Lent by the Earl of Mar and Kellie
Microfilm Box 6 No. 44A
Journals of Walter Coningsby Erskine:
Brief journals kept in the Delhi Almanac and Souvenir for the years 1854-57 inclusive.
Brief journal for 1858 kept on paper folded and sewn into a notebook.
Private journal, 1851-52. This is mainly concerned with marches and weather, as well as the domestic issues.
Military notebook 1843-44 (with pen illustrations).
Private journal 1844-50. Is offered (and accepts) the post of Second-in-Command of the Infantry Corps raised by Lord Ellenborough in Gwalior; goes to Lullutpore; builds bungalow. His eldest son dies and he sends the other home; his wife goes eventually with two more sons; mentions Colonel Sleeman often. Day to day account of weather, work, marches and appointments, and family news; ends in 1850 waiting for his wife to return. It is very domestic and personal, and as such gives a good impression of the hard life of the Englishman at that time.
Voyage to India 1828, which includes a preface and list of passengers, and the journals for 1829 and 1830 follow, which give his first impressions of India when he arrives in Calcutta, and give a picture of the social life there of the time. Illustrated with pen sketches.
Eighteen MS copies of Military Reports from Erskine, Commissioner Jubbulpore Division 19 October 1857 – 11 June 1860 (including report on the mutiny at Sohagpoor).
Five MS Proclamations of Amnesties to those who sensibly give up, seeing the British power, dated 15 June 1857; 5 March 1858; 12 June 1858; 27 June 1858, with account of fall of Gwalior; 15 July 1858, amnesty.
Four printed circular orders and three MSS copies of circulars dated 1857-58, from the Secretary to the Government, N.W. Provinces, about rewarding natives loyal to the British during the mutiny and about clemency in general. One of the MSS copies, dated 31 October 1857 is directed against wholesale destruction of villages in reprisal.
Printed Resolution about reconstituting Jubbulpore Commissionership.
Copy of MS letter written by Erskine to Viscount Canning from Jubbulpore, 31 July 1857, about his differences with Brigadier Sage who separated the Indians from the English and left them unattended with arms, and would not even let the loyal ones join the Europeans. His policy has left Sangor in a state of anarchy.
MS copy of long letter from Lt. A. Gordon, Deputy Commissioner 2nd Class Chundergree to Major Erskine, Commissioner Sangor Division 24 September 1857. A continuation of a letter written on 17 September about the traitorous conduct of the Deputy Collector Sangor Division, Nissar Ahmed and their treatment by the Rajah of Banpore and Tehree Ranee and the Rajah of Shahgurh, who subsequently held them prisoner; mutiny at Shahgurh; ill-treatment; feeling in the Banpore, Tehree, and Shahgurh districts; captivity at Buretha, and subsequent release.
Printed material:
‘Narrative of events attending the outbreak of disturbances and the restoration of authority in the Sangor and Nerbudda Territories in 1857-58.’ From Major W.C. Erskine, Commissioner of the Jubbulpore Division, to William Muir, Secretary to Government N.W. Provinces, 10 August 1858. 73 pp.
‘A chapter of the Bengal Mutiny as seen in Central India by one who was there in 1857-58.’ Blackwood, 1871. (i.e. W.C. Erskine 12th Earl of Kellie. Given to his son, the 13th Earl, by his mother 1908). 34 pp. map.
Memorandum by the Earl of Kellie on the supersession of retired officers by officers of the Indian Staff Corps etc. London, 1870. Annotated. 7 pp.
