The Mutiny in India. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 22 August 1857. Volume: 31 , Issue: 875. page 17.

Dr. Batson of the 74th N.I.

Dr. Batson, 74th native infantry, Mrs. Batson and Miss Batson.

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Mr. BATSON'S ESCAPE FROMI THE DELHI MASSACRE. CAMP before Delhi, June 22, 1857. I Write from the army now before the walls of Delhi. Amongst the number of persons who were believed to have been murdered in Delhi, and yet who escaped, was Mr. Batson. I saw him just after his arrival in camp from his wanderings. He sat for his picture, which I have taken, and now inclose. It is precisely as Mr. Batson appeared: his feet are bound round with rags and rope. and round his neck he wears strings of beads. The following is Mr. Batson's very interesting narrative: As my name has been recorded in the papers as murdered at Delhi on the 11th May last, when the general massacre took place, I write the following, explaining the miraculous escape I have had of my life, which may be interesting to my friends and others. On Monday, the 11th of May, the sowars came from Meerut into Delhi, and wreaked their vengeance by murdering the greater portion of the Europeans. The 38th Native Infantry, 54th, and 74th were ordered out, with the Artillery; but, being in the same mind as the sowars of the 3rd Cavalry, they offered no resistance, but told their officers that they had better fly with as little delay as possible. The ladies had been collected in the tower on the hill at Delhi; and, when the danger became apparent, I went to Brigadier Graves, then commanding at Delhi, and volunteered to take a letter to Meerut to obtain the assistance of the European troops. Brigadier Graves gave me the letter; and, after taking leave of my wife and three daughters in the tower, with the rest of the ladies, I went to my house and assumed the garb of a Faquir, colouring my face, hands, and feet. I made for the bridge of boats across the Jumna, through the city, but, on reaching, I found the bridge broken. I returned towards the cantonment, and tried to get across the river at a ferry near the powder magazine, but, by this time, the sowars of the 3rd Cavalry had reached the cantonment, and all the neighbouring villagers, Goojurs and Jauts, were rushing to plunder the cantonment; the houses were fired, and I despaired of being able to get to Meerut. I rushed across the parade-ground, and was fired at twice by the sepoys. I got as far as the garden near the canal, when I was seized by some villagers, and deprived of every particle of clothes. I proceeded, naked as I was born, towards Kurnaul, in the hope I might overtake the officers and ladies that had fled in that direction-hut before I had proceeded a mile I saw two sowars, who had evidently failed in overtaking the officers; they rode up to me with drawn swords and exclaimed, " Ferungee hy' " maro " maro' I threw myself in a supplicating position, and being intimate with the Mahomedan religion, and speaking the Hindoostani, I commenced uttering the most profound praises in behalf of their Prophet Mahomet, and begged they would spare my life if they believed that Immam Mendhee would come to judge the world. I made every moral appeal to them (after escaping the first cut they made at my throat, which I did by falling down, they being mounted could not well reach me. My entreaties were listened to, and they let me go saying, had you not asked for mercy in the name of the Prophett, you should have died like the rest of the Kaffirs. I was dreadfully excited an, could scarcely stand, but as I felt that I must proceed and continued my journey. .About a mile further I again met a lot If .Mahomedans, who rushed up to me and said. " Here is a Ferungee', kill the Kaffir; they then said to me, " You Ferungees want to make us all Christians; they then dragged me away to a village about a mile or mile from the road, and tied my arms behind me; after which one of them said " Kurreem Bux, go and fetch your sword, and we will cut off the Kaffir's head." While Kurreem Bux was gone to fetch his sword (that was to launch me into eternity, a cry of " Dhar, dhar ' was made by the villagers, and the Mahomedans who were keeping me ran, if to look after their own interests. I rushed off, and ran with all my strength to the road again, and escaped from these unmerciful beards. I continued to run along the road towards Kurnaul. I was again stopped by some ironsmiths who were employed in the Delhi magazine, when one of them said, " Sahib, don't fear; come with me to my village. and I will find you food. If you go on you will surely be murdered by the Mahomedans, who have turned out from the villages to rob and kill the Ferungees.'" I went with the ironsmiths to, their house, and was most humanely and kindly treated, one giving me a dhotee, another a cap, another some milk and native bread. I f it my life was safe. I was much excited, and could scarcely speak. They gave me a cot, on which I Laid down, but could not sleep. I told these people I was a doctor, and in consequence met with much greater attention. On the following morning the Chowdrie of the village sent for me, when the whole village assembled to see the " Ferungee doctor." Exhausted as I was 1 had to answer a multitude of questions put by the people: but fining I was perfectly acquainted with their religion, language, and manners. they began to take infinite interest in my life, and sail they would protect