P.M. a fine boy made his appearance. I thought of poor Mrs. D----, who,
we were told, was confined in the open at Cawnpore, in the rear of a
gun; she and the child were both massacred afterwards. Mr. S----, and
Mrs. K----'s baby, both died to-day. Mrs. H---- rather angry at being
turned out of her room to give place to the new baby. Mrs. D----, who
is expecting her confinement, had a fainting fit; altogether a nice
commotion. In addition to a sharp attack, with heavy firing from some
of the guns close to us, a 9-pound shot came into Mrs. C----'s room,
and just as we were talking of coming up to sleep in the dining-room
again, two shots came in quite hot, which settled the matter.
Monday, August 10th. A Sikh came in during the night; he said he had
been made prisoner at Chinhut: however, he is thought to be a spy,
and is confined. His account of our reinforcements agree with what
we have previously heard. About 11 A.M., Lieut. B----, A.D.C., came
round to warn all the garrison to be on the alert, as some regiments
had been seen, with their colours flying, marching from Cantonments.
As they crossed the Cawnpore battery, we fired on them, and the attack
then commenced; the firing was very sharp: shells, shrapnell, round
shot, gingalls, and musketry. I now can distinguish each plainly. Of
course, I always feel very anxious, after an attack, before the list
of casualties comes round. To-day two Europeans were killed, and five
wounded--wonderfully few, considering the firing was incessant till
about 2 P.M. Two of the enemies' mines were exploded, but without
injury to us. About 5, just as we were coming up from dinner, dear
Charlie made his appearance, with some clothes for me; but would not
stop, as he said he had just seen another little army coming up to the
attack; it consisted of two regiments of infantry, some cavalry, and
five guns: he hurried off, and the firing commenced. I much troubled on
his account, for his house has lately been so battered by round shot,
it must be very unsafe; however, Dr. F---- told me he had seen him
all right. One of the mines sprung in the morning, destroying one of
the rooms where the Martinière boys are, but without injuring any one:
however, it sent one of the heavy timbers of the stockade on to the
roof of the Brigade Mess (an upper storeyed house), much to the alarm
of the ladies residing there. We heard that Mrs. O----, of the 48th
N.I., had had a little boy during the night. Just as we were going to
bed, another attack commenced; the night was very dark, but we were
providentially preserved through all.
Tuesday, August 11th. All quiet. I rose early, as my morning duties are
generally very heavy. After breakfast Charlie came; I felt so thankful
to see him safe once more. He told me the enemy, thirty in number, got
into the Compound next us, last night, but were driven out by hand
grenades, &c. During the forenoon, we heard a rumbling noise, and, on
inquiry, found that one wing of the Residency had fallen, and buried
six men; two were dug out alive, but only one survived it. The rest
could not be got out till late in the day. Charlie told me that the day
before, when the enemy's mine exploded at Sago's, two Europeans were
blown out into the road, with their muskets in their hands, but being
uninjured, they jumped up and ran though his gateway, and through the
stockade to their posts again. From this one may imagine our defences
were but slight.
Wednesday, August 12th. There had been incessant firing all night. No
news, whatever, has been brought in! Charlie came and gladdened my
heart; but I must say my own hope of relief was sinking.
Thursday, August 13th. Native reports that our forces are near, and
firing has been heard distinctly in the district from the Redan battery
for two hours--so hope revives. We countermined and blew up a mine of
the enemy's at Sago's. It was well done, and it is supposed numbers
perished, including the miners themselves, who were heard at their work
just before; several of the enemy rushed down to dig out comrades, but
of them four were shot.
Friday, August 14th. A sweeper came in this morning. Charlie caught him
near the hospital, and carried him to Captain C----'s. He told them a
great deal about the enemy; but, of course, nothing could be relied on.
He said that the Native report was that our force was at Bushire Gunge.
Mrs. F---- was very ill, and removed to Mrs. D----'s room.
Saturday, August 15th. No news from without! We had our beds brought
into the dining-room, and for the first time during the siege we were
to sleep on charpoys (bedsteads). The last three nights in the Tye
Khana I have slept on chairs, to escape the rats; for the last night I
slept on the floor I felt my bedding heaved up, and a large black rat
ran from under it. This is the third time we have tried to sleep in
the dining-room; twice we have been driven out by shot. This afternoon
a shrapnell burst on the roof, wounding two Native Pensioners and a
European sentry; an 18-pound shot also came in.
