The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Defence of Lucknow, by T. F. (Thomas Fourness) Wilson

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Author of this work desiring, for military reasons, to withhold his name, the Publishers feel it due to the public to vouch for the authenticity of the "Diary," by stating that the Author is an officer of the Staff of the Anglo-Indian Army, and was in Lucknow during the whole of the siege; as, indeed, will be apparent from the full details he has given of all that transpired in the garrison.

They beg to add that the only alteration made by them is the substitution of the most recent and complete list of the killed and wounded during the defence, as given in the "Homeward Mail," for the list appended to the MS. They have also added the eloquent despatch of Brigadier Inglis, recording the services of the garrison.

DIARY OF EVENTS AT LUCKNOW.

For about ten days previous to the outbreak, daily reports were made that an émeute was intended, and Sir H. M. Lawrence had ordered all kinds of stores to be purchased and stored in the "Muchee Bhawun" and the City Residency. But latterly the intelligence began to excite less attention, as so many days had passed away which had been named for the outbreak. On the evening of the 30th May, however, a sepoy of the 13th Native Infantry, who had shortly before received a reward from Sir Henry Lawrence for having assisted in the capture of a spy, came to Captain Wilson of the 13th Native Infantry, Assistant Adjutant-General, and said he could not help reporting that there would be a rising amongst the sepoy regiments, to be commenced in the lines of the 71st Native Infantry that evening at about 8 or 9 P.M.; but he was not certain at what hour. His manner in giving this information was earnest and impressive.

On that evening everything went on as usual; all remained quiet in the cantonments, where Sir Henry Lawrence was residing. Some days previously the ladies and children had been removed to the Residency in the city, which place had already been occupied by a party of the 32nd Foot and two guns. The 9 P.M. gun was fired, and was evidently the preconcerted signal for the mutiny; for a few minutes after, whilst Sir Henry Lawrence and his staff were at dinner at the Residency, a sepoy came running in and reported a disturbance in the lines. Two shots were heard in the 71st lines. The horses of the staff were at once ordered, and they proceeded to the lines. On the way, more dropping shots were heard from the left of the 71st lines. The party arrived in the camp, where about 300 men of Her Majesty's 32nd, with four guns of Major Kaye's battery, and two guns of the Oude Irregular Force were posted, and found them all on the alert. These were posted in a position on the extreme right of the 71st lines (the whole front of which they swept), and they were also contiguous to the road leading from cantonments to the city.

Sir Henry Lawrence immediately took two guns and a company of the 32nd with him on the road leading to the town, and there took post; thereby blocking up the road, and effectually cutting off all access to the city. He sent back soon after for reinforcements of the Europeans and for two more guns. In the meantime, the officers of the several regiments had proceeded at once to their respective lines. Bands of insurgents had meanwhile made their way amongst the officers' bungalows, keeping up as they went a desultory fire, which prevented many from passing the roads towards the lines. One of the first of these parties made straight for the mess house of the 71st Native Infantry, whence the officers had escaped but a few minutes before. They exhibited great bloodthirstiness, making every search for the officers, and ending by firing the house. On several shots being fired from the 71st lines on the 32nd Foot and guns, the order was given to open with grape; on which a rush was made by the sepoys to the rear; when they passed the infantry picket, which is situate in the centre of cantonments. The picket was under the command of Lieutenant Grant of the 71st Native Infantry. His men remained with him till the mutineers were close upon him. They then broke; but the subadar of the guard, and some men of the 13th and 48th Regiments, composing the guard, tried to save him by placing him under a bed. A man of the 71st Native Infantry, who was on guard with him, however, discovered the place of his concealment to the mutineers, and he was there brutally murdered—receiving no less than fifteen bayonet wounds, besides some from musket balls.

From the first, Lieutenant Hardinge, taking with him some few sowars of his Irregular Cavalry, patrolled up and down the main street of the cantonments, and went to the officers' messes on the chance of saving any lives. In the compound of the 71st mess, he was fired at by a mutineer, who then rushed upon him with his bayonet, which pierced his arm. More than once the cantonments were thus patrolled by Lieutenant Hardinge under a smart fire, with the same humane intentions; but not in sufficient force to prevent the burning and plundering of the officers' bungalows, and of the bazaars. The excitement in the lines continued; while the 32nd remained quietly in position, awaiting the advent of the remnants of the regiments who had remained true to their colours. A remnant of the 13th Native Infantry, about 200 men, with colours and treasure, came up; and, according to previous arrangement, joined and fell in on the right of the 32nd. A small portion of the 71st, without being able to save their colours or their treasure, (through the disaffection of the native officer on duty,) also came up and took post next the 32nd Foot. Of the 48th, nothing was heard till 10 A.M. next day. About 10 o'clock P.M. many of the mutineers had made their way up to some empty artillery lines, outside the 71st Native Infantry lines, whence they commenced firing. Brigadier Handscomb, who had come up from the rear of the 71st lines, was killed by a stray shot from this place: just as he had reached the left flank of the 32nd, he fell dead off his horse. The bungalows throughout the cantonments were most of them on fire. No attempt was subsequently made to attack the position. To secure the Residency bungalow, and that portion of the cantonment next the city road, 4 guns and a company and a half were taken up to the cantonment Residency, and the guns placed at each gate. All was now quiet, and the remainder of the night passed away without any further event. Nothing had been seen or heard of the 48th Native Infantry. Many officers had most wonderful escapes from death. Lieutenant and Adjutant Chambers of the 13th Native Infantry, was severely wounded in the leg, whilst effecting his escape from the magazine where he had taken a guard of his regiment.