DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW. 29th. June to 25th. September, 1857.

Sir Henry Lawrence, having received information in the evening of the 29th. of June, that a body of rebels were about to march upon Lucknow from the village of Chinnahut, distant 558about eight miles from the town, determined on making a reconnoissance. This was accordingly commenced on the following day. Misled by the reports of wayfarers, who stated that there were few or no men between Lucknow and Chinnahut, the troops proceeded a greater distance than was originally intended, and suddenly fell in with the enemy, who had up to that moment eluded the vigilance of the advanced guard by concealing themselves, in overwhelming numbers, behind a long line of trees.

For some time the foe was held in check by the force, composed of three hundred of the 32nd., and portions of the 13th., 48th., and 71st. Native Infantry, with the howitzer; but the Oude artillerymen and drivers were traitors, and they overturned their six guns into ditches, cut the traces of their horses, and abandoned them, notwithstanding the remonstrances of their own officers, and of those on Sir Henry Lawrence’s staff, the Brigadier himself heading them, and drawing his sword upon the caitiffs. Thus exposed to a vastly superior fire of artillery, and completely outflanked on both sides by the enemy’s infantry and cavalry, which actually penetrated to the rear, the British were forced to retire with the loss of three pieces of artillery, and with a sad list of killed and wounded.

By this untoward event the whole available force was so far diminished, that there was not a sufficient number of men remaining to occupy the Residency and the fort named Muchhee Bhowun, an old dilapidated edifice which had been hastily put in repair, although the defences were far from complete, and were moreover commanded by many houses in the city. The Brigadier-General therefore, on the 1st. of July,^[183] signalled the garrison of the Muchhee Bhowun to evacuate and blow up that fortress in the course of the night. The orders were ably carried out, and at twelve p.m. the troops marched into the Residency with their guns and treasure, without the loss of a man; and shortly afterwards the explosion of two hundred and forty barrels of gunpowder and six millions of ball cartridges, which were lying in the magazine, announced to Sir Henry 559Lawrence and his officers—who were anxiously waiting the report—the complete destruction of that post, and all that it contained. If it had not been for this wise and strategic measure, no member of the Lucknow garrison, in all probability, would have survived to tell the tale: for, as the Muchhee Bhowun was commanded from other parts of the town, and was moreover indifferently provided with heavy artillery ammunition, while the suffering and loss which the Residency garrison (even with the reinforcements thus obtained) endured in holding the position, proved that if the original intention of holding the two posts had been adhered to, both would inevitably have fallen.

A sad calamity occurred at the outset. On the first of July, an eight-inch shell burst in the room of the Residency in which Sir Henry Lawrence was sitting. The missile burst between him and Mr. Couper, close to both, but without injury to either. The whole of his staff implored Sir Henry to take up other quarters, as the place had then become the special target for the round shot and shell of the enemy. This, however, he jestingly declined to do, observing that another shell would certainly never be pitched into that small room. On the very next day, however, he was mortally wounded by the fragment of another shell which burst exactly in the same spot, and Captain Wilson, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, received a contusion. Sir Henry Lawrence terminated his distinguished career on the morning of the 4th. of July, having previously directed Brigadier-General Inglis to take the command of the troops, and Major Banks to succeed to the office of chief commissioner.

Scarcely had the garrison recovered this shock, when it had to lament the death of Major Banks, who received a bullet through his head while examining a critical outpost on the 21st. of July.

When the blockade was commenced only two of the batteries were completed, and the defences were in an unfinished condition, the buildings in the immediate vicinity, which gave cover to the enemy, being only partially cleared away. Indeed the heaviest losses were caused by the fire from the enemy’s sharpshooters, stationed in the adjoining 560mosques and houses of the native nobility, the necessity of destroying which had been repeatedly pressed on Sir Henry by the staff of engineers, but his invariable reply was, “Spare the holy places, and private property as far as possible;” and the garrison consequently suffered severely from this tenderness to the religious prejudices, and respect to the rights, of the rebellious citizens and soldiery.