Sunday, August 16th. The first news we heard was, that a letter had
been brought in from the relieving force; but, to our disappointment,
it proved to be an old one--the man having been imprisoned. After his
release he had returned to Cawnpore to get further news, but found,
with the exception of a small force entrenched on this side, that they
had re-crossed the river--the Nana having collected a fresh force. He
also said that numbers of troops were on their way up the country, and
that when a sufficient party had arrived--which would be about the
20th--General H---- would again advance. In the afternoon a shrapnell
burst in Mrs. F----'s verandah, close to her present bedroom; some of
the pieces passed over her and Mrs. B----, going through the venetians,
and setting fire to the chicks; she was brought out and placed in
Mrs. B----'s room with the new baby. I fought against sleeping in the
dining-room, as I thought it dangerous; but, being in the minority, I
was obliged to give in.
Monday, August 17th. We passed the night without an accident, though
the roof was hit by round shots. Mrs. F----'s little boy Bobby very
ill; he looks a perfect skeleton: as for Mrs. D----'s youngest boy,
you can count his bones; they are only just covered with skin. It is a
terrible time for poor children; they pine for fresh air.
Tuesday, August 18th. We were awoke by an explosion of one of the
enemy's mines in the Sikh Square; no one knew they were mining there:
it buried six half-caste drummers and a Sepoy, and blew two officers
into the Square, who escaped with slight bruises. This made a great
breach in our defences, and the enemy might have come in easily if
they had only had a little pluck. Three of the leaders tried to induce
a party to make a rush, but failed; and, two of them being shot, the
affair ended. There was a great firing of round shot and shell, but
only one of our men was killed and none wounded. Bobby had been very
ill all night, and Miss S---- sitting up with him; so, at 5, I got up
and relieved her, and after breakfast I had to complete my wash of
clothes. No news of our reinforcements! During the day a sortie was
made, and young J----'s house was blown up: they found eleven men in
it, whom they bayonetted; they also blew up a lot of houses in the
neighbourhood. A shell had gone through the roof of one of them, and
underneath there was a large pool of blood. Two of the enemy's mines
were destroyed with their own powder, and one by pouring a quantity of
water down it; so they are paid off for the morning. At sunset Mrs.
F---- was brought out on her bed into the verandah for air. At night,
as we were all sitting under the portico, we heard a peculiar cry,
three times repeated, and thought it might be a signal; sure enough
it was. Then there was a cry at once, "Stand to your arms!" followed
immediately by a great discharge of musketry and great guns. All the
posts had been warned to be on the alert, but the attack did not last
long. About 3 in the morning, Mrs. D----'s youngest child died.
Wednesday, August 19th. No news! After breakfast Mrs. D--'s poor baby
was sewed up by Mrs.---- in a clean table cloth, she having first
dressed it in a clean night-dress and lace cap, and crossed its little
arms on its breast; the little thing was carried to the hospital to
await its burial, at night. The day passed as usual.
Thursday, August 20th. No news again! The night had been very quiet. As
I was sitting at the front door at work, a European was shot, at the
gun in our garden, right through the head. Mr. C---- was wounded. I had
a very bad boil on my hand, for which I made an ottah poultice; our
dinner this day was stewed beef, dal and rice, and chupattees. We were
told, before going to bed, that J----s' large house was to be blown up
at daybreak.
Friday, August 21st. We had a most disturbed night. There was an
attack about 12, and I heard, "Turn out! turn out!" called from the
gentlemen's room; and, being half asleep and half awake, out I and
Mrs. A---- rushed from our bed over two other ladies in our haste;
and, much to our amusement, several of them scolded us famously for
making such a rush. We thought, however, we had a right to leave our
bed when we chose, especially as we had about the most dangerous corner
of the room; this amused us so much, that we lay down again in a fit
of laughter. I heard almost every hour strike during the night. At
daybreak, J----s' house was blown up, but it did not shake us so much
as we expected.
Saturday, August 22nd. I rose very early, as I had so much to do. I was
engaged till noon. While Mr. C---- was in the gentlemen's bath-room, a
round shot came in and covered him with bricks and mortar, but did him
no injury. This morning, a sortie with about 100 men was made; they
blew up some houses, spiked three guns, and killed many Natives, with
the loss of one killed and several wounded; two, they fear, mortally.
The rest of the day passed quietly. Our dinner to-day was roast mutton,
but very little of it, so we opened a tin of salmon, and Mrs. N----, a
woman who has charge of Mrs. B----'s children, made us a roly-pudding
of ottah and suet--to us a perfect luxury.
