_July 31st._--A fine night, and the usual firing. At daylight, the enemy

commenced firing heavily on the Church and Residency, from a 24-pounder

planted in the neighbourhood of the iron bridge. They also threw in many

shells, and fired their guns from the Clock Tower Gate. Our 18-pounders

and mortars were employed until 10 A.M. in silencing the enemy's fire.

Our sap from the brigade mess made good progress across the road,

towards the outhouses occupied by the enemy. Several children have

lately died: privation the chief cause. We had received no information

whatever since the 26th instant, the date on which we received the only

letter we had yet received since the 27th of June. Our reinforcements

were due to-day, and their non-arrival led us to suppose that the enemy

had succeeded in breaking down the bridge at Bunnee, and arresting the

progress of our friends. The flies dreadful,--preventing all rest during

the day, and disputing our food with us. The enemy continued to throw in

shells all the forenoon, till 2 P.M. when we had a heavy shower: after

that, the firing continued as before. In the evening we repaired our

defences as far as we could, as, owing to the heavy rain, the earth had

settled very considerably. A fine moonlight night, and all quiet, save

the usual amount of round shot and musketry.

_August 1st._--Still no intelligence of any kind, which caused much

anxiety, more particularly as some of our supplies for natives were

likely to be at an end in twenty days' time. Weather very hot and

sultry; small painful boils, covering nearly the whole body, very

prevalent. Many deaths among the children, and sickness on the increase.

Great inconvenience felt in the hospital for want of space; the sick and

wounded sadly crowded, and the building very badly ventilated, as the

lower story was hardly safe from shots. Enemy threw in many shells this

morning, and fired unusually sharp with their heavy guns, till about 10

A.M., keeping our guns and mortars fully employed in keeping down their

fire. Heat very great; fire gradually slackened off towards noon, but

recommenced sharply again about 5 P.M. Many round shot, shell, and

carcases came in. One of the latter fell into the courtyard of the Begum

Kotee, within a few feet of the table at which the staff and

commissariat officers were at dinner; but no one was hurt. Several cases

of cholera occurred to-day. Efforts made to improve and strengthen our

defences during the moonlight nights; but the engineer officers were all

sick, and little was done. Our sap in the brigade mess was pushed

steadily on, and had attained thirty-eight feet from the shaft this

evening.

_August 2nd._--Fine moonlight night. Sharp firing during some portion of

it. Many rockets were thrown in early in the morning. Mr. Hely of the

7th Cavalry died this day of the wound he received on the 20th ult. An

artillery sergeant was mortally wounded this morning in the Redan. Enemy

fired a salute of some forty guns about 11 A.M. A Seikh sowar of the 3rd

Irregular Cavalry deserted to the enemy this morning. The Bhoosa stack

fell down to-day, burying ten or twelve bullocks; which, after much

labour, were got out. Seven of them were unfortunately dead; thus

entailing more labour, as at night we had to bury them: no slight task

in such weather, with our jaded and harassed garrison. Towards the

evening a heavy cannonade was kept up on both sides. About 5·30 P.M. an

eight-inch shell from the enemy struck the Begum Kotee, and, breaking

right through the outside wall, exploded in the room in which Lieutenant

James of the Commissariat and Mr. Lawrence of the Civil Service were

lying on their beds wounded, with one or two servants in the room;

providentially all escaped, though the room was set on fire. Heavy

firing till midnight.

_August 3rd._--Smart firing till daylight. Every possible effort was

made to strengthen our position and raise the height of our defences. A

soldier of the 32nd Foot was shot dead this morning in the centre room

of the hospital; showing how little safety anywhere existed against the

enemy's fire.

A new loophole on the top of the brigade mess, which it was discovered

commanded a distant and much frequented lane in the city, was made use

of by Lieutenant Sewell, armed with his Enfield rifle; the distance

being not above 750 yards, the conical bullets most effectually cleared

the lanes of the sepoys, as they lounged up it, and quickened the paces

of the citizens as they crossed and recrossed.

Enemy unusually slack in firing after dark till about 10 P.M., when they

recommenced firing, and continued it during the night. The engineers

continued their endeavours to strengthen our position, by heightening

the abattis near the Redan. A fine moonlight night. Several cannon shots

were heard in the distance, but no intelligence of any kind reached us.

_August 4th._--The enemy fired a great number of rounds from their guns

at intervals during the night. Musketry fire was slack this morning. No

news of any kind. Could get no messengers to go out with a letter,

though it was made so small that it went into half a quill; but it had

been spread abroad that the enemy would kill any one leaving the

garrison, and this deterred any one from endeavouring to carry a letter

to our friends, no matter how great the reward might be that was held

out.

Many officers and men are laid up with fever and dysentery. Our stored

attah was nearly expended, and in a few days' time we should have to

commence that which we had ground, which now amounted to about 500

maunds. At 2 P.M. the firing of all kinds was very slack; indeed, for

long intervals, not a shot was to be heard. The officers, also, who

relieve one another as look-outs on the top of the Residency, reported

that a smaller number of men than usual were to be seen on the move. An

Eurasian attached to the party working Dr. Fayrer's guns, was shot dead

while working the 18-pounder guns this day, by a man said to be not

sixty yards off. Several convalescents have been moved from the hospital

to other quarters, and with happy results both as regards themselves and

those left in the hospital, which greatly wanted a free circulation of

air. Towards dusk many shells came in, and one exploded in the second

brigade square; fortunately, it was seen coming, and no harm ensued. The

powder magazine was made as secure as possible, by putting heavy beams

across the roof, and covering them with two feet of earth. A fine night,

but very much firing till midnight.

_August 5th._--Sent off another letter to the officer commanding the

relieving force, of which we could gain no intelligence; though we

conjecture the advance of our force had been arrested by the enemy at

the bridge of Bunnee. Heavy showers during the day. Musket-proof

shutters were completed for the embrasure of the 18-pounders to the left

of the hospital. Many of the convalescent patients removed to the Thug

Gaol Barracks, which gave them a slight change, and created more room in

the hospital. Efforts made to clear some of the drains, and reduce the

stench which pervades the garrison. At sunset the enemy were seen at a

distance in some force, with drums and fifes playing, marching from the

direction of the river towards the Cawnpore road. Soon after, they threw

many shells into us, and continued to do so for some time. About 8 P.M.

all became tolerably quiet.

_August 6th._--The enemy fired several shots, from a 24-pounder, at the

Residency, one of which unfortunately fractured the arm of Ensign Studdy

of the 32nd Foot, as he sat down to breakfast; rendering amputation

necessary. This gun caused us great annoyance, from its calibre, and

firing so frequently as it did into the Residency. Unfortunately its

distance from our position, and its situation in the midst of buildings,

rendered it impossible to take it by the bayonet; neither could our

gunners see it, so that to shell it was our only resource.

Less firing than usual. The enemy again ascended into the upper story of

Johannes' house, and from thence caused much annoyance to the position

of the brigade mess, where the cooking went on. They succeeded in

killing a sweeper. Terrible heat; Brigadier Inglis suffered from its

effects. Various rumours afloat in the garrison; some of which seemed to

have originated either with a servant of Mr. Gubbins, or some member of

his post. The Residency is at last to be entirely vacated by the

officers of the 32nd and others now resident there. Last night was spent

in earthing in the magazine, as several shots had lately gone

unpleasantly near, A carcase came into the Begum Kotee in the afternoon,

into the room in which Lieutenant James (wounded), Mr. Lawrence

(wounded), and Ensign Keir (sick), were lying; it set some of the things

in the room on fire, but was speedily extinguished without injury to any

one. Much bugling, drumming, and firing towards evening. After dark the

enemy fired heavily from their guns in front of the Residency. Our

engineers and a working party were busy all this night at Innes' house,

making a battery for an 18-pounder, to be moved down in order to

endeavour to silence a 24-pounder of the enemy's, which had been doing

much mischief by firing through the church and Residency. About 9 P.M. a

sepoy of the 1st Oude Irregular Infantry, who took out a letter to the

officer commanding the relieving force, came in; he stated that he had

delivered it, and that he had received a letter in reply which he had

lost in coming in to us. Half-an-hour later, another man, a sepoy of the

48th, who had been sent into the town two days previously to try and

gain intelligence, returned, and stated he had been confined several

days by the enemy; and he in a great measure corroborated the statement

of the sepoy of the 1st Oude Irregular Infantry: this loss of the letter

was a great mortification to us, as it might have explained what was at

this time inexplicable--the retirement towards Cawnpore of General

Havelock's force, after apparently the greatest success on this side the

Ganges.

_August 7th._--We worked hard at our new battery at Innes' house, and

got it ready; an 18-pounder was taken down and in position by daylight,

whence it commenced firing, and soon silenced the enemy's guns. The

enemy, however, fired heavily from some others, and about 8 A.M. a shell

burst close to the Residency and mortally wounded two of the best men in

the 32nd, the one a colour-sergeant and the other an orderly-room clerk.

Captain Waterman of the 13th was wounded through the hand by a musket

ball at Innes' post this morning. Several cases of cholera. Every effort

made to increase the number of men to grind wheat for the force.

Exceedingly heavy rain during the middle of the day. The hose into our

mine near Johannes's house got damped, and required all the tamping to

be removed. Our position greatly flooded, which rendered it most

wretched for those who had to be in trenches night and day. The

artillery canteen closed, in consequence of the gross irregularities

which prevailed, and its contents removed to the canteen of the 32nd

Regiment, from which the artillery were in future supplied. The heavy

rain seemed to make the stench which pervaded the place worse, and this

evening it was fearful. Several cases of cholera occurred to-day. The

enemy's cannon knocked down a portion of the verandah of the Residency,

also the verandah of Delprat's house at the Cawnpore battery: a few

shells came in in the evening.

_August 8th._--A tolerably quiet night. Dr. McDonnell, of the 41st

Native Infantry, died early this morning of cholera. A soldier of the

32nd was shot, and a native woman-servant of Mrs. Banks had her thigh

broken by musketry at Mr. Gubbins's post this forenoon.

A heavy smoke was distinctly seen in the far distance in the direction

of the Cawnpore road. Many reports were made of heavy firing being heard

in the same direction: a Sikh attached to the cavalry brought repeated

accounts of it, but no European, save Captains Forbes and Hawes, of Mr.

