THE INDIAN MUTINY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 1 June 1907, Page 3

THE INDIAN MUTINY.

REMINISCENCES OF A VETERAN. The present trouble in India and the fif'ieth anniversary of the mutiny add interest to the narrative of an Imperial veteran, who saw a strenuous service in the Crimea. Chatting with a representative of the Christchurch Press last week he said that at the time of the outbreak of the mutiny his regiment (the 13th Prince Ailbert's) were stationed at- the Cape. under the command of Lord Mark Kerr, godfather of our former Governor, Lord Ranfurly. Lord Mark was of a most eccentric character, which could brook no opposition from anybody. General .lackson (who once engaged in a duel with the famous Daniel O'Connor, and received a wound in the neck) was Commander-in-Chief of the Cape forces, and opposed the application of Lord Mark Kerr to be allowed to proceed to the scene of hostilities in India, but on being appealed to. Sir George Grey over-ruled the order, and the regiment was duly despatched to the front. Lord Mark Kerr's reputation for masterfulness and eccentricity was well-known to Sir John Campbell, and he commandeered a portion of the regiment for other duties, permitting Lord Mark, with the remainder of his force, to march with 20 miles of Lucknow, and there ordered a halt. The question of rations was first raised as an excuse by Sir Colin, but this Kerr disposed of by remarking that his men could subsist, and had subsisted, "on copper kettles and sand." But even this did not avail. Campbell was proof against all blandishments, entreaties, and expostulations, and Lord Mark Kerr resigned himself to the inevitable, but not before firing a searing parting shot—"What can you expect fro* the bob of a Glasgow cobbler?" Kerr's force was employed to keep opet the lines of communication, and several times had to present a l>old front to the foe with very scanty material. Empty gun cartridges with tarpaulin thrown across to simulate lethal weapons were posted upon bridges, and frequently the whole force was drawn up in single file In order to impress the enemy with an erroneous idea of its own numerical strength. Lord Mark Kerr (who by the way. rarely wore a helmet or other head covering, but employed an Umbrella when the sun's rays became too ardent) and his force remained in India until the proclamation of the Queen's sovereignty, but was never once permitted to take part in any ojierations in which the commander's peculiarities would be likely to occasion friction.