Sunday, August 23rd. I always try to have some clean garments ready to
put on on Sunday, as one way of recognizing the day. There was service
at the Brigade Mess at noon, and in our house at 3 P.M.; Mrs. F----
and Mrs. B---- came over to it, and lay on couches. Col. P---- brought
over Mrs. P----, Mrs. B----, and Mrs. L----, three young newly-made
widows; Mr. C. D---- and Charlie also came. Mr. H---- administered the
Sacrament; it was placed on a small round table, covered with a white
cloth: it was an affecting meeting--so many had lost friends! Poor Mrs.
P---- was sobbing all the time. Mrs. L---- had lost both husband and
child!
Monday, August 24th. I rose with a distracting headache, from the
constant firing of the heavy guns during the night; the enemy sent
three round shots into our house, and the guns in our Compound returned
the fire. Mrs. C---- was ill with erysipelas. A Kitmagar came into the
entrenchment to-day, but was put in confinement on suspicion of his
being a spy. Mr. G---- came about 4 P.M. for Dr. F---- and Dr. P---- to
go to the post office with their amputating instruments and chloroform,
as Mr. M'C----, C.E., had been shot in the arm; however, they did not
consider amputation necessary: a sergeant and private were shot at
Sago's. I could hardly recognise Mr. G----, he looked so much older
with a beard and the effects of his late fever.
Tuesday, August 25th. A sharp attack on the Bailey Guard Gate kept us
awake the first part of the night. I got up and dressed as I usually
do, though it is perfectly useless; we have no safe place to go to.
Mrs. B----'s child kept us awake the latter part. No news of our
reinforcements: very little firing to-day, Mr. and Mrs. H---- came in
the afternoon, both so nicely dressed; one could hardly fancy the siege
was going on.
Wednesday, August 26th. Dearest mother's birthday. We had a wretched
night with Mrs. B----'s children and the firing; I actually lay till
7. I then went down for my cup of tea without milk or sugar, or
rather mug, for I use Charlie's silver mug now; cups have become so
scarce. Dear Charlie sent me a beautiful bouquet of roses, myrtle, and
tuberoses; it is such a treat to have a sight of lovely flowers again!
Oh! the longing one has to be out in the fresh air again! wandering in
fields or gardens. But the useless dreams only do one harm. We have the
stern realities of life before us; so to return to them. I went and
acted as my own laundress; to-day our rations are reduced: gentlemen
get twelve instead of fifteen ounces of meat, and we six instead of
twelve; with rather less dal. A sentry was shot through the leg in
our verandah during the night, and Dr. F---- was hit by a spent ball.
After breakfast I mended a pair of Charlie's unmentionables with a
piece of Mrs. H----'s habit, presented for the purpose: he came for a
little chat, but a note from the Brigadier called him away. A little
milk-punch is "doled" out to us every day about 1 o'clock, and I drank
dear mamma's health in mine. I sat at the door till dinner time, 4
o'clock, making flannel garments for myself, having luckily taken a
new piece of flannel into the entrenchments with me. After dinner the
invalids came out and took the air on their couches at the door; at
7, I made tea for all, then sat at the door till half-past 8, when we
had prayers and went to bed; and I had a good night's rest, though the
children were rather squally. Lieut. W---- 32nd Queen's, killed by a
round shot to-day at Mr. G----'s.
Thursday, August 27th. No news. The enemy fired an immense number of
shot and shells; one soldier wounded in our drawing-room verandah,
but it was his own fault; they are forbidden to go there, as it is
dangerous. Sir H. Lawrence's stores were sold to-day, and fetched
enormous prices: a bottle of honey, forty-two rupees and upwards; a
dozen of brandy, 107 rupees; a ham, seventy rupees; two tins of soup,
fifty-five rupees; a small bottle of pearl barley, sixteen rupees;
twenty bottles of sherry, 110 rupees. People seemed to bid recklessly,
Charlie said; they were to be paid for on the first issue of pay,
which many, I believe, think they will never live to receive. Charlie
bought, instead, a pair of soldier's high-lows, for eight rupees, from
a Sergeant--quite a catch; and far more useful than truffled larks, &c.