Then ensued a defence as heroic as any in the annals of war. The narrative of Brigadier Inglis, simple and earnest, will never be forgotten by his countrymen. By it the reader will see that not a building within the walls of the Residency was safe;^[184] the wounded were shot while in hospital, and ladies and children met the same fate in houses considered secure. The enemy, while working the guns concealed by the trenches, were shielded from the fire of the garrison, upon whom an incessant cannonade was kept up until the 20th. of July, at ten o’clock, on which morning the besiegers, in great numbers, after exploding a mine within the British defences, attempted to storm the Residency, and did not cease their efforts until two o’clock in the afternoon, being driven back by the gallant defenders, who were sustained by the consciousness of the mighty trust committed to their charge.

It was not until the 10th. of August that another assault was attempted, although during the interval the forlorn garrison became exposed to a constant fire, with famine staring it in the face. This second attempt, similar in its features to the first, commencing with the springing of a mine close to the brigade mess, although repeated at various points, met with a like result; in some instances the defenders, acting like grenadiers of a former time, dislodged the foe with hand-grenades. On the 18th. of August another mine was sprung in front of the Sikh lines with deadly effect, burying alive eleven men beneath the ruins, whence it was impossible to extricate them, owing to the tremendous 561fire kept up by the enemy from houses distant less than ten yards in front of the breach. Captain Orr, unattached, and Lieutenants Mecham and Soppitt were blown into the air, but, wonderful to state, received no further injury than a severe shaking. A general assault followed the explosion, which was soon repulsed; but the enemy succeeded in establishing themselves in one of the houses of the British position, from which they were driven in the evening by the bayonets of the 32nd. and 84th. regiments.

Fresh mines were sprung on the 5th. of September, when the last serious assault was made. It was in vain; all these repeated attacks met everywhere with defeat. Thus ended the four great struggles which occurred during the siege. For eighty-seven days and nights officers and men stood or slept under arms.

Notwithstanding all the hardships experienced, the garrison made no less than five sorties, in which two of the enemy’s heaviest guns were spiked, and several of the houses, from which a harassing fire was experienced, were blown up. Cholera, small pox, and an unknown, but fatal disease, added to the loss sustained from the enemy’s fire. Delicate women, some whilst in their earliest grief for the loss of their husbands, assisted in nursing the sick and wounded. The names of Birch, Polehampton, Barbor, and Gall, will descend to posterity as worthy imitators of Florence Nightingale.

The conduct of the 32nd. (reduced to less than three hundred), and the detachment of the 84th. was splendid. The loyalty of the native troops, but especially the 13th., was never surpassed. The other regiments were the 48th. and 71st. Native Infantry,^[185] the European and Native Artillery, and the Sikhs of the respective corps.^[186] The number 562of artillerymen was so reduced, that on the occasion of an attack, the gunners, although aided by men of the 32nd. regiment, and by volunteers of all classes, had to run from one battery to another, wherever the enemy’s fire was hottest, there not being nearly sufficient men to serve half the number of guns at the same time. Eventually the number of European gunners was only twenty-four, while, including mortars, there were no less than thirty guns in position. So near too were the heavy guns of the assailants, that their taunts and threats addressed to the native defenders could be easily heard; besides which many of the British military airs, such as “Brighton Camp,” “See, the Conquering Hero Comes,” and the “National Anthem,” were, with matchless effrontery, frequently played by the enemy.

In general orders it was announced that “There does not stand recorded in the annals of war an achievement more truly heroic than the defence of the Residency at Lucknow. The good services of H.M.’s 32nd. regiment throughout this struggle have been remarkable.”

“Lucknow” has been authorized to be borne on the regimental colour and appointments of the 32nd., which for its gallantry, has been constituted light infantry; and the Queen’s officers and men of the garrison were allowed to reckon one year’s additional service.