Gubbins's post, could say he heard it. The natives (some of them) very

anxious about the arrival of the reinforcements, of whom we could hear

nothing.

In the afternoon, a regiment of infantry, about 600 strong, with drums

beating, marching in quarter distance column with colours, was seen

marching through the city, in the direction of the Cawnpore road.

Seven hundred yards from the brigade-mess was a street in the city which

was commanded by Lieutenant Sewell's double Enfield rifle, and on which

spot he had killed several sepoys and others: this was this afternoon

barricaded right across, which was a nuisance, as it entirely obstructed

our view of what passed along. Lieutenant Bryce of the artillery, who

had been severely wounded, died of cholera.

No intelligence came in this evening, and much anxiety as to our

reinforcements was evinced by some of our native troops and servants.

Rice was served out to most of the natives in lieu of flour, and wheat

to the native camp-followers, in order to husband our stock of flour.

All the tea and coffee for the Europeans expended; the last issue being

made yesterday. This was the first day on which we had no casualty.

_August 9th._--The heat excessive, and children sank rapidly under the

effects of want of good air, food and exercise: several deaths occurred

among them, both yesterday and to-day. The enemy fired heavily in the

morning, but providentially, no one was hurt. Ensign Studdy, who had had

his arm amputated from the effects of a 24-pounder shot, died this

morning. The enemy were thought to have recommenced mining near the

Redan battery.

Divine service was performed in the brigade mess-house to all officers

not on duty. No signs or symptoms of our reinforcements. In the middle

of the day Ensign Loughnan of the 13th (on duty at Innes' house) went

out with a few men and quietly spiked a small gun of the enemy's, and

returned without any loss. A very heavy shower in the evening, which

filled our trenches. One or two doolies were seen going across the

Goomtee, accompanied by sepoys. About 9 P.M. a Seikh sowar of the 3rd

Oude Irregular Cavalry came in by the Seikh battery. His having been

permitted to pass the enemy's outposts induced a belief that he had come

in to try and make the other Seikhs desert; consequently he was placed

under British bayonets, and not allowed to converse with any one.

_August 10th._--About 10 A.M. a great number of sepoys, probably 1600,

were seen, with two guns, marching up our left flank and across the

Cawnpore road, behind their trenches. Very shortly after, a large force

was seen to be approaching the bridge of boats from cantonments; and, in

consequence, all were quickly at their posts. About half an hour after,

the enemy fired a shell into the Begum Kotee, which appeared to be a

signal; for the instant after, a mine was sprung opposite to Johannes's

house, which blew in a great portion of the house occupied by Mr.

Schilling and the Martiniere boys, and entirely destroyed our pallisades

and defences for the space of sixty feet. One of the heaviest timbers

was pitched right on the top of the brigade mess-house, among the

officers and men of the 32nd, who occupied the post. As soon as the

smoke blew away, the enemy pushed up, under a tremendous musketry fire,

right into Johannes's house and garden, and into all the buildings close

round the Cawnpore battery; but all their efforts to enter our position

were met with such a steady fire, that they fell back, and kept up an

incessant fire of musketry on our defences. About thirty of them,

however, lodged themselves in the ditch of the Cawnpore battery, within

a few feet of our guns. A hand grenade was rolled over right into the

centre of them, on which they bolted and ran back, exposed to a sharp

fusillade from our people on the top of the brigade-mess.

While this was going on, a very sharp attack was made on Mrs. Sago's

house, where the enemy blew up a mine, which destroyed some of the

outhouses and blew two soldiers out into the road, outside our defences:

extraordinary to relate, they fell unhurt, and got safely back to their

posts. The enemy then made their attack, but were soon driven back with

considerable loss, and confined themselves to keeping up a tremendous

storm of round shot and musketry on our position, which after two hours,

in a great measure, subsided. About 5 P.M., they made a sudden rush on

Captain Saunders's post. One of the enemy even seized a bayonet of one

of the 84th Foot, and tried to wrench it off through a loophole, but was

instantly shot; after a smart fusillade, which lasted for about 25

minutes, they withdrew, and gradually the fire ceased.

About 9 P.M. a third attack was made, and was similarly repulsed; nor

were these efforts confined to the places above noted. At Innes' house,

Anderson's, and Mr. Gubbins's post, large bodies of men came forward,

bringing up large scaling-ladders, several of which they abandoned.

During the day, we lost three Europeans and two sepoys killed, and about

twice that number wounded. Our garrison were under arms the entire day,

the heat was excessive, and all were greatly exhausted; nevertheless,

every officer and man remained under arms all night: after 10 o'clock

all became tolerably quiet. Captain Power, of the 32nd, who had been

wounded early in the siege, died in hospital to-day, and Major Anderson,

chief engineer, was reported very dangerously ill. The enemy must have

had a considerable loss this day, as a great number of them were seen to

fall; and we threw 150 shells, besides great quantities of round shot

and grape, from which also many casualties must have occurred.

_August 11th._--A slight alarm about 2 A.M., after which all subsided

into the usual routine firing. A very fine morning, very little to be

seen of the enemy, who however were not idle, as they were to-day busily

employed constructing earthworks and trenches in various directions

close to our position. Early in the morning the enemy fired many round

shot, some of which struck the Residency, already much shattered; and

about noon a very distressing accident took place. There was a high

wind, and it brought down a great portion of the left wing, on the

ground floor of which, in a room, six men of the 32nd were asleep. They

were completely buried in the ruins. Two were got out alive after very

great exertions, but the remaining four were left under the ruins.

Immediate arrangements made for the removal of the few European women

and children who still occupied one of the rooms on the ground floor.

Major Anderson, chief engineer, died during the afternoon. He had been

ailing before the siege, but on the commencement rallied somewhat, owing

to the excitement and novelty of the position. Latterly he fell off

again, and to-day expired; his death no doubt hastened by the

impossibility of any change of air or diet. The look-out officers

yesterday reported having seen some few doolies going across the river

with sepoys after the day of attack, and to-day some dead and wounded

were also seen being conveyed away. The enemy were busy close under Mr.

Gubbins's ramparts, whence they had once before been expelled by some

hand grenades. At the corner of the Seikh square also, from across the

road, they amused themselves by pushing out over the wall bamboos with

lighted straw at the end; but with what object was not very clear: in

the meanwhile not one of them showed themselves, but kept well under

cover. Smart firing in the evening. The corpse of a soldier of the 32nd

was extricated from the ruins of the Residency; three others still

remained.

_August 12th._--A fine moonlight night. About 3·30 A.M. the enemy

suddenly commenced a very heavy fire of round shot and musketry, which

lasted for three-quarters of an hour. We kept close, and hardly fired a

shot, beyond throwing a few shells. At day light, they commenced a very

heavy cannonade and musketry fire on the Cawnpore battery; this

gradually became so sharp, that it was impossible to work our guns, or

even remain in the battery; and we were obliged to withdraw every one

but the sentry, as the enemy's round shot had destroyed our musketry

shutters, and completely swept the battery: later in the day, our

sentry, the only man in the battery, was killed by a round shot. This

portion of our position caused us great anxiety, as we were quite unable

to hold it as it should be held; we would not withdraw our guns, for

fear of giving the enemy confidence. The enemy were busily employed

to-day also in digging close to Sago's house. In order to see what they

were about, at 12 o'clock a sortie was made with twelve Europeans of the

32nd Foot under Lieutenant Clery, accompanied by Lieutenant Hutchinson

of the Engineers. The enemy were, however, well on the alert, and had a

large covering party over their work, and as our men appeared, they

threw in such a heavy fire that our people were compelled to retire;

this brought on a very great fire from all that side of the enemy's

attack, and they kept up a smart fire of round shot and musketry for

fully an hour, when it gradually subsided. Finding we were unequal to

meet the enemy by a sortie, we determined to push on our mine as fast as

possible, and continue working all day and night, hoping to blow them up.

In the evening we had as strong working parties of Europeans as we could

afford, and removed from the Cawnpore battery, a 9-pounder which had

been disabled by a round shot of the enemy. We also dug a trench and

threw up earth on the top of our parapets, and endeavoured to our utmost

to repair the damage the enemy had done, and make the place as strong as

possible. Several shells came in after dusk. The heat throughout the day

was excessive, and there were several fatal cases of cholera, and also

several deaths among the children, who were all greatly emaciated.

In the evening, a letter to General Havelock, rolled up and put inside a

quill, was despatched by the hands of an old woman; she left our

position about 9 P.M., and we hoped, would be permitted to pass the

enemy's sentries without being stopped. During the past forty-five days,

we had sent by different hands, in a similar manner, some twenty

letters, to only one of which was any reply received. The garrison, very

greatly harassed and fatigued from continued exertion night and day and

want of rest.

_August 13th._--An excessively hot night. During the early part of the

morning the enemy threw in a very heavy fire, which lasted for nearly

half an hour, when all subsided into the usual routine firing.

Our mine near Sago's house was pushed on all night with the greatest

possible speed. Every possible means was adopted by the enemy to prevent

our miners working, and as only a wall and a few feet of ground divided

the two parties, they resorted to squibs, rockets, brickbats, and lights

at the end of bamboos, to annoy our workmen. As the latter were thrust

forward with the hope of setting fire to our tiled outhouses, the ends

were successively cut off by us. Several reports alive in the garrison,

but on what grounds, or how stated, no one could say. However, as these

were all more or less favourable to us, and encouraging to the natives,

if credited, no harm was done.

Shortly before 10 A.M. the engineers reported our countermine as ready;

the neighbouring outposts and garrisons were duly warned, and the mine

fired, with the happiest results: the brick house in which the enemy

was, and from which they had started their mine, settled down, burying

all inside; the earth was thrown up to a considerable height, and only

one outhouse of our own, of no consequence, destroyed. Up to the last

moment, the people inside the enemy's mine were hard at work, and after

the explosion the groans of the sufferers were plainly audible. In the

course of the day, some few of the enemy were shot from Sago's post. In

the afternoon, after several shells had been thrown in to drive as many

out as possible, it was determined to go out and see what the enemy were

doing near Mr. Gubbins's post. A hole being cut in the wall out of our

defences, a party of Europeans, with the engineer officers, went out and

found a deep trench dug through the outhouses for some distance towards

our position. The work was not deemed of any great importance, and after

it had been well examined, the party withdrew.

