Duke University Libraries 
 
 Sir Henry Havel 
 Conf Pam 12mo #564 
 
SIR HENRY HAVELOCK, 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN SOLDiER. 
 
 The armv is not a goad school for piet/; the circumstances 
 of a soldifers's life are not such as to favor the development 
 of the highest types of christian character; but, if a man be 
 truly a christian, the camp and the field may afford him 
 many opportunities for usefulness. Side^by side with deeds 
 of phyHicaldaring, he -tiiay exhibit those of moral courage 
 and fortitude ; and in the mirfst of the niost splendid manifes- 
 tations,-©f the power of carnal weapons, he may show the, 
 silent but wonderful and br leficent power of the gospel of 
 truth. In a word, the christian soldier iriay be not less a 
 moral than a military hero — nay. he may unite both of these 
 characters in himself. Nor. ne.'d a.manbeany the less a" 
 christian becaufse he is a soldier, nor any the less' a soldiei* 
 becau^o he is a christian. Such are 'he '-♦flections whirn 
 occur to us upon reuidinc:. as we have jnst done, the Life of 
 Sir .'lenry llavelock, the lero of Carmpore and Lucknow. 
 
 He-wis born at Bishop VVearmout'i. Dtirh im'courty, Eng- 
 land, April 5th 17<)i. As a bov lie w^y quiet, thoughtful and 
 braVv,^. Associated at Mijhool with some of tjiose who were 
 afterwards esteeaied among the first men of the dav' he was 
 fully their equal in'i'.iligciicc and learning A' a very early 
 period he j;ave evidr.i-.- of po-<^esMing tho-<e quali^icH for 
 which he was afterwards so much dii^tiftguished Him chos- 
 en companious were boy:4 of deep religiou-^ thought and feel- 
 ing; and in his own family when his mother assembled her 
 children for prayer, he was always a devout and earnest par- 
 ticipant in the exercises, and as he grew/ older, was called 
 upon to read the Bible to the assem-ded household. No less 
 clear were the indications of his' military pr -djlections. He 
 was a great reader of military worics :^.ud it is said of hun 
 -that he frequently retired' to some sec'uded spot a-iS there 
 rehearsed the battles of Napoleoa, "taliiug up his positions 
 
and marstialliiig his batalliofts nndef their several generals. *' 
 He was from the fitst a military enthusiast. 
 
 It was the cherished purpose of his mother that he should 
 devote himself to 'the profession of law; and with this view 
 she had caused him to be educated; and though she died be- 
 t'ore h'jwas old euongh to enter upon the study of his profes- 
 /iio;], vvlien he reached a suitable age he became a student at 
 law under the celebrated Chitty, whom he describes as ''the 
 great special pleader of his day/^ His career as a law stud- 
 ent was of brief duration. When Napoleon returned from 
 tlie island of Elba, and war again began to rage in Europe, 
 more violent from the brief lull, his military ardor, which 
 had, with great eflfort, been only partially snothered, burst 
 ^ forth with uncontrollable energy. He yielded "to the military 
 
 * propensities of his race.;" and determined to become a soldier, 
 lli'8 brother ^Y'iIiiam was already in the army, and having 
 ;?reaily distinguished himself at Waterloo, was enabled to 
 procure for young Henry a commission as second lieutenant 
 
 • in the Rifle brigade. 
 
 From the time of his appointment in 1815, until the year 
 18-33 he Berved in England, Ireland and Scotland, "travelled 
 in France and the north of Italy, read a good deal in a dis- 
 eure've v.ay and acquired eome knowledge of his profession, 
 *vhic4i was useful to him in after days," This kind of life 
 was in some respects pleasant, but did not satisfy his intense^ 
 ly earnest nature. He dghed for something more active. 
 Besides,' he coveted distinction in his profession whieh he 
 would not be likely to gain in his present, position. . His dis- 
 content prompted him to look for an exchange. India was 
 the tleld to which he cast his eyes. He accordingly stadied 
 Hindoostanee sShd Persian to qualify himself for the Indian 
 srervice, and, having obtained a transfer to the 13th Light 
 Infantry, in 1823 he embarked for India. 
 
