Of all the names connected with the Indian mutiny, Cawnpore stands out
conspicuous for its dark record of treachery, massacre, and bloodshed; and
its name will, so long as the English language continues, be regarded as
the darkest in the annals of our nation. Cawnpore is situated on the
Ganges, one hundred and twenty-three miles northwest of Allahabad, and was
at the time of our story a large straggling town, extending nearly five
miles along the river. It stands on a sandy plain, intensely hot and dusty
in summer, and possesses no fort or other building such as proved the
safety of the Europeans in Agra and Allahabad. The force stationed there
at the first outbreak of the mutiny consisted of the First, Fifty-third,
and Fifty-sixth Native Regiments, the Second Regiment of Bengal Cavalry,
and about fifty European invalid artillerymen. When the news of the revolt
at Meerut reached Cawnpore, and it was but too probable that the mutiny
would spread to all the native regiments throughout the country, Sir Hugh
Wheeler, who was in command, at once set to work to prepare a fortified
position, in which to retire with the European residents in case of
necessity. To this end he connected with breastworks a large unfinished
building intended as a military hospital, with the church and some other
buildings, all standing near the center of the grand parade, and
surrounded the whole with an intrenchment. Within these lines he collected
ammunition, stores and provisions for a month's consumption for a thousand
persons, and having thus, as he hoped, prepared for the worst, he awaited
the event.

Although there was much uneasiness and disquietude, things went on
tolerably well up to the middle of May. Then Sir Hugh Wheeler sent to
Lucknow, forty miles distant, to ask for a company of white troops, to
enable him to disarm the Sepoys; and he also asked aid of Nana Sahib,
Rajah of Bithoor, who was looked upon as a stanch friend of the English.
On the 22d of May fifty-five Europeans of the Thirty-second Regiment, and