Colonel of the 6th N. I., Colonel Simpson, a polished gentleman, but scarcely a born leader of men. The chief civil officers were Mr Chester and Mr Court, both men of ability — the last named, who was magistrate, one of the most energetic, daring, warm-hearted, and enterprising men in India.
These gentlemen had pointed out to the authorities in Calcutta the great danger of leaving a place so important as Allahábád entirely in the hands of natives, and they received permission, in May, to procure from Chanár, a fortress on the Ganges, seventy-six miles distant, some of the European invalided soldiers permanently stationed there. Sixty-five of these arrived on the 23d of May, and a few more later. They were at once placed within the fort.
One of the most remarkable features of the great rebellion was the supreme confidence which officers of the native army reposed to the very last in their own men. This confidence was not shaken when the regiments around them would rise in revolt. Every officer argued, and sincerely believed that, whatever other sipáhís might do, the men of his regiment would remain true. This remark applied specially to the officers of the 6th N. I. I had shortly before been serving at the same station with that regiment, and in no other had I noticed such complete sympathy as existed in it between officers and men. To make their men comfortable, to see that all their wants were attended to, had been the one thought of those officers. I am bound to add that the men, by their behaviour, seemed to reciprocate the kindly feelings of their superiors.
When, then, regiments were rising all over India, the officers of the 6th boasted that, whatever might happen elsewhere, the 6th N. I. would remain staunch and true.
