F----, who was sick in hospital, and slightly delirious, walked over
the parapet of the portico; he died shortly after. In the afternoon a
large round shot came in through the top of the house, passing through
two walls and cutting a belt hanging there clean in two; it then rolled
along the roof, without doing any damage.
Wednesday, September 16th. Sharp firing. At 6 A.M. a shell came
into the Treasury Guard, wounding two 13th Sepoys severely and one
slightly. We have two people in the garrison who were in the siege
of Jellalabad--one, the celebrated Dr. B----, who says, that was
a gentlemanly business compared with this; the other, a queer,
dilapidated, old half-caste, a corporal at Charlie's post, who, some
say, was a spy there, and he says, that was a trifle to our siege.
Charlie had four round shot into his house this morning in a quarter
of an hour; he has certainly been most mercifully preserved. The rest
of the day was quiet. In the evening some horrible smells came from the
buried animals, &c., that we could not sit at the door as usual to take
the air.
Thursday, September 17th. No news! We are beginning to get very anxious
again. They say our beef will only last till the 10th proximo. The
enemy are throwing up another battery, which will sweep the whole
garrison excepting our house; we try, with our shells, to prevent them
working at it. We had a quarter of mutton to-day for dinner, and a suet
pudding afterwards, with some of Capt. W----'s patent sauce, Mr. C----
having begged about a quarter of a pound of sugar for it; this made
twenty people as merry as formerly a dinner with the Governor-General
would have done. Our allowance of beverage for twenty people is two
bottles of indifferent champagne and one of claret and two pints of
beer for two sick ladies. Yesterday, Mr. D---- gave a bottle of brandy
and a bottle of sherry for twenty-five cheerots. Mr. H---- found a
soldier of the 32nd, with his head knocked off with a round shot, lying
in the churchyard, when he went to his funerals; so he buried him at
once. Queer things happen sometimes, as I could testify about a Roman
Catholic and a Protestant who had to be buried the same night; on
arrival at the burial ground it was doubtful which was which, but it
was summarily settled by an officer present.
Friday, September 18th. We had a slight attack in the night; while
dressing this morning a bullet came into the outer room with such force
that it struck off one side of the frame of a picture, leaving the
glass whole. My labours increase every morning. An eclipse of the sun
was visible between 9 and 11; a tolerably quiet day. As we were sitting
talking in the evening, I ventured to say I thought we had never passed
an hour--day or night--since the siege began, without some firing; I
was immediately laughed at, and told _not five minutes_ even! If this
ever reaches my dear ones at home, they will wonder when I tell them
that my bed is not fifty yards from the 18-pounder in our garden--there
is only one room between us--and yet I lie as quietly when it goes off
as if I had been used to it all my life: eighty days of siege life
does wonders! This is getting a most anxious time; if our relief does
not come within the next twenty days we must look for no hope in this
world, and we have heard nothing of them yet; but God is above all, and
nothing happens by chance! I commit all to Him, and if He spares me and
my beloved husband to meet our dear ones in our own beloved country, I
will indeed be thankful; but it is a fearful suspense!
Saturday, September 19th. A tolerably quiet day; but I became very ill.
Sunday, September 20th. Still very poorly. We had service and communion
at our house. Charlie came to see me twice, as I was so unwell.
Monday September 21st. No news. Dr. F---- ordered me to keep my bed;
there I was in the dining room, all open to the public, the gentlemen
passing and repassing the door: there was no help for it, however,
as it was the only room we could have a punkah in, Charlie came and
sat with me and got Dr. F---- to write a certificate for me to have a
little sugar and sugee from the Commissariat, as it was kept for the
sick; he also brought me a bottle of port wine from the Brigade Mess;
but Dr. F---- said I must not take it till I was better.
Tuesday, September 22nd. Still obliged to keep my bed; no news.
Wednesday, September 23rd. Still in bed. No news during the day;
but at 11 at night, came Col. P---- cheering us all with the news
that a letter had just come in, brought by Ungud, the same faithful
spy--saying that our reinforcement crossed the river at Cawnpore, on
the 19th, had a fight at Enown on the 20th, another at Bushire Gunge
on the 21st; and were hastening on to us. The heavy rain we are having
must detain them, but it is glorious news indeed!
