Crack Shots in War.

Manawatu Herald, 17 June 1897, Page 2

Crack Shots in War.

Many people assert that oraolr shots are not of the slightest value in war because they find men on the move very difficult to hit compared to targets. This may or may not bo true (nays the Regiment), but there arc many instances in which a crack *hot, by bis infallible aim, has been known to Bave the lives of his fellow countrymen. A remarkable case occurred during the Indian Mutiny at the Siege of Lucknow. The rebels were endeavouring to mount two 18 pounders which they had hauled up on the flat roof of one of the palaces surrounding the Residency. If those guns were mounted they would enable the Sepoys to pour down a heavy fire into the English defenders of the Residency. Sergeant Halliwell was the man for the occasion. Ho belonged to the 32 Foot, and was a crack shot. Being given the best rifle that could be found, ha was told to prevent the enemy from mounting the guns. With the pluck and steadiness of a brave man, he took up his position behind some battered down masonry that had been destroyed by the Sepoy's fire, aud behind which there was only cover enough for him to lie at full length. He remained in that position for several days, not being able to stand up or kneel, for if he had done so instant death would have been his reward. His only change was to roll over f torn his back to stomach. His eyes were ever on the dismounted guns, and when the Sepoys attempted to mount them his unerring rifle played havoc among the men. Food was brought to him at night by men crawling on their hands and knees. After some time a sortie was made, the Sepoys repulsed and the place blown up. For this piece of heroism Sergeant Halliwell received the Victoria Orosß. Another striking instance was that performed by Hercules Rosa, who was at one time the crack shot of India, during the same mutiny. A large body of rebels was expected to cross the river Oongra at a certain ford, and it was necessary that they should be kept at bay until the women and wounded could be moved from a station close by. Boss had a pit dug on the bank of the river commanding the ford. Here he planted himself with four'attendants to load his dozen rifles for him. The enemy arrived and prepared to cross the swollen ford in a large boat. Ross, with unerring aim, shot down the rowers as the boat put out. Again and again did a frefeh set of rowers man the boat, hut at each outset the men suffered the same fate as their crrnrades. After three hours of this work some English troops, arrived, bringing with them three guns and the Sepoys, baffled, retired. These are but two instances, but they are enough to illustrate the utility of the orack shot when necessity presses.—Exchange.