| Description | William would like to describe the 'lovely country' he has gone through during the past month, which he paints a picture of; but he recalls the fire of the past few weeks. He has had to help in the Sandhal rebellion. The strife had moved on by the time he arrived there, further to the south-west. A special commission had been appointed to supress the Sadhals, with a civilian accompanying each of four army columns sweeping the region. The eastern column skirted the hills to drive rebels into a trap, and the four head men of the rebellion were caught: Khanoo [Kanhu Murmu], Chand, Bhyrut [Bairab] and Seedhoo [Sidhu Murmu]. They are to be hung in chains in the principal towns. The cause of the rebellion still puzzles William. [From 20 December] William left on 13 November, entering the hills on the 16th, moving about until halting in the centre of the Sandhal district at Jhilmallee. The object was to harrass the enemy and confiscate arms, and William had little to do. Martial law was declared, although the civil authorities had everything to deal with. William was with the 31st Regiment, which burnt empty villages. They captured 'immense numbers of cattle and bows and arrows'. There were occasional alarms, but they saw no rebels. The army's opinion was that those deserting the villages were not the culprits. He refers to the people of Bengal who 'abhor a lie' and are indignant if falsely charged, but do not flinch from death. William describes the hanging of five men, in which the rope broke twice for one of the condemned, who 'was quite disgusted & walked away again with the sarcastic remark Let us know when you are ready'. William did not witness it himself, arriving the next day, to see the men still hanging. He sends a message of encouragement for Alick and Johnny [Alexander Stewart Herschel and John Herschel]. |