Many cases of fever to-day, and four deaths in hospital among the

Europeans. Enemy very quiet during the evening; unusually so, till about

10 P.M., when they threw an 8-inch shell into our position. This

appeared to be a signal; for instantly they commenced a tremendous fire

with round shot and musketry, which lasted half an hour, and completely

lit up the darkness around. They were busy mining us in several places,

and their workmen could be distinctly heard at work. Our engineers were

hard at work, trying with the best means at their disposal to frustrate

their efforts; but our people were so harassed that they were not

capable of any prolonged exertion. A shaft, however, for a mine was made

in Mr. Anderson's house, and sunk to the extent of eight feet, in view

to running a sap to meet the enemy. Heat very great, and mosquitoes,

bugs, and fleas most troublesome.

_August 14th._--Enemy unusually quiet all the morning; more so than they

had yet been. Our people were all busy preparing new sandbags, as the

old ones were so rotten, from long exposure to the rain, that they would

bear no removal: also in countermining the enemy from out of a corner of

Anderson's house. A Mater came in this morning, but could give no

information. Provision for the cattle growing short; and every means

adopted to reduce the daily consumption. The various look-outs reported

no movement of the enemy: in a word, it was the quietest day we had yet

had. About 4 P.M. they began a more brisk fire. Many cases of fever and

several deaths amongst the children. Many rumours abroad regarding our

relieving force; but all was conjecture. Most of our outpost houses were

now so riddled with round shot, that it was a wonder how any of them

stood up at all: indeed most of them were in ruins, and at Mr.

Anderson's house part of the garrison had been twice pulled out of the

ruins which had suddenly fallen on them; nevertheless, these posts, in

spite of many casualties, were held with the same courage and devotion

as was displayed the first day of the siege. At dusk we had a severe

thunderstorm, with exceedingly heavy rain, which lasted for several

hours, falling in a complete deluge; the night was exceedingly dark,

with extremely vivid lightning. Captain Fulton and Lieutenant Hutchinson

of the Engineers went down and examined all the outhouses in Dr.

Fayrer's premises, to see if any mining operations could be heard. They

afterwards went down to the Buxee Khana, and examined the wall in front

to some distance.

_August 15th._--Heavy rain till about 3 A.M., when it cleared away, and

the morning was beautifully clear and fine. The enemy fired salvos of

two and three 18-pounders at once into the Cawnpore battery, and brought

down all the outer wall of the house alongside it, which we used as a

guardroom; making the place so hot we were obliged to retire our men

from it during the heaviest part of the cannonade. Lieutenant Bonham

received a severe contusion, from bricks knocked out on him by an

18-pound shot; and later in the day the sentry left in the front part of

the battery was killed by a round shot. Lieutenant James Alexander was

shot through the arm while laying an 18-pounder in the Hospital battery.

Several servants and six bheesties of the 32nd deserted last night. At

night, advantage taken of the dark to repair as much as possible the

damage done to-day to the Cawnpore battery. About 9 P.M. a pensioner

named Ungud, who had been sent out with a letter, returned, bringing a

letter from Cawnpore. This was the first night since the siege began

that no burial took place.

_August 16th._--Great progress made in our mine out of Lieutenant

Anderson's house, which had now reached a distance of twenty-five feet

from the shaft. Also much done in the way of making the Cawnpore battery

more secure. Brigadier Inglis slept in it himself. In the early morning

the enemy fired a great many round shot, and brought a new gun into

position, to play on the corner of the brigade mess-house; also one

which fired on Mr. Gubbins's post, but which was soon silenced by a

9-pounder placed in position against it. Divine service performed in the

brigade-mess to a few officers who were off duty, and to the ladies.

Much round shot fired during the day, but fewer sepoys in sight than

usual. Every possible effort was made to curtail the expenditure of our

provisions, and make them last as long as possible. The enemy threw in

three 8-inch shells during the evening, and fired several round shot

during the night.

_August 17th._--The remaining portion of the Residency was deemed unsafe

by the engineers, from the number of round shot that had come through

it; and arrangements were made to remove the Europeans. The heat

extreme, a heavy cannonade from daylight till 9 A.M., when it gradually

slackened. A few round shot were fired through the Residency during the

morning. Much progress was made in the mine out of Lieutenant Anderson's

house, and a new shaft sunk in the Martiniere School, in view to running

a sap towards Johannes' house. The Seikhs mined well, and the payment in

cash of two rupees per man for each night's work made the work popular.

Between 4 and 5 P.M. the enemy recommenced a slight cannonade, doubtless

stirred up by some shells which were thrown during the afternoon.

Towards dusk the enemy threw in several shells, and at midnight an

8-inch, which nearly hit our laboratory.

_August 18th._--At daylight the enemy exploded a large mine under one of

our principal posts in the outer square, occupied by the Seikhs; the

three officers and three sentries on the top of the house, were blown up

into the air and fell among the debris. The guard below were all,

however, buried in the ruins, and lost their lives: they were two

bandsmen of the 41st, two of the 13th, and a sepoy of the 48th Native

Infantry. The officers, though much stunned, on recovering themselves

ran away, and all three escaped unhurt.

When the smoke had blown away, we discovered that a clear breach had

been made into our defences, to the extent of thirty feet in breadth.

One of the enemy's leaders sprung on the top of the breach, brandishing

his sword and calling on others to follow; but he fell dead instantly

from the flank fire of the officers on the top of the brigade-mess.

Another instantly followed and shared the same fate, when the rest of

the force declined making a home rush. On the first springing of the

mine, our garrison was at once under arms, and the reserve of the 84th

Foot (eighteen men) were immediately sent down and placed in a position

which commanded the breach from the right; while boxes, doors, planks,

tents, &c., were rapidly carried down to make as much cover as possible

to protect our men against musketry: also a house was pulled down and a

road made for a gun; and, after incredible exertions, a 9-pounder was

got into a position which commanded all the breach, and was loaded with

a double charge of grape. The enemy, by means of some barricaded lanes,

contrived to creep up and get possession of the right flank wall of the

Seikh square; but our mortar and a 24-pounder howitzer drove the main

body off, and a sudden rush at noon cleared away the rest. We reoccupied

all the ground we had lost in the morning, and also took possession of

the houses previously held by the enemy, and which were situated between

the Seikh square and Mr. Gubbins's house. No time was lost in destroying

them, and by sunset 400lbs. of gunpowder had cleared away many of the

houses from which the enemy had most annoyed us. By this time the breach

was securely barricaded against any sudden rush, and at night a working

party completed it. In addition to the eight men lost in the explosion,

we had this day one of the 32nd killed, and a volunteer (M. De Prât) and

three of the 32nd wounded. Nothing could exceed the zeal with which

_all_ the natives worked to secure the breach, and make a road for a

gun. The heat was fearful, and this was one of the most harassing days

we had, all ranks being hard at work from daylight till dark, under a

dreadful sun. Lieutenant Fletcher, 48th Regiment Native Infantry, on

look-out duty at the top of the Residency, was shot through the arm, and

had his telescope shivered by a rifle-ball, while reconnoitring.

Lieutenant Graham was also hit on the chest with a spent ball. For

further accounts of the explosion of the mine, see the report of the

disaster by an eye-witness, marked (II.) in the Appendix.

_August 19th._--The enemy rather lively with their large guns this

morning. Firing more particularly at the guard-rooms on the top of the

brigade-mess, which were by this time well-riddled. About 2 P.M. the

engineers, Messrs. Fulton, Hutchinson, and Anderson, with a small party,

went out on the premises which we yesterday seized, for the purpose of

blowing up some more houses and buildings. This party was supported by

some Europeans and Seikhs, kept inside the square. The enemy showed

nowhere, and save for a few dropping shots, their presence would not

have been known.

It is worthy of notice, that even through the Pucka buildings, the enemy

dug communicating trenches, probably to escape the effects of our

shells; which, however, they had not always been successful in doing, as

several pools of blood showed us. In the afternoon we experienced a

smart cannonade, and about dusk had a heavy shower which stayed it for a

while, and after 8 P.M. it subsided nearly entirely into a musketry fire.

_August 20th._--A heavy fire of musketry towards daylight, when the

enemy began the heaviest cannonade we had yet had; particularly on the

Cawnpore battery, in front of which they had put another gun in

position. For three hours they fired continually, and a great portion of

Mons. De Prât's house fell in. Their round shot came in through the Thug

Jail, and enfiladed it; fortunately it struck high, and no casualty

occurred: they also threw some shrapnel, as yesterday. Our guard rooms

on the top of the brigade mess were now entirely demolished by round

shot, which came through them almost unceasingly. An 8-inch shell went

into the Residency, and exploded on the staircase. A soldier of the 32nd

Foot was killed in the 18-pounder battery, at Dr. Fayrer's, by a

musket-ball which struck him in the head. We were busy all night at our

mine, which was now completed, and we hope to be able to load it and

have it ready to fire by daylight to-morrow morning. Many men were seen

in the early part of the day, moving about in the bazaar (most of them

sepoys). It was difficult to say what they were about, as they were

moving both ways. Lieutenant Cunliffe of the artillery was slightly

wounded this morning in the knee by a musket ball. Great mortality

amongst the children in the garrison, and a great deal of sickness

prevailed, particularly fever. All the tea and sugar for the Europeans

had been for some time expended, save a small supply which had been

reserved for the use of the sick and wounded. The enemy again commenced

to undermine the lane running from the Cawnpore battery behind the

brigade-mess, and were also engaged in some other work to the right of

Johannes' house. Much firing during the evening. Captain Lowe of the

32nd Foot, had a very narrow escape; an eight-inch shell burst close to

him in the trenches, and slightly wounded him in the hand, and cut off

the arm of a soldier alongside him. The enemy made an attempt to burn

down the gates at the Baillie Guard, by eluding the vigilance of the

sentries and piling up logs of wood and combustibles outside the gate.

It burnt fiercely, but was soon extinguished by the water-carriers of

the 13th, without damage to the gates: the fire was the signal for a

heavy fusillade, which lasted nearly half an hour.

