Hugh Wheeler (British Army Officer)
Encyclopedia
Sir Hugh Massy Wheeler KCB
(30 June 1789 – 1857) was a Major General
in the British Army stationed in India, who successfully commanded a military force of 4,500 British and Indian soldiers (known as Sepoy
s), in the First Anglo-Sikh War
, as well as the battles of Mudki
(Moodkee), Ferozeshah
, and Aliwal
.
In 1850, Wheeler took command of Cawnpore (now Kanpur) in India. While the command of the government and military forces fell under the rule of the British, 96 percent of Wheeler's army of 300,000 soldiers consisted of men that were native to India. In 1857, India asserted their First War of Independence
, during which Wheeler, as Major General, notably led British
forces at the Siege of Cawnpore
.
, against Delhi. Having risen steadily through the ranks, he became colonel of the 48th Bengal Native Infantry
, which was part of the organisation of the British Colonial Army. He was appointed first-class brigadier, in command of the field forces.
In early December 1845, previous to the hard-fought Mudki
(Moodkee) and the Battle of Ferozeshah
, Wheeler commanded a military force of 4,500 men and 21 guns during the First Anglo-Sikh War
. The majority of the men under his rule were Indian soldiers, or Sepoy
s. Wheeler commanded and protected the village of Bussean, where the military depot storehouse had been established for the armies under the command of Sir Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge
; Sir Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough
; and Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet of Aliwal. The successful containment at Bussean contributed to the victory overall, resulting in temporarily driving the Sikhs from the rest of their fortifications.
Over the months of December 1845 and January 1846, the Sikh and British Armies rallied and retreated numerous times, culminating in the Battle of Aliwal
on 28 January 1846, during which, Brigadier-General Wheeler commanded a distinguished part in the battle. This victory effectively broke the Sikh army.
), which was a small village of Punjab, India. The defeat of the Punjabi resulted in the loss of one soldier under Wheeler's command. Wheeler's military prowess and expertise as evidenced through this conquest earned the respect and approval of Lord Gough, then Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, who formally congratulated Wheeler. Gough's official statement confirmed that, in his opinion, the military success of the operations under the command of Wheeler was "entirely to be ascribed to the soldier-like and judicious arrangements of that gallant officer."
For his service at Rungur Nuggul, Wheeler received the Order of the Dooranee Empire
and was appointed one of the personal assistants
to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
. In November 1848, a military directive addressed to the Governor-General, Lord Gough stated that he "has directed the Adjutant-General to convey to Brigadier-General Wheeler his hearty thanks for the important services which he and the brave troops under his command have rendered in the reduction of the fortress of Kullalwalhah," again with the loss of only one man killed and five wounded.
On 30 January 1849, a dispatch was received from the Adjutant-General at the Camp before Chillianwallah, to the Governor-General stated that "Brigadier Wheeler, in command of the Punjab division and of the Jullundur field force, assaulted and captured the heights of Dulla in the course of his operations against the rebel Ram Singh, in spite of the utmost difficulties."
In the general military order issued by Sir Walter Gilbert
, KCB, upon receiving the announcement of the end of hostilities in the Punjab, the Governor-General expressed high praise of Wheeler stating, "Brigadier-General Wheeler, C. B., has executed the several duties which have been committed to him with great skill and success, and the Governor-General has been happy in being able to convey to him his thanks thus publicly."
In 1850, after having received widespread recognition and appreciation by the Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief for his valuable service in the Sikh campaigns and in the conquest of the Punjab, he was made a Knight Commander in the Order of the Bath
(KCB). The Indian action seen during the war in the Punjab clearly confirm that the honours conferred upon Wheeler were valiantly deserved. In 1854, he attained the rank of Major General. From that point forward, he held command of the district of Cawnpore.
in charge. While the command of the government and military forces fell under the rule of the British, 96 percent of Wheeler's army of 300,000 soldiers (or Sepoys), consisted of men that were native to India. The Indian soldiers
were crucial in securing the subcontinent for the British East India Company.
India's government and military rule was motivated by commerce. Great Britain's manufacturers were receiving raw cotton from India, while the British were exporting manufactured goods in return. One tenth of Britain's exported manufactured goods were being shipped to India. The British East India Company, acting as the government in India, was paying the expense of troops to defend their commercial interests, saving the budget-conscious British government this expense.
