William Dawn was a Troop Sergeant Major in the 8th Hussars. He joined the 8th in 1851 and on retiring, he wrote an account of his service.
Indian Mutiny
The 8th Hussars marched from Dundalk in 1857 to Newbridge and gave up our horses to the 13th Lt Dragoons and thence per rail to Cork and embarked on board the SS Great Britain with the 17th Lancers. We reached Bombay in December 1857, round the Cape of Good Hope, in some 60 days – tents and camp equipage and native cooks and water bearers and all ready for us.
Our first parade was to execute 2 native Infantry Officers who were sentenced to be blown from the Guns for Mutinous conduct etc, our opportune arrival crushed the rebel movement in Bombay. In this early part of 1858 we embarked in transports and sailed north to Bhoog Mandavime the Gulf of Kunde and were all mounted and then, marched on to Kotah on the Chumbul River, a rare hot nest of Mutiny, the son trying to dethrone his father the Rajah – the place was taken by the Infantry and Artillery who drove out some 20,000 mutinous Sepoy Troops to be cut up by the Cavalry – which duly we most strictly executed, it was all cuts and points, at night we returned some eight miles and paid particular attention to all we had missed – the sight of all the killed was awful and terrible – but we had started to have revenge for our countrywomen and children – we were some 12 months continually engaged in fighting.
Among the principal affairs, I may mention Kotah Hansir, Calpee, Balcha-Serai, Gwalior, Seepier, River of Bunass, Odeypoor, Pourer, Kohario and several others, and numerous minor affairs in which Gen. Robert’s Column settled which no doubt General Wolsey’s, would have reported as in the Egyptian campaign brilliant and glorious victories.
Narrow Escape
I had a miraculous and narrow escape at the Bunass river, my horse was hot and I left him in the River, but got out myself with assistance. Being Troop Sgt. Major, I dismounted the farrier and followed up the pursuit of the rebels who had forsaken their guns, clearing away as fast as they could. Whilst after the main body we passed a thicket and received a crossfire from the Rebels A bullet struck the buckle of my sword belt breaking the hook off. I have this still in my possession. I know nothing of the affair until returning and finding my sword belt on the ground, I missed my scabbard but could not conceive how I had lost it.
The rebels that fired out of the thicket were well accounted for by the Infantry.
Tantia loper
I was the only European that went with the native Sovaris guided by Maun Singh whom we distrusted to secure that vagabond of a rebel. Tantia loper who we found in a house near lullam Putra. He could speak English and would no doubt have shot Maun Singh whom he most soundly abused. By this time I was very apt in the vernacular phrases of abuse.
I had to tell him I would handcuff him if he was not quiet and if he made any attempt to escape I should blow his brains out.
He was eventually tried and hung at Bareilly.
Lost among the Rebels
One morning in 1858 during the pursuit after the rebels – we expected a halt for a day or two when suddenly the Bugler sounded Boots and Saddles. That is turn out at once and pack up and off. The Brigade Major sent me to call in a Cavalry picket some distance out that had a trooper of the native cavalry with them that could speak English. Most fortunately they got back and overtook the column in three days but I lost my way entirely – I rode on for miles and came suddenly on a body of horsemen whom I thought were the rebels – but found out they were Irregular cavalry called “Beecher’s Horse”.
I stopped with the three European officers for some days who were surprised when I turned up, we had two smart engagements with the rebels. I eventually rejoined my Troop to their surprise for I was given up by them to the Jackals and Vultures. If I had ridden a mile or so in the direction I was going until taken in hand by the Rear Guard of the Irregular Cavalry I should have been in the rebels camp whom no doubt would have soon served me by torture, roasting me alive and well basked with oil.
This reminds me of the fact that whilst engaged at Gwalior in action a Trooper by the name of Cox was found after the pursuit of the rebels hanging by the feet, be-headed. Some of my comrades secured three rebels and one of them actually had the unfortunate fellows head tied up in his Pugier or Head Turban.
They were very soon accounted for.
The Mutiny now being quelled in 1860 we went with quarters at Nermudui Head, near Nusseerabad but I soon tired of the routine of garrison life so applied for my discharge by purchase on the payment of £20 and started Civil Service as Cashier and Bookkeeper for Messrs Wythest & Jackson, Thull Ghant works, Great Indian Peninsular Railway.