_August 21st._--At daybreak all was prepared and ready for the

blowing-up of our mine, and the simultaneous sortie of fifty Europeans

under Captain M'Cabe and Lieutenant Browne (divided into two parties),

for the purpose of spiking the enemy's guns which fired into the mess

house, and in order to hold Johannes' house while the engineer officers

blew it up. Precisely at 5 P.M. the mine, containing 400 lbs. of powder,

was sprung, and as soon as the dust and smoke had in a measure subsided,

the party ran out, drove the enemy (who were taken by surprise, and made

but a slight show of resistance) from their guns (two), and spiked them

both, and retained possession of Johannes' house, while the engineers

made arrangements for blowing it up. These were soon completed, and the

party withdrawn. A slow match was applied, and the house laid in ruins.

Our losses were one of the 84th killed, one sergeant (84th) mortally

wounded, one of the 32nd dangerously wounded, one slightly wounded, and

a sergeant of the artillery killed. The operation was entirely

successful, and rid us of a house from which the enemy had, from the

commencement of the siege, annoyed us greatly. Captain Barlow, of the

50th Native Infantry, died somewhat suddenly in hospital this morning.

The grass and jungle all round had grown to a very great height, and

would have given cover to a number of men to approach close up to our

position unobserved. In the afternoon, a boy about twelve years of age

was seen close to the Baillie Guard gate, picking up bullets that had

been fired. A sepoy of the 13th on sentry-duty saw him, covered him with

his musket, and compelled him to come in. An eight-inch shell fell on

the top of the Residency about 9 P.M., and exploded, fortunately without

injuring any one.

_August 22nd._--Mrs. Green, of the 48th Native Infantry, died early this

morning. There had been also many deaths among children during the few

previous days. Many of our supplies were entirely expended, and the

garrison were put to great inconvenience for the want of tobacco, of

which for some time past there had been none to issue. Still more

stringent measures adopted to prevent the consumption of flour; and

wheat was issued to all non-combatants who had time to grind it. A fine

clear night, with less musketry and more cannon firing than usual. Many

of our defences were greatly injured from the late heavy rain and the

incessant cannonade of the enemy. Last night repairs were made to the

Cawnpore and Redan batteries, both of which still required much to be

done to them. To-day an European sentry inside the Baillie Guard gate,

was shot dead by a rifleman: the ball went through some sand bags put up

for his protection. A sepoy of the 13th was also hit in the knee this

morning from the same loophole. Arrangements were made to knock the

place down to-morrow morning at daylight with a 24-pounder howitzer.

Sergeant Ryder, of the artillery, was killed dead by a musket ball

to-day in the churchyard. Up to this date, we had lost since the siege

commenced on the 30th of June, by killed, wounded, and sickness: 101 men

of the 32nd Foot, not including officers; and of the detachment of the

84th, consisting originally of fifty men, eleven had been killed and

died of wounds and disease since the above date. Reports of distant

firing being heard, vague rumours were afloat; but these excited little

attention _now_, so often had they been in circulation, giving rise to

false hopes of our reinforcements being near.

Captain Hawes, of the 63rd Native Infantry, was wounded this afternoon

by a musket ball through the side and arm, while on the look-out from

the top of the defences at Mr. Gubbins's post. After dark we had two

eight-inch shells and several shrapnell sent in. One of the former

carried off the leg of a native (who died soon after), and slightly

wounded another. Repairs continued in the Cawnpore and Redan batteries.

The want of tea and sugar much felt, and very large prices offered for

stores of any kind.

_August 23rd._--A heavy cannonade from the enemy, from daylight till

about 10 P.M., when it slackened. Their principal efforts were against

the brigade-mess house and Cawnpore battery; the former they seriously

damaged, and succeeded in entirely levelling the guard-houses on the

top; both of which had fallen in, and there was no longer any cover for

our musketry to fire from. Our ranks were rapidly thinning. Two men were

again this morning mortally wounded by musketry fire. The enemy were

busily employed in digging on all sides, more particularly in front of

the Redan; but it was very difficult to say what their object was, as

they dug deep trenches in all directions. Continued reports of distant

firing being heard. The enemy fired heavily from their guns in the

afternoon, and did considerable damage to our defences. A working party

employed after dark, making a magazine for the powder and shells lodged

in the Post-office.

We had work nightly for at least 300 men; as we had the defences to

repair daily, supplies to remove from godowns which were fallen in from

the effects of the enemy's shot, mines to countermine, guns to remove,

barricades to erect, corpses to bury, and rations to serve out; but with

our weak, harassed, and daily diminishing garrison, we could seldom

produce as working parties more than three fatigue parties of eight or

ten men each relief; and the Europeans were capable of but little

exertion, as from want of sleep, hard work night and day, and constant

exposure, their bodily strength was greatly diminished. The enemy threw

in an 8-inch shell about 9 P.M. and fired all the evening. Divine

service was performed at the brigade-mess in the morning, and in the

afternoon, at Dr. Fayrer's; the sacrament was administered on both

occasions.

_August 24th._--This morning, at about 2 o'clock, the enemy opened a

very heavy fire, both of round shot and musketry; commencing and

concluding the same apparently on the signal of a fireball thrown up on

each occasion. The Judicial Garrison house, under command of Captain

Germon, being in a most dangerous state from the effects of round shot,

all the women and wounded men, also children, were removed from that

post, as well as from all the other outposts in that quarter, into the

Begum Kotee in the neighbourhood. A sergeant of the 84th was dangerously

wounded coming up from Mrs. Sago's house, by a sharp-shooter. Lieutenant

Bonham, of the artillery, was busily employed perfecting his

arrangements for using an 8-inch mortar as a howitzer. The experiment

succeeded very well yesterday evening.

The verandah of the Residency on the west side came entirely down this

morning. The commissariat stores in the godown underneath were removed

in the evening, as some of the arches of the lower story were cracked,

and a heavy cannonade would have brought the whole place down.

Arrangements were made this day for still further reducing the rations

of Europeans. A kitmutghar came in from the city last night: his account

was so suspicious, that he was placed under an European guard, as he

might have tampered with the natives. To-day we threw two shells a long

way into the city, in the direction of the palace. The enemy tolerably

quiet; towards the middle of the day confining themselves to

sharp-shooting at every one they saw move about in our position. Mr.

MacRae of the Civil Engineer Department was very badly hit in the

shoulder this afternoon, while assisting in laying a mortar in the

Post-office; and a sergeant and a private were badly wounded early in

the day, while going to their post. The enemy possessed many excellent

rifle shots, and fired out of their loopholes from the houses around

with great certainty; occasioning us a daily loss of from three to five

men. Two sepoys of the 13th were also slightly wounded by random shots

before daybreak this morning. Several shells came in this evening; and

about 12 P.M. the enemy opened a tremendous fire on all sides, of round

shot, grape, and musketry, which lasted for an hour: the fire was very

heavy, but they made no effort to storm, though their bugles sounded the

advance repeatedly.

_August 25th._--There was the usual heavy cannonade this morning from

the enemy, which continued from 5 to 9 A.M., when it slackened. All the

remaining porter in store (thirty-nine casks) was got out of the

Residency, and removed to another place, consequent on the unsafe state

of the building; nearly one half of which had fallen from round shot,

and the remaining portion was likely to follow. The magazine for the

Post-office battery completed. In the night two sepoys of the 11th were

slightly wounded by random shots. Several coolies were seen coming

through the bazaar from the direction of the Cawnpore road.

Sharp-shooting all day long from the enemy, who had also got a new gun

in position to the right of Mr. Gubbins's post. One mine completed, and

three others steadily progressing; the enemy digging on all sides.

_August 26th._--The enemy commenced the day with a very heavy fire of

round shot and musketry a little before daylight, which subsided in a

great measure in about half an hour. Their earthworks had been added to

during the night; but it was difficult to distinguish new work, as the

whole of our position was now surrounded with them on every side quite

close up to us. A jemadar of the 71st was shot dead near the Redan this

morning by one of the enemy's riflemen. The house of Innes was reported

to be in a dangerous state, in consequence of the repeated round shots

through it. Also reports were made of the enemy mining at the Redan. The

enemy unusually quiet, and very little firing went on during the middle

of the day, but they were busily employed in making trenches round us in

every direction, and worked particularly hard in front of the Redan,

with many coolies. No intelligence whatever. One or two servants

deserted last night, and there were reports that all the servants were

thinking of leaving us, unless our reinforcements arrived soon.

_August 27th._--A good deal of rain during the night. A heavy cannonade

from the enemy, and the usual amount of musketry fire all the morning.

To-day, the supplies of the late Brigadier-General Sir Henry Lawrence,

K.C.B., were sold by auction. The brandy realised from 140 to 160 rupees

(16_l._) per dozen; beer averaged from 60 to 70 rupees (7_l._); sherry

70 rupees; hermetically sealed hams from 70 to 75 rupees (7_l._ 10_s._)

each; a bottle of honey 45 rupees (4_l._ 10_s._); rifle gunpowder, 16

rupees per lb. (1_l._ 12_s._); small cakes of chocolate, from 30 to 40

rupees (3_l._ to 4_l._); and other things in proportion. Sugar (had

there been any for sale) would have commanded almost any price.

The enemy brought another gun into position opposite the racket court,

and where we had no means of replying to them. A soldier of the 32nd was

very seriously wounded this morning by a musket-ball, while sitting in

the verandah of Dr. Fayrer's house. In the evening a 3-pounder shot

killed a soldier of the 32nd and carried away the arm of another. A

native officer of the 13th was wounded through the foot by a

musket-ball. Our miners (working in the gallery we had run out

thirty-three feet to the right of the brigade mess-house) heard the

enemy distinctly mining towards us. Their sap seemed to run for the

centre of the brigade mess.

_August 28th._--Heavy rain nearly all night, which considerably injured

our sap to the right of the brigade mess, in consequence of it leaking;

the rain ceasing at daylight, we set to work, and in a few hours got if

cleared out, and had our people at work again. A good deal of fever

prevalent, and great mortality among the children, who faded away

rapidly from want of proper food. A smart cannonade at daylight from the

enemy, who fired heavily with two guns on Mr. Gubbins's house;

fortunately no casualties occurred. Last night, three men deserted to

the enemy from Mr. Gubbins's post. One, a chuprassee of Mr. G.'s, took

with him 400 rupees (40_l._) belonging to different people; four

servants belonging to officers also deserted.