While the force, under Brigadier Inglis, afterwards advanced to the rank Major-General, and appointed a Knight Commander of the Bath, had been defending the Residency of Lucknow, the eyes of Europe were directed to the efforts made for its relief by Brigadier-General Havelock, who, after his Division in Persia had been broken up, proceeded to Bombay, and thence to Calcutta. He was immediately selected to command a moveable column, and hearing that the mutineers were proceeding from Cawnpore^[187] towards 563Futtehpore, a forced march, under a burning sun, was made upon that place. Major Renaud joined him on the road with about eight hundred troops, the latter having been actively engaged in suppressing the mutiny in the neighbourhood. This column consisted of the third company eighth battalion of the Royal Artillery, seventy-six; 1st. Madras Fusiliers, three hundred and seventy-six; 64th. regiment, four hundred and thirty-five; 78th. Highlanders, two hundred and eighty-four; 84th. regiment, one hundred and ninety; detachment of the Bengal Artillery, twenty-two; Volunteer Cavalry, twenty; total British, one thousand four hundred and three. The native troops:—The Regiment of Ferozepore, four hundred and forty-eight; 13th. Irregular and 3rd. Oude Irregular Cavalry, ninety-five; Galundauze, eighteen; total native troops, five hundred and sixty-one; in all, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-four. It is computed that the mutineers numbered three thousand five hundred, and they occupied a strong position at Futtehpore, with twelve guns.

Pushing forward two of their guns, they commenced, on the 12th. of July, a cannonade on the British front, while a body of infantry and cavalry threatened the flanks. The enemy had imagined an easy victory over Major Renaud’s force, but they found Brigadier-General Havelock ready to 564receive them. Astonished by the precision of the fire of the guns under Captain Maude, of the Royal Artillery, and the deadly aim of the Enfield rifles, they fell back upon Futtehpore in disorder, leaving three of their cannon. Here they endeavoured to make a stand, but were compelled to take to flight, abandoning twelve guns. This victory, in Havelock’s order of the day, was attributed “to the British Artillery, to the Enfield rifle, to British pluck, and to the blessing of Almighty God.”

Brigadier-General Havelock continued his march upon Cawnpore, and on the 15th. of July was twice engaged with the mutineers, first at the village of Aeng, and next at the bridge over the Pandoo Nuddee. Successful in both instances, the column pushed on, having captured the two guns with which it had been intended to defend the bridge. After it had been carried, information was received that Nena Sahib occupied a position at Ahirwa; this position was a very strong one, and in order to save the troops from the fire of his heavy guns, the British General make a flank movement, which resulted on the 16th. in a direct charge with the bayonet. The 78th. Highlanders, gallantly led by Colonel Hamilton, supported by the Madras Fusiliers, succeeded in turning the enemy’s left flank; while the 64th. and 84th., and the Regiment of Ferozepore, broke the right: the mutineers were driven headlong on Cawnpore, leaving a twenty-four pounder on the field.

The victors bivouacked on the ground, from which the roofless barracks at Cawnpore could be perceived. When Nena Sahib^[188] saw that nothing could withstand the advance of the avenging column, he gave directions on the 17th. for the massacre of the women and children in his power, and with savage barbarity caused their bodies to be thrown into a well.

565Early on that morning a heavy explosion was heard, arising from the blowing up, by the enemy, of the magazine at Cawnpore, when Nena Sahib was withdrawing thence upon Bithoor. Cawnpore was at once occupied, and the troops were horrified at the traces which remained of the massacre. The capture of the castellated palace of Nena Sahib at Bithoor, where he was unable to make a stand, was effected without firing a shot, and twenty guns were taken.

Upon Brigadier-General Neill’s arrival at Cawnpore, from Benares, he was left in command of the former place, whilst Brigadier-General Havelock commenced his march upon Lucknow. Having passed the Ganges into Oude, the mutineers were next encountered near Unao, on the 29th. of July. The action was commenced by the 78th. Highlanders and the 1st. Fusiliers, with two guns. Afterwards, the 64th., commanded by Colonel Wilson, were ordered up. Patrick Cavanagh, a private of that regiment, was hewn in pieces by the Sepoys whilst exhibiting to his comrades an example of the highest gallantry. This valiant soldier had he survived would have received the Victoria Cross. At the narrow pass between the village and the town of Unao the mutineers were discovered in great force, but, after an obstinate contest, they sought safety in flight. Subsequently the troops pushed on towards Busherut Gunge, a walled town, with wet ditches, which was captured by the 1st. Fusiliers, 64th., and 78th. regiments.