 The voyage to India is in the case of Havelock, intimately 
 associated with what he calls **the most important part of 
 tne history of a man his connexion through faith with the in- 
 visible world." In the General Kyd the vessel in which he 
 N satled, was James Gardner, also a lieutenant in the 13th. 
 "This excellent person was most influential in leading Havi&- 
 look to make pntoc a"''DTrall)y his tirorks of ohngHatji^ in 
 
earne't/^ To n«e hi? O'-va touching words; *'While he wtis 
 8-viling across the wilo Atlantic towards Bengal the ppirit of 
 God came to him witii its oft'i:*M of peacs and mandate of love," 
 which, though sometime resisted, were received and at length 
 prevailed. Then wa<^ wrought the great change in his eoul, 
 which ha^ been productive cf ui.speakabM advantage to hira 
 in time, and he trusts has secured iiis liappiness throughout 
 eternity/' • ^ 
 
 Before, he might hate been looked upon as a nominal, now 
 he becanio a rm! ol ristian. The powers of the world to come 
 had taken full pofir'C-ieicn of his mind and eoul. From this 
 tiioe to the end of his life, w^ioever knew him. knew him as 
 a firm, conftlntont servant of CFiri.'>t. His military turn of 
 mind, and his long habit of f-irict, implicit obedience to an 
 earthly authority rendered it cH^y and natural for him to 
 follow without doubt or heeiLatiou his new master. Nor wae 
 be willing to content himseU with performing puoh religious 
 acts as are upual with chrigt^'r^nis, or to confine himself to the 
 improvement of such opportunities of usefulness as might be 
 thrown in his way; he d^tormi-ned to make opportunities; 
 and to use his influence as an '"'ffu^er to promoto the .fipiritual 
 t^elfare of hi« raerr. As eooii as he reached India, be com- 
 menced to act upon his deter.^ination ; and upon every con- 
 Tenient occasion called his men together for reading the 
 Scriptures and devotions! exero.;.:<e3. It may not be uninteref t- 
 ing to our readers, to know ho'v, at tbifl time, he was regarded 
 by hiR brother otJicer^. — One ■''!' them writee :'' Whej) I first 
 knew Havelock he vi-fls only cigbt and twenty ; but he was 
 conspicuous as an earnest etut^eat of his profession, a chivalr- 
 ous soldier and a man of the highest integrity. That which 
 formed the brightest glory of his whole 'clvoracler uas his 
 Sterling christian consistency. He was not a man to parade • 
 his opinions or to make any vStriking display unless called for 
 by Rome act or word of others, wh-eu no one could be more 
 firm in the avowal of hiaeentiment* and his calm impressive 
 manner always told with eficct.^' 
 
 Hisetorling worth as a; man and his ability and efficiency 
 as an officer soon made hira favorably known to the army- 
 When, in 1824, war was declared against the Bumians, i^ 
 W8» appmnted to the Gipueral gtaif otSir ArchilialdCamphell, 
 
as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General; and acted in that 
 capacity, with the exception of a short period, during the 
 whole war. So highly was he esteemed by the commander 
 in-chief that, upon the conclusion of peace, he was appointed 
 one of three on a special mission of importance to the King 
 ofBurraah. ' . 
 
 In connexion with the Burman war an incident is recorded, 
 which at offce shows his reputation as a soldier, and the ac- 
 knowledged effect of his teaching upon his men. Upon on6 
 occasion tli«e alarm was given that the enemy was approach- 
 ing, and already near at liand. • General Campbell deeply 
 impressed with the importance of guarding a certain position 
 sent in haste to order the men' of a particular corps to .that 
 position. It was found that the order could not be obeyed 
 as many of the men were drunk and unfit for duty. Upon 
 being informed of this ;.the General replied. Then call out 
 Havelock's saints : they are iievcr drunk and Havelock is 
 always ready.-" In a moment the men were under a-rms and 
 in position and the enemy was driven back. , ' 
 
 We can- hardly conceive of a more interesting character 
 than young Havelock: Full of enthusiasm in his profession, 
 brave as the bravest, promptly discharging his duties as a 
 soldier, and, at the same time, equally enthusiastic in the dis- 
 charge of his duties a.sa christian. "lie inVariably secured 
 two hours every morning for reading the Scriptures and pri- 
 vate prayer. If the march began at six he rose at four, if at 
 four he rose at two.'^' He was poor, depending entirely upon 
 his pay for his support, and yet he rigidly and cheerfnlly de^ 
 voted one tenth of that to religious purposes. With all this 
 there. was no gloominess or moroseness in his charicter. He 
 was ever the cheerful, kijnd and courteous gentleman. As 
 much, perhaps, as any man of modern times .he combined- 
 faith fain ess in a secular .calling, with fervency of devotion. 
 As "a christian he wasij both meditative and piactical; with 
 manyhe sat at the feet of Jesus, with Martha he constantly 
 served. * ' ■ - ' 
 
 The 9th of February 1829 he was married to Hannah the 
 third daughter of the Rev. Dr. Marshman, so well known as 
 one of the founders of the -Seram pore Baptist Mission ; and 
 the 4th of April of the following year he was baptized by Kev. 
 