Thursday, September 24th. Guns distinctly heard, about ten or twelve
miles off, firing for a length of time, so the troops must be nearer
than was expected. I cannot describe our feelings at our present hope
of relief, all are in the height of expectation. Being a little better,
Dr. F---- allowed me to get up. The guns of our force heard approaching
nearer and nearer. Oh! the thankfulness one feels at the certainty of
relief now! I think, if I were stronger, I should be more joyous. The
smoke of the guns seen from the top of the Residency! Oh joy! they say
they are only four or five miles off! but they have to fight their way
in! Fifteen thousand went out to meet them; but, from the heavy rain,
took no guns with them. We had a very disturbed night; the rebels made
two furious attacks, and came up again about 5 A.M., but were soon
silenced.
Friday, September 25th. The guns of our reinforcements commenced again,
and one gun kept firing for an immense time. They say they are on this
side of the Char Bagh, about four miles from us, and the smoke and
flash of the cannon may be seen from the top of the Residency--musketry
heard distinctly. If they have sent any messenger on to us, none has
arrived; it is a most exciting time--far beyond description. The
first feeling is gratitude to God for deliverance from the horrors of
famine, which was staring us in the face, and, apparently, not very far
distant. I lay in bed till after breakfast, as the disturbed night had
not done me much good; but I enjoyed two sugee biscuits dear Charlie
sent me the night before for my chota hazree, with my tea sweetened
with sugar, which I had not tasted for many weeks. These sugee biscuits
the ladies in this house are buying at five rupees the pound. My
longing now is to get a Dhobee and an Ayah; for I feel so weak and
helpless, with not a single person to help me, and so unable to do
anything for myself. Some kind friend always brings me my meals, &c.;
but I feel that they all have as much as they can accomplish, without
doing my work as well. About 12 we heard that the rebels had broken
up the bridge near the Char Bagh, so we decided our troops could not
be in for some time; however, all of a sudden, I heard our soldiers
shout out, "They are coming!" their caps could be seen, and we found
they had crossed by the Martinière bridge. Immediately a fierce firing
commenced, and they said the rebels were flying off to the Fyzabad
road. We commenced shelling them: there was a tremendous day's firing,
notwithstanding, and the troops had a fearful day's work. About 5 P.M.
we heard cheering, and, immediately, we saw the troops rushing in, the
78th Highlanders foremost, and our house, being near the gate, the
Compound was instantly filled. A Mr. W----, an officer heading the
Highlanders, rushed up and shook hands with us ladies all round, and
then threw himself into a chair quite exhausted, and, in an instant,
the whole place was filled with them; it was as much as we could do
to supply them with water. It was by far the most exciting scene I
ever witnessed. The Piper sprang on a chair, and he and Mrs. A----
fraternised. He asked her where she came from, and when she answered
from Edinburgh, he shouted out "So do I, from the Castle Hill," and
immediately sent word round that there was a lady from Edinburgh
amongst us, and then gave another tune on his bagpipes. The Ferozepore
Sikh Regiment also accompanied them, and some of the Madras Fusiliers.
The confusion and excitement was beyond all description; they lost
some hundreds coming through the City. General O---- then came in; he
had been wounded slightly in the arm. Dr. F---- dressed his wound. He
and his staff took up their quarters in our house. Strange to say, no
one had brought any provisions, though they confessed they expected to
find us in a worse condition than they did. They said they had hurried
on, because they had seen five ladies and four gentlemen on their way,
attempting to join them, and feared they were some of our garrison; the
poor creatures had all been cut up by the rebels. The news they brought
in from all parts was far more horrible than we expected. At Jhansi the
brutes had burnt the poor children before their poor mothers' eyes,
and then killed the wives, and then the husbands. At Cawnpore they
found only two living beings and a heap of dead women and children,
being those who escaped the massacre at the boats. They say the place
where the murders were committed was a most heart-rending sight; not
a soldier left it with a dry eye. We heard also of the B----s' of our
regiment having been murdered at Hissar. Every one was trying to get
news of his friends; scarcely one but heard bad news. A detachment,
with some guns, was left at Allum Bagh in charge of the baggage and
stores. The men and officers had only just what they wore. During the
night, I heard the soldiers conversing in the drawing-room, where they
lay, and one man said they had made a high caste Brahmin sweep out the
go-down, where the massacre took place. I was obliged to go and lie
down early; but several of the ladies made tea in the Tye Khana, for
any officers who would partake of it, and numbers went down. We had
neither milk nor sugar to give them.