Friday, August 28th. No news again! This is very trying--the siege has
lasted now more than two months. Every one agrees that the only plan is
to blow ourselves up, if the reinforcements do not come in time. I rose
very early, as Mrs. A---- was ill; and having a great deal of work to
do, I did not sit down till 12 o'clock. I have a chance of having some
things washed by a dhobee, but at the exorbitant charge of twenty-five
rupees per 100! more than eight times the usual charge. We expected an
attack to-night, as the Mohurrum and Mussulman fast is just over; it
did not, however, take place.
Saturday, August 29th. Rose and I did all Mrs. A----'s work again. A
Pensioner came in during the night, with a letter, direct from Gen.
H----, dated August 24th, saying he was waiting for more troops, and
could not come to our relief under twenty-four days; he added, that
Sir C---- C---- had arrived in Calcutta, as Commander-in-Chief, and
was sending up troops as quickly as possible; that Lucknow would be
his first care, and also begging us, on no account, to treat with the
enemy, but rather to die at our posts. The man who brought the letter
said, when he was in General H----'s camp, a man had come from Delhi,
who told him we had an immense force before Delhi; partly composed
of Bombay troops. The day passed quietly; only the usual firing; no
attack.
Sunday, August 30th. When we got up, we discovered our two remaining
Kitmagars had fled. Many Half-castes and Natives left the entrenchments
last night, having heard our relief was not to take place for some
time. Mrs. H---- and I had to boil the kettles, in addition to our
morning duties; Manuel, a Madras servant Dr. F---- has just picked up,
lighting the fires for us. We all had to help in preparing breakfast
and dinner, and washing up. We had no service till late in the evening,
as Mr. H---- had one at the Brigade Mess, another at Mr. G----s', and
a third at the Hospital. I got perfectly worn out, with running up and
down stairs; but I am thankful to say I am in excellent health, and
thoroughly enjoy my meals.
Monday, August 31st. We were awoke at daybreak, by Mrs. D---- being
taken ill. I ran down sharp to light the fire and boil the kettles--the
former by far the most difficult operation--I am very stupid at it,
and before it was completed, down came Mrs. C----, saying the baby
was born. It was a most expeditious affair; they had hardly time to
get her into her own room. Mrs. C---- finished boiling the kettle,
while I prepared the early tea-things. I worked really very hard this
morning in the kitchen store-rooms, and it is anything but a joke
this hot weather to have to stand before the fire fanning it to make
the kettle boil. I was quite tired out before all was completed; but
I am a perfect wonder to myself. I never thought I was capable of
such fatigue, or was half so accomplished as I find I am. Mrs. B----
and her baby were turned out of the invalid room for Mrs. D---- and
her's. Great scrimmage with another Mrs. B---- about her European
servant being allowed to cook for us; we carried our point. The cooking
establishment, now, consists of Mrs. N----, slightly assisted by Manuel
and two little boys from the Martinière school; the latter are useful
in the washing-up department. The enemy tolerably quiet to-day, no
shells till 9 P.M., when there was rather a sharp attack, but not of
long duration.
Tuesday, September 1st. Went to my regular work, and discovered the
two Martinière boys were to be taken from us; so there was another
grand scrimmage about washing up plates and dishes. The enemy brought
a gun to bear on the Bailey Guard Gate again. (I forgot to say that
on the 30th ultimo, our miners discovered a mine of the enemy's close
to them; so Mr. F---- sat nearly the whole day in the mine, pistol in
hand, waiting for them to pick into it; they, however, stopped, so we
broke into theirs and blew up the gallery. Lieut. B----, Artillery, was
also shot in the chest, while sitting in the portico of the dawk office
talking to Charlie). This day, Tuesday, two Artillerymen were shot in
the dawk office compound, while standing by the 18-pounder; the ball,
a round shot, ricocheted from the hospital. One had some property in
his box, and though the officer sent for it immediately, the box was
missing; however, it was recovered before the thief, a brother gunner,
had had time to open it. The looting now is something dreadful; many
of the Crown Jewels have been stolen, and a bottle of brandy will now
purchase a handful of precious stones. Charlie told me he had seen a
handful of pearls, one of them very large, and many of them the size of
peas, which had been purchased for twenty rupees.
Wednesday, September 2nd. The sexton's wife came to help. Mrs. N----.
The enemy were discovered mining, close to the Financial garrison;
so we countermined, and blew them up. Several of the enemy were seen
rushing to the spot, to try and recover their blown-up comrades. A
sad occurrence took place to-day! Lieut. B----, Assistant Engineer,
was shot by one of our own sentries while searching some ground just
outside our works, in the dusk of the evening, to see if there were any
mining going on; he was taken to the hospital in great agony, having
been shot through the stomach. Mr. H---- took his poor wife to him; he
died during the night.
