Action at Gungeree, 14 December 1857

[swordcollector1]

(Reposting as original lost in Forum move)

Hi All,

As you may have seen from my my Collector's Showcase, I have a sword in my collection which belonged to Lieutenant John Hudson, an officer of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), who was killed at the action at Gungeree on 14 December 1857. Thanks to some neat research by Jonathan I now have some good descriptions of this small but intense battle, but as "a picture is worth a thousand words" I'd still very much like to see any sketches or old photographs of the battlefield to help understand it better.

You may be interested to hear that men who fell in this action were commemorated on a monument nearby:

(From List of Inscriptions on Christian Tombs and Tablets of Historical Interest in the United Provinces of Agra & Oudh, by Edward Arthur Henry Blunt, pub. 1911)

Monument at GANGIRI, TAHSIL ATRAULI.

(ref) 71.— 1857—OFFICERS AND MEN, 6th DRAGOON GUARDS AND 9th LANCERS.

Inscription: — “In memory of the brave men who fell in the hour of victory at Gangiri on 14th December 1857, and whose mortal remains rest here upon the field of battle:

George Wardlaw, Captain;
John Hudson, Lieutenant;
Sydney Vyse, Lieutenant;
Joseph Barnett, Private;
Robert Chapman, Private;
Walter Cosser, Private;
Allen Eastwood, Private: all of H. M.'s 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabineers),

And:

John Dyson, Private;
Henry Trampton, Private, of H. M.'s 9th (Queen's) Lancers.”

(Note: At Kanohi-Gangiri, in Tahsil Atrauli, is a monument erected to the officers and men who were killed, fighting against the rebels in 1857. The monument is situated in the ravines, on the left bank of the Nim Nadi.)

If anyone has any ideas as to where I should look to obtain more "pictorial" information on this action, I'd be most grateful. Gungeree (now Gangiri) is situated north-east of Agra in the area of modern-day Aligarh and Kasganj (known to the Victorians as Allyghur and Khasgunge).

Thanks in advance,

John

[Liz]

Hi John

I don't like your chances of being able to locate sketches or old photos of this battlefield. Gungeree was a relatively small action in the grand sweep of events. It is not, for example, one of the 225 sites described in the 1996 Oxford Companion to the ‘Indian Mutiny’ of 1857 (edited by P J O Taylor).

However, if any sketches were made, they are probably to be found in the personal papers of the officers present. Starting with the infantry, details are scarce but they did include the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers. Their officers included a Lieutenant Thomas Adair Butler, who went on to win a VC at the storming of Lucknow and to become a Colonel.

Turning to the cavalry, the officer in command was Major W S R Hodson, the controversial commandant of Hodson’s Horse and former second in command of the Guides. Hodson died at Lucknow on 11 March 1858 as a result of wounds received while storming the Begum’s palace and is buried in the grounds of La Martiniere College.

I mention Hodson in particular because his letters from this period were edited and published by his brother the Reverend George H Hodson under the title Twelve Years of a Soldier’s Life in India. In the third edition of the book http://books.google.com.au/books?id=V49OAAAAMAAJ, there is a very short account of the action taken from a letter Hodson wrote in camp in Gungeree on 14 December.

I have only time to say that I am safe and well, though we have had a hard fight. The enemy’s cavalry, with three guns and some infantry, came on from Bilaram to meet us this morning after breakfast, about 800 horsemen and a mob of foot, but our guns soon stopped their progress, and then the Carabineers and Lancers charged straight down on them in the most magnificent style, capturing all three of their guns at a dash! I grieve to say, however, that they paid most dearly for their splendid courage. All their officers went down. Captain Wardlow, Mr Hudson and Mr Vyse, all killed, and Head, of the Lancers, badly wounded. The infantry were not engaged at all. We attacked their flying cavalry and footmen on the left, and made very short work of all we could catch. I lost a fine old Resaldar, our dear old friend Mohammed Reza Khan’s brother. None of my officers hurt; but my horse (Rufus this time) got a cut.

A slightly different account of events was published in the 1st and 2nd editions of the book, http://books.google.com.au/books?id=GWwBAAAAQAAJand http://books.google.com.au/books?id=cXgOAAAAQAAJ respectively. They drew on an account penned a short time after the action by Hodson’s second in command Mac (Lieutenant Macdowell), who died in late January 1858 as a result of wounds received at Futtehgurh.

On the 12th we left Allygurh, and turning out of the Grand Trunk Road, marched into the heart of the disturbed districts. On the 14th, we heard the rebel army were in great force at a place called Khasgunge, but on arriving at Gungeree, about six miles from their encampment, they came out in force and boldly attacked us.

The fight is soon told. They advanced in line, and opened upon us with artillery, their infantry advancing in skirmishing order. Our artillery went to the front and opened fire upon them, but their advance was so steady that Colonel Seaton ordered the Carabineers to charge the guns, which they did in the most gallant style, taking them and cutting down the gunners, losing, however, three out of four officers, Wardlaw, Hudson, and Vyse. This was on the right. Our infantry in the centre advanced in line, but did not come into action, in consequence of the rapid movement of the cavalry and artillery.

