particulars of it. I rose at half-past 6, and had a cup of tea and
chupattie and went to my store room and received and weighed the ottah
brought in from grinding, and gave out the wheat for the next day; also
our daily rations of ottah, rice, grain, onions, and salt; then acted
as laundress to myself; at 10 breakfasted, then finished putting the
subadar's coat together, cut out and made a black silk neck-tie for
Charlie, and he sent me over a lot of rupees to keep for Mr. G----'s
estate. I then read till dinner, which was composed of stewed meat, a
little rice and dal, and a chupattie and toast and water. After dinner,
Charlie came for me, as we were to spend the rest of the day together.
I carried over a cup and saucer, teaspoon and wineglass, the subadar's
coat, and a book I had borrowed for Charlie. I found he had got a
pint bottle of champagne--his rations for four days at the brigade
mess, as sherry and port were all finished. He, however, would have
us finish it at the time, toasting our noble selves and our dear ones
at home; he had made me with his own hands some sugee cakes with the
remains of some sugee I had intended for him while ill. He had not been
very successful; however, the will was good. He then went and begged
a little milk from one that had that luxury, and I had been presented
with a little sugar for the occasion, and having a little cocoa left
of bygone days, I contrived to manufacture a very delicious cup, which
Charlie pronounced capital, and we thought of the grand dinner we had
eaten at the Barrackpore Hotel that night six years; it was a strange
contrast to our half rations in a battered garret, but I don't think it
made either of us discontented--only thankful that our lives had been
so mercifully preserved through such awful scenes! No one can see the
battered condition of Charlie's house--an outpost--without feeling that
he has been almost miraculously preserved. He walked home with me about
half-past 8, and I went to bed.
Thursday, October 22nd. While dressing this morning, firing was
distinctly heard in the distance. No news in!
Friday, October 23rd. Distant firing heard again. About 3 in the
morning, a messenger came in without letters; he had been obliged to
put them down a well. He said the enemy had captured nine of our
elephants at Allum Bagh. The day passed quietly.
Saturday, October 24th. No news! After dinner Charlie came, and I
returned with him; and I had no sooner arrived than a 24-pounder shot
came in! I took tea with him and afterwards came Captain W---- and they
examined a Native who had come in. Captain W---- also came. I returned
about 8. I always walk very quickly, both going and coming; but I
cannot get over the imaginative sensation of having a bullet between my
shoulders.
Sunday, October 25th. The General came and told us he expected the
Madras column was close to Allum Bagh; he had received no letters, but
a Native had come in. Charlie came to service at 3. The day passed
quietly.
Monday, October 26th. Letters had come in, in the night, with capital
news; the Delhi column had beaten the Mhow mutineers and taken all
their guns, and were coming quickly to us, and that 6,000 troops would
be at Cawnpore the 10th of next month and here about the 15th. Still
they cut our rations down again--14 oz. of wheat a day for a man and
no gram or dal for any one, and a smaller portion of rice, so that
we can only have it once a day now. Just before breakfast, as I was
sitting in the verandah, Col. Napier[9] came up and chatted with
me; he had just been visiting the outposts, and said he had not till
then had a full idea of what we must have suffered, and added, "I
understand your husband has been acting nobly all through the siege."
I scarcely thought till then he even knew my name amongst so many
ladies. Col. Napier was on the General's staff. I, of course, said I
was much gratified to hear such praise; but I went down to breakfast as
happy as a queen, to think dear Charlie was duly appreciated, and to
hear his praise from such high quarters. His position has been a most
dangerous one--a very exposed outpost--as the walls will show. This was
the day for the prize auctions--the property that had been collected
from the palaces. I knew that Charlie was going, but had no idea that
he intended purchasing; however, while I was in my room, Mrs. C----
came running to tell me he had arrived with a most beautiful Cashmere
shawl for me. I ran out, and Charlie threw it into my arms; this seemed
one of the bright days of the siege. He came over again for me after
dinner, and I returned with him to tea, and just at the time a shell
burst in the Compound below his house, but without damage.
[Footnote 9: Now Lord Napier of Magdala.]
Tuesday, October 27th. Letters had come in again during the night,
saying the Delhi column was expected at Cawnpore on the 28th. Mr.