Saturday, September 26th. Several parties went out to take the guns
on the palace side of us; portions of the force are also occupying
the Fureed Bucksh, the Teree Kotee, and jail formerly occupied by the
enemy. Tremendous firing all day. I not seeing my husband became very
uneasy, and found he had been sent out on duty at the Fureed Bucksh. I
passed a wretched night!
Sunday, September 27th. The first thing I heard on awaking was, that
a Sikh was waiting from my husband, asking me for tea, and saying
that Charlie had had no food since yesterday morning--so I sent him a
bottle of tea and some ottah for chupatties. I was only too thankful
to find him alive and well. He afterwards sent me in a cut glass jug
he had plundered, and then came himself, but quite lame from the boils
on his knee. A party went out led by Mr. A---- to take some guns, but
unfortunately did not succeed. Charlie came again in the afternoon, but
appeared quite done up; he is now on the sick list. Miss N---- came
over, and several other ladies were walking about--quite a novelty. I
walked down nearly to the garden gate, the first time since Chinhut,
June 30th. We had service in the Tye Khana, and Mrs. D----'s baby was
christened.
Monday, September 28th. I got up, feeling wretchedly weak. This was
to be a day of rest for the troops; however, we rather expected an
attack, as it was the Dusserah--a very warlike festival. Numbers were
seen crossing the bridges, but it passed off quietly. About 2 P.M. came
a messenger from Allum Bagh with news from Delhi, saying our flag was
flying on the Cashmere Gate, and that we were in possession of five
gates, the Church, Magazine, and Mr. Skinner's house, the College, and
had fixed a battery at each gate of the palace--where the king was--who
had determined to fight it out. Of course, a day or two must finish it!
The messenger also brought a letter from the detachment at Allum Bagh,
saying they were all right there, but that the enemy had broken up the
bridges between us and them. Dear Charlie came at dusk, as he is on
the sick list, and brought me some of his books. Numbers of the "big
dogs" assembled in our house to-day, planning with General Outram; I
fancy the attack to-morrow.
Tuesday, September 29th. A detachment of 800 men went out into the
City at daybreak, and we were continually hearing explosions from the
blowing up of houses; one shook us like an earthquake; they took nine
guns and did their work well. Although we can scarcely call this a
relief, seeing we have to feed the new troops on our own scant rations,
and are reduced in consequence; still they are able to make sorties
now, and have discovered three mines under the Redan, that would have
done us awful damage--we cannot therefore be too thankful that they are
come in. A piece of shell to-day passed through Mrs. F----'s little
room, and struck the wall by the gentlemen's dressing-room.
Wednesday, September 30th. A letter in from Allum Bagh, saying they
were all right there, and had not been attacked; great consultations
going on in the General's room with all the "big dogs," and such
sending off of despatches. Charlie came after dinner; his knee was very
bad. In the night the cavalry were all started for Allum Bagh, but the
firing was so sharp that they were obliged to return.
Thursday, October 1st. No news. They were trying to batter down some
houses, near the iron bridge, all the morning, and making a tremendous
noise. Two parties went out: one to take the guns about the Cawnpore
Battery, and the Sikhs to take a bazaar. They were out all day, going
on slowly, but surely. At night, the Sikhs had got as far as the
Painted Magazine, at the corner of the Karse Bazaar; and the other
party had got into some houses close to the Cawnpore road, where they
meant to remain the night. The General and "big dogs" were out all day,
at the top of the Brigade Mess, watching their movements. Dear Charlie
came quite lame--the doctors say we must all get scurvy, living on the
same food, and so long without vegetables; he brought me some china and
a beautiful punch-bowl--his own looting.
Friday, October 2nd. Dear J---- and L----'s wedding-day. Where shall
we spend our own? Nothing done this day; but a rumour went about that
all the Native troops were to be sent out to the Allum Bagh: of course,
their officers must go with them. If true, I think it is very cruel to
separate us, after enduring our three months' misery together.
Saturday, October 3rd. They say our troops are still gaining ground in
the City. Several of the enemy's guns were blown up to-day. Charlie
brought me some more china.