On the left, our regiment was placed, to prevent their turning our flank, as they threatened to do. The dust was so tremendous that I could see nothing, so the regiment halted, and I rode forward, when I saw the Carabineers charging on the right, and the whole of the enemy’s infantry and cavalry retiring in front of me. Immediately, without waiting for orders, I sang out “Charge”, and charge we did, and upset them in every direction for miles. I was nearly wounded once or twice in the pursuit, by desperate men fighting for their lives, but escaped without a scratch. We had twenty-three men killed or wounded.

Well, the next day we marched to Khasgunge, which we, pushing on in advance, found evacuated...

But while its overall initial account of events may be shorter, the 3rd edition also includes some additional, fairly graphic commentary from Hodson on the circumstances in which both Wardlaw and Hudson died, drawing on a letter dated Dec 29th.

I have spoken about poor Wardlaw’s effects, and Mrs ---‘s kind offer was accepted gladly; but a reference to Meerut was necessary and I have not yet had a final answer. Poor fellow! never was a more gallant charge than the last he led, and I agree with his brother officers that “a kinder friend, a more gallant soldier, and a better comrade, never stepped than George Wardlaw.” Both his death and that of his comrade, Mr Hudson, were perhaps unnecessary, by which I mean that a better acquaintance with their enemy might have saved them both. The former, after the charge, dashed single-handed – with a cheer – into a knot of matchlock-men waiting to receive him, and was shot dead instantly. Had he gathered together only half a dozen dragoons, he might have ridden over them. The other (Hudson) was shot by a wretched fugitive lying prostrate in the field. Not understanding their tactics, he rode up to him and halted, thus offering a fair mark for the villain’s ready musket. He was the son of the ex-Railway King.

You’ll note that Hodson’s and Mac’s accounts differ as to how many officers of the 6th Dragoon Guards were killed. This is probably because Mac was writing some time after the dust had settled. One officer did in fact survive: Cornet (later General Sir) Baker Russell Creed, who took command of the squadron and detachment of 9th lancers. You’ll find a brief profile of him here http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/13thhussarsrussellcol.htm.

I hope the above officers' names give you something to go on. Also, that you will post us an update if or when more info comes to hand on this little-known action. Regards,

Liz

[swordcollector1]

Many thanks for taking the time to find this lot, Liz! The difference between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions of Hodson's letters had passed me by, and I must say the 3rd edition version tallies more closely with the other eye-witness account I've managed to find. I think with Gungeree we're talking about a confused series of melees and dismounted scuffles, typical of a small-scale "local" action, which probably explains the lack of info in books dealing with the wider conflict.

Will keep you updated as I follow up your leads...

John

[Liz]

John

You are most welcome. I almost blinked and missed the difference between the various editions of Hodson's letters myself. It was an interesting example of how accounts of events can differ. Speaking of which, it would be great if you could post the other eye-witness accounts (or give us details of where to find them) so we have as complete as record of events as possible.

Liz

[swordcollector1]

Speaking of which, it would be great if you could post the other eye-witness accounts (or give us details of where to find them) so we have as complete as record of events as possible.

Certainly! The first is from a letter to Hudson's father written by a Lt. C.H. Uniacke, who had previously served with John Hudson in the 10th Light Dragoons during the Crimean War, and which I was lucky enough to obtain a copy of from the family. Thought it worth quoting in full as it won't appear in any other publications. Where the handwriting is obscure or unclear I have added queries and dots:

Meerut, Dec 16th 1857

My dear Mr Hudson,

I have just time before the English Mail leaves to send you a few lines. I shall wring your heart indeed, by the sad intelligence I have alas! to communicate. Your poor dear son was killed on Monday Dec. 14th while charging with a squadron of our regt. against some guns. He had a horse shot under him about 3 weeks ago in a battle against the “Joudpoor(?) Legion”. The squadron he was with accompanied a column which left Delhi about 10 days ago en route to Cawnpore. On arriving at Allyghur they heard that some rebels were distant from them about 30 miles at a place called Gungeree. On Sunday 13th the column made a double march & on Monday came up with the enemy who retreated. The horse Artillery & Cavalry were ordered to the front in pursuit(?) & it was in this affair that poor dear Jack was killed. He was hit in the heart by grape & died almost immediately with a cheer on his lips. Our squadron I regret to add lost most … three out of four officers killed – Capt. Wardlaw who commanded, Lt. Vyse (who you must remember travelled with us through France) & yr. dear son. Another officer of the 9th Lancers (Capt. Head) who was with our squadron was dangerously wounded, indeed no hope of his recovery. The charge made was noble indeed! But what a sacrifice, four officers out of five killed and one third of the men killed & wounded. The enemy lost 200 killed & 3 guns captured. The enemy were in force about 5000, our numbers must have been very small, as the infantry could not join in fighting the rebels. I need not add how deeply regretted(?) your dear son is by all & particularly those who were his old companions in the 10th to whom he was endeared by his generous manly disposition. Our loss since the Mutiny commenced has [been] 6 officers killed & 2 wounded & as all say, we can ill afford to lose Jack, a good soldier as poor dear Jack truly was. I am now the only one left untouched of our little party who dined with you at N___ before embarking for India. de Bourbel [Auguste Alfred de Bourbel, Lt. 23 Oct 1855] has left some little time [ago] for England having lost 3 fingers of his left hand.

