Henry George Austin Vicars diaries, 1853-1865

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Summary

Creator:
Vicars, Henry George Austin
Abstract:
Henry George Austin Vicars was a British Army officer stationed in India in the 1850s and 1860s. He entered the army in October 1851, and was Adjutant of the 61st Regiment during the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857 and 1858. In his diaries, dated 1853-1855, 1857-1860, and 1864-1865, he reports on the mutinies, the Delhi siege and massacres, executing mutineers, cholera epidemics and fevers, and daily life as a soldier. Entries discuss his daily routine, the weather, his amusements and engagements, his clothing, his friends and fellow officers, his travels with the army, news and rumors he has heard, sermons and other church services he attended, and his home leave in London.
Extent:
1 Linear Foot
16 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.01332

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of nine diaries kept by Vicars, largely during his service in India, as well as a small amount of loose pages originally tucked into the volumes. The diaries are dated 1853-1855, 1857-1860, and 1864-1865. Volumes are all Letts's Diary, including almanacs and other reference materials printed at the front of the book; they are in varied physical condition, ranging from fair to poor. They contain daily entries discussing Vicars's routines, including his daily schedule, military activities and movements, his amusements and leisure time, sermons he heard and news he read, correspondence and other communications he maintained, and his general thoughts and personal prayers. Entries discuss army life including parades, drills, firing and target practice, distribution and preparation of Enfield rifles and ammunition, and other changes in British uniforms and clothing during this period. Vicars also records his work as adjutant in attending different court marshals and punishments for army men due to theft, drunkenness, or more serious crimes. More routine topics discussed include the climate and weather; his current view and location at different forts and locales in India, Mauritius, Ceylon, at sea, and England; hobbies and pursuits he enjoyed such as horseback riding, shopping, reading, photography, and cricket; and different dinners and events he attended as an officer.

Vicars's volumes for 1857 and 1858 contain detailed reports about his regiment's role in suppressing the Sepoy Rebellion. He records hearing initial news of the Delhi massacre in May 1857, and describes his march and movement toward Delhi and his participation in the battles of July 1857. Later entries describe attending the execution of mutineers, ongoing cholera epidemics and fevers plaguing British troops, and the fallout from ongoing conflict throughout India. The battles of 1857 had a lasting impact on Vicars; he refers to the anniversary of the Delhi siege and sorties in the 1864 volume.

Biographical / historical:

Henry George Austin Vicars was a British Army officer in the 61st Regiment of the Foot, and later in the 18th Regiment (Royal Irish); he was stationed in India in the 1850s and 1860s. He entered the army in October 1851, and was Adjutant of the 61st Regiment during the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857 and 1858. He was present at the siege and attacks on Delhi in July 1857, and described them in his diary. He was awarded the British Army's Indian Mutiny Medal and clasp for his service during the rebellion. Vicars was promoted to brevet-major in Nov. 1863, and appointed as aide-de-camp of John Lawrence, the Governor General of the East Indies. Vicars died in 1867.

Acquisition information:
The Henry George Austin Vicars diaries were acquired by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 1975. Purchase was supported through the Hamilton endowment.
Processing information:

Processed by Rubenstein Library staff, 1975. Finding aid completed by Meghan Lyon, 2019.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of volume, page, and date], Henry George Austin Vicars diaries, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.