NAM.1967-11-1-2-1

Bound MS letter book, containing copies of 43 letters written by Lt W W H Greathed, Bengal Engineers, from India, mainly to his mother, two to his sister, 4th September 1851 to 16th November 1857. From the papers of Maj Gen William Wilberforce Harris Greathed, 1848-1868. Early letters deal mainly with the death of his brother Bob. The comfort of religion, and plans, on the way home to meet brother George in Malta and to tour parts of Spain. The latter is achieved and described. George's death in the 'Britannia' is first recorded on 20 Dec 1859. Later other family tragedies are mentioned, the death of brother Henry from cholera (10 Oct 1857) and of Greathed's sister-in-law, Victoria, (29 Oct 1857.) Professional matters include accounts of his responsibilites. Mainly railway construction, the maintenance of public buildings, and in the role of an assessor (22 Sep 1856). Greathed was involved in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and wounded at the Siege of Delhi (15 Jun 1857). He expressed horror at the results of the Mutiny (11 Aug 1857), and in the break down of all law and order, together with the fact that his brother Edward and his sister-in-law lost all their personal belongings and were only saved themselves by the courage of their head servant (23 May, and 15 Jun 1857). In a letter to his sister, Minnie he advocates 'root and branch' destruction of the Bengal Army (26th August 1857) and records that only his horses and spoons were saved at Allahabad by the loyalty of his servants.

Delhi, Siege of, 1857 (Indian Mutiny 1857-1859)