Everything looked peaceful the people were at their usual occupations there were no external signs that war and rebellion were raging all around us, and that we ourselves were as ‘the hunted partridge on the mountains,’ with but a step between us and death, and that in a fearful form.” The change was most refreshing, from our miserable little pent-up quarters to the open country.

“Last evening, for the first time since our first arrival at Kussowrah, we have been allowed to go out to take a walk as the waters completely surround the village, and there is no danger of any spies or strangers arriving and seeing us. After many harrowing adventures, he managed to escape with three other English people by boat to Crawnpore. His entry for this day, 5 August 1857, is interesting as a statement of his faith. On June 27th, still in hiding, he commenced a diary. Edwards was able to escape because the first concern of the mutineers was to ransack the treasury. This proved impossible as treasury guards and town policemen joined the mutineers on 1 June. A Christian, Edwards remained at his post, saying, “I went into my room and prayed earnestly that God would protect and guide me, and enable me to do my duty.” With a few reliable helpers, he sought to maintain peace in his district. Recognizing the coming danger, Edwards sent his family to safety and they escaped the massacre of Europeans that followed during the India Mutiny of 1857. He warned his superiors that their oppressive behavior, depriving the former ruling class of their properties, was fomenting anger. William Edwards was a magistrate and tax collector for the British in Rohilcund, India.

Personal Adventures by William Edwards