Lieutenant Bonham fired his mortar, equipped as a howitzer, fourteen

times during the day, against the new battery erected against Mr.

Gubbins's post, and with considerable success, having struck it ten

times; but their battery was of great strength, and required a good deal

more battering to do it much mischief. We waited with impatience for the

enemy's miners to break through our gallery, and were obliged to stop

our own men, as the enemy left off work immediately they heard our

people's pickaxe.

This night we learnt, by a letter from General Havelock, dated Cawnpore,

the 24th instant, that we had no hope of being relieved for another

twenty-five days.

_August 29th._--Cooler weather. Our miners busily employed endeavouring

to break into the enemy's gallery, which, though quite close to our own,

had not yet been found. The magazine sergeants at work, making an

expence magazine in the Begum Kotee. The upper story of Mr. Gubbins's

house was no longer safe, owing to the numbers of round shot through it,

and the ladies were removed. Much difficulty was experienced in finding

quarters for them, every place being so crowded, and the ladies were

already four and five together in very small badly ventilated native

buildings; dreadful smells pervading the whole place, from the

half-buried bodies of men, horses, and bullocks, and also from the

drains--some of which were fearfully offensive, as we had no means of

attending to them. Several more servants deserted last night; which

caused the very greatest inconvenience, as already very few officers had

any. About 10 A.M. our miners broke into the enemy's gallery, which they

immediately abandoned, and began to fill in the shaft; we as instantly

applied a barrel of powder at the farther end of their sap, and blew up

their work altogether. Our men brought away their lantern, tools, and a

bottle of oil, which in their haste they had left. Very heavy rain all

the forenoon.

Sickness became daily more prevalent, and a number of officers and "the

uncovenanted" were daily placed on the sick list. To-day it was decided

to issue one month's pay after the 1st proximo, for the month of July.

The heavy rain caused one of the enemy's mines, running towards the

outpost called Mrs. Sago's house, to fall in. This mine was never known

to us, or even suspected. Many and grave doubts and suspicions were

entertained that the enemy were running a mine towards the Redan

battery. Captain Fulton, Garrison Engineer, did not, however, share in

this opinion. A native artilleryman, who belonged to a number

entertained by Mr. Gubbins, deserted from his post while on sentry over

one of the guns in Mr. G.'s compound. A European sentry fired at him,

but did not succeed in hitting him.

Now that it appeared evident that the siege must last in all probability

another month, increased care and vigilance in the issuing of all stores

was observed. The rain cleared off towards evening. A considerable

cannonade all through the night.

_August 30th._--A heavy cannonade all night. Four half-castes

(Christians) one of whom had been made a local sergeant, and was

head-writer in Captain Weston's office, deserted to the enemy; having

broke open the door in the barrier they had to defend, and left the post

unprotected. He took with him, in addition to Captain Boileau's gun,

five drummers, formerly in the king of Oude's service, two drummers of

the 48th, and some ten native servants. An eight-inch shell burst in the

native hospital this morning, killing one native and wounding two

others. An attack was expected to-day, and everything was prepared as

far as possible to repel it. A good many cases of fever. Divine service

was performed at the brigade mess at noon, and at Mr. Gubbins's house at

2 P.M., when the sacrament was administered, and at Dr. Fayrer's house

at half-past 5 P.M. To-day, Lieut. Bonham, of the artillery, was very

severely wounded by a musket-ball, while sitting in the doorway of the

Post-office: he was a very great loss to the garrison, having very

greatly distinguished himself throughout the siege; particularly in the

accuracy with which he used his mortars, and the excellent practice he

had made with a mortar which he had made to act as a howitzer. This was

the third time he had been wounded since hostilities began on the 30th

of June. Very little firing during the middle of the day, and not much

movement observable among the enemy. A European soldier of the 32nd died

very suddenly to-day; he lost the use of his side from sleeping in the

wet trenches, and died in hospital a few hours after. Europeans and

natives all greatly distressed on account of the want of tobacco, of

which we have had none left for distribution for a considerable time

past. Great difficulty was experienced in getting shelter for women and

children; so many houses had been destroyed by the round shot and shells

of the enemy: all suffered greatly from being crowded together in low,

small, badly ventilated buildings. The dreadful stench which pervaded

that part of the defences held by the commissariat officers and the

uncovenanted service, exceeded all belief. It arose from the decayed

entrails of the bullocks and sheep daily killed by the butchers, and of

which we had no means of disposing, but by throwing them over the

defences: the decayed boosah and vegetable matter which here also

abounded, assisting in creating a stench which was probably never

exceeded. Nearly every officer who slept at this post was laid up with

fever at one time or another; but as it was one of the weakest parts of

our defences, it was absolutely requisite that two officers should be

ever with the party occupying it. A false alarm at sunset, and a heavy

cannonade brought the day's proceedings to a close.

_August 31st._--The enemy fired at intervals very hard, both guns and

musketry, particularly towards daylight. Then we found they had got

another very large gun, apparently a 32-pounder, in position under the

Lutkun Durwaza, and about 100 yards from the Baillie Guard gates, on

which it fired several times, smashing two ammunition waggons with which

the gates were barricaded. Towards the middle of the day the enemy were

unusually quiet, confining themselves to sharp-shooting. An excellent

artillery sergeant was killed at Mr. Gubbins's post, by a rifle-ball,

which struck him in the side.

The heat excessive. In the evening, the kitmutghar of the late Captain

Hayes, military secretary, who had come in some ten days before, and was

believed to be a spy, escaped from the 84th Guard during the night, and

contrived to get clear away. He had been kept in confinement from the

time of his coming in, and had not been allowed to converse with any

one; and therefore could give little or no information. About 10 P.M.

the enemy very suddenly opened from nearly all their guns, and threw in

a heavy fire of musketry, which subsided in about half an hour. All the

13th Native Infantry employed in making a new sunken battery to the

right of the guard-room, in order to oppose the battery of the enemy

which was located in the Lutkun Durwaza. Our people in the Redan battery

had a narrow escape from an 8-inch shell, which just cleared the parapet

and exploded outside.

_September 1st._--A fine breezy morning. Not very much firing; but a

great deal of bugling was heard among the enemy's troops during the

early part of the morning. Rumours that the half-caste Christians who

deserted had been murdered. The enemy's 24-pounder fired several shots

during the morning, which took effect on the gates, smashing them

considerably. The enemy reported to be running another mine towards the

brigade mess.

Our third sap from Anderson's post nearly completed, and considerable

progress made in the one commenced out of Sago's house. All the boys in

garrison above ten years of age were collected and set to work with

hand-mills, to assist in grinding flour for the use of the garrison.

Sickness showed itself amongst the bullocks; and in the last two days

two bullocks had to be suddenly killed, in order to save the meat. This

was most unfortunate, as the stock in hand would not last (even at the

reduced rate of rations) the time we might probably be besieged.

Arrangements were made to have some artillery and irregular cavalry

horses that were wounded, or from want of condition were unserviceable,

turned out on this evening. The last cook-boy of the artillery absconded

last night. This put the men to much inconvenience, as they had now to

draw their rations with Her Majesty's 32nd Regiment; but it was better

for the service, as now there was no excuse for any of the guns' crews

leaving their batteries for their food. This morning some fresh beef was

accidentally removed from the slaughter-yard in one of the magazine

carts. As these carts were used also for transporting grain, it excited

remark amongst some Seikhs. The cart in question was immediately marked

in the presence of the Commissariat Establishment, and strict orders

were given that it should not be used again. This shows how careful we

had to be with all the natives about their castes.

In the evening, about dusk, two European artillerymen were struck in the

Post-office battery by an 18-pounder shot, which killed both. Great

progress was made in the battery which was erected by the 13th Native

Infantry, for the 18-pounder to be placed in at the Baillie Guard gate.

Two 8-inch shells exploded in the vicinity of our magazine, but without

doing any injury. Our third mine from Anderson's house completed, but

not charged, it being retained as a listening gallery. Another shaft for

a mine was struck out from Captain Saunders' post, to be ready to meet

the enemy's so soon as it could be ascertained which way they were

mining. The cook-boys of two companies of the 32nd Foot deserted to-day,

which caused extreme inconvenience.

_2nd September._--Sounds of mining heard near the slaughter-house. This

was quite a new direction for the enemy to commence this work at; but it

had not yet been ascertained for a certainty, and appeared most

unlikely. Last night three men of Her Majesty's 32nd Regiment died in

hospital.

About 9 A.M. this morning a mine of the enemy was discovered within

thirty feet of Captain Saunders' post: they came up to a well, and, not

knowing what it was, made a hole in the surface; when the smoke from

their lamp became apparent. A countermine was immediately commenced and

run out sixteen feet, and within two feet of the enemy; it was quickly

loaded and tamped for about fourteen feet, and the head of their gallery

was blown in. Their miners were heard at work when the hose of our mine

was ignited; and it was believed they must have sustained some loss.

Another of the enemy's mines was also discovered this morning, coming

for the centre of the brigade mess-house; but we had a shaft and gallery

ready to frustrate their efforts. One of the sepoys of the 13th Regiment

Native Infantry was severely wounded this morning while standing sentry.

We had a heavy cannonade from the enemy in the afternoon, and some

alteration was made in the position of some of their guns on the

Cawnpore side of our position. The advance of a month's pay, which had

been offered to all natives, was declined by the 13th, 48th, and 71st,

and pensioners, and only four rupees each was received by the Seikh

Cavalry, as all preferred to receive it in arrears hereafter. This spoke

volumes for their faithfulness.

This evening a very sad event occurred. Lieut. Birch, of the 59th

Regiment Native Infantry, attached to the Engineer department, went out

at dusk, accompanied by four other officers, to explore some old ruins

quite close to the north side of our position, in order to see if there

were any traces of mining. The work had been most satisfactorily

performed, and the party were returning, when a sentry of the 32nd

Regiment, who, unfortunately, had not received the caution that a party

was going out and to be careful not to fire, seeing objects moving in

the dark outside our limits, fired his musket; lamentable to relate, it

took effect, and the bullet passed through the lower part of the belly

of Lieutenant Birch, who died two hours after. He was a gallant and

efficient officer, and had only been married six months. His loss was

greatly deplored by the garrison. Our miners were all hard at work all

day, countermining the enemy, who still persevered in their efforts to

blow us up.

