT Events of the mutiny in 1857 A.D.-A description of this district would hardly be complete without an account of the mutiny and outbreak of the native troops stationed at Sitapur in 1857. The following graphic account by Mr. Martin Gubbins, who bore so prominent a part in the defence of Lacknow, will well repay perusal. With it ends this notice of the district of Sitapur, it being only sufficient to add here that on the restoration of order in 1858 the Government offices were re-opened, and that ever siuce the district has enjoyed complete repose, and the people are rapidly progressing in the march towards prosperity and civilization. Outbreak of the troops, 3rd June, 1857-The first outbreak took place at Sitapur, the headquarters of the Khairabad division, of which Mr. G. J. Christian was Commissioner, On the 4th of June, a scrap of paper containing a few lines, without any signature, brought in by a police horse- man, stationed on the Sitapur road, announced to us that some European refugees from that station required assistance. Captain H. Forbes at once started from Lucknow with a party of mounted volunteers and Sikh horsemen to escort them, and every carriage, buggy, and conveyance avail- able was sent out to bring them in. Late in the evening they arrived ; a party of men, ladies, and children, worn and exhausted, having travelled all that day in the burning suu, and all the preceding niglit. Some of the ladies had ridden the whole way, others with the children had been conveyed in buggies. Many of the ladies had returned by this time from the Residency to my house, and we now gladly received a party of the Sitapur refugees, viz., Mrs. Apthorp and three children, and Mrs. and Miss Birch. The other officers and ladies were accommodated at the Residency at Mr. Ominauey's and in the houses of the yarrison; this party of the fugitives had been escorted in by about thirty sepoys of the 41st regiment, native infantry, to which they themselves mainly belonged. About half these inen had from the first protected them, and had started with them, the second lialf had followed and joined them on the road not without suspicion of their having come with evil intention. But there being several well-armed officers of the party, if such ill designs had been harbourėd they were not attempted. All the men therefore were most cordially received by Sir Henry Lawrence; high praises and prom of reward were given them; and were placed under their own commander, Major Apthorp, in the Machchhi Bhawan. Strange is it that, within one fortnight, even these men could no longer. be trusted. A Christian drummer overheard some mutinous discourse, and it was thought best to tender to them the option of returning to their homes. When this offer was made, it was gladly accepted by all without. exception, and not a man remained with the officers wboge lives they had before saved. Some days after, by ones and twos, other fugitives arrived. Mr. Bickers, a clerk, and his family, who had been concealed (and kindly treated by the villagers, Lieutenant Lester, Assistant Commissioner, who spoke highly of the kindness and aid which he bad experienced from the people who had escorted him from village to village, This officer joined