A Committee of Adjustment(?) has not yet been appointed but when it is I will speak to the President & take(?) I may think(?) … to … in remembrance of one so dear, be kept & forwarded to England when the country becomes more settled. The three were buried the same evening & the account of one who was present is most affecting.

Begging you to accept my deep sympathy in the insupportable(?) loss you have sustained,

Believe me …

C.H. Uniacke
Lt [of] cavalry

The second account is from the Otago Witness, Issue 331, 3 April 1858, Page 7:

The following are the particulars of the action at Gungaree :-

“On Monday morning Seaton's column arrived at that place, and encamped two miles in advance of Farquhar's; about two hours after his arrival, a large body of cavalry suddenly appeared on some rising ground in front of his camp. The Carabineers, Hodson's Horse, and some [of our?] Artillery, got ready sharp, and went at them ; and away they bolted, but a heavy fire was opened on our advancing troops from two six-pounders, and one nine -pounder, which the gallant Carabineers charged and took but not without heavy loss. Three charges of grape were poured into them at about 150 yards, which told fearfully. Wardlaw, Hudson, and Vyse of the Carabineers were shot by musket shots. Head, 9th Lancers, wounded by a shell, said to be mortally, is doing well; D’Oyly who charged with them had a very narrow escape of being cut down, but his English hunting cap saved him. Our total loss was about [twenty?] killed and fifty wounded.

The last account I have is from Eight Months’ Experience of the Sepoy Revolt in 1857 by Sir Charles d’Oyly:

On Captain Wardlaw's death, command of the squadron fell to Captain [sic] Hudson, who ordered the men to dismount and skirmish with their carbines, through the fields, covered with wheat and urrah crops. Before the charge Captain Sandford had been ordered with a division to skirmish to our right, and Lieut. Baker Russell with a similar party to our left. On Captain Hudson taking command, he requested me to go in search of Baker Russell and order him to join the squadron. I did so, but it was not a pleasant duty by any means, as some of the enemy were lying concealed in the crops, and fired at me as I galloped past. I accomplished my errand, however, without being touched, and on returning with Baker Russell and his men, we heard some shots being fired, and I saw a small party of troopers collected together. I rode up and saw Captain Hudson on the ground. I jumped off my horse and found him dying. There was froth on his lips. He gave one deep sigh and expired. I put my hand on his heart, but life was extinct. We placed his body on a gun wagon and carried him back into camp with the other dead bodies and the wounded.

This all goes to show how official and "eye witness" accounts can vary according to the perspective of the observer!

John

[MICKSTANLEY]

I am new to this forum! I am collecting information on the 6 DG during the Mutiny for a possible book and can point you in the direction of paintings of 6DG in action at Gungeree if you are still interested. I would very much like if possible a photo of Hudson's sword. Many thanks Mick Stanley

[swordcollector1]

I am new to this forum! I am collecting information on the 6 DG during the Mutiny for a possible book and can point you in the direction of paintings of 6DG in action at Gungeree if you are still interested. I would very much like if possible a photo of Hudson's sword. Many thanks Mick Stanley

Hi Mick,

Good to hear from you, and welcome to the Forum - if you go to my Showcase you will see several pics of the sword. Let me know if you need any higher resolution ones. And I'd be very interested in any images of the action at Gungeree, no matter which particular eye-witness account they're based on!

John

[MICKSTANLEY]

I am new to this forum! I am collecting information on the 6 DG during the Mutiny for a possible book and can point you in the direction of paintings of 6DG in action at Gungeree if you are still interested. I would very much like if possible a photo of Hudson's sword. Many thanks Mick Stanley

Hi Mick,

Good to hear from you, and welcome to the Forum - if you go to my Showcase you will see several pics of the sword. Let me know if you need any higher resolution ones. And I'd be very interested in any images of the action at Gungeree, no matter which particular eye-witness account they're based on!

John

Dear John,
Thanks for the photo of Hudson's sword. If you are able to send me a high res photo I would be grateful. Rather confused with sending photo of the painting to you on this forum - can you send me your email if that is allowed? My email is "salandmick@yahoo.co.uk"
I spent 35 years in the much amalgamated 6 DG (now "The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards). I have had permission from our
Regimental Museum to send you the picture of "6 D.G. in action at Gungarree by Orlando Norie"
All the best Mick.

[Maureene]

There is a brief description of the action at Gungeree in this link from a Perth WA newspaper, originally from the Calcutta Englishman of 9 January 1858 and quoting a “letter of Sapte”
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2930611

The above is taken from the FIBIS Fibiwiki page “Battle of Gungeree”
http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=B ... f_Gungeree

Cheers
Maureen