Delhi 1857

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THE motive that leads me to publish my Husband's Letters and Diaries is the desire that his children and friends may be able to read them. At first it was intended to print these papers for private circulation only, but now it is thought Fest to publish them, for, though a number of years-over forty-have passed since the great Indian Mutiny of 1857-58, many still live who took an active part in the brave endeavour to quell it and restore right and order; and many others, either connected with India or having friends who were in the country during that troubled time, still take a deep interest in those years of anxiety and suffering, followed by righteous retribution,My warm thanks are due to Sir Henry Norman, who has so kindly edited this book and written an Introduction and Memoir.

The Index and the Map of India have been specially prepared by my daughter, Mrs Inglis, whose work of subediting her father's letters has been a labour of love.

ALTHOUGH I had on more than one occasion met Colonel Keith Young before 1856, it was not until that year that I became intimately acquainted with him. He was then Judge-Advocate General of the Army, the Head- Quarters of which were at the time in Calcutta; and I joined as Assistant Adjutant-General of the Army in May of that year. Colonel Young was then forty- eight years of age. He had joined the Bengal Army in the year 1824, and was appointed to the 50th Native Infantry; and having passed the interpreter's examination in 1828, he was appointed Acting Interpreter to the 68th Native Infantry, but had in 1830 to proceed home: on sick leave, and did not return until 1833. From that period until 1841 he seems to have done duty with his own regiment, with an interruption from 1838 to 1840, when he again had to proceed to England. On account of his health.

In 1841 he was appointed a Deputy Judge-Advocate General of Division, and in 1843 he was selected for the post of Civil Judge-Advocate in Sind, an appointment apparently thought necessary, as the Governor of Sind, the famous Sir Charles Napier, was a soldier, and might need advice on points of law, in the course of his administration.

Colonel Young continued in this office under two successive Commissioners of Sind who followed Sir Charles Napier-namely, Mr Pringle and Mr Bartle Frere, afterwards Sir Bartle Frere.

In 1852 Colonel Keith Young was selected for the high post of Judge Advocate General of the Bengal Army, and on the appointment becoming permanently vacant in 1854 he was confirmed in that office, and continued in it until he died at Simla, on the 18th May 1862 As Judge-Advocate General he served under four successive Commanders-in-Chief-Sir William Gomm General Anson, Lord Clyde, and Sir Hugh Rose, after wards Lord Strathnairn. There is ample evidence of the esteem he was held in by all the eminent officers civil or military, under whom he served; and the last named Commander-in-Chief followed his remains to the grave at Simla.

**Contents and Sample Pages**