_September 3rd._--About 2 A.M. a very heavy cannonade from the enemy

till 9 A.M. Unbarricaded a door leading out of our position, and turned

loose during the night sixteen horses and a mule, which had been

wounded, and were unfit for use. Further efforts made to limit the

supply of flour, and issue wheat in lieu thereof. Advances of pay made

to officers, ladies, the civil and uncovenanted service, and a few

natives who desired it.

The sun particularly powerful, and as during the nights a heavy dew

fell, and occasionally the mornings were very cool, great fears were

entertained for the health of our men; especially as nearly all had to

sleep in the trenches. Consequently search was everywhere made for tents

to shelter them; but the majority of these had been used as barricades

and other defences, and were now, from exposure to the rain, &c.,

completely rotten and useless.

The enemy commenced mining at Sago's garrison, and a shaft and gallery

were made to meet them. In the evening there was a heavy cannonade on

Mr. Gubbins's post. A soldier of the 32nd was dangerously wounded at

Innes' house by an 18-pounder shot, and another slightly wounded by

grape shot. Much heavy firing from the enemy. Very severe work at

mining, as our people were employed at four different points. After 10

P.M. an exceedingly heavy cannonade accompanied by musketry. The enemy

were distinctly heard repairing their batteries, and moving a heavy gun

with elephants, in the direction of the Cawnpore battery.

_September 4th._--The usual cannon and musketry throughout the night,

which greatly increased after daylight, but gradually subsided after 9

A.M. into a few solitary discharges of cannon. The outer wall of the

mess house was greatly injured by the constant firing from the enemy's

guns, although it was of great solidity. Between 9 and 10 A.M. an

unusual commotion was observable in the town, and the streets were much

crowded, for which we were unable to account; whatever it was, the crowd

gradually dispersed, and by 11 A.M. all was tranquil, and the enemy's

guards were relieved as usual at that hour.

Towards the middle of the day there was very little firing from the

enemy: they could be distinctly heard in three of our listening

galleries, sapping steadily towards us. A 32nd soldier was severely

contused to-day by a round shot, while on duty in the Cawnpore battery,

and another wounded by a musket-ball. About 4·30 P.M. Major Bruère,

commanding the 13th Regiment Native Infantry, went on the top of the

brigade mess to endeavour to pick off some of the enemy's gunners.

Unfortunately, in his anxiety to get a shot at some riflemen, he

somewhat unnecessarily exposed himself, and was hit by a rifle-ball

through the chest, which almost immediately proved fatal. His death was

very greatly lamented by the sepoys of the 13th, with whom he was very

popular: they insisted on carrying his remains to the grave, and his

funeral was attended by all the men of the 13th who could be permitted

to leave their trenches. The eighteen-pounder battery made by the sepoys

of the 13th, was now nearly completed, and was sixteen feet thick,

besides the wall in front; the eighteen-pounder intended for it was got

down, and put in position. The enemy were evidently aware of what we

were about, as two shells fell quite close; one just inside, and the

other outside the new battery.

The outer wall and buildings on the top of the mess house fell in this

evening, with a great crash, consequent on the outer wall having been

completely breached; fortunately no one was hurt, and several ladies and

children still clung to the inner rooms for shelter, preferring the

chance of a round shot or musket-ball to the fetid close atmosphere of

an already overcrowded hovel in the interior of our position; which,

after all, was perhaps hardly any safer from the fire of the enemy.

_September 5th._--A fine moonlight morning. Soon after daylight, the

enemy commenced the severest cannonade we had yet had. About 8000

infantry and about 500 horse were by sunrise seen moving about round our

position, and evidently preparing for an attack. The garrison were

soon--every man--on the alert, and remained patiently under a tremendous

fire of cannon, awaiting the enemy's onset. They soon opened fire from a

new battery of two guns across the river; and about 10 A.M. exploded two

mines, one (a large one), close to the 18-pounder battery, and the

other, a smaller one, at the brigade-mess (which we had countermined and

were about to blow up.) Providentially, the enemy had miscalculated

their distance in both instances, and were just short of our defences,

and neither explosion did us any harm. As soon as the cloud of dust and

smoke had cleared away, they advanced under cover of a tremendous fire

on several points--particularly at Mr. Gubbins's post--where they came

on resolutely and planted an enormous ladder against the bastion to

mount it. Several reached the top, but were so steadily received with

musketry and hand grenades, that none could gain a footing: and after

several leaders had fallen, the rest fell back to the cover of the

neighbouring houses, where they kept up a tremendous fire. Their loss

was very heavy, as they showed themselves well; particularly in the

garden close to the brigade-mess and Sikh square, where they fell

rapidly to our rifles and muskets. Long after the action, they could be

seen carrying away their killed and wounded over the bridges.

During the attack we only had one havildar of pensioners and two sepoys

of the 13th killed, and one soldier of the 32nd wounded (loss of hand),

from round shot. Eight sepoys of the 13th Native Infantry, assisted by

three artillerymen, loaded and worked the 18-pounder in the 13th

battery, and after three or four rounds succeeded in silencing the

18-pounder opposed to them. The sepoys were very proud of this battery,

which was entirely under their charge, and constructed solely by them,

under the superintendence of the Engineers. A fearfully hot-day, and a

broiling sun, to which all were exposed for nearly the entire day.

During last night another shaft, eight feet deep, was sunk by the

officers of the brigade-mess as a listening gallery, in case the enemy

should run a sap in that direction.

In the evening, the enemy seemed disgusted with their want of success in

the morning, and confined themselves to a few shots now and then from

their batteries. An 18-pounder came right through the hospital from

their new work across the river, and passed through the whole length of

the building, which was crowded with patients, and very slightly wounded

Lieutenant Charlton and a soldier of the 32nd, both of whom were lying

there wounded. Passing as it did through the entire length of such a

crowded space, it was perfectly extraordinary that this ball did not do

more harm.

After all attacks, the enemy were most determined in their efforts to

carry off their dead, and generally contrived to do so at night. To-day,

as usual, the leading men were most of them knocked over, which greatly

discouraged their followers. All reports from positions which commanded

any views of the enemy retreating, agreed in saying that they seemed

to-day more thoroughly beaten than ever.

Lieutenant James Graham, of the 4th Cavalry, shot himself through the

head this morning with his revolver, in a fit of temporary insanity: he

left a wife and child.

_September 6th._--At 12 o'clock midnight, the garrison was aroused by a

heavy cannonade from all sides, and much bugling and shouting; but it

all gradually subsided in about half an hour, without any reply from our

side: during it a soldier of the 32nd lost his leg from a round shot.

This morning, the enemy were unusually quiet, and their guns more silent

than it was remembered for a long time.

The rains seemed to have cleared off, and the sun was most powerful. Our

live stock was now fast diminishing in numbers, and had any disease

broke out amongst them, it would have been a most serious loss. Our

stock of rum and porter was also fast running very low. Now that the

stagnant water was fast drying up, the miasmatic stenches in various

parts of the garrison were of a morning almost insupportable; and it was

greatly feared would produce much fever and other illness. About 1 P.M.,

the Engineers made a small sortie from Innes' post, and blew down a

house which yesterday the enemy commenced to loophole; and which, had

they succeeded in doing, would have been a most serious matter to Innes'

garrison, in the present shattered and dilapidated state of the house

they occupy, caused by the effects of round shot, which had steadily for

the last month been fired into it from guns of heavy calibre. Captain

Fulton of the Engineers was slightly contused by an explosion to-day.

About 10 P.M. the enemy sent two men with loads of combustibles, to

place under the entrance gates, to set fire to them; they were seen, and

one was shot dead by the sentry, on which the other fled. An hour later,

they made a very smart attack on the Baillie Guard gate, but were

quickly driven back: during this affair, a very excellent native officer

(a subadar), of the 13th Regiment Native Infantry, was killed in the

13th battery.

_September 7th._--The enemy were unusually quiet with their cannon this

morning, contenting themselves with mining, while we as busily

endeavoured to countermine them. An unusual commotion among them: large

numbers crossing and re-crossing the bridge of boats; and about 11 A.M.

a regiment, with colours, and band playing, and about 1000 matchlockmen,

passed from right to left of our position. About 5000 men passed during

the afternoon from right to left; many of them seemed as though they had

marched in from a distance. Heavy showers during the afternoon; the

garrison constantly wet.

Our miners, both European and native, were greatly done up with their

day and night exertions, which were absolutely requisite for our

preservation. In all these operations the Seikhs and Hindoostanee sepoys

worked remarkably well.

_September 8th._--Captain Simons of the Artillery, who had been long

suffering from his wounds, died early this morning. A tolerable

cannonade kept up all night. The enemy had now completed a breach in the

wall enclosing the courtyard of the Martiniere School, broad enough for

four or five men to pass through abreast, and which we were obliged to

retrench and stockade. Nearly one-half of the officers were on the sick

list, with fever and dysentery.

The shot fired in by the enemy were yesterday collected, and 280 round

shot, varying in size from a 24 to a 3-pounder, were gathered from the

roof of the brigade-mess alone! In the evening we had heavy rain and a

moderate cannonade.

_September 9th._--During the night a shell exploded in a room occupied

by a lady and some children, and though almost every article in the room

was destroyed, yet all providentially escaped.

Finding this morning that the enemy were rapidly mining towards the

Cawnpore battery, it was deemed advisable that our mine, containing 200

lbs. of powder, which had been ready and charged for upwards of a month,

should be exploded; and accordingly, at 10 A.M., it was sprung. The

effect was tremendous, and it evidently astonished the enemy, whose

miners must have been destroyed. They immediately beat to arms, and

opened on us from most of their batteries on that side of our position.

When the smoke and dust (which were tremendous) had blown away, it was

seen that the explosion had destroyed all the front face of the

outhouses opposite our battery.

In the evening a body of 3000 men moved up to our right flank, which

caused us all to keep particularly on the alert. About 11 P.M. very

heavy rain began to fall, and the early part of the night passed away

quietly. For the third time since the siege commenced there was no

funeral on this day.