John Mack at Serampore, and from that time was identified 
 with the Baptists. His connexion with a particular Beet 
 caused it to be said of him that, *'He was not a large or 
 liberal minded man, on the contrary he vms a sectarian of the 
 Baptist persuasion.^' The charge against him was as unjust as 
 the proof of it is flimsy and inconclusive. There have b^en 
 very many sectiirians of. the Baptist persuasion who were 
 both large and liberal minded. In a speech delivered at 
 Bombay in 1849, he defines the position or the Baptists gen- 
 erally not less than his own. After stating that he was a 
 Baptist, he .said ; 
 
 •'But whilst he should part with his Baptist principles only 
 with his life, he declared his willingness cordially to frater- 
 nize with every christian who held by the Head, and was 
 serving the Redeemer in since»'itv and truth. And here he 
 wcrJd protest against its being alleged as adversaries would 
 insinuate, that where men of various denominations met, as 
 this evening, in a feeling of brother-hood, they could only do 
 tins by pasing (i©wn to the smallest portion the mtisb of their 
 religion; on the contrary he conceived that all brought with 
 them their faith in all its strength and vitality. They left, in- 
 deed, he thought at the door of the place of assembly the 
 husks and fhe sbell of their cre^d but brought into the midst 
 of tlieir brethren the precious koriTt?!. They laid aside, for a 
 moment, at the threshold the canons and articles and formu- 
 laries of their section of Christianty ; but carried along with 
 them, lip to the table at Which he was speaking, the very 
 essence and quintessence of their religion.^-' 
 
 From the ti;ne of his appointment on the staff of Sir. Archi- 
 bald Campbell until 1831, Havelock was most' of the time 
 engaged in staff-duty But whenever he was attached to his 
 regiment, he dfd not neglect the religious instruction of the 
 soldiers. It may be mentioned as a proof of his success, that 
 the Church in the regiment at one time numbered about thirty 
 men and women. It may also be mentioned as a proof of 
 the energy of this little Church, that when the regimen^ was 
 at. Agra^'the Baptist soldiers rebuilt 'a chapel, in which in 
 1843, there 'were a pastor and a, good congregation. Nor was 
 W\& the only chapei which these Baptist soldiers built These 
 facts iire taken from brief memoranda written by Havelock 
 
^6 
 
 kjjawielf. We only wish, tbat we bad some fuller account 
 his labors. We have, hovv ever, convincing proof that thoji# 
 labors were crowned with abundant success. 
 
 In 1885, he was appointed adjutant of his regiment, be* 
 cause as the Governor, General said, "He was the fittest 
 man. for it.'' It was while he vths acting in this capacity that 
 the cottnge in which his wife was living was burned. Two 
 Bervants and a little girl lost ibeir lives in the flames, and Mrs, 
 Havelock and her child were greatly injured. Besides, many 
 of Havelock's papers and ner»r]y all his property thus pen' 
 shed. Upon hearing of the accident, the soldiers of the 13th 
 came to him and begged to be allowed to devote one month 
 of their pay to replace his loeses. This act of kindness, so 
 grateful to him and so honorable to those who proposed itf 
 Havelock declined ; but it no doubt went for towards're paying 
 him for any sacrifices which Le had made for their good. 
 
 In 1838, after serving twenty three years as a subaltern he 
 was promote(f to a captaincy; and as aid-decamp to Sir 
 Willoughby Cotton, acco.mparied the expedition that invaded 
 Affghanistan. In this expedition he was in many battles, and 
 afterwards published an account of it. In 1842 he was in 
 Jellalabad when that place was beseiged, and so much dis- 
 tinguished himself, that he was made major by brevet and re- 
 ceived the Cross of Companion'of the Bath. In 1843 he was 
 appointed Major of his regime?it, and in 1844 was again bre- 
 vetted for gallant eonduct. Tli^ service in which he was now 
 engaged was most active. He made several narrow escapes, 
 and had three horses shot undc' him. He stood high in favor 
 -with his superior officers, being now called upon to act as ad- 
 jutant general of forces, now receiving a permanent appoint- 
 ment as aesistani adjutant general, and finally as military sec- 
 retary to thecommander-in-chiel. 
 
 Amid all these engagements iiis hea'th failed, and the news 
 brought to liim of the death of that brother who h]id, years 
 before, procured for him his commission. His letter to his 
 sister -upon this occasion is WMrithy of him both as a soldier 
 and a christian. 
 
 Bombay 15th December, 1848, 
 
 My very dear Sister: — I need not remind jou how seldrip 
 I take up my p€'n to address yon, though you were o?>eof th« 
 
fr«Aiefli comforts of my yuuth a&d 6arly manhood ; B&d triy 
 eart still bounds at the recollection of tbcee dnye. 
 * * ^ Theoccaflion of my writing is indeed mournful. In n 
 cavalry action, fought the 22nd 6i November, o;:r beloved 
 brother William met a soldier's death at the head of hi» 
 noble and cherishe'd dragoons * * *. There our gallant bro- 
 ther fell, not until his regiment bad sustained a heavy loes 
 and ha had conquered the admiration and sympathy of every 
 brave man, who can look with delight on the acts of a kiu 
 ared spirit with his own, * * * His body has never been 
 found, for no one has been able to approach the spot whilst 
 the Sikhs yet remain in position. * ♦ ♦ * To how small a 
 number our seven of a family — eight at first, is now reduced' 
 As each falls in succession into the grave is not flie event a 
 warning to those who remain to draw nearer and nearur to 
 Jesus Christ? Then will he draw nearer to us and be our 
 stay here, and hereafter our everlasting portion.^' 
 
