The following notes, written by Colonel  Macdonell at that time, will be read with some interest:-

13th May 1857.

Brigadier Innes without the slightest notice, turned out the brigade into camp two hours after the news of the Delhi and Meerut massacres had been received.   I rode to the lines with the adjutant and riding master at 3.30p.m., sounded "Boot and Saddle", and ten minutes subsequently, "Mount".   The regiment was mounted and on parade in less than twenty minutes.  I informed them of the cause, and said that relying on their loyalty and fidelity hitherto, I depended on them now, in conjunction with H.M.S. 61st Regiment, for the safety of the cantonment.   We then marched to and encamped under the walls of  the arsenal, remaining at our horses' heads.   An hour later a message came from the Brigadier, saying that the fort was in the hands of the 45th N.I. and ordering us to come down at a trot to the 61st lines.   I immediately moved off with the first squadron, leaving the remainder to come on with Major Beatson.   I found H.M.S. 61st and the artillery drawn up in line, the guns loaded and ready for action, and we marched into our lines.

The 57th and 45th N.I. had broken into open mutiny immediately they had been marched to their respective posts;  and when night came on they and bazaar people commenced firing the cantonments.   Of the houses burnt were the Beatsons', Bloomfields', Harveys', Salmonds', Cottons', and Dundas's, the 45th mess-house, the English and Roman Catholic churches, and some hospitals.   Cavalry patrols were sent out at 10 pm to patrol the streets and bazaar, and the firing ceased.   The brigade bivouacked this and the two subequent nights.

When day broke the Brigadier sent a party of cavalry with two guns to blow up the N.I. magazines, which after two hours was effected.   The magazine in the arsenal was removed during the day.   The blowing up of the N.I. magazine completely  foiled the mutineers, and after some demur some gave up their arms.   But three hundred of the 57th had marched off to Delhi with their arms and colours, and of the 45th, only a hundred and fifty were present.

Most of the ladies of the station were on the previous day deposited by 4 pm. at the mainguard of H.M.S. 61st Regiment;  others were in the fort.   After this outbreak we returned to our bungalow, and I engaged five burkundazes to protect us in addition to our usual guard.

9th June            I returned home at sunset on the 6th, also my wife.

7th, 8th and 9^th Passed peaceably.   Mornings and evenings delightfully cool and pleasant. Hitherto the 10th Cavalry have weathered the storm and worked well, and I hope this will continue to the end.

10^th June           Two mutineers blown from guns at Lahore.

13^th June           Two mutineeers hanged here, and ten blown away from guns.

24th June          The 1st and 2nd Cavalry have deserted to the enemy

25th June          1st Punjab Cavalry entered cantonments today.   They are to convey shells, powder, and stores, etc. to Delhi, from the magazine here. 

A squadron of 80 sabres on escort duty with ammunition for Delhi crossed the Indus today

26th June          I am on duty as field officer of the day, so slept in barracks last night.

28th June          The sortie on the 24th at Delhi was a bloody affair, -  most of the officers of the Guides killed or wounded.   Colonel Welshman, whose wife came out from home with us, killed.   Our troops lost 400.  

 Letter from Dumbleton who is escorting ammunition to Delhi, saying that the wheels of three hackeries caught fire by friction; one of these hackeries contained  1,400 lbs powder!

1st July             Heat oppressive.   Massacre at Neemuch.   14th N.I. mutinied resisting being disarmed.   H.M.S. 24th Regiment with artillery were completely cut up.

11th July           The 10th Cavalry were disarmed this morning.   They wept but laid down their arms at once when desired. In general orders the Brigadier said he considered "The10th Light Cavalry, by their readiness and obedience to orders have evinced a spirit highly creditable to you and those under your command.  -

To Colonel R. Macdonell, commanding 10th Cavalry".    

Strength of 10th Cavalry regimental officers:-

1 Lieut. Colonel.

1 Major.

7 Captains.

9 Lieutenants.

4 Cornets.

1 Surgeon.

1 Vet.

 In all, 24.

13th July           A severe action at Delhi;  1,000 of the enemy killed, and 130 on our side.   At Sialkot 9th Cavalry and 46^th N.I. mutinied and killed Dr. Graham and Brigadier Brind  etc. Lieut. Graham had gone to see his sister who was with her father when  he was killed

17th July           We move today into the hospital as a precautionary measure of another kind, (Eleanor's confinement.) Sialkot mutineers pursued and cut up by Brigadier General Nicholson

28th July           Report of massacre of General Wheeler and all at Cawnpore.

This confirmed

29th July           H.M.S. 61st Regiment ordered to Delhi.

            Rained all night.

I have increased the sentries and guards surrounding the camp.

Authentic news received of the Cawnpore massacre

2^nd August        Lahore troops mutined;  an officer (Spencer) tied by arms and legs and then hamstrung.    Pursued and punished.

Went to see our dear boy's tomb which has been put up so far, till the stone and railing come from Delhi.

11^thAugust        Eleanor's accouchement took place today.

15^th August       The child was baptised in the armoury yesterday, and received the name of Ranaldson Gordon

19^th August       The 10th Cavalry mutinied today, shot the sentries, and  made off with some of the horses.   The fort guns opened on them.   The European gunners who were at their meals, went at them and cut down a good many with swords and carbines.  Half the regiment was on furlough, and it was the younger men who mutinied.   Most of the native officers stood firm, and about 150 troopers

30^th August      The mutineers shot the Vet and stole all my horses, -  my Arab, my second and third chargers, and the carriage mares.   Except one or two, all the officers lost their chargers.   My 1st charger, a splendid Arab which cost  Rs. 1,500 was saved by a faithful trooper, and hid tillnext day, when he brought him to me.   This man's name  was Bakhshi Singh, a Sikh.

