THE LATE THOMAS RYAN.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1820, 2 November 1874, Page 2

THE LATE THOMAS RYAN.

To use an old and expressive phrase, " Poor Tom Byau has gone to his long home." On Wednesday last his mortal remains were decently and very respectably conveyed to their final resting place, the Cemetery at Shortland, Thames. By whom ? Evidently not by those who might be considered had the better right to do so ; those to whom is generally ac- I corded the first right of paying honor and respect to the mortal remains of the brave soldier, the noble warrior, or the renowned hero ; and yet to either of those titles, Thomas Ryan whilst living could lay more or less an undisputed and recognised claim. But had he been some tinsclly decked Sunday soldier, no doubfc his interment would have been accompanied with a pompous military display. Mars would be fervently invoked to give him legs to keep him from fleshing his maiden sword in the next world as he had done in this. However, in this case that would not suit, as poor Ton had fleshed his maiden sword in many a hard fought field. When the sad and terrible news of the Indian mutiny had reached the shores of Great Britain, who remembers it that does not recall to mind the hope that rested on, and the anxiety that was felt for that gallant few upon whom devolved the duty ef maintaining, not only the honor and glory of Great Britain, but tho defence and protection of tho Indian Empire. How nobly they did their duty, I believe no pen has faithfully told. It suffices for my purpose to say that poor Ryan was among the number who did so. He belonged to the Light Company of the 83rd Regiment, which bad been chosen on account of its bravery, activity, and great physical powers of endurance, not only to lead the van in the capture of many an important fortress, but also individually by forced marchos to wrest and capture formidable positions which were being held by the Sepoys. I may here mention that Ryan was a native of Killennaule, County of Tipperary, and at his decease about 50 years of age. He was in India when the first mutiny took place, and was in active service until it terminated ; I believe he remained in India until 1859, when, his term of enlistment being expired, he took his discharge, and came out to the colonies. I well remember his plain and unvarnished tale of two out of many incidents he used to relate which took place at that momentous period, and in which he was not only an eyewitness but a brave and active participator. Long before any reinforcements had reached India from Britain this invincible band, of which he was one, were completely summnded by hordes of Sepoys, from whom there was no escape but evidently in death. At this critical time an cpauletted imbecile led them against the enemy, and actually into the lion's mouth. Seeing this, the officer's first anxiety was to make good his own ground and escape with his life, telling his brave men, "Do the best you can for yourselves ;" who, seeing themselves deserted by their commander, also retreated and fled until they became so scattered that a few faithful comrades cried to each other, " Boys, keep together, or we are done." The cry went forth until all who were within hearing of it had fell in together, and, with the natural instinct not of the soldier, but ofthe brave man, shoulder to shoulderandback to back,likean Alpine avalanche, they rolled upon the serried ranks of the enraged Sepoys, until they burst through the" iron circle that surrounded them, and got unexpectedly, in their retreat, to a very strategic and important position, which they held until relieved by reinforcements. "Of course," said Tom, " the officer made his escape some way, so that afterwards he said that all this was done by his orders," and no doubt he got great credit for it. Here one cannot help making a pause, and calling to mind that other renowned band of heroes, as of the class which comprised it poor Tom was a true type; of that historic " four hundred " which, with the brave Napier at their head, burst through ihe hosts of Scinde, when that noble commander exclaimed, " Magificent, Tipperary I" The other incident (which is a personal one) I cannot omit relating. At the close of the terrible struggles of this small force, Tom had to go to hospital, suffering fr«m diarrhoea. With paternal solicitude the doctor gave him imperative orders that on no account was he to disturb himself. Poor Ryan lay wearied and exhausted, no doubt thinking of home and friends. But hark ! what is that ? It is the loud md shrill blast of tho trumpet; the drums beat to arms and- march to the battle field. The warrior's spirit was aroused, and Tom bounded from his bed of sickness, put on hia scanty armour, j grasped his rifle, and devotedly marched I with his comrades to the field of slaughter. The kindlydoctor, finding his patientgone, mourned the certain death of his poor soldier boy, bufc Ryan returned—^still active and intrepid, but more afraid to meet the doctor on account of having incurred his wrath through disobeying his orders, then he was on entering into that carnage which he had left behind him. I need not say the docter forgave and embraced him. His was not to be a soldier's I grave, but he nevertheless received a better one, a decent Christian burial, attended by those who knew and respected him on account of his noble and generous heart, his simple and unassuming manner, and manliness of principle. May his soul rest in peace !—Communicated.