 A visit to England was deemed essential for the restorntion 
 of hfe shattered health; and the 6th .of November 1849, after 
 an absence of twenty seven years, he reached his native land. 
 His wife, his two daughters, and his youngest son were wirh 
 him. After a short stay in London he removed to Plymouth 
 were he met the sister, to whom the above letter was written. 
 Their meeting was delightful. Amid the familiar scenes of 
 early life and among appreciating friends "the war broken 
 soldier" found r«st and peace. He visited his old school iel- 
 lows, now men of rank and distinction and was happy to find 
 that their feelings and opinions which were in unison witdi 
 his own before he went to IndiA, wefe equally so on his re- 
 turn. There was nothing to mar the pleasure of the meeting 
 but the thought that they must soon separate. It was recom- 
 mended that he should try the virtue of the medicinal waters 
 of Germany ; and accordingly he and his family spent eome 
 time at Ems, where his health was greatly improved. With 
 returning vigor there came thoughts for the future. His resi- 
 dence in India had not materially improved his fortune, and 
 he must make some provision for his family. It was deter- 
 mined that he should return to India, but tKat his wife and 
 daughters should remain 'in Germany. He found for them a 
 eomfortable residence iu Bonn on the Rhine, and after spend- 
 
8 
 
 ing some niontks with them there, set out for Epgland pre- 
 paratory to returning to the scene of biH life-long labors. He 
 paid another-short visit to hip family at Bonn, and then left 
 them the 27th of Oct. 1851. Before parting they all knelt 
 together and he committed hi.« dear ones to the keeping of 
 their Heavenly Father. As the.ev<;nt proved this was the 
 last time that family kneh tc-gnther for prayer. • 
 
 This parting with his lamily was a sore trial to him. It 
 brought into. requisition ill his fortitude, f'nd toothing su- 
 stained him in it but "thethouirht thnt he was if the path of 
 duty. A letter to his wife from Leipsic Oct. 30th will reveal 
 what passed in 1 is mind upoi this occasion : 
 
 "I purpose going to see the baftlefifcld (rif the Volkersch- 
 lacht, asthe Gern ins call it) tomorrow morning, so I will 
 comraevjce another 'etter to you in tic solitudeof niy chamber. 
 Oh ! how ardently I desired )(- turn ^back ana rejo'n you at 
 Bown, as 1 lay in my 1 ed at Frank fori. It was a totally sleep- 
 less nis'ht a thincf as you know, most rnusu«vl with me. I 
 sat up meditating and writing until near eleven, and when 
 cal'edntsix had not once closed my eyes ; not even dozed 
 or slumbered for a moment The bitterness of parting, my 
 po'^itioii after so many years wh'ich renders it unavoidable, 
 and I fear, not of few doubts, about the worldly future, 
 pn^sed. in rapid suceession th'oug'h my brain, which with- 
 out being in the least f'e -ered, was so wrought upon that I 
 ne"e slf^pt a sinerle second, liut I did inpeed find sweet 
 relii^t in t^ie thoucfl-t of meetins; yon in that better kingdom, 
 for all earinly nif^etings are unce'tain, and only terminate 
 in longer or shorter sp]p»arations. Jo.n with me in prayer, 
 that w<' tliro;igh faith in the blood of the Lamb may be 
 held worth ro partake in hi< resurrection, and be together 
 with him and our cKiMren in his glory. I know notwhat 
 lies Hffore me, but 1 do feel that we are both in the path of 
 si'^red duty J^et us do his will and lea^e the event to God, 
 Perh^'ps FTe mav be merciful to us and grant that we may 
 sooti in ^et a<r'i,in, though we see not mow," 
 
 We >nnst r>iss ovpr the events of ^avelock's journey — he 
 r^a'^.'ierf Rnmh^v in December 1^/1 , P'rom this tim.e he kept 
 un t rp^ru'ir an 1 freq-ient corresi1»>v»id< nee with his family; 
 im I as his letfe-^s both revpa! the worj^ings of his mind and 
 
9 
 
 • 
 
 mention the chief incidents in bis Kfe, we gladly avail onrBel- 
 ves of them in completing our tapk. 
 
 To U9 by no meanfi the least interesting feature of hie char- 
 acter is liis +eiidernes8 and solicitude for hie children. Any 
 sketcli of him howevor brief, which did noi show something 
 of what he was ae a father would be incomplete. This must 
 be our excuse for inbertins; the following letter to his little son: 
 
 Mahableswur, Ju»e 4, 1853. 
 