The commercial monopoly and absolute rule of the British East India Company effectively rendered India's historical royal house and princely rulers to mere puppets of the East India Company. If an Indian prince or member of the royal house failed to cooperate with the company, the absolute rule could arbitrarily dispose of him and annex his territory, removing him from power using the Indian troops (Sepoys) employed by Major General Wheeler. For many years, bitterness and resentment of continued British encroachment festered among the native citizens of India.
On 10 May 1857, there was widespread mutiny among the Indian soldiers
of the Bengal Army, resulting in the Indian Rebellion of 1857
. The rebellion is known as India's First War of Independence.
When the mutiny of the Indian soldiers
had spread over the country around the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
, Major General Wheeler, with a small body of soldiers, some civilians, with their wives and children, fortified themselves against the ensuing Indian rebels. Wheeler tried to lessen the possibility of an Indian Rebellion at Cawnpore by sending his Sepoys away from his men "on missions" to the cantonment
town of Fatehgarh
in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. This failed, and the rebellion started.
, who was the leader of the Rebels, that announced an anticipated attack from Sahib's men the following day at 10:00 a.m. The message received from Sahib came as a surprise. Wheeler was not expecting the Sahib-led rebels to attack him at Cawnpore. Wheeler rationalised that he was not only a veteran and respected soldier, but also married to a high-caste Indian woman. He relied on his own prestige, and his friendly relations with Sahib to defer overt rebellion. Under these assumptions, Wheeler took comparatively few measures to secure refuge for his family and the women and children that relied on him for protection. Sahib's announcement offered little time to prepare fortifications and gather sufficient supplies and ammunition to survive the impending battle.
The Indians arrived at 10:30 a.m. on the expected day. Wheeler found himself under siege by 4,000 Rebels led by Sahib. The Indian soldiers that had previously been under the command of Major General Wheeler rebelled and overtook the European fort.
When the mutiny broke out, it was generally believed that, whoever else might fail, Wheeler would be equal to the occasion. Although he was considerably older than when he successfully commanded earlier military conquests, Wheeler maintained his physical strength and vigour, as well as his intellect and military instinct. He had proven himself on many hard-fought fields to be a brave and determined soldier. He was known to be acquainted with the character and to possess the confidence of the Sepoys to a special degree. In one respect, he stood out from the crowd of British officers. He realised that while it would be desirous that his men remain faithful, in all likelihood, they would prove themselves as traitors.
Wheeler led his men in a sharp defence for over three weeks. Even though ill-prepared, he managed to hold off several Indian assaults. They made a valiant effort resisting the violent advances of their former comrades turned traitors, who, under the command of Sahib, surrounded the town in large numbers. By 21 June, the British lost one third of their army. Wheeler kept in contact with Henry Lawrence
in Lucknow, seeking military reinforcements. However, Lawrence was also under siege. Wheeler's men were demoralised.
Early in the morning of 27 June, with barely three days' food rations remaining, the European party left their fortress with their small arms and made their way to the Satichaura Ghat where boats provided by Sahib were waiting to take them to Allahabad. The actions of the mutineers during the attempt to leave, resulted in an all out bloody massacre. After hearing bugles from the banks, the Indians jumped off their boats into the river. As they jumped, gunfire opened up from concealed embankments, and flaming arrows were shot into the straw roof of the boats, setting some boats ablaze. The fugitives who survived death in the water were brought back on shore and summarily executed. Wheeler, along with all of his men, was killed on the river or re-captured and executed.
Several Indian soldiers who had remained loyal to Wheeler and the Company were removed by the mutineers and killed, for either their loyalty or their conversion to the Christian faith. A few injured British officers trailing the group of Europeans attempting to escape were apparently hacked to death by angry Sepoys.
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(30 June 1789 – 1857) was a Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the British Army stationed in India, who successfully commanded a military force of 4,500 British and Indian soldiers (known as Sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
s), in the First Anglo-Sikh War
First Anglo-Sikh War
The First Anglo-Sikh War was fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company between 1845 and 1846. It resulted in partial subjugation of the Sikh kingdom.-Background and causes of the war:...
, as well as the battles of Mudki
Battle of Mudki
The Battle of Mudki was fought on 18 December 1845, between the forces of the British East India Company and part of the Khalsa, the army of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. The British army won an untidy encounter battle, suffering heavy casualties....
(Moodkee), Ferozeshah
Battle of Ferozeshah
The Battle of Ferozeshah was fought on 21 December and 22 December 1845 between the British and the Sikhs, at the village of Ferozeshah in Punjab. The British were led by Sir Hugh Gough and Governor-General Sir Henry Hardinge, while the Sikhs were led by Lal Singh.The British emerged victorious,...
