Col John Ashburner

It is written that Burnett was sent on reconnaissance on the 7th June, one day after the first bombardment of the British Entrenchment began, and that he "never returned", however...

The following account is taken from V A Stuart's novel "Massacre at Cawnpore". It is said to be well researched. The scene is set in the early morning of 6th June, 1857, and General Sir Hugh Wheeler has called his officer's to a briefing in the flat roofed barrack block, within the British Entrenchment, that he has chosen as his HQ. He addresses his officers..."I am aware that many of you consider me to be at fault in choosing to defend this site, instead of the Magazine, and I am forced to concede that our present position will not be easy to defend against overwhelming numbers and resolute attack...As many of you will know, our position is rendered the more perilous because my order to blow up the powder reserves in the Magazine could not be carried out. Lieutenant Ashburner, of the Oudh Artillery, the officer entrusted with this task, was fired on by the Nana's troops and, deserted by his native gunners, unhappily lost his life in a gallant attempt to enter the Magazine. As a result the rebels will have at their disposal all our heavy guns and reserves of ammuntion..."

Soon after the briefing Capt John Moore, Queen's 32nd Regt, in conversation with Alex Sheridan (the fictitious hero of the novel) says "But of course, no one anticipated that the Magazine would fall into the hands of the rebels. As the General explained this morning, he ordered it to be blown up. Young Ashe went to carry out that order at first light the day before yesterday, soon after the Light Cavalry mutinied and went on the rampage. He...galloped his two guns to the Nawabgunge and unlimbered in front of the main gate of the Magazine. The sepoys of the 1st Native Infantry had joined the cavalry by that time but the two other reigiments - still in their Lines - were wavering, and the Magazine guard found by the 53rd were ready to admit Ashe, although they knew what he'd come to do."
"Then what went wrong, for God's sake?" Alex asked. "Did his gunners refuse their orders?"
Moore shook his head. "No, not then - their conduct was exemplary. The 56th were observed to be massing on their parade ground - their officers said afterwards that they were coming to our support in the entrenchment. But someone here panicked - I don't know who it was - and Ashe was recalled, ordered to bring his guns round to the south of the entrenchment and open fire on the 56th. His, you understand, were our only mobile guns. The result was, of course, quite disastrous. With the exception of the native officers and a few loyal sepoys, the whole regiment marched off to join the mutineers and the 53rd did the same. The unfortunate Ashburner, who was sent out with Ashe's half-battery a few hours later to blow up the powder in the Magazine, lost his guns and was cut to pieces when he attempted to do so, His sergeant was badly wounded but managed to get back with Conductor Reilly. All the native gunners deserted them....Ashburner volunteered, poor devil, and so did his gunners. They were the same gunners who had obeyed the order to fire on the 56th."

The illustration shows the entrenchment, just north of the bridge, and the Magazine near Nawabgunge, two miles to the north west.
The accompanying illustrations are included as of historical interest.