G---- was mortally wounded at the new battery on the mound behind Mr.
I----s' house. Dr. D---- was struck by a piece of shell, as he was
walking down to the Ferard Bucksh.
Wednesday, October 28th. Letters came in again during the night, from
Cawnpore, saying the Delhi column had arrived, and they had had three
fights with the enemy--one near Agra, one at Mynpoorie, and one nearer
Cawnpore,--and that they had routed them well and taken their guns; and
that by the 7th proximo 2,500 of the troops coming up country would
have arrived at Cawnpore; and that, altogether, we should be 8,000
strong. The day passed quietly. I went to tea with Charlie, and while
there the enemy commenced a slight attack.
Thursday, October 29th. No news in! A very quiet day.
Friday, October 30th. No news! I went to tea with Charlie; while there
a round shot came in and wounded one of the garrison by causing a brick
to strike him.
Saturday, October 31st. After breakfast Charlie came and put up my
mosquito curtains, as Mrs. A---- and I had the luxury of sleeping away
from the party. We had Mrs. F----'s room to ourselves, Mrs. A---- being
an invalid. I returned with Charlie and had a delightful morning. I
altered a jacket for him; it is astonishing how clever this siege has
made me in tailoring, &c. I returned about half-past 3. Everyone thinks
it very dangerous my going to his house; but his room is tolerably
safe--at all events, as safe for him as me, and it is delightful to
have a nice chat together, for we know not how soon we may be parted.
Sunday, November 1st. Commencement of another month of the siege! Where
will the 1st of December find us? It is coming to a crisis now. But the
Almighty has spared us through so much danger, I trust He will bring us
out of it; my hope now is strong! We had a quiet day; no news!
Monday, November 2nd. The enemy threw several shells. I went,
notwithstanding, to Charlie's quarters, and had a cosy evening with
him. On my return, as were sitting in the verandah, a letter came from
Allum Bagh, and the General, after reading it, said, he must tell the
ladies the good news. The Commander-in-Chief was to be at Cawnpore this
day, and that part of the force was already sent on to Allum Bagh, and
that the rest remained to escort the Commander-in-Chief, who, it was
conjectured, would push on to Lucknow immediately. The General said he
did not like part of the force being sent to wait at Allum Bagh, as it
would give the enemy the idea that they were afraid to enter Lucknow.
The old gentleman then became very facetious, and asked if we would
take the Commander-in-Chief into our mess in the Tye Khana, and other
little jokes. I afterwards learnt that the arrival of the troops at
Allum Bagh was to be signalled by three salvos of four guns each.
Tuesday, November 3rd. The enemy had been firing tremendously all
night, and this day an attack was expected, so all were ordered to
remain at their posts; Charlie, therefore, could not come to me. I got
Capt. W---- to escort me over to his post, and spent a very pleasant
morning with him; I making a cloth jacket. Charlie went with his men
for a few minutes to help to put up the semaphore intended for the
Residency to telegraph with Allum Bagh; the enemy sent a number of
round shot and shell in, during the evening and night.
Wednesday, November 4th. After breakfast, I went over to Charlie's
house, escorted by a Sikh whom he had sent. I must not forget to say
that in my store-room I had a very advantageous deal with Mr. S----,
10 lbs. of green dal and 10 lbs. of wheat for 20 lbs. of rice, so that
we can have a little rice with our breakfast now, as well as dinner. I
made great progress with my cloth jacket, cut out of the surplus part
of a habit; no news in! Mr. D---- had both his legs taken off by a
round shot, while sketching in the Residency Compound.
Thursday, November 5th. Gunpowder plot. We had an attack during the
night, and a great deal of firing, but it was quieter during the day,
No news from without!
Friday, November 6th. A messenger had come in and told the General that
Manu Sing had gone off with his men to Chinhut. I suppose he wishes to
be neutral. I spent the morning with Charlie. A 24-pounder came in and
wounded a poor woman by the bricks it dislodged. I completed my cloth
jacket, and Charlie gave me some bloodstone buttons for it. In the
evening, after Mrs. A---- and I were in bed, Mrs. H---- came in to tell
us that a letter had come from Cawnpore, saying 5,000 Infantry, 800
Cavalry, and 36 guns, with 400 of the Naval Brigade, would be at Allum
Bagh by the 10th at latest. Glorious news for us prisoners!
