The sepoys then plundered the treasury, broke open the gaol doors, released the prisoners, and marched in a body towards Delhi.[1] Stewart, being thus left without a regiment, attached himself to the magistrate of the district, and took command of a small body of volunteers sent from Agra by the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Provinces, to aid the civil authorities in restoring order.

Not caring for this work, and thinking he might be more usefully employed, Stewart made up his mind to find his way to Delhi; his idea was to try and get there _via_ Meerut, but before deciding on the route, he went to Agra, where he had been invited by the Lieutenant-Governor.

At the interview, Mr.Colvin advised Stewart to travel _via_ Muttra, as the safer of the two routes, and told him that despatches had been received from the Government in Calcutta for the Commander-in-Chief, then understood to be with the army before Delhi.

At the same time the Lieutenant-Governor impressed upon Stewart that he was not giving him any order to go, and that if he undertook to carry the despatches it must be a voluntary act on his part, entailing no responsibility on the Government of the North-West Provinces.
Stewart accepted the duty, and took his leave of Mr.Colvin as the sun was setting on the 18th June, delighted at the chance of being able to join the army before Delhi.

He reached Muttra, thirty-five miles distant, without mishap.