 "My dear George — Tomorrow is the "Sabbath, and alao your 
 birthday. If spared lentil tom( rrow }ou will be kIx years old; 
 so in sight of thehouse in which you were born, I. am again 
 permitted tD write toyou and wish you many happy and holy 
 return«oftl\jBday. 
 
 I trust your dear mamma wllldeliver this letter to you and 
 explain it all where it needs explanation ; and I wish you to 
 keep it for a ien years at least, that yon miay remember that 
 you have a papa who, though distantfrom you for the present 
 and likely to be long distant, under no circumstance of time 
 or place forgot you, but was constantly asking of God to bless 
 you, and to send his Holy Spirit to le«d you into all truth and 
 all good. 
 
 "Things are much changed, George, since I was a bo^ In 
 tbemonth of January 1800 (this is 1§5-^). m> brother William 
 and r were taken on ponies {.way to school at Dartford, three 
 milex from Ingress, where we lived (you have been in county 
 of Kent), and set down at once to our learning. 1 was not live 
 years old until the April. after. Now you seem to have had a 
 lung holiday ; no schooling yet, though yon aiC six"! But I' 
 trust you have learnt a little from your dear mamma's in- 
 struction, and that you are willing to learn a great deal more. 
 Now, we can none of us tell what shall bpfall us, since God 
 orders all, and will not tell us beforehand what shall happen 
 but it is likely that all my sons must earn their bread as sol- 
 diers. So very early 1 wish yon to learn to ride, as one of the 
 things most necessary for a soldier. So T hope, before you 
 are seven years old. you will have m^de some progress in this 
 branch of learning. " Your uncle William rode v^ry well be- 
 fore he was seven. • 
 
 May 9th 1854, tie write= to his wife —"We know not vrhat 
 an Aowr may bring forth. Since I fini-shed my letter the mail 
 
10 
 
 «ame, afioounoiog that I am Quartermaster-QeneraL Imi ui 
 thank God for this apparent mercy, and beseech Him to bless 
 it and make it a mercy indeed.'' 
 
 This appointment neceasitate<.l his removal from Bombay 
 to Calcutta. On the way he passed many scenes/with which 
 he was faiiiliar and which were associated with- some of the 
 most important events of his life. "At Serampore/' (says 
 he to his wife,) '* I rose early in the morning and visited the 
 Printing Office, the Manufactory, the College, all venerated 
 scenes'. In the Chapel I saw the monkraental slab -to your 
 dear mother's memory, on the same wall with those of Carey, 
 Ward, Marshman a-id Mack. The ne.^tbuildinglvas empty. 
 1 read two chapters in the Bible on the table before the pul- 
 pit and prayed alone.'' What woulS we not give to have 
 stood with ilavelock by the grave of the Apostle of India — a 
 spot sacred in the eyes of the christian world. 
 
 Again, in Sept. 1856, he passed Serampore. On this oc- 
 casion, he thus writes to. his wife: 
 
 "Since the 22d we have been slowly steaming this sacred 
 stream, or rather buffeting the waves of this inland sea, the 
 banks of which you and I so well knew in the days of our 
 humility. I poinded out, as we passed every well known spot 
 in Serampore to Seymour ; walked over every foot of Chinsurah 
 with General Anson and suite, and we cooled this morning at 
 the ghat of William Carey the Missionary. You will re- 
 member our visit of 1834. 'The same God protects us now, 
 ♦ * * May God; if it be his pleasure, grant us once more 
 on earth a happy meeting, if not, in heaven may we meet and 
 be forever reunited." 
 
 At one time it seemed that this prayer for a happy meeting 
 on earth would be answered. It was arranged that Mrs. Have- 
 lock should visit India the following year, but the breaking, 
 out of the Persian war blasted their fond hopes. It was ne- 
 cessary for her to postpone her visit. The occasion of this 
 postponement ia ihu8 stated: 
 
 Agra, Jan. 6, 1857. 
 
 " Lord Elphinetone has telegr.aphed General Anson, offer- 
 ing me; at Sir James Outrain'e recommendation a divi.sional 
 command in the Persian expedition. 1 have accepted and 
 expect to start immediately for Bombay, At my time of life 
 
11 
 
 Aa lUKlcitekitig is sirduous but 1 go iu faith iu BLim wko h«« 
 W me BO long and guided me." 
 