, and Aliwal
Battle of Aliwal
The Battle of Aliwal was fought on 28 January 1846 between the British and the Sikhs. The British were led by Sir Harry Smith, while the Sikhs were led by Ranjodh Singh Majithia...
.
In 1850, Wheeler took command of Cawnpore (now Kanpur) in India. While the command of the government and military forces fell under the rule of the British, 96 percent of Wheeler's army of 300,000 soldiers consisted of men that were native to India. In 1857, India asserted their First War of Independence
Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to...
, during which Wheeler, as Major General, notably led British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
forces at the Siege of Cawnpore
Siege of Cawnpore
The Siege of Cawnpore was a key episode in the Indian rebellion of 1857. The besieged British in Cawnpore were unprepared for an extended siege and surrendered to rebel Indian forces under Nana Sahib, in return for a safe passage to Allahabad. However, under ambiguous circumstances, their...
.
Personal life
Hugh Wheeler was born 30 June 1789 at Ballywire, County Limerick, Ireland. He was the son of Captain Hugh Wheeler of the Indian army and Hon Margaret Massy. He was schooled at Richmond, Surrey and at Bath Grammar. He married Francis Oliver née Marsden 1842. Together, they had nine children:- General George Wheeler (31 August 1829 – 1910)
- Major General Patrick Wheeler (2 July 1838 – 17 December 1917)
- Francis John Wheeler (1841 – 26 May 1888)
- Eliza Wheeler (died 1857)
- Margaret Wheeler (died 1857)
- Lieutenant Godfrey Richard Wheeler (28 November 1826 – June 1857)
- Major General Frederick Wheeler (19 January 1833 – 16 July 1906)
- Major General Robert Wheeler (22 February 1839 – 24 October 1926)
- Captain Charles Eyre Wheeler (1 February 1845 – 22 December 1881)
Military life
In 1803, Wheeler joined the military branch of the East India Company and received his first commission in the Bengal Infantry. The following year, he marched under the leadership of Lord Gerard Lake, 1st Viscount LakeGerard Lake, 1st Viscount Lake
General Gerard Lake, 1st Viscount Lake was a British general. He commanded British forces during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and later served as Commander-in-Chief of the military in British India.-Background:...
, against Delhi. Having risen steadily through the ranks, he became colonel of the 48th Bengal Native Infantry
Bengal Native Infantry
The Bengal Native Infantry was part of the organisation of the East India Company's Bengal Army before the Indian rebellion of 1857.The infantry regiments underwent frequent changes of numbering during their period of existence...
, which was part of the organisation of the British Colonial Army. He was appointed first-class brigadier, in command of the field forces.
First Anglo-Sikh War
Battle of Mudki
The Battle of Mudki was fought on 18 December 1845, between the forces of the British East India Company and part of the Khalsa, the army of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. The British army won an untidy encounter battle, suffering heavy casualties....
(Moodkee) and the Battle of Ferozeshah
Battle of Ferozeshah
The Battle of Ferozeshah was fought on 21 December and 22 December 1845 between the British and the Sikhs, at the village of Ferozeshah in Punjab. The British were led by Sir Hugh Gough and Governor-General Sir Henry Hardinge, while the Sikhs were led by Lal Singh.The British emerged victorious,...
, Wheeler commanded a military force of 4,500 men and 21 guns during the First Anglo-Sikh War
First Anglo-Sikh War
The First Anglo-Sikh War was fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company between 1845 and 1846. It resulted in partial subjugation of the Sikh kingdom.-Background and causes of the war:...
. The majority of the men under his rule were Indian soldiers, or Sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
s. Wheeler commanded and protected the village of Bussean, where the military depot storehouse had been established for the armies under the command of Sir Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge
Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge
Field Marshal Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge, GCB, PC was a British field marshal and Governor-general of India.-Army career:...
; Sir Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough
Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough
Field Marshal Sir Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough, KP, GCSI, KCB, PC , was an Irish British Army officer. He was said to have commanded in more general actions than any other British officer of the 19th century except the Duke of Wellington.- Early career :Born at Woodstown House, Co...
; and Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet of Aliwal. The successful containment at Bussean contributed to the victory overall, resulting in temporarily driving the Sikhs from the rest of their fortifications.