_September 10th._--The rain cleared away towards morning, and all was

moderately quiet till 6 A.M., from which hour till 10 A.M. an unusually

heavy cannonade was kept up, and replied to by our guns and mortars. All

the state jewels were brought over from the Residency, and put into the

Begum Kotee for better security.

Owing to the necessity for blowing up the Muchee Bhawun, the officers

brought in with them nothing but the clothes they wore. Many others in

this garrison had lost everything when their bungalows in cantonments

were burnt; and a few better off had shared their wardrobes with them.

As time went on, however, clothes wore out, and there were no means of

providing others; and by this time officers might have been seen wearing

the most extraordinary costumes; few, if any, had any semblance of a

military uniform, and very many were in shirts, trowsers, and slippers

only; one gallant civilian having found an old billiard-table cloth, had

contrived to make himself a kind of loose coat out of it, while an

officer wore a shirt made out of a floor cloth. All carried muskets, and

were accoutred like the soldiers. At the auction of the effects of an

officer recently killed, a single bottle of brandy realised seventeen

rupees (thirty-four shillings). The soldiers had for a month past all

been out of tobacco, and had taken to smoking dried tea and common

leaves. Not very much firing in the evening.

_September 11th._--This was a quieter night than usual with the

garrison. Much disturbance was heard among the enemy, and the noise of

elephants was distinctly heard, as if they were moving some of their

guns into other positions. About sunrise, two sides of Innes' house,

which had been steadily cannonaded daily with 18-pounder shot, fell in,

and the two sentries on that side escaped with difficulty; the post was,

however, still nobly held, and preparation made for making some kind of

a defence out of the debris. Many bodies of armed men were seen moving

about, and we had the usual three hours' morning cannonade. About 10

A.M., as our mine out of the Seikh square (which had been charged with

200 lbs. of powder) was ready, it was determined to explode it, as the

enemy's miners could be very distinctly heard sapping quite close; it

was very successful, completely destroying all their excavations, and

buried the party who were at work, the groans and moans of some of whom

were heard for some time after. Later in the day, another mine of the

enemy was discovered in the churchyard. A sortie was made under Captain

Fulton of the Engineers (the ground being open), and the working party

were driven off and their work examined. It proved to be shaft and

gallery, fully five feet high, and extended twenty-four feet, running in

a straight line to the church: two barrels of powder were separately

exploded in it, and completely destroyed the entire work. Two of the

enemy were shot by Lieutenant Sewell this afternoon.

At dusk, the enemy threw in (apparently from a howitzer) five hollow

iron cylinders, filled with a composition (similar to that with which we

are accustomed to fill our carcases) done up in strong canvas. On

reaching the ground, the apparatus burst, and the five cylinders spouted

forth fire without any further explosion: this, perhaps, was the most

curious and complicated projectile that had yet been received by the

garrison. At 7 P.M. very heavy rain, which lasted an hour and a half.

_September 12th._--A tremendous row and noise in the city all night. A

shaft sunk in the centre of the brigade-mess, in view to running a sap

out across the road into the garden, in front of the enemy's battery.

Rather less firing all day than usual. Very large bodies of matchlockmen

were seen moving about, but a smaller proportion of sepoys. A soldier of

the 32nd and an uncovenanted man were wounded; the former in the head,

the latter through the hand. During the past few days no case of cholera

occurred. In the evening after dark, the 71st sepoys were employed under

Lieutenant Langmore in bringing in some tents which were piled up in the

Residency garden; while so employed, one of the enemy came up, evidently

having mistaken our party for one of his own. He was immediately seized

by two sepoys and brought in. An European sentry was killed to-day

through a small loophole in the Redan, out of which he was looking, and

another in the same battery was wounded during the night.

_September 12th._--A smart cannonade at daylight. Considerable progress

was made in our new mines out of the Cawnpore battery and brigade-mess.

Captain Mansfield was seized with cholera early this morning, and died a

few hours after. A great number of matchlockmen seen moving about in the

bazaar. Enormous prices offered in the garrison for all kinds of

supplies. A small fowl was to-day purchased by a gentleman for his sick

wife for 20 rupees (2_l._) A bottle of Curaçoa sold at auction a day or

two ago for 16 rupees, and the same price was freely offered for two

pounds of sugar. Divine service performed at the brigade-mess, and at

Dr. Fayrer's to all who were able to attend. A man came in about 8 P.M.

from the city. He could not or would not give any information, was

looked upon as a spy, ironed and placed in the main-guard. A tolerably

quiet evening.

_September 14th._--A good many matchlockmen were seen coming into the

town during the day, both over the stone bridge and the bridge of boats.

For the last two days, the bugles of the enemy had not been heard, which

led us to conclude that the head-quarters of regiments had probably left

the city. A few doolies were seen passing down the Cawnpore road, and a

man (apparently of some consequence) was observed haranguing a mob in

the city. There was the usual amount of firing and sharp-shooting all

day.

A grievous occurrence took place in the afternoon. Captain Fulton of the

Engineers, while reconnoitring from a battery in Mr. Gubbins's post, was

killed dead by a round shot, which struck him on the head. He had

conducted all the engineering operations of the siege for a considerable

time previous to the death of his chief (Major Anderson). He was a

highly gifted, cool, brave, and chivalrous officer, fertile in

resources, and a favourite with both officers and men. His loss was

acutely felt.

_September 15th._--The 18-pounder battery beyond Innes' house fired

heavily, and reduced Innes' house to almost a heap of ruins; the shot

came right across the entire open space round the Residency, and one

soldier of the 32nd was mortally and another slightly wounded. The

breach in the Seikh square made by the enemy was now tolerably

retrenched. The inner square was well loopholed and barricaded, so that

even if the enemy had made their way in, they would have been unable to

make a lodgment. The vicinity of the houses to our defences in the outer

square rendered mining easy, and we took and blew up three of the

enemy's mines at this point alone. Lieutenant Fullerton of the 16th

Regiment Native Infantry, died in hospital this morning.

To-day the verandah of the Residency fell in with a great crash, from

the effects of the battering it had received from the enemy's 18-pound

shot. This afternoon, a mortar, equipped as a howitzer (on Lieutenant

Bonham's principle), was put in position against the 18-pounder battery

opposite Innes' house, and fired several shots, which kept the enemy's

gun in check; and one shell having blown away most of their parapet,

they did not fire again from it during the evening. Under the direction

of the garrison engineer, a shaft was commenced in the Baillie Guard

gate by the sepoys of 13th Regiment Native Infantry, in order to run a

sap out in the direction of the Lutkun Durwaza; eight feet and a half

were this evening accomplished. It is intended as a safeguard, to cut

off any mine that the enemy may be running towards the gateway.

_September 16th._--A very sharp cannonade from daylight, for three

hours. An 8-inch shell fell in the rear of the 13th battery, (for the

second time since the commencement of hostilities) and mortally wounded

a sepoy, and slightly wounded a subadar. Enemy were very busy erecting

(apparently) a new battery, to the right of our Cawnpore battery; but it

was difficult at the time to say what it was intended for: the people

working at it were greatly annoyed by our shells, and it made but little

progress, except during the night. They were also very hard at work in

front of the Redan battery, where they had made deep trenches in all

directions.

Ungud, pensioner and spy, was sent out at about 10 P.M. with a letter,

done up in a piece of quill, to take to General Havelock at Cawnpore,

and was promised a large reward if he brought a reply. Preparations made

for getting the mortar howitzer into the courtyard in rear of the

brigade-mess, by cutting a road through the intermediate walls. The mine

out of the brigade-mess building, and that out of the Cawnpore battery,

were worked all night, and considerable progress was made in both. The

rains seemed quite over, the sun was very powerful, and much fever

prevailed. Not so much firing as usual in the evening, and only one

shell came in. Much bugling among the enemy during the night.

_September 17th._--All very much as usual, with rather less firing. Many

vague rumours were abroad in the garrison, all without foundation. The

mortar howitzer was got into position behind the brigade mess; the

second shell thrown from it severely wounded two of our servants, in

consequence of the shell having exploded before it cleared our defences.

After the range was, however, once got, the practice was good, and

several shells exploded in the embrasure of the enemy's battery. The

mine out of the brigade-mess and that out of the Cawnpore battery,

damaged during the day by round shot, was also repaired by a working

party of sepoys from the 48th regiment Native Infantry. The sentry of

the 32nd Foot, on duty at the church, had his head carried off by a

round shot. Exactly at midnight the enemy made a demonstration on

Saunders's post, and fired heavy volleys of musketry, but made no

attempt to advance; in about half an hour, after a few shells had been

thrown among them, they retired.

Many cases of fever and dysentery. Two sepoys of the 13th died in

hospital of their wounds. The Seikh cavalry sowars, under Lieutenant

Hardinge, worked at the barricade across the breach in the third Seikh

square, and still further strengthened it.

_September 18th._--Nothing new to record. Each day passed away much like

its predecessor, with the same amount of cannonading and musketry fire.

Throughout the siege, a regular system of look-out was organised from

the top of the tower in the Residency, which commanded a view of the

river, the three bridges, and the open country beyond; and also from the

roof of the Post-office, from which a great part of the city and the

road to Cawnpore could be observed. At the former post the officers were

relieved every two hours, and at the latter hourly. At each post a book

was kept, in which whatever had been observed was noted down, and if

anything unusual, or any new work of the enemy was seen, a report of it

was instantly forwarded for Brigadier Inglis's information. A new truck

was constructed to enable us to fit out another mortar as a howitzer,

for it would be impossible to say how greatly we felt throughout the

siege the want of a couple of 8-inch howitzers. To-day, the enemy threw

in (evidently from a 13-inch mortar) a piece of wood of very great

weight, which measured twelve inches in diameter and eighteen in length!

It made a prodigious noise as it passed through the air.

In consequence of the very small stock of rum left in store, all the

Europeans were reduced to one dram each per day. This was perhaps the

quietest day of the siege up to this date, as we had nothing but a few

stray cannon shots and a slight musketry fire throughout the twenty-four

hours. About 11 P.M. a very considerable noise was heard in the town,

together with much bugling and shouting.

