Add MS 89177/8/6

Contains the following letters relating to the Indian Rebellion or Mutiny:

1. Letter to Lord Dunkellin from Charles Windham, Ruttenghur, 8 January 1858.

2. Letter to Dunkellin from Charles Windham, Camp Etah, in which he expresses his dismay at Sir Colin Campbell's 'grossly unfair' despatch and gives his own version of events, 14 January 1858.

3. Letter from James Outram, Calcutta, 13 June 1858: enclosing a letter from Cecil Beadon to him regarding the removal of Brigadier Hobson by the Bombay government rather than the Indian government, which is discussed in a long account of events by Outram in his letter, as well as decisions made in relation to Oudh and his relationship with Lord Canning.

4. Letter from R S Taylor, Bombay, 19 June 1858, containing an update of the situation in India. Taylor writes 'you really must feel quite proud of the way the Governor General has done his work through this mutiny - a crisis unparalleled in the world's history', and comments on the positions of Lord Ellenborough and Lord Canning, and the relationship between James Outram and Lord Canning.

5. Letter from E H Greathed, aide-de-camp, Delhi Cantonment, 8 June 1857, enclosing pencil transcripts of General Sir Harry Barnard's despatches for the information of the Governor General.

6. Envelope labelled 'despatches sent by Sir J Outram', containing the following notes and messages:

Encrypted message from J Inglis, Lucknow, to General Havelock, commander relief force. A note measuring 6 cm x 5 cm, showing evidence of having been tightly folded and rolled, with the following text written in mixture of English and Greek characters:

To General Havelock, Commander Relief Force

Lucknow September 1st

Your letter of 24th has duly reached me in reply to mine of 16th ultimo. I regret your inability to advance at present to my relief but in consequence of your letter I have reduced the rations and with this arrangement I trust to be able to hold on from the twentieth to twenty fifth instant. Some stores we have been out of for the last fifty days many others for will be expended before the above date. I must be frank and tell you my force is daily diminishing from the enemy's musketry fire our defences grow daily weaker. Should the enemy make a really determined effort to storm the place we would find it difficult to repulse them. Owing to my paucity in numbers the weak harassed state of the force our losses since the commencement of hostilities have been in Europeans only upwards of three hundred. We are continually harassed in countermining the enemy who have about twenty guns in position: many of large calibre. Any advance of yours towards this place will act beneficially in our favour and greatly inspire the native part of my garrison who have hitherto behaved like faithful and good soldiers. If you can possibly communicate to me any intelligence of your intended advance pray do so by letter. Give the bearer the password agra and ask him to give it to me in person. Oblige me by forwarding a copy of this letter to the Governor General. I have prohibited the civil authorities from corresponding with your camp.

Yours truly J. Inglis, Brigadier

(2) Note from Charles [Chisum], Agra, to James Outram. Mainly in English with some phrases and words using Greek letters. He describes in some detail the final hours of what is the fatal illness of John Russell Colvin, the military situation and conditions in Fort Agra.

(3) Note from Allan Hume to the officer commanding at Cawnpore The text reads as follows:

I enclose the latest paper and a letter for Sir J Outram - private letters from trustworthy natives inform me that all is quiet at Gwalior and that many of the mutineers are deserting to their homes, et qu'on construit des escaliers [that steps are being built] - Bad news, to them has reached them from Dehli where the natives are beginning my brother in law writes, to funk in right earnest.

(4) Letter from Allan Hume to officer commanding at Cawnpore: with news of Delhi written in English and some French, and also Greek letters, expecting success in one week, and discussing likely movements of fugitives; also enclosing copy printed newssheet 'The Mofussilite Extra' Fort Agra of Monday 14 September 1857, annotated on reverse 'the Officer Commanding at Cawnpoor', with summaries of Memoranda of Intelligence including Delhi, Punjab, Hatrass, Cawnpore and Lucknow.

7. Letter from Mary Wright, Jermyn Street, London, to Lady Canning, regarding the collection of articles from officers' bungalows at Cawnpore, 24 September [1857].