Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp: Late a Lieut. in His Majesty's 87th RegimentShipp, John
History
Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp: Late a Lieut. in His Majesty's 87th Regiment
Shipp, John
India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947 -- Biography; Shipp, John, 1784-1834
The storming party marched out in the usual steady order; yet, from our
recent calamitous defeats, there was not that spirit amongst the men
which I had witnessed on former occasions. We had already experienced
three disastrous repulses from this fort, and there now seemed a cloud
on every brow, which proceeded, I have no hesitation, in asserting, from
a well-grounded apprehension that this, our fourth assault, would be
concluded by another retreat. If any sight could be exhibited to the
human eye that was calculated to work upon the feelings of men already
disappointed and dispirited, it was the scene that was exposed to our
view on approaching to this breach; for there lay our poor comrades who
had fallen in previous attempts, many of them in a state of nudity,
some without heads, some without arms or legs, and others whose bodies
exhibited the most barbarous cruelties, for they were literally cut to
pieces. The sight was truly awful and appalling, and the eye of pity
closed instinctively on such a spectacle of woe. Those who attempted to
extend the hand of relief were added to the number of the slain, as the
spot was much exposed to a cross-fire from the fort. Could any sight be
more distressing for affectionate comrades to look on? I say
affectionate, for, among men living together in one barrack, and,
perhaps under one tent, in familiar intercourse, there must be a greater
regard for each other than is found to subsist among those who meet
casually, once a day or once a week. In a soldier's barrack, the
peculiarities, good or bad, of every individual are known; added to
which, arduous services will always link men together in the bond of
union and affection. Many of these mutilated objects still breathed, and
could be seen to heave the agonized bosom; some raised their heads
clotted with blood; others their legs and arms; and, in this manner,
either made signs to us or faintly cried for help and pity. It was a
sight to turn nature's current, and to melt a heart of stone. Such was
its effect upon our lines, that, after a short conflict of the softer
feelings, the eye of every man flashed the vivid spark of vengeance
against the cruel race who had committed such wanton barbarities; and,
if mortal effort could have surmounted the obstacles in our path, those
who witnessed the horrid scene I have just described must infallibly
have succeeded. But the effort was beyond mortal power. Braver hearts,
or more loyal, never left the isle of Albion, than those who fell like
withered leaves, and found a soldier's grave at Bhurtpore.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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