_September 19th._--This morning, almost before daylight, we commenced a

heavy cannonade from the Post-office on the battery in the square house

opposite. During the morning the enemy kept up also a heavy fire all

around; particularly on the Residency, which now wore a most desolate

tumbledown and dilapidated appearance, from the effect of round shot

which had been steadily poured into it daily from the commencement of

the siege. About 10·30 A.M. the enemy's battery in the square house,

opposite the Post-office was set on fire by our shot, and a pretty sharp

fusillade and cannonade was kept up by us to prevent the enemy from

distinguishing it; the fire however soon died out. An auction was held

this day in the Residency of the property (clothes, &c.) of deceased

officers, and the prices that all useful articles fetched was enormous:

for instance, a new flannel shirt was knocked down for forty rupees,

while five old ones were sold for 112 rupees, and a bottle of brandy

brought twenty rupees. A man of the 84th was shot dead at Sago's post

early this morning. During the day the enemy threw into our position,

probably from an enormous mortar, six pieces of wood about the size and

shape of a large oyster barrel; they were thrown up in the air to an

enormous height, and came down with almost incredible force.

_September 20th._--At 1 A.M. a smart musketry fire and cannonade took

place, which lasted for about half an hour. At daylight discovered two

new batteries, which the enemy had very nearly completed, and one of

which contained a 32-pounder. We opened on them with a howitzer and an

18-pounder, but did them little mischief; the batteries having been made

excessively strong, with enormous beams of wood and earth. We however,

entirely prevented them from working at either battery during the

ensuing night. The Cawnpore battery was repaired, and the centre mine

from the brigade mess was connected with the one we had previously run

out from the left. The guard-room at Anderson's house was lowered by

digging out the floor, so as to keep the guard clear of the round shot

which passed through it; the 13th mine was also worked eighteen feet

further. A very considerable noise was heard in the city for some hours

after dark. During the day nearly as many men as usual seen moving

about. A private of Her Majesty's 32nd at Innes' post was killed by a

round shot.

_September 21st._--Between 12 and 1 o'clock A.M. the enemy suddenly

began a very smart musketry fire all along the city side of our

position, and opened from their guns. We threw a few shells amongst

them; and their fire soon subsided into the usual steady fire which had

gone on every night of the siege.

About 4 A.M., we had very heavy rain which lasted till about 11 A.M. The

heavy rain seemed to keep the enemy quiet, and there was little firing

on either side till 1 P.M., when one of our 18-pounders at the

Post-office opened on the enemy's new 32-pounder battery, and knocked

their parapet about, leaving the gun greatly exposed; which enabled

Captain Saunders's garrison to pick off two of the enemy's gunners at

the gun, and keep it silent for the rest of the day. In the afternoon,

the enemy battered down a great portion of the wall enclosing the

building occupied by the Martiniere school-boys, and killed a

water-carrier who was drawing water at the time, and who was knocked

dead into the well; which was a great misfortune, as none of the natives

would again use it. The body was got up soon after. Not many armed men

were seen in the morning beyond the enemy's regular relief of guards and

pickets. At 10 P.M. heavy rain came on. About 11 P.M. the enemy were

reported to be in unusual strength near the Seikh square, on which all

were kept well on the alert. A shell was thrown among them, but nothing

further took place.

_September 22nd._--Continued heavy rain, which fell without cessation

till about 3 P.M. The garrison were in a great state of discomfort, as

little shelter was to be had anywhere; the roofs of all the buildings

were so injured from eighty-four days' constant cannonading that but few

could boast of a waterproof residence. Lieutenant Cunliffe of the

Artillery, died early this morning from fever; he had previously been

wounded. A Seikh sepoy of the 13th, a native artilleryman, two private

servants, and three grass-cutters deserted during the night; and in the

course of the morning four cook boys contrived to desert during the

heavy rain. The rain did considerable damage to various parts of our

defences, washing down many of the fascines in the batteries, and

causing several parts of the defences at Mr. Gubbins's and Innes' post

to fall down. A great part of the outside wall of the brigade mess also

fell from the same cause. Towards evening the enemy opened their guns,

and we dismounted one of their 9-pounders by a shell, which fell on the

top of one of them and killed two gunners. About 11 P.M. Ungud,

pensioner, returned, bringing us a letter containing the glad tidings

that our relieving force, under General Outram, had crossed the Ganges,

and would arrive in a few days. His arrival, and the cheering news he

brought of speedy aid, was well-timed; for neither our fast diminishing

stores, the vague and uncertain rumours of the advent of reinforcements,

nor the daily sights and sounds by which we were surrounded, were

calculated to inspire confidence and check desertion among the servants

and camp followers. All the garrison were greatly elated with the news,

and on many of the sick and wounded, the speedy prospect of a change of

air and security exercised a most beneficial effect. Heavy rain fell

about 11 P.M.

_September 23rd._--About 3 A.M. the rain cleared off, and at 11 A.M. the

sun came out and the clouds dispersed, and gave promise of fair weather.

A smart cannonade was heard in the direction of Cawnpore; several

imagined they also heard musketry, and the sound was listened to with

the most intense and even painful anxiety by the garrison, who felt

assured it must be their friends advancing to their assistance. But it

was hardly expected that our force could have advanced so far, owing to

the heavy rain which had fallen, and the state in consequence that the

roads and country were in; however at 5 P.M. another distant cannonade

was heard which lasted for half an hour, and which appeared much nearer

than before: this elicited many and divers opinions, and created the

greatest possible excitement.

Throughout the day, large bodies of troops with guns and ammunition

waggons were seen moving about in the city, in the early part of the day

to the right, and later, in large bodies to the left. In the afternoon,

the enemy placed a gun in position facing down the Kass bazaar street,

with what object it was impossible to say. We threw many shells into the

city during the day among the parties of the enemy seen moving about. At

9 P.M. heavy rain began and fell for two hours.

_September 24th._--Everything most unusually quiet throughout the night,

and only one or two cannon shot were fired early in the morning. A

considerable body of cavalry were seen moving to the right through the

city, and about 8·30 A.M. a distant cannonade was heard, which continued

nearly all day.

We had no news of any kind, and the anxiety of the garrison was very

great. During the morning, large bodies of the enemy were seen moving

through the city to the right and left. Ensign Hewitt, of the 41st

Regiment Native Infantry, was slightly contused on the head by bricks

struck out of a wall by a round shot. At 8 P.M. the enemy made a false

attack on the Cawnpore battery, keeping up a heavy cannonade and

musketry fire which lasted for about half an hour, after which all

became moderately quiet. During the night guns were heard in the

direction of the Cawnpore road, and the flash of them could be very

distinctly seen; they were supposed to be about seven miles distant.

_September 25th._--A very unquiet night. Two alarms, one at 1·30 A.M.

and another at 4 A.M. The whole garrison were under arms nearly the

whole night. A very great disturbance in the city, in the direction of

Mr. Gubbins's post especially. To the very great regret of the garrison,

Captain Radcliffe of the 7th Light Cavalry was dangerously wounded while

in command of the Cawnpore battery. About 10 A.M. a messenger came in

bringing in a letter of the 16th instant from General Outram, dated

Cawnpore, announcing his being about to cross over to this side of the

Ganges, and march on to Lucknow. The messenger could give no account of

our force, beyond its having reached the outskirts of the city.

About 11 A.M. nearly all sound of firing had ceased, but increased

agitation was visible among the people in the town, in which two large

fires were seen. An hour later, the sound of musketry and the smoke of

guns was distinctly perceived within the limits of the city. All the

garrison was on the alert, and the excitement amongst many of the

officers and soldiers was quite painful to witness. At 1·30 P.M. many of

the people of the city commenced leaving, with bundles of clothes, &c.

on their heads, and took the direction of cantonments across the

different bridges. At 2 P.M. armed men and sepoys commenced to follow

them, accompanied by large bodies of Irregular Cavalry. Every gun and

mortar that could be brought to bear on the evidently retreating enemy,

was fired as fast as possible, for at least an hour and a half. The

enemy's bridge of boats had evidently been destroyed and broken away,

for many were seen swimming across the river, most of them cavalry with

their horses' bridles in their hands. Strange to relate, during all this

apparent panic, the guns of the enemy in position all round us kept up a

heavy cannonade, and the matchlockmen or riflemen never ceased firing

from their respective loopholes.

At 4 P.M. report was made that some officers dressed in shooting coats

and solah caps, a regiment of Europeans in blue pantaloons and shirts,

and a bullock battery were seen near Mr. Martin's house and the Motee

Muhal. At 5 P.M. volleys of musketry, rapidly growing louder, were heard

in the city. But soon the firing of a minié ball over our heads gave

notice of the still nearer approach of our friends; of whom as yet

little or nothing had been seen, though the enemy were to be seen firing

heavily on them from many of the roofs of the houses. Five minutes

later, and our troops were seen fighting their way through one of the

principal streets; and though men fell at almost every step, yet nothing

could withstand the headlong gallantry of our reinforcements. Once

fairly SEEN, all our doubts and fears regarding; them were ended: and

then the garrison's long pent-up feelings of anxiety and suspense burst

forth in a succession of deafening cheers; from every pit, trench and

battery--from behind the sandbags piled on shattered houses--from every

post still held by a few gallant spirits, rose cheer on cheer--even from

the hospital! Many of the wounded crawled forth to join in that glad

shout of welcome to those who had so bravely come to our assistance. It

was a moment never to be forgotten.

Soon all the rear-guard and heavy guns were inside our position; and

then ensued a scene which baffles description. For eighty-seven days the

Lucknow garrison had lived in utter ignorance of all that had taken

place outside. Wives who had long mourned their husbands as dead, were

again restored to them; others, fondly looking forward to glad meetings

with those near and dear to them, now for the first time learnt that

they were alone. On all sides eager inquiries for relations and friends

were made. Alas! in too many instances the answer was a painful one.

The force under the command of General Sir James Outram, G.C.B., came to

our assistance at a heavy sacrifice to themselves. Of 2600 who left

Cawnpore, nearly one-third was either killed or wounded in forcing their

way through the city: indeed, the losses were so heavy that they could

effect nothing towards our relief; as the enemy were in overpowering

force, and the position having been extended, in order to accommodate as

far as possible our great increase in numbers, and the guns that were in

our vicinity having been captured at considerable loss to ourselves, we

remained on three-quarter rations, as closely besieged as before, until

the 22nd November; when the garrison were finally relieved by the army

under the Commander-in-Chief.