Sunday, November 8th. A quiet day--no news! Charlie came to prayers,
and I went to tea with him.
Monday, November 9th. Another quiet day! I spent the morning with
Charlie.
Tuesday, November 10th. A great deal of firing at Allum Bagh; several
considered the four salvos that were fired the signal of the arrival of
the troops, but others thought they were only signal guns. Mr. C----,
assistant to the Chief Commissioner, had gone out during the night to
Allum Bagh, disguised as a Native, and during the morning the General
sent word to his wife that his arrival had been signalled. At 8 P.M. a
tar barrel was lighted at the top of the Residency, for some signal or
other, and was answered from the Allum Bagh.
Wednesday, November 11th. There had been a good deal of firing during
the night. No news in! A very unexciting day; they tried to work the
semaphore, but from some mistake it did not answer.
Thursday, November 12th. I spent the morning with Charlie, arranging
and packing our worldly goods; for, if the troops come in, we may be
sent off at a moment's notice. We could see the semaphore working
famously to-day for full three hours, and afterwards were told that
Sir C---- C---- had arrived at Allum Bagh, Mr. C---- was all right
there, and they did not intend commencing operations till Saturday the
14th--all glorious news! While I was with Charlie, there was a Native
report that the troops were already coming in and the enemy flying, so
several officers came to Charlie's to see from the roof of his house
whether it was true; it turned out all false. After dinner, Mrs. B----
and Mr. C---- called, the latter I had not seen during the whole siege;
he was looking better than I expected to see him, but his knee was much
contracted from the wound he received in Cantonments the night of the
mutiny. About 7 P.M. there appeared to be an attack commencing, but the
firing did not last long--however, all officers are ordered to remain
at their posts till the troops come in.
Friday, November 13th. I spent the whole morning packing the few
worldly goods I have left, and the Oude china, for we may very
probably be sent off at a moment's notice. After dinner, I went over to
Charlie; we had a very quiet day. In the evening, a messenger came in
from Allum Bagh but he had lost his despatch, so he was packed off to
the Guard-house immediately; for, considering it had been telegraphed
from Allum Bagh that the troops would move, without fail, the next
morning, this letter might have been of infinite importance.
Saturday, November 14th. The troops moved from Allum Bagh. It was a
very exciting day to most people; but somehow or other I felt very
tranquil. I spent the morning with Charlie. The troops took possession
of the Dil Koosha and Martinière, and by the evening our flag was
waving over the latter building.
Sunday, November 15th. The General went out with his Staff at 10 A.M.,
but from some cause unknown to us, neither our troops made any sortie
nor the reinforcements any advance. I paid Charlie a visit after dinner.
Monday, November 16th. A most exciting day. The troops moved from the
Martinière at half-past 6; we heard the guns firing tremendously. I
went over to Charlie about 11 A.M.; the roof of his house was crowded
with spectators. They had just seen some of our Cavalry and Artillery
take two of the enemy's guns, on the road to the Motee Mohul, and
plant two of ours in their stead, drawn by grey horses; some of the
Lancers were distinguished by their peculiar caps. Our own force,
from entrenchments, moved out also from the Fureed Bucksh, and took
the Engine House and King's Stables, and all the buildings up to
the Nullah. About half-past 12 I went on the roof (or rather stood
at the head of the stairs, looking through a hole in the parapet,
that had been made by a round shot), and saw the mines[10] sprung,
and the batteries firing furiously behind the Chutter Munzel. It was
a most extraordinary scene! shells were bursting in the air above
them,--fired, I suppose by the enemy,--and every few minutes a new
mine was sprung, sending up a thick yellow smoke and dust quite
different from the smoke of the batteries. We saw one round shot
strike a bungalow, on the banks of the river, and immediately some
figures sprung up from the verandah and made off with their bundles
of bedding. Many rockets were also fired, which set fire to several
buildings, and then volumes of thick smoke and flame arose. At one time
a mine was sprung, far out in the distance (conjectured to be some
magazine of the enemy); very few were seen running away; every now and
then, two or three would swim the river, having first stripped and
tied their clothes on their heads. A few ran away in our direction,
through Phillips' garden, so Charlie placed a rifleman to pick off any
who might be seen flying in that direction. He would not allow more
than fourteen on the roof of his house at one time; it was in such
a battered condition, it was not safe to have more. It was doubtful
even if the concussion from the mines might not shake it too much, so
a Crannee and a Sikh were placed to keep too many from crowding up;
and when some parties had been long enough, they were sent down, and
others took their places. There was always a party of European soldiers
waiting to go up: the house stands high, and commands the part of the
city our troops are entering. I was quite sorry, when dinner-time
came, and I was obliged to leave, for it was the most exciting scene I
ever in my life witnessed. I little thought even when I "listed," that
I should ever witness a pitched battle, and that my own life should
depend on the issue of it: it is, indeed, mercifully ordained that
we shall not see into the future. About 6, the General and his party
returned. Our troops had got up to the Motee Mohul, on one side, and to
the Nullah on the other, so that the two parties were only separated by
a few hundred yards.