Thursday, September 3rd. Nothing particular occurred.
Friday, September 4th. A day without news, and tolerably quiet. Poor
Major B----, who, while trying to get a shot at the enemy, on top of
the Brigade Mess, exposed himself unnecessarily, was shot through the
lungs, and survived it only about ten minutes; those who went up to
fetch his body, had to crawl on their hands and knees. At night his own
Sepoys carried him to his grave.
Saturday, September 5th. Much firing in the early morning. The 13th
Sepoys made a battery for an 18-pounder, at the Treasury, with which
Lieut. A---- made some good shots at the clock tower. The firing ceased
a little, when all at once we felt a mine spring, and immediately
an attack was made by the enemy; the firing then on both sides was
incessant. In the midst of it we felt another explode, which we thought
was our own; but it was not: we did however, spring one during the day,
and Mr. F----, and a 32nd man, not having had sufficient warning, were
blown up, but not hurt. In this day's attack 10,000 men were said to
be around us; still they did not get in, and we had only two Natives
killed, and two Europeans wounded; one losing an arm, and the other
a leg. It was only Providence who could have saved us with so little
loss: we have great cause for thankfulness! Our Sepoys are delighted
at having a gun at their guard. They say "We load it, and Aikeen
Sahib fires it!" They are behaving splendidly. At night there was
another attack, and the firing lasted about an hour. A row between the
Padre and a lady,--clerical victorious, and the lady going off into
hysterics. The rest of the gentlemen were out digging, to repair the
defences at the Baillie Guard Gate.
Sunday, September 6th. Several explosions during the morning, as our
people were blowing down walls. At half-past 5 we had service, and
Mrs. B----'s baby was christened, in a little silver font, and she
herself churched. In the night we had another attack. The musketry was
incessant, and the great gun shook the house again. Mrs. A---- and I
sat up till it subsided; the mortars close to us began shelling them:
the attack began to subside, and all settled down again.
Monday, Sept. 7th. Nothing particular occurred.
Tuesday, September 8th. Captain S----, of the Artillery, died at 4
A.M.; he had been severely wounded at Chinhut, and never recovered it.
No news from without!
Wednesday, September 9th. I was awoke by our great guns firing at the
clock tower; at 10 we sprung a mine at the Cawnpore battery. Mr. A----
came and had a long chat. Dear Charlie came while we were at dinner,
and was much amused at my enormous appetite. We had a dreadful night
with Mrs. B----'s youngest child, and poor little Bobby.
Thursday, September 10th. Tremendous firing at the mosque, by the
clock tower. Two or three 18-pounders at it, and shelling also, as the
enemy have lately occupied it with their sharpshooters, much to our
annoyance. All quiet afterwards. About 2,000 men were seen to leave
the City towards Cawnpore. In the evening, and at night, a number of
hackeries followed, it is supposed, with their baggage. Prices are
rising. Twenty rupees given for 2 lbs of sugar, and one rupee per leaf
for tobacco.
Friday, September 11th. A tolerably quiet day, but discoveries made of
"Light Infantry" where they ought not to be. Mrs. B----'s baby very
ill; it has large ulcers all over its body, and inflammation in the
throat. We destroyed two of the enemy's mines to day, and in one of
them men were heard to screech.
Saturday, September 12th. A noise was heard during the night--a
humming, as of Sepoys turning out of their Lines for a march; and many
were seen in the morning dressed in marching order; they say the Nana
is here, and is sending off his baggage to Fyzabad. Mrs. B----'s child
very ill; mortification must have taken place: I could not stay in the
room. Mrs. H----'s bearer wounded.
Sunday, September 13th. Capt. M----, 32nd, who commanded our guard,
died of cholera; he was taken at half-past 11 last night. We had
service at half-past 2, and Charlie came. Mrs. B----'s baby died in
the early morning; it changed immediately. A spy was caught in the
entrenchments, who said it was reported outside that several of our
regiments had crossed the Ganges at Cawnpore. A very quiet day.
Monday, September 14th. Another spy caught, who said the Nana was still
here, and that there is to be a grand attack to-morrow. Capt. F----
killed by a round shot, while examining the defences at Mr. G----s'; he
was an indefatigable engineer, and consequently a great loss.