Note 187 — DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW. 29th. June to 25th. September, 1857.

Cawnpore unfortunately occupies a prominent place in the history of the mutiny. General Sir Hugh Wheeler, seeing the state of the native troops, which composed part of the garrison, formed an entrenched camp round the hospital barracks, and collected a supply of provisions. Owing to the defection of the native corps, some of which at first appeared faithful, the force ultimately consisted of the first company sixth battalion of artillery, sixty-one; 32nd. regiment, eighty-four; 1st. European Fusiliers, fifteen; 84th. regiment, fifty; in all, two hundred and ten. To these may be added the officers of the three native infantry regiments, and others, amounting to about one hundred. The non-combatants amounted to five hundred and ninety, one hundred and sixty women and children being included in the latter number, in all nine hundred. Considering the defenceless state of the camp, it was wonderful that the garrison could withstand the enemy for a single day. The Sepoys commenced their attack on the 7th. of June, and continued an almost constant fire on the camp until the 24th. The garrison had only eight guns, while some opposed to them were twenty-four pounders. Frequent attempts were made to carry the enclosure by storm, but they were unsuccessful, the Sepoys being driven back each time. The sufferings of the garrison were so extreme, that on the 25th. of June, arrangements were entered into with Nena Sahib for the evacuation of the place. The result is but too well known. While the unfortunate people were proceeding towards Allahabad, the treacherous mutineers fired upon all in the boats; the one in which General Wheeler (who had been severely wounded) was in they brought back to Cawnpore. Only a few escaped, one of whom, Lieutenant Delafosse, has given a narrative of what he witnessed. All who were not killed in the boats were carried back to Cawnpore; the men being shot, and the females detained prisoners.