[Footnote 10: These mines were prepared by us to throw down several
walls, to assist our troops in getting in.]
Tuesday, November 17th. The General and his Staff went out to meet Sir
C---- C----. I went over to Charlie, but there was not much to be seen
from his house, and there was a 24-pounder in the Dawk Office Compound,
just below his window, which, when it fired, regularly blew a blast
into the room, much to my annoyance. I returned to dinner; and when
the General came home in the evening, he said, as he passed into the
house, "Ladies, I have seen the Commander-in-Chief." The communication
was now opened with our troops; some of his staff remained talking with
us,[11] and we then heard that Col. N----, and Mr. S----, A.D.C., had
been wounded. The General had rushed across to the Commander-in-Chief,
through a heavy fire. After prayer in the evening, he called Dr. F----
aside, and said a few words to him; and when Dr. F---- came back he
said: "All ladies, and the sick and wounded, are to be out of the
garrison before to-morrow night, and can only take what they can carry
in their hands." It came upon us like a thunderbolt; one felt almost
paralysed--so helpless! How were we to go, and what could we take with
us? We were told not to name it; out of our own garrison that night, or
else I should have gone off to Charlie at once. Several of the ladies
sat up all night, stitching things of value into their petticoats,
&c.; I sat up a little while, but I got such an internal shivering and
spasms with the start it had given me, that I was obliged to go to bed,
fearing I might get one of my attacks; of course, sleep was out of the
question.
[Footnote 11: While I was talking to an officer, a bullet passed
between our faces.]
Wednesday, November 18th. I got up at daybreak, and rushed over
to Charlie. I found him fast asleep, but awoke him with the news,
which he would not believe; however, he got up and gave me all sorts
of instructions how to manage, and said he would set off and see
if he could contrive anything for me. I went home again to stitch
my valuables around me; and, by dinner time he had got me two old
men--fathers of Sepoys who had been with us all through the siege--one
of whom was to carry a bundle of bedding, and the other my dressing
case; our only servant, a punkah coolie, was to carry a tin box: he
cheered me with the news also, that he had got leave to accompany me as
far as Secundrabagh.[12] So I must walk, having no carriage; however,
there came an order that we were not to go till the next day. I was
thankful, for I was quite worn out with the preparations. Charlie,
also, was quite done up, he had been over so often to help me; and
we are none of us very strong; and after all he brought me 2 lbs. of
sugar, a great treat, for we had tasted none for weeks. We went to
bed all worn out, Charlie sending word, the last thing, that I was to
have the Subadar's mare to ride the next day. The Sikh cook was to
carry a banghy; so I set to work and packed my little portmanteau with
what next I thought I should most like to save (the difficulty was
to select), and all these things went off at night with Herah Sing,
a Sikh Sepoy in charge. Charlie had given him a note to Col. B----,
to take charge of them till I arrived next day; but, the Colonel was
killed that very afternoon--so Capt. N----, Assistant Adjutant-General,
kindly took charge of them instead.
[Footnote 12: Two miles out.]