 Havfelock entered with ze&l upon the oorrmand to which 
 he had been appointed. He was assigned to the second 
 division of the army to be employed against Persia, with two 
 Brigadiers under hira. His ]>o.«ition was rendered iftore 
 agreeable by the fact that liio 8<5n Henry was with him. In 
 epeaking or the expedition he says: "Our operations will 
 aoon extend toMohammerah, a place below the junction of the 
 Tigris and Euphrates. Our expedition a^rainst this point 
 will sail in a few days. * * * Pray that I may faithfully 
 discharge every duty. I have good troops and cannon under 
 my command, but my trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ, my 
 tried aod merciful friend: to Ilim all power is entrusted in 
 heaven and on earth. Him daily seek for me as I seek him 
 without shadow of doubting.-" 
 
 This was written the 18th of February. ' The 28th of March 
 he wrote, from his camp at Moh am m era : 
 
 **Ourexpedition^gain8t this place hae been entirely suc- 
 peseful, but the victory was won by the Indian navy ; the troops 
 ofmy division, which landed in the best order and in the 
 highest spirits had not a shot to fire. The Persians were 
 commanded by aShahzada, and their works were formidable, 
 but in three hours and a half they were so hammered by our 
 war ships that the enemy abandoned jhem in dismay, suffer- 
 ing great loss; and b#ore my vegiraehts could be landed in 
 the date groves, intersected by waterftourees, and my columns 
 formed, they were in full retreat, followed by a handful of 
 oavfilry. I had not a single cisualitv in my crowded troop- 
 ships, and in the Scindian in v>'hich H. was embarked, the only 
 man killed was his head servant, who was smashed by. a 
 cannon ball that had traversed the ship from stern to stern, 
 where the poor man met his fate. T had hoped that my troops 
 would have won laurels, but Providence decreed it otherwise, 
 ^emust be even thankful for the preserving mercies of the 
 day, the 26th of March. The cannonacTe was warm, and my 
 steamer, the Berenice, crowded with Highlanders led the 
 trooD-ships to the point where we landed. I felt throughout 
 that the Lord .Jesus was at my side." 
 Shortly after the capture of Mohammerth peace was eon 
 
12 
 
 eluded and Havelock returned to India. On the way he was 
 
 met by the news of the :i^utiny of the native troops, which 
 for a time threatened the overthrow of the British rule in 
 Hindustan. With eager haste he pressed to the scene of duty 
 and of danger.' .The 17th of June he reached Calcutta, the 
 21st ie wrote : 
 
 '* I have baYely time to tell you, by the after packet which 
 leaves to-day, that I was yesterday re-ap ointed Brigadier 
 General, and leave by dawk as soon as possible, for Allaha- 
 bad. Sir Pati'ick Grant lost no time in recommending me 
 for this important command, the object of which is to relieve 
 CawntJore, where Sir Hugh Wheeler is threatened, aind sup- 
 port Lucknow, where Sir Henry Lawrence ia somewhat press- 
 ed. May God give me wisdom and strength to fulfil the ex- 
 pectations of Government and restore tranquility in the dis- 
 turbed provinces." 
 
 Before the necessary prepfirations could be made the fate 
 of Cawnpore was sealed ; and the garrison most treacherously 
 and cruelly murdered. The object now -^a-s to retake that 
 place and relieve the gallant defenders of Jjucknow, who, 
 shut up in the Residency, were beseis:ed by an overwhelming 
 force. The 7th of July, Havelock began his m.arch with a 
 force of less than 1200.men ; but he had been proceeded by 
 Major Renaud, with 820 men ; and when these two forces 
 vvere united the whole strength of the army was 1400 inlantry, 
 eight pieces ofartillery arid a small body #<;ava1ry. The 12th, 
 they came upon the en^my 3500 in number, strongly posted 
 at the village of Futtehpore, and after a short engagement 
 gained a complete victory. The day after the battle Have- 
 lock thus writes: * 
 
 " One of.the prayers oft repea'ed throughout my life since 
 my school days, has been answered, and T have lived to com- 
 mand in a successful action. I must refer you for the partic- 
 ulars to my'dispatch. 1 will here only sav that I marched 
 down upon this place yea'^erday morning, Sunday the 12th, 
 (battle of the Boyno), with harra.=sed troops inten ing to at- 
 tack the insurgents next day. but their fate led them on. 
 
 Out they sallied and insulted my camn, v/hereupon I deter- 
 mined to try an immediate action. We fousrht. a'"id I may 
 say that in ten minutes the affair was decided, for in that 
 
13 
 
 short time -our Enfield Rifles and cannon had taken all con- 
 ceit of fight out of tiie mutineers. Among them was the 5t)th , 
 the very regiment which I led on at Maharajpore. • 
 
 " I challenged them,--* Ihere's some of you that have be- 
 held me fighting, now try upon yourselves what^ou have 
 6cv.-n in me.' 
 
 '* But away with vain glory ! Thanks to Almigty God who 
 gave me the victory 1 1 captured in four hours eleven guns, 
 and scattered the enemy's whole force to the winds. I now 
 march to retake Cawn]iore, Avhere, alas ! our troops have 
 been treacherousl}'' destroy^:!, and to succor Lawrence at 
 
 Lucknow 11 .'was in the thickest of t"lie fight, 
 
 but, (jrod be praised, escaped unr.urt." 
 
