64
Lot 728
An Important Afghanistan Campaign and Indian Mutiny Archive
From the Estate of Captain Herbert Calthorpe Gardner - 38th Bengal Native Infantry
Died 28th June 1857.
Born 30th August 1822. Served in Afghanistan 1842. Husband of Emma Prescott.
Grave in Kasauli - "Sacred to the memory of Herbert Calthorpe Gardner Captn 38th L.I. 4th son of Genl the
Honr W.H. Gardner R.A. who died at Kussoulie 28th June 1857 from the effects of service with the mutineers."
Mentioned in the supplement to the London Gazette, February 10
th
1858
An impressive collection of letters, dispatches, drawings and ephemera. Starting with letters from Captain
Gardner to his father, the first letter 16th Sept 1840 from Spithead, detailing the ‘tremendous gale’ ready to set
sale for Calcutta/India, Addressed to Major General The Hon. W H Gardner. Proceeding letters detailing the
voyage with harpooning tortoises, ships crowded with people bound for Australia, catching albatross, the voyage
coming to a conclusion in January 1841
Being ordered to Afghanistan April 28
th
1841:
April 30
th
, “I have just seen the death of Ensign Norton from drowning in the Ganges near Allahabad and a Lieut
Tuglis who tried to save him was also drowned, the Ensign started with us at the same time from Calcutta, They
have ordered two European regiments to China so that shows affairs are not yet settled in that quarter”
November 19
th
1841:
“We have at last determined to go through the Bolan Pass to Candahar”
March 2
nd
1842:
“We are looking out very anxiously for the next dispatch from Candahar”
February 26
th
1842:
Writing about the march through the pass and the difficulties of the insurgents:
“the last dispatch that came in mentioned that we expected a night attack but that our men were well on the
lookout for them”
“it certainly is a disgraceful business, but the leaders have paid dearly for it, I fear there are very few survivors”
The reports to his father continue with his views on Candahar and the anxious wait, seeing Brigadier England
leave, the attacks on the camps.
1843 Captain Gardner in India and based at Meerut:
“which is one of the finest if not the finest stations in India”
At the outbreak of the mutiny many letters and dispatches are received and sent:
“I am happy to say that the 5
th
R I have been disarmed today so that matters are ?? regarding ?? two company’s”
“In case of any disturbances please ?? to the ?? at the regiment, kill all mutineers or ?? I will give a reward of 50
for every man killed and 20 for every deserter “
Further letters, including a letter being sent from Captain Gardner detailing his estate and whom should receive
money.
A report about fleeing the mutineers.
Communications with his wife who was also in India and fleeing from the mutineers:
“My dearest wife, I am sadly disappointed at not having received any letter from you since yours of the 22
nd
may,
and cannot help imaging all kinds of evils”
After Captain Gardner’s death in 1857 his wife Emma begins writing home, including an ink drawing of her
camel convoy escaping the mutineers.
The lot also contains a CDV album with family pictures including Captain Gardner, two copies of the 1857
Friend of India newspaper, a bible carried by Emma, a book titles The Crisis in the Punjab, 1858, a mahogany
cased pencil drawing showing Captain Gardner’s Grave, a photograph of the grave, shares, etc.
The letters assisted Christopher Hibbert author of The Great Mutiny 1857, published 1978, Captain Gardner is
mentioned in this book, two letters included from the author.
With over 500 pieces.
Provenance by family decent.
Estimate: £5000 - £7000