me. While I was staying at this village I heard a Dr. Wood, of the 38th Native Infantry, was in a village some five or six miles off at Summeypore. A mun from this village came to me and said, ". Doctor Wood Sahib is in my village. He requires medicines, as you know all the native medicines, pray tell me what should be given? I prescribed, but I know not whether the medicines, reached him. I also heard that, while at this village, that Colonel Rypley was lying wounded at the ice-pits near the parade-ground. I .persuaded the villagers that he was a very great personage, and that if they would take him food and water they would be handsomely requited by the Government for their humanity. They took him food for several days; but after I had let: this village some ten days I heard that the of the sepoys had killed him, finding him at the ice-pits. A few days after I was in the village of Badree, it was rumoured that all the Ferungees- at Meerut, Umbaballah. and Calcutta had been murdered, and that the King of Delhi has taken the government, and that if any village concealed a Ferungee: it would be death to the owners, and general ruin. The proprietors of Badree village got alarmed at this proclamation, and I was removed at night from the village to a small mango tope, where I was left night and day alone. I was visited at night by some one or other of the villagers, who, brought me bread and water in a ghurrah. I am unable to describe my feelings during this trying time. I was all day in the sun, in the extreme heat, and alone at night, when the jackals, &c. came prowling about and crying. It is only God and myself knew what I have endured. After five days and nights in the tope of trees, I was again taken back to the village and concealed in a bhoosa-house; I was here shut in for twenty-four hours the heat and suffering I cannot find language to describe. I did not know what was. the greatest misery- - the tope of trees in solitude or the bhoosa-kotree. A rumour now was set on foot that several sowars had been deputed to hunt for the Ferungees in the different villages, and it was considered prudent that I should I quit Badree under the escort of a Faquir Jogee: this man came and offered to convey me anywhere that I might please, but stated that it was not safe a moment for me to remain where I was. I then started for Bursooah, where I remained the night. This Faquir at his friends dyed all my, clothes and gave me necklaces of beads (oodrach), &c., to assume the garb of a Faquir myself. After making all preparations to pass as a Faquir, I commenced my pilgrimage with him. He took me to several villages, and passed me off as a Cashmeree (Dado Puntee, Faquir Jogee). In all the villages that I passed I was cross-questioned, but, understanding their " Jotish” religion and oaths, I met with every kindness, some giving me pice, others food. The Indians all expressed the most merciful feelings towards the Ferungees, while the Mahomedans could not disguise their murderous feelings. I was taken to a village, to the house of Sewak Doss, Sunt Faquir Kubbeeree , understanding his code of religion, and being able to recite several Kubbeeree Kubbits, he received me in every kindness. I told him I was a Cashmeree, but the sage could not reconcile his mind that I was a Cashmeree with blue eyes. He said “Your language, gestures, clothes &c., are all complete but your blue eyes betray you – you are surely a Ferungee”. I disclosed to him that I was; nevertheless, as I had acquired the Kubberree oaths, he continued to behave the same. While I was sitting at this Faquirs place a sepoy came, saying he had letters which he was taking to the Umballah force that was at Raee. He did not discover that I was Ferungee, but I disclosed to him that I was a Doctor Sahib: would he take my letter to the officer commanding the force? I gave him a letter, soliciting assistance, which he most faithfully conveyed, but after waiting a day in hopes of getting assistance, and none coming, I thought it prudent to proceed towards Meerut. The beggar who had conducted me thus far volunteered to take me on, Several people of this village accompanied me till we got to Hurchundpore, where a Mr. Francis Cohen, a zemindar (originally a tussildar, in the government employment), resides. This old gentleman received me in all kindness, and showed me certificates under the signatures Colonel Knyvett, captains Salkeld, Lieutenant Holland, Mr. Marshall, merchant of Delhi, and others, setting forth that they had received every kindness from Mr. Cohen, who had kindly sent them on to Meerut. I then made arrangements to proceed to Meerut, when a letter was brought from Kaykrah village to my address, telling me that 100 men of the Jheend Rajah’s force, commanded by Captain MacAndrews, were waiting at Kayrakh to take me onto Raee, where the head-quarters were. Mr, Cohen sent me back in his cart, and I again had the gratification, of seeing Captain McAndrews and Lieutenant Mew, of my own regiment. I had been twenty-five days wandering about in villages, topes, &c., and were it not that I speak Hindustani language as fluently as I can English must have been murdered. I look upon my escape as the most miraculous and providential possible. I am unable to describe what I have endured. I am living, and at Delhi with the force and truly thankful to the Almighty Disposer for the mercy that has been shown me. My wife and children, I hear, are at Kussowlie. Yours, faithfully, S. H. Batson.