Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/137

Rh British Agent at Sindhiá's Court, left no doubt upon his mind that the sipáhís of the Gwáliár contingent might break out at any moment. Any insurrection in that quarter must be full of danger for Agra.

The Gwáliár contingent was composed of four field-batteries — one of which, under Captain Pearson, had been sent to Agra — a small siege-train, two regiments of cavalry, and seven of infantry, aggregating 8318 men. Some of these were absent on command, but the bulk was at Gwáliár.

On the night of the 14th of June the whole of these men broke out into insurrection. They rushed from their lines in tumultuous disorder, murdering every European they met. Seven British officers, one lady, wife of one of the officers, an English nurse, the wife of a warrant officer, three children, and six sergeants and pensioners, fell victims to their fury. The remainder escaped to Agra. They reached that place in driblets, and were kindly received. Mr Colvin, however, still maintained his position in the plains; nor was it until quite the end of the month that the pressure of circumstances compelled him to give the order to take refuge within the fort. There we must leave him whilst we turn to notice the action of the Commander-in-Chief.