9^thSeptember  Sir Colin Campbell coming out as Commander-in-Chief, Military Secretary Major Allison,. A.D.C. Sir David Baird and Lieut. Allison. Chief of the Staff General Mansfield.

   October         Jemadar Madder Bux and two other mutineers were blown from guns this morning, and eight troopers sentenced to 14 years' transportation to the Andamans.

The auxilliary force of 3,000 men of all arms, with a battery of guns sent by the Maharajah of Kashmir for Delhi, arrived and were inspected today.

Subscribed Rs.40 to the Lawrence Asylum to which Sir Henry used to give �1,000 as long as he lived

1st November.Hoar frost on the ground this morning.

Called on Sir John Lawrence who was most pleasant.

25th December  Christmas Day.   Church very crowded

11^th January 1858 Ranaldson 5 months old today.

30^th January      Bakhshi Singh, who saved my horse, is transferred to the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry.

            The 17th N.I. marched in this morning.   Hoggan, who belongs to it, came to call.

                         Dumbleton reports that Jenkins has been in two general actions, - Fyzabad is one and Lucknow the other. At the latter his horse was shot under him

23^rdMarch        Report of 77 guns captured by Havelock

30^th March       Sent in my application to go to Sialkot to do duty with the 7th Dragoon Guards, just arrived from England, to acquire a knowledge of the discipline and interior economy of the European service.        

                         Out shooting at Mamdot: hares, quail, and partridges plentiful, also snipe.   Excellent bags. Mornings and evenings delightfully cool

12thApril           Sent Eleanor and the child to Simla in case of any  further outbreak. Jhansi fallen:

                         the Begam escaped on horseback

25^th April          Sialkot.  Called on Colonel Bentinck and am put on duty at once. Heard from

Captain Harrison of poor Hamilton's death: killed in action at Alighar.   Wilkinson read the funeral service over him

16^thJune            Left Sialkot for Allahabad

29^th June           Cawnpore.  Spent two days here with Maxwell.   "Prender" and I leave this evening   for Fatehpur

30^th June           Reached Allahabad today, and called on Tod Brown who, with his wife, were very kind.

2^nd July             Went to Isaac Macandrew from the Browns.

4^th July              Called on the Adjutant General.

5^th July              Had an interview with Lord Clyde, who asked me to dinner.

6^th July              Dined with the Commander-in-Chief who was most  agreeable: so was Mansfield.

                        Heavy firing heard at Saraon

15^th July            Fight at Saraon;  fort taken, and 699 killed and wounded.   Our side had two privates killed and one officer wounded, - Tommy Graham of the Tenth

17^th July            Started with the regiment (4th Bengal European Light Cavalry) by rail toward     Cawnpore, I in command.

19^th July            Fatehpur.

23^rd July            Nawabgunge Bunnee.   Found here a standing camp of H.M.S.53rd and 20th

                        Regiments.   Heavy rain, - the men soaked through, - made a night march to Allum.

                          Rain continued all night.

25^th July            Allumbagh   Put up self and officers in the palace.  Amused ourselves examining batteries held by handful of Europeans against fearful odds.

26^th July            Arrived at Lucknow old cantonment.   Breakfasted with the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys).

31^st July            Weather very hot.   Mr. Lockwood arrived

1^st August         Muster (sic, Monsoon?) rain which continued for three days.   Beatson, Harrison and Jenkins arrived.  Heard of Mrs. Alexander's death.

31stAugust        Alexander arrived, also Saunders.  Our regiment gave a return dinner to the 2^nd  Dragoons.  I dine with Captain Wyndham tomorrow.

1^stSeptember   Two comets, on N.E., the other N.W., seen at present. The larger appears only once every 300 years.   At 4 am it appears, with a tremendous tail.

                        Two guns and a company of H.M.S. 88th, and mounted police, sent to punish some budmashes in the district.  Report of cannon heard all the morning.  A sharp fight.

                        The enemy lost 1,350 killed and wounded, and four guns.

9^th September  Captain Harrison and I paid a visit to the arsenal; found Ram Singh there, much  dispirited.   He, Dabee Singh, Bhagwan Din, and a rough-rider who gave Harvey intimation of the rising, were very faithful men.

13^th September Some of the 10th Cavalry arrived at Delhi, but got a cold reception as they had not helped the 57th and 45th,and only mutinied when they did.   So the Delhi mutineers would not receive them.

13^thOctober       Bought a hussar saddle from Captain Alexander for 50 rupees.

                        Telegraph that the rebels were well thrashed by Brigadier Seaton at Shahjehanpore:

                        300 killed, 4 guns captured.

                        I appoint Sir Morrison Barlow as Adjutant.

                        Inspection of the regiment by Brigadier Chute.

                        On Monday next, November 1st, the Amnesty to the rebels is to be proclaimed, and a salute fired to "Dilaram"*. There will be a march past, games, races, etc. and the officers are giving a splendid dinner."

                                                *(Literally, Heartsease, i.e. peace and quietness- JHC