The New Student's Reference Work/Havelock, Sir Henry

Hav′elock, Sir Henry, one of the English heroes of the Indian mutiny, was born of Danish descent in Durham, England, April 5, 1795. He entered the army in 1815. He was ordered to India in 1823. During the voyage he met with the religious experience which colored all his after-life. Havelock distinguished himself both in the Afghan and the Sikh war, but was only a lieutenant after 23 years' service. When news came, in 1856, of the Indian mutiny, he organized a column at Allahabad, and marched to the relief of the British at Cawnpore and Lucknow. After a forced march with his 2,000 men, he reached Fattehpúr, where he broke the rebel force and, continuing his march to Cawnpore, drove the enemy before him. At the instigation of the infamous Nana Sahib, the miscreants revenged their defeats, before abandoning Cawnpore, by massacring all the defenseless women and children in their hands. Havelock now advanced upon Lucknow. Crossing the Ganges, he fought eight victorious battles, which, together with fatigue and sickness, so thinned his little army that he was obliged to retire upon Cawnpore. General Outram arriving early in September with re-enforcements, Havelock again advanced to Lucknow, and after desperate fighting relieved the beleaguered garrison. The victors were now also besieged until November, when Sir Colin Campbell (afterward Lord Clyde), in his turn, forced his way to their rescue. After the relief of Lucknow, Havelock was attacked by dysentery, and died on Nov. 24, 1857. He was a Christian hero and one of England's noblest soldiers. See Biographical Sketch by Brock and Memoir by Marshman.