Siege of Multan

Four Years' Service in India. [2nd January 1849] The enemy kept up a steady fire all night, from the fort, and our mortar batteries continued sending a few shells. They all came over us as they took their flight into the fort. The only thing remarkable during the night, was one of our patrols firing into the other, in mistake for the enemy. One man was killed, and one wounded. Our loss altogether, in taking the place, was 360, killed and wounded. As daylight broke, we could see the breach at the Delhi gate, which we had stormed, and it was well examined. No blame could be attached to the engineer officer for reporting it practicable, for, from the place where he stood to make his observations, it did look so. The distance between him and the wall was at least 400 yards, and he could not see that the ground near the wall fell into a regular trench, ten or twelve feet deep in the centre, a small mud wall running along the top, which parted the road and the ditch. This was about three or four feet high; so that while our batteries had been playing at the bottom of the wall as they supposed, they had been aiming at a part not more than half-way down ; and at the distance the batteries were away it did look as if the ground were level. The left breach was a very good one. The ground went with a gradual slope up to it, and a whole company could enter in in line. The discontent was very great in my brigade, for we ought to have stormed the other breach. Our artillery had made it, and the Bombay artillery had been at this.

Four Years' Service in India. [3rd January 1849] As daylight dawned on the morning of the third, our men spread themselves all over the town, in search of plunder. All the houses were ransacked, and what could not be carried off was completely destroyed. Temples were broken into, and the brass idols, and Korans carried away and sold. I brought some of the brass images or idols away from one temple, intending to keep them as a curiosity, but I gave them away afterwards. Some of our men met with plenty of silk and cloth: swords, matchlocks, muskets, a number of flint guns, and bows and arrows were found, with loads of powder and ball. Some were made up into cartridges, and some were loose in boxes. There were bullets of all sizes. Stables full of horses and harness, and yards full of cattle, camels, and elephants were discovered, the animals being taken by the prize agent and his men. All our men, European and native, looked for the precious metals. They took the rings and chains from every dead man, as well as the living. All that I brought away from the place was a breast-plate, which I took from one of the enemy who was shot when we were storming the town. He belonged to the 6th Kalsagee regiment. I also had a dagger, of the sort which the natives use in close quarters, and a piece of beautiful carpet. This kind of work and destruction was put an end to, as soon as it got to the General's and Brigadier's knowledge; and not before it was time — for every place was turned upside down. After this order was given, many of the men were not satisfied ; they took themselves off, and were not checked until several had been sent to camp as prisoners, and one of my regiment was tried and flogged for his conduct.

Four Years' Service in India. [22nd January 1849] One division of our army was ordered to form a square at the gate, and as the enemy came out they laid down their arms, being received as prisoners by us; while the other division occupied the fort as the enemy withdrew. My company was ordered to receive the Dewan Moolraj as a prisoner, when he came out, which we did, and escorted him to camp. One man took hold of his horse's head, whole the company formed on either side of him. He was accompanied by seven of his officers. He was dressed all in red, or a crimson silk; his doak was of the same kind, very richly embroidered. He had a gold chain around his neck, and gold bracelets on his wrists, richly set with stones, and upon his finger he had a diamond ring. He was a good-looking man of the middle stature, having fine features and a mild countenance, yet a keen, piercing eye, and a determined expression. He was altogether a fine, pleasant, good humoured looking man. I could not help but feel for him; indeed, I felt very sorry for him. When we had got about half way to the camp, he turned round upon his horse, and viewed the fort, and tears then started from his eyes, and he wept much; and well he might, to see it then! — battered to a heap of ruins, while only a few months before it bade defiance to the British force and the world, and was proud of its strength and beauty. The Dewan passed many jokes with our men, and talked frequently to them. His officers were very attentive to him. He gave his sword up to the officer who was interpreter for him, and the latter delivered it up to the General.