 Not to go more into detail, we may learn sometbing of the 
 rapidity' and energy of Havelock's movements when we are 
 infoimed that between the 7th and ihe 16th of July, he march- 
 ed 126 miles aii^ fought four battle?, each time defeating 
 forces largely superior to his own ; and in all taking 44 guns. 
 His own loss was only one hundred men. Unlctrtin-jately, 
 although he mfu'ched in triumph into Cawnpore on tlTC IGth, 
 he was not able lo' rescue the Women and children, who were 
 there' held as prisoners by the mutineers. When it became 
 evident 'that they could not hold the place, under the direc- 
 tion of their perfidious chief Nana Sahib, the cruel wretches 
 drove. their prisoners -together into a close room, and, regard- 
 less of their sex and tender year>«, slew them without meTcy. 
 When the British soldi'crs entered that room, they stood over 
 their shoes in blood. 
 
 Such a scene only made them more anxious to reli'eve their 
 comrades 'and friends in Lucknow. Notwjthstandiiig the 
 small n ess of his own and the grc arnessof that of th e'en euiy, on 
 the 21;5t Havelock crossed the (ranges, and the 25th com- 
 menced his onward march. The 29th he came upon the ene- 
 my posted at Unao. The' position was exceedingly strong. 
 The village was app^roached only by a causeway, commanded 
 by cannon, which ran through fields Hooded by recent heavy 
 rains. The h'^n.'^es were surrounded by gardens, "enclosed 
 with walls, and these walls were loop-holed for musketry. 
 
 But in spite of such obstacles, after a brief cannonade, the 
 ^village was cleared at the point of the bayonet. The enemy 
 
14 
 
 retreated only a few '^iles and made a Btand at -Buffaera 
 Gunge. Here, again, after a sliort and hotly contested bat- 
 tle Uie mutineers were put to Eight. The Ions of the enemy 
 in these twoengagemenis, is eFtimated at from 500 to 1500— 
 that of Ilavelcck was 12 killed and 75 wounded. 
 
 The victorious career of t 'c gallant little army vras b«rc 
 checked by the ravages of c:!olera. It wa found necessary 
 to fall back to a position npore, to permit the men to 
 
 recruit their strength, e:.. >->• labor and disease. Hav- 
 
 ing received reinforccinenls vvhich increased his force to 
 1400 men, the 14th ©f AngiTfet.Havelock again advanced, 
 a^ain he met the enemy at Bussorut Gunge and again prove<l 
 victorious; again the cliolera appeared, thinning his ranks, 
 and again he was compelled to fall back; The enemy taking 
 couragofrom these reirograr-e niovemei ts, threatened hia po~ 
 fiition with a force estimated at twenty thoypand. He did not 
 • wait for them to attaok him. but marched out with his little ■ 
 force^ met thcin a^nd trained anotaer victory, bat with the 
 loss <^one hundred and forty men. It now became necessa- 
 ry to* ait for further reinlorcementB. 
 
 From Cawnpore August 2Vth he wrote : '' It is an age since 
 I have had a letter from any of you, none, I think since I 
 left Calcutta.. Here I am in the midst of moat excitinc af- 
 fairs, which hardly give me breathing-time, but I snatch naif 
 an hour to teil yon that by God's blessin-:: H. and I ar© still 
 alive and well- We have fouglat nine fights with the enemy, 
 fever ywhere defeated him*, and captured forty-two piece's of 
 cannon.- Sir, Henry Lawrence, the most amiable of men, was 
 badly woundod on the 2d ot July and died on the 4th. * * 
 Troops are coming up to me; but I fear that it win be too 
 late, and 'that the place will fall before I- re-enter Oude." 
 
 The second advance towards Luck new and the final relief 
 of that pl«^A i> hest described in the words of Havelock 
 himself — 
 
 LucKNow Nov. 10, 1857. 
 
 •'You will wonder at not having received a letter by the 
 last two mails. It will be best to begin at the beginning of 
 the story. Sir James Oatraai brought up my reinforcements 
 on 18th and 19th September. I threw a noble bridge of boatei 
 across the Gauges, and reached the further ban]j witlj 2900 
 ^ ,ja^a^ ^^k-Jam^a^aimaajigM that I sTiguld liaye tlie hgaoi^c^f 
 