Over the months of December 1845 and January 1846, the Sikh and British Armies rallied and retreated numerous times, culminating in the Battle of Aliwal
Battle of Aliwal
The Battle of Aliwal was fought on 28 January 1846 between the British and the Sikhs. The British were led by Sir Harry Smith, while the Sikhs were led by Ranjodh Singh Majithia...
on 28 January 1846, during which, Brigadier-General Wheeler commanded a distinguished part in the battle. This victory effectively broke the Sikh army.
Defeat of Rungur Nuggul
In October 1848, Wheeler successfully conquered the Sikh armies at the fortress of Rungur Nuggul (modern name: Rangar NangalRangar Nangal
CHAWA is a village falling under district Gurdaspur of Punjab, India....
), which was a small village of Punjab, India. The defeat of the Punjabi resulted in the loss of one soldier under Wheeler's command. Wheeler's military prowess and expertise as evidenced through this conquest earned the respect and approval of Lord Gough, then Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, who formally congratulated Wheeler. Gough's official statement confirmed that, in his opinion, the military success of the operations under the command of Wheeler was "entirely to be ascribed to the soldier-like and judicious arrangements of that gallant officer."
For his service at Rungur Nuggul, Wheeler received the Order of the Dooranee Empire
Order of the Dooranee Empire
The Order of the Dooranee Empire was awarded to British field officers and above during the First Afghan War by Shah Shoojah-ool-Moolk of Afghanistan in gratitude for his restoration to the throne....
and was appointed one of the personal assistants
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
. In November 1848, a military directive addressed to the Governor-General, Lord Gough stated that he "has directed the Adjutant-General to convey to Brigadier-General Wheeler his hearty thanks for the important services which he and the brave troops under his command have rendered in the reduction of the fortress of Kullalwalhah," again with the loss of only one man killed and five wounded.
On 30 January 1849, a dispatch was received from the Adjutant-General at the Camp before Chillianwallah, to the Governor-General stated that "Brigadier Wheeler, in command of the Punjab division and of the Jullundur field force, assaulted and captured the heights of Dulla in the course of his operations against the rebel Ram Singh, in spite of the utmost difficulties."
In the general military order issued by Sir Walter Gilbert
Sir Walter Gilbert, 1st Baronet
General Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert, first baronet was an army officer in the British East India Company.-Life:...
, KCB, upon receiving the announcement of the end of hostilities in the Punjab, the Governor-General expressed high praise of Wheeler stating, "Brigadier-General Wheeler, C. B., has executed the several duties which have been committed to him with great skill and success, and the Governor-General has been happy in being able to convey to him his thanks thus publicly."
In 1850, after having received widespread recognition and appreciation by the Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief for his valuable service in the Sikh campaigns and in the conquest of the Punjab, he was made a Knight Commander in the Order of the Bath
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(KCB). The Indian action seen during the war in the Punjab clearly confirm that the honours conferred upon Wheeler were valiantly deserved. In 1854, he attained the rank of Major General. From that point forward, he held command of the district of Cawnpore.
Command of Cawnpore
When Wheeler took command of Cawnpore (now Kanpur) in India, the country had been divided, consisted of hundreds of independent states, with the British ruling less than half of the country, leaving the British East India CompanyEast India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
in charge. While the command of the government and military forces fell under the rule of the British, 96 percent of Wheeler's army of 300,000 soldiers (or Sepoys), consisted of men that were native to India. The Indian soldiers
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
were crucial in securing the subcontinent for the British East India Company.
India's government and military rule was motivated by commerce. Great Britain's manufacturers were receiving raw cotton from India, while the British were exporting manufactured goods in return. One tenth of Britain's exported manufactured goods were being shipped to India. The British East India Company, acting as the government in India, was paying the expense of troops to defend their commercial interests, saving the budget-conscious British government this expense.
The commercial monopoly and absolute rule of the British East India Company effectively rendered India's historical royal house and princely rulers to mere puppets of the East India Company. If an Indian prince or member of the royal house failed to cooperate with the company, the absolute rule could arbitrarily dispose of him and annex his territory, removing him from power using the Indian troops (Sepoys) employed by Major General Wheeler. For many years, bitterness and resentment of continued British encroachment festered among the native citizens of India.
On 10 May 1857, there was widespread mutiny among the Indian soldiers
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
of the Bengal Army, resulting in the Indian Rebellion of 1857
Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to...
. The rebellion is known as India's First War of Independence.