Sunday, October 4th. We came out in clean and new dresses, that we
had kept for the relief. Mrs. H---- and Mrs. B---- went to service at
the Brigade Mess. We had service in our own house, at 8 P.M.: several
gentlemen came; Charlie amongst them. After dinner, I went over to his
garrison, with Dr. P----, and was perfectly thunderstruck to see it
such a mass of ruins. Not a portion, on either side of it, that is not
riddled with round shot and bullets; the verandah all knocked down--it
is impossible to tell there had been any; there are large pieces of
masonry lying about. From the outside, you would not think the house
at all habitable; and even the centre room, that Charlie occupies, has
immense holes in the walls, made by round shot. He took me on the roof,
as the enemy are too far off to be dangerous now: I could hardly tell
which were the houses that had been occupied by the enemy, and which
by us; there was merely a bamboo stockade between us, and the marvel
is they never got in. I was told, "just down there, a 9-pounder was
firing into us night and day, and a little further off a smaller one."
Charlie's post was fired into sharply, day and night; and I could only
feel thankful for his wonderful preservation through it all. I little
thought the fire he had been always exposed to. I enjoyed a cup of tea
with him, of course without milk or sugar; but it was such happiness to
be alone with him again. He gave me a beautiful manuscript, worked in
small green and white beads, on pink and gold paper--Dr. F---- said no
doubt done by the ladies of the Court. At night, a letter came in from
Allum Bagh, saying they were all right, but surrounded by the enemy's
cavalry.
Monday, October 5th. The day passed as usual. After dinner we had such
heavy rain, it prevented my going to Charlie's post; he paid me a visit
instead.
Tuesday, October 6th. We had a grand attack; the enemy actually got
into the Fureed Bucksh, but were killed in great numbers. Our troops
were drawn in a little, as it was not considered safe for them to be
out so far. They had got as far as the Delhi Bank, on the Cawnpore
road, but the enemy have it again now, and also Metaz and Dowlah house,
which was said to be filled with jams and pickles, so that our visions
of delicacies were doomed to be blighted.
Wednesday, October 7th. The anniversary of my arrival in Calcutta. An
18-pound shot came in. The guns are further off now, but I think more
dangerous, for we never know their range now; and two or three round
shots come into the house every day, on all sides. In the evening,
General Outram came and sat with us, and while chatting a despatch
came from Allum Bagh. These despatches are written on thin paper, and
rolled up so small that they are put into a little piece of the quill
of a pen. This brought good news--that 250 men had arrived at Allum
Bagh, with two guns and fifty commissariat carts, and had met with no
opposition on the road. The bridge at Bunnee was broken, but the river
fordable.
Thursday, October 8th. I have resumed my labours, and the whole morning
was taken up with receiving rations of ottah, rice, salt, &c., and
seeing them weighed. Poor Mr. G----, of our regiment, died to-day.
Friday, October 9th. I took possession of my go-down, at the request of
several of our party, and had all the provisions put under my charge.
Captain A. B---- died. Dr. B---- brought the news, and went with Mr.
H---- to his funeral. A letter came from Cawnpore in the evening,
saying Delhi was entirely ours; but that several regiments of the
enemy, with 18 guns, had escaped, and were coming to Lucknow: however,
a large force of our troops were pursuing them, and hoped to intercept
them before they could reach us.
Saturday, October 10th. A letter from Allum Bagh, saying they were all
right. They are seven hundred strong, and have nine guns. They had sent
out a foraging party, and brought in lots of provisions. We had a quiet
day.
Sunday, October 11th. A busy day with me, for I had to take in the
rations for all for three days. In rice, we were reduced to something
less than 6 lbs. for all the party, for three days. Charlie came
to service at 3. No news till night, when another letter came from
Cawnpore, saying the Delhi column had fallen in with the Jhansi
mutineers, killed 150 and dispersed the rest, at Bolundshuhur, on, I
think, the 4th, and were coming on to relieve us, and might be expected
the end of the month. We had two attacks during the night; the musketry
sounded all round.
Monday, October 12th. Dr. F---- taken with fever. Three sales of
deceased officers' property took place; Mr. Green's amongst them.
Charlie said 260 of his small cheroots No. 3, fetched 500 rupees. I
heard to-day an officer in our regiment had given a bottle of sherry
for a cake of soap. No news!
Tuesday, October 13th. We had had a great deal of firing during the
night. The day passed quietly. No news!
Wednesday, October 14th. Another day passed as usual. In the evening
came a letter from Allum Bagh. All right there, but the servants were
running away from not being able to get provisions. Reinforcements
expected here about the 25th. A Sikh came in saying other Sikhs were
anxious to come; he had deserted at the commencement of the siege.