16 
 
 relieving Lucknow, and that he Avould accompany iny force 
 only as Chief Comraiagioner and as a volunteer. I beat the 
 enemy on the •21st at Mnnghulvara and again at Alum Bagh 
 Bhayonon the2od. . . . We penetrated through a suburb and 
 passed under cover of buildings, a fire from the Kaizer Bagh, or 
 King's Palace, under which nothing could have lived. About 
 chia time an Or<lerly brought fntelligence that H. was severely 
 wounded. Night was coming on, and Sir James wished to 
 put the trooj>3 into a palace and rest them ; but I strongly 
 represented the necefisity of reinforcing the garrison, lest it 
 should be attacked and surprised in the darkness. So the 
 78th Highlanders and the Sikh Regiment of Ferozepore were 
 called to the front. Sir James and I and two of the staff, 
 put ourselves at their head, and on we chftirged throngb 
 streets of loopholed liouscs, fired at perpetually, and over 
 trenches cut in the road, until we reached in triumph. the be- 
 leagUFcd Residency. Then came three cheers from the 
 troops, and the faminished garrison found mock-turtle eoup 
 a»d champagne t-o regale me with as their deliverer. But 
 the rest of my force and guns could not be brought in nntil 
 the evening of the l6th, and by that time 1 had lost- 536, 
 killed, wounded and missing. Since that night we have been 
 more closely blockaded than in Jellalabad. We eat a reduc- 
 ed ration of artillery bullock beef, chupatties and rice, but 
 tea, coffee, sugar, soap and candles are unknown lumries.'* 
 
 From this position the garrison was finally relieved by the 
 arrival of Sir CoUn Campbell with five thousand men. After 
 reaching the Residency, it was found impracticable to dnve 
 off thel^oaeigers it was accordingly determined to evacuate 
 the.place. A steady fire was kept up, and in the meantime 
 long lines of pickets thrown out, between which the women 
 a-nd children and all property which could be moved were 
 conveyed to a place of safety without the knowledge of the 
 enemy and without a single accident. 
 
 •The nineteenth of Nov. Havelock writes: — "Sir Colin. has 
 come up with some five thousand men and much altered the 
 state ot affairs. The papers of the 2«Uh September came 
 with him, Announcing my elevation to theCommandershipof 
 the Bath for my first three battles. I have fimght nine more 
 since. . . . Dear H. has been a second time wounded ie 
 Ihesame left arm. This second hit wais a mualcct ball j^^ 
 
16 
 
 shoulder. He is in good spirits, and is doing well. . . . 
 Love to ihe children. ... I do not after all see my ele- 
 vation in the 'Gazette/ but Sir Colin addressed me as Sir 
 Henry Havelock.'^ 
 
 This was his last lettoi-. Before it reached the little circle 
 at Bonn, she for who^e ^jyes it was intended, knew that the 
 hand that wrote it was cold. In connexion with the fiege af 
 Jellalabad he had' read and applied to himself the words 
 of the prophet,'* I will surely deliver thee : and thou shalt not 
 fall by the sword, for thy life shall be a prey nnlo thee ; be- 
 canse thou hast put' thy trust in me saith the Lord." His 
 faniil}'^ had learned to call this his prophecy ; and io regard 
 the promise as made to him. And to him it was fultilled. — 
 Jle.fell, bntn(ft in battle nor by the weapons of his enemies. 
 His Mrla >U8 labors had wronghi upon his health ; and for 
 sometime he had looked sicn; a;. d oareworn. And now that 
 those for whom he li.adso nobly labored ami louirht were sale, 
 the exciteme/'t whi;h supported niiii no longer existe' and he 
 yielded to the atta'^ks of disease. He was taken witn dysen- 
 tery ; and every thing that meuicil > kill cf>uld suggefst was 
 done in vain. In a very 8h..in. time i- wa=s .evi-lent iba'i he 
 must die. When hi-^ oil and 'ried fiienl. Sir James 0'.it?*atn, 
 came to hirn on his u*ath bed, he remarked. •' For more than 
 forty years. I have so ruled mv life thjj,t when death should 
 come, r could meet; ityvithout f.^ar "' Fie said again and agiin, 
 " I die happy and conte-i^ed." His fion of whom he wrote ." I 
 never saw .-^o brave a youth as the boy Henry;" was at his side. 
 " Come, m s >n," -laid the dyini,' father, ' and see how a C iria- 
 tian can die." Thus at Abim- B igh, the scene of one of his 
 greatest vict (Tries, the 25th of No. ember, 1857, Havelock pars- 
 ed away. He li^'ed long enough to ^now that his labors were 
 appreciate l..l)y a grateful • govcicnuient, but n-ot long enough 
 to know how dear his name became to the people, nor how 
 prou 1 the/ wereoftheChristian iiero.- He heard not the gen- 
 erous applause that gushed warm from thousands of admiri^ig 
 hearts. 
 
 " Ca) honor's voice provo'^e che silent dust, 
 Or 11 ittery soot i d the .iul I co.d ear of deaths?" 
 Bat W'lat Wis of iafiiiitaiy more i.ip >rLiace to ^rfna, h> heard 
 from his M^trSter the piaidit '• well dj.ic," .i id eatered into his 
 
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