Major-General Havelock’s^[189] force was not of sufficient strength to continue the advance upon Lucknow, cholera having broken out amongst them; and he fell back on the 2nd. of August, on Munghowar. On the 5th. he again attacked the enemy at Busherut Gunge, driving them out of the town with great slaughter. Preparations were next commenced for passing over the Ganges to Cawnpore. The baggage had already been forwarded across the river, when he resolved, on the 11th. of August, to attack the mutineers a 566third time at Busherut Gunge, where they had once more collected in great force, and again defeated them.

Returning to their former position at Munghowar, the troops, on the 12th. and 13th. of August, crossed the Ganges to Cawnpore, where they arrived, nearly worn out by fatigue, sickness, and constant exposure to an Indian sun. Almost immediately, however, they struck another effective blow on the mutineers. A large body of them had collected at Bithoor, and were menacing Brigadier-General Neill at Cawnpore. Major-General Havelock, uniting his force with the former, marched on Bithoor, and gained another victory. During these several encounters forty guns had been taken, and sixty more recovered for the government. Great loss had been inflicted on the enemy, while the British casualties were comparatively small.

The British column afterwards remained at Cawnpore waiting for reinforcements, and on the 16th. of September, Major-General Sir James Outram arrived with the welcome aid; although the senior officer, he nobly relinquished to Major-General Havelock the honour of relieving the Lucknow garrison, and accompanied the column as Chief Commissioner of Oude, proffering his military services as a volunteer.

On the 19th. and 20th. of September, the relieving force, amounting to about two thousand five hundred men, and seventeen guns crossed the Ganges. The 5th. Fusiliers, 84th., detachments of the 64th. and 1st. Madras Fusiliers, composed the first infantry brigade, under Brigadier-General Neill; the 78th. Highlanders, 90th. Light Infantry, and the Sikh Ferozepore regiment, made up the second brigade, under Brigadier Hamilton, of the 78th.; Major Cooper commanded the artillery brigade, consisting of Captains Maude, Oliphant, and Major Eyre’s batteries; Captain Borrow commanded the Volunteers and Irregular Cavalry.

Only a feeble resistance was offered by the enemy, who retired upon the old position of Munghowar. Here they were attacked on the morning of the 21st. of September, and after an obstinate contest were routed, two of the four guns captured, being taken in a cavalry charge led by Sir James Outram.

567Continuing the march on Lucknow, the rebels were discovered on the 23rd., in a strong position, with their left resting on the enclosure of the Alumbagh, an isolated building to the south-east of the city of Lucknow, and about three miles from the Residency, their centre and right being drawn up behind a chain of hillocks. Five guns were taken by the British on this day, but the relieving force was incessantly cannonaded throughout the 24th. The enemy’s cavalry, one thousand strong, made a sudden irruption upon the baggage massed in the rear; when the soldiers of the 90th. Light Infantry forming the baggage guard gallantly dispersed the whole body, but not without losing some brave officers and men.

As the troops had been marching for three days under a perfect deluge of rain, irregularly fed, and badly housed in villages, the assault on the city was deferred until the 25th. On that morning the baggage and tents were deposited in the Alumbagh, and the force advanced. The gratifying object of relieving the garrison was the result, but great loss was sustained by the constant fire from the flat-roofed and loopholed houses, the gallant Brigadier-General Neill being shot dead; but every obstacle was at length overcome, and the troops established themselves within the enclosure of the Residency.^[190] It was not, however, until the following evening that the remainder of the force, with the sick and wounded, constantly exposed to the attacks of the foe, could be brought in. This succour is regarded, in respect to the medal-clasps, as a continuation of the defence of Lucknow.

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