He was told they might occupy and keep a house just outside the
entrenchments.
Thursday, October 15th. A quiet day, but all officers are ordered to
remain at their posts till further orders, or until the Dewallee
is over, as they say they intend to make a grand attack. The Sikh
yesterday said they knew they could not take our position, but meant to
starve us out, considering all the reinforcements that could come in
time to save us had already arrived. In the evening came another letter
from Cawnpore, and I understand the messenger brought a letter from
Lady O----, at Agra, in which she said they still drove out, and took
the air as usual.
Friday, October 16th. All comforted by getting a grand breakfast of
beefsteaks, a little rice, and dal and chupatties. During this morning
Mr. D----, of the 53rd N.I., who had survived the massacre at Cawnpore,
called and gave us full particulars of the whole affair; poor Mrs.
J----, of the 53rd N.I. (she and I were brides together in Delhi), died
in the entrenchments, and he was killed in the boats, but nothing was
known about their children. At the commencement of their siege they had
only 300 fighting men--soldiers, shopkeepers, and all included--and
400 women, and about 200 children. General W---- did not make the
entrenchment at the magazine, because he had no idea that there was any
ammunition in it; he thought it was filled with old tents, &c., whereas
a great portion of the ammunition brought against us came from there,
besides what was expended by the enemy at Cawnpore. This seems hardly
credible in a General of Division, but I believe it is correct. Mr.
D---- was in the only boat that got away; they pursued and fired at
them, then the boat struck on a sandbank, and they took to the water,
and their numbers were eventually reduced to four, who were sheltered
by a small Rajah until General Havelock's force arrived at Cawnpore,
when they joined it. He said, he had to swim and wade six and a half
miles after he left the boat.
Saturday, October 17th. My busy day. We had had a slight attack during
the night. Two letters came from Cawnpore, giving accounts of our
reinforcements. They will not be here quite so soon as was expected.
The 93rd are to be at Cawnpore on the 23rd instant, and the 23rd on the
2nd of November. Sir Colin Campbell is coming over here himself with
the troops. I trust they will not delay it too long; for, famine is
too horrible to contemplate. Our daily rations of meat are now 12 oz.
for a man, 6 oz. for a woman, and 2 oz. for a child, and this is bone
inclusive, which is sometimes nearly half; and we have had 9 lbs. (the
ration for our party for one day) of which 5 lbs. was actually bone.
Then seventeen of us (some choosing to have their rations separate)
have 15 lbs. of unsifted flour for our chupatties, 6 lbs. of gram to be
made into dal (this is private store food, generally given to horses),
1 lb. 12 oz. of rice, and a little salt. We generally make a stew of
the meat and rice and a few chupatties, as it goes farther; but I
think the gentlemen generally get up from table hungry. We have still
a little tea, but neither sugar, milk, wine, nor beer; our beverage is
toast and water, a large jug of which is always placed on the centre
of the table; it is made of the old chuppatties, if any are left of
the previous day. All horses under 150 rupees value were, by orders,
destroyed at the river yesterday, as they were eating up the gram.
Sunday, October 18th. Charlie came at 3 P.M. to service, and was much
amused to hear we were going to have a sparrow-curry for dinner. Dr.
F---- had shot 150 sparrows for it; most pronounced it very delicious,
but I could not be induced to try it. I agreed with Charlie to pay
Mrs. B---- a visit, as I had not seen her since the Major's death; so
I went with Dr. P---- to the Brigade Mess, and Charlie met me there. I
also saw Mrs. P----, who looked very haggard and worn--worse than Mrs.
B----. The ladies at the Brigade Mess are all living in dirty little
rooms, in a large square; Mrs. P----'s had only one opening, serving
as entrance door, window, and all. They say the rats are horrible; and
I should think centipedes and scorpions also. At night we had a grand
attack, principally at the Cawnpore battery, Mr. G----'s, and the
Brigade Mess. The firing made more noise than ever I remember; the air
being now so clear, as it is the commencement of the cold season, the
guns reverberate tremendously.
Monday, October 19th. No news till the evening, when letters came
in from Cawnpore, saying the Delhi force were within five miles of
Cawnpore, but were fighting with Gwalior mutineers, and that the 93rd
and 23rd Queen's were very near Cawnpore also.
Tuesday, October 20th. My busy day for rations. I also cut out a coat
for Charlie's Sikh subadar, and was fully occupied all day.