When the mutiny of the Indian soldiers
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
had spread over the country around the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh was a province of India under the British Raj, which existed from 1902 to 1947; the official name was shortened by the Government of India Act 1935 to United Provinces, by which the province had been commonly known, and by which name it was also a province of...
, Major General Wheeler, with a small body of soldiers, some civilians, with their wives and children, fortified themselves against the ensuing Indian rebels. Wheeler tried to lessen the possibility of an Indian Rebellion at Cawnpore by sending his Sepoys away from his men "on missions" to the cantonment
Cantonment
A cantonment is a temporary or semi-permanent military or police quarters. The word cantonment is derived from the French word canton meaning corner or district, as is the name of the Cantons of Switzerland. In South Asia, the term cantonment also describes permanent military stations...
town of Fatehgarh
Fatehgarh
Fatehgarh is a cantonment town in Farrukhabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located on the right bank of the Ganges River. It is the administrative headquarters of Farrukhabad District. Fatehgarh derives its name from an old fort. It is a small city with no significant...
in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. This failed, and the rebellion started.
Siege of Cawnpore
On 5 June 1857, Wheeler received a message from Nana SahibNana Sahib
Nana Sahib , born as Dhondu Pant, was an Indian leader during the Rebellion of 1857. As the adopted son of the exiled Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II, he sought to restore the Maratha confederacy and the Peshwa tradition....
, who was the leader of the Rebels, that announced an anticipated attack from Sahib's men the following day at 10:00 a.m. The message received from Sahib came as a surprise. Wheeler was not expecting the Sahib-led rebels to attack him at Cawnpore. Wheeler rationalised that he was not only a veteran and respected soldier, but also married to a high-caste Indian woman. He relied on his own prestige, and his friendly relations with Sahib to defer overt rebellion. Under these assumptions, Wheeler took comparatively few measures to secure refuge for his family and the women and children that relied on him for protection. Sahib's announcement offered little time to prepare fortifications and gather sufficient supplies and ammunition to survive the impending battle.
When the mutiny broke out, it was generally believed that, whoever else might fail, Wheeler would be equal to the occasion. Although he was considerably older than when he successfully commanded earlier military conquests, Wheeler maintained his physical strength and vigour, as well as his intellect and military instinct. He had proven himself on many hard-fought fields to be a brave and determined soldier. He was known to be acquainted with the character and to possess the confidence of the Sepoys to a special degree. In one respect, he stood out from the crowd of British officers. He realised that while it would be desirous that his men remain faithful, in all likelihood, they would prove themselves as traitors.
Wheeler led his men in a sharp defence for over three weeks. Even though ill-prepared, he managed to hold off several Indian assaults. They made a valiant effort resisting the violent advances of their former comrades turned traitors, who, under the command of Sahib, surrounded the town in large numbers. By 21 June, the British lost one third of their army. Wheeler kept in contact with Henry Lawrence
Henry Montgomery Lawrence
Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence was a British soldier and statesman in India, who died defending Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny.-Career:Lawrence was the brother of John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence and was born at Matara, Ceylon...
in Lucknow, seeking military reinforcements. However, Lawrence was also under siege. Wheeler's men were demoralised.
Satichaura Ghat Massacre
Wheeler endured three weeks of the Siege of Cawnpore with little water or food, suffering continuous casualties to men, women, and children. On 25 June, Sahib made an offer of safe passage to Allahabad. With the provisions of the garrison exhausted, and no hope of relief or reinforcements, Sir Hugh Wheeler agreed to the proposal made by Sahib, by which the garrison and their helpless charges were to be permitted to leave in boats, and to pass down the Ganges to Benares.Early in the morning of 27 June, with barely three days' food rations remaining, the European party left their fortress with their small arms and made their way to the Satichaura Ghat where boats provided by Sahib were waiting to take them to Allahabad. The actions of the mutineers during the attempt to leave, resulted in an all out bloody massacre. After hearing bugles from the banks, the Indians jumped off their boats into the river. As they jumped, gunfire opened up from concealed embankments, and flaming arrows were shot into the straw roof of the boats, setting some boats ablaze. The fugitives who survived death in the water were brought back on shore and summarily executed. Wheeler, along with all of his men, was killed on the river or re-captured and executed.
Several Indian soldiers who had remained loyal to Wheeler and the Company were removed by the mutineers and killed, for either their loyalty or their conversion to the Christian faith. A few injured British officers trailing the group of Europeans attempting to escape were apparently hacked to death by angry Sepoys.