Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/304

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274
Critical Condition of the Panjáb.

almost arisen, and he telegraphed to Edwardes, detailing the bad news that had arrived, and adding, 'if matters get worse, it is my decided opinion that the Pasháwar arrangement should take effect. Our troops before Dehlí must be reinforced, and that largely.' Against this Edwardes, Cotton, and Nicholson strongly protested. The question was set at rest some weeks later by the receipt from Lord Canning of a telegram containing the words: 'Hold on to Pasháwar to the last.'

Before that telegram had arrived events had occurred to show that the position was becoming more and more serious. On the morning of the 7th of July the 14th Regiment N. I. mutinied at Jhelam, and, taking a strong position, repulsed with some loss two attacks made upon it by the English troops. That night the sipáhís evacuated their position and fled. It is supposed that most of them ultimately perished. But the affair was managed in a manner which reflected but little credit on the authorities.

The day following the native troops at Síálkót followed the example of their brethren at Jhelam. The station had been denuded of European troops for the formation of the moveable column. The native regiments were the 46th N. I. and the 9th Cavalry. These men, summoned to Dehlí by the King, were apparently anxious to reach that place, their hands red with the blood of English men and women. They therefore murdered as many of the race as they could find. The survivors took refuge in an old fort, once the stronghold of a Sikh chief, Tej Singh. Then the mutineers, having plundered the treasury, having released the prisoners, and effected all the damage they could, started for Dehlí. I shall tell very shortly the fate which befell them on the way.

Meanwhile, the moveable column had been formed, and on the 22d of June John Nicholson, with the rank