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Auction: 4020 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 307

Indian Mutiny 1857-58, no clasp (C, J, Daniell. Civil Service.), nearly extremely fine Estimate £ 500-600 Claremont John Daniell arrived in India in December 1855 and on qualifying for public service was posted to the North West Provinces in March 1856. Between then and the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, he held a number of appointments as an Assistant (and Joint) Magistrate and Collector, among them posts in Agra, Aligarh and Etah (or Itawah). It was at this latter place that he found himself embroiled in the fast developing events of the Mutiny: 'The scene at Itawah was more tragic and more bloody than that just recorded. Itawah lies 73 miles south-west of Agra, and about 100 miles north-west of Kanhpur. It was garrisoned by one Company of the 9th Regiment of Native Infantry. The Chief Civil Officer was Mr. Allan Hume, the Magistrate and Collector. The Assistant Magistrate was Mr. Daniell. On receiving intelligence of the events at Mirath and at Delhi, Mr. Hume had organised patrolling parties to watch the roads, to intercept, if possible, any small detached parties of mutineers, and at all risks to debar them free access to the station. On the night of 16 May the patrols fell in with, and brought in as prisoners, seven Troopers of the 3rd Cavalry, a Regiment which had mutinied. They had however, omitted to deprive these men of their arms, and the Troopers, brought face to face with the Native Infantry drawn up at the quarter-guard, suddenly levelled their carbines or drew their swords, and assaulted the European Officers on duty. The guard instantly turned out, and in the melee that followed five of the mutineers were killed. Of the two who escaped, one was shortly afterwards captured. Three days later the patrols stopped at Jaswantnagar, ten miles from Itawah, a large cart containing several revolted Troopers, all belonging to the 3rd Cavalry, well supplied with sabres, pistols and carbines. This time the patrols attempted to disarm their captives; but attempting it without due precaution they paid dearly for their rashness. Pretending to deliver up their arms, the Troopers fell suddenly upon their captors and shot them down. Having done this they took up position in a Hindu temple near at hand, small, but of great strength, the approach to which lay along a grove with walls on either side. Prompt intelligence of this untoward event was conveyed to Mr. Hume. That Officer, accompanied by Mr. Daniell, proceeded to the spot, followed by some Troopers and Foot Police. A glance at the temple showed Mr. Hume the strength of the position. The approach to it was thoroughly commanded by the carbines of the enemy. The inhabitants of the neighbouring village showed likewise a strong disposition to aid the Troopers, for they not only opened communications with them, but sent them a supply of food and ammunition. To storm the temple by a front attack was dangerous, but it was the only possible course, unless the honours of the day were to be conceded to the Troopers. This was not to be thought of, so Mr. Hume and Mr. Daniell, summoning the Police to follow them, advanced boldly to the assault. But one man answered to their call. He was called, Mr. Daniell was shot through the face and Mr. Hume thought it then advisable to renounce an undertaking which never had a chance of success. Supporting his wounded friend, he gained his carriage, and returned to Itawah. That night the Troopers, fearing lest a more formidable attack should be made upon them, evacuated their position' [Kaye and Malleson's History of the Indian Mutiny, volume III, refers]. Following his gallant services in the Indian Mutiny, Daniell went on to enjoy a long and successful career, ultimately being appointed a Civil Sessions Judge in August 1878.

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