Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A British officer's letter from the Jumna, India, on Oct. 27, 1817, describes the massive scale of the British army advancing in India, including 10 divisions totaling 100,000 men, extensive camp followers, and the princely entourage of Governor General Marquis of Hastings, with Rajahs and Chieftains visiting.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
The reader may form some idea of the 'Pomp of War' in India, and the amount of what are called the followers of the army by the following extract of a letter from a British officer, written on the Jumna, Oct. 27, 1817.—Cot. (ent.
'The whole of the army now on the field, consists of 10 divisions, each of about 10,000 men. We are advancing from the three Presidencies towards the same point, with the finest army ever perhaps heard of in India. The Governor General is with our division, which is about 13,000 strong, with 60 pieces of cannon. The camp followers of this division alone amount to 67,000. For the carriage of the baggage of our regiment, we have 40 elephants and 40 camels; every elephant has two keepers, and every two camels one. Of us there are 87 officers present, among whom there are 810 servants; every horse in the regiment has two attendants, one as a groom, the other to provide grass; these alone amount to 1400, besides 120 for the mess, and 600 for the bazar to supply the provisions; and all, for our regiment alone, about 3,500 followers, besides their wives, children, &c.
'The Marquis of Hastings travels in a most princely style; he has 150 elephants and 400 camels, besides state elephants splendidly accoutered, having superb solid silver howdahs or castles on their backs. There are now actually 36 Rajahs and Independent Chieftains, of various ranks, on their way to pay their respects to the Marquis. Some of them indeed are already in camp. The Governor General, in fact, is now as great a man as ever the Great Mogul was.'
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Jumna, India
Event Date
Oct. 27, 1817
Key Persons
Event Details
The British army in India consists of 10 divisions of about 10,000 men each, advancing from the three Presidencies. The Governor General's division has 13,000 men and 60 cannon, with 67,000 camp followers. One regiment uses 40 elephants and 40 camels for baggage, has 87 officers with 810 servants, 1400 horse attendants, 120 mess staff, 600 bazar suppliers, totaling about 3,500 followers plus families. Marquis of Hastings travels with 150 elephants, 400 camels, and state elephants with silver howdahs. 36 Rajahs and Independent Chieftains are en route or in camp to pay respects.