The Strange Ride of Lieutenant Conolly

“‘ Such a scene of confusion I never saw; some Sepoys firing at Bheels, they shot seven poor wretches on the parade ground, who, I declare, were only looking at the novel scene. During the day, we halted. The first day, we marched – and a greater rabble never crossed country than our once smart legion; not a Sepoy hardly saluted me. I was taken to Abbas Ali’s tent -and the infantry was a little behind when a tremendous row commenced.
Some Meenas (a tribe local to Rajputana) made a rush at the carts; the infantry thought it was an attack; away went the cavalry to see to matters, cut up a few Bheels, and, seeing no one else, pulled up to look about them. Another row and rush towards where I was standing near my saddled horse. I can’t say I was desperately alarmed, for all hope of life I had cast aside some hours before when we marched. The rush towards me was caused by some amiable Sepoys taking the opportunity to make a run at me. Abbas Ali and his men saw it and were soon between us, but I cannot enter into details of self; once again, they attempted to get at me at Doola.
What made them so mad was that my strenuous attempts to seduce the cavalry had been made known to Mihrwan Sing, and he swore I should die. At Doola, they had three or four rows—councils, they called them—about me. At last, Mihrwan Sing and the other beauties, seeing Abbas Ali would not give me up, said I might go solus. The next morning, they sent me again to say no, I should not go. However, Abbas Ali and his men surrounded my charpoy all night; we none of us slept, and on the morning of the 27th, when the force was ready, the guns were loaded, the infantry shouldered arms, and I was brought up. I was told to ride to the front; poor Dokul Sing, the havildar-major, and some others ran out blubbering; Abbas Ali and Abdool Ali, rode up on each side, made me low salaams, and told me to ride for it; that not a sowar should be allowed to interfere with my retreat.
My three sowars, who, I have forgotten to say, had stuck to me as if I had been their brother since the very beginning, by a preconcerted plan, were ordered to see me off a little way. I could not help giving a farewell wave of the hand to the infantry in irony; they shouted and laughed, the band struck up, and that is the last I saw of the legion. I rode right into Erinpoora with three sowars; I came straight here, and the people seemed ready to eat me with joy. The names of the three sowars are Nusseeroodeen, second troop; Elahu Bux, third troop (the man who used to ride my grey); and Momin Khan, first troop. They left everything behind and, I must say, are three as fine fellows as I wish to see.
By-the-by, the cavalry said if I would agree to turn Mussulman, to a man, they would follow me. Very kind of them. They offered me money when I was coming away and also on the march. I took twenty rupees from Abbas Ali; now I wish I had taken my pay they twice offered it. Now is our time; the legion is divided. Jawan Sing, golundaz, and his party, about seven other golundaz (gunners), will play the infantry a trick if they can. I have told Jawan Sing I will myself give him 500 rupees if he breaks with the infantry. Abbas Ali, the havildar-major, and Abdool Ali are in danger on my account, and they are kept with their men under the guns night and day. I feel most glad to think I did them as much harm as I could. Macdoon Bux had a musket put to his breast for letting me ride with my sword on. I was a bone of contention. I have this morning sent a sharp kossid to Abbas Ali, telling him, for his own sake, to try and communicate with Mason, who, I believe, is at Pallee and to whom I have written to try and communicate with Abbas Ali.” (Letter from Lieutenant Conolly to Captain Black, formerly of the Jodhpur Legion)

The Jodhpur Legion continued their march from Erinpura up the road towards Pali, passing on their way the fort of Khusial Singh, the Thakur of Awah and no friend of Maharaja of Jodhpur. As for Abbas Ali, he would communicate with Monck Mason but the result, as shall be seen would be disastrous for both the loyal sowar and Monck Mason.


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