Chapter II: Part 2

The head of the Commissariat had, most unfortunately for the garrison, received a severe wound at Chinât, which effectually deprived them of his valuable aid. His office was all broken up; his goomastahs and baboos were not with us, and the officers appointed to assist him were all new hands. Besides all this, the first stores opened were approachable only by one of the most exposed roads, and very many of the camp followers preferred going without food to the chance of being shot. Some did not know where to apply, so that for three or four days, many went without rations; and this in no small degree added to the number of desertions. Owing to these desertions, the commissariat and battery bullocks had no attendants to look after them, and went wandering all over the place looking for food; they tumbled into, wells, were shot down in numbers by the enemy, and added greatly to the labour which fell on the garrison, as fatigue parties of civilians and officers, after being in the defences all day repelling the enemy's attack, were often employed six and seven hours burying cattle killed during the day, and which from the excessive heat became offensive in a few hours. The artillery and other horses were everywhere to be seen loose, fighting and tearing at one another, driven mad for want of food and water; the garrison being too busily employed in the trenches to be able to secure them.

Poor Sir H. Lawrence suffered somewhat less to-day, but was sinking fast, and at times his mind wandered. A tremendous fire all day, more particularly on the Baillie Guard and Dr. Fayrer's house where Sir Henry was lying. We thus early in the siege learnt that all our proceedings inside were known (through some party or other) to our enemies. Miss Palmer died to-day, and Mr. Ommanney of the Civil Service, was dangerously wounded under the ear by a grape shot, while in the Redan battery.

_July 4th._--A tremendous fire all night; but no effort was made to storm our position. To the great grief of our garrison, Sir Henry Lawrence died this morning about 8 o'clock, from the effects of his wound. Shortly before his death, Mr. G. H. Lawrence while standing in the front verandah of Dr. Fayrer's house, was wounded by a musket-ball through his right shoulder.

At night, there was a great uproar in the city, which evidently underwent a thorough plundering. Notwithstanding this, the same heavy fire was kept up throughout the night. Every one at work trying to throw up some shelter for himself. In the course of the day, a 9-pounder, brought by the insurgents and placed behind a small mosque close to our furthest water-gate, was spiked by a private of the 32nd and four others from Innes' post, who shot four of the enemy. The enemy were taken by surprise while at their dinner.

_July 5th._--From 2 till 6 o'clock A.M., heavy rain; and extremely heavy firing all day. Several casualties among our garrison. A soldier of the 32nd was said to have killed five men in ten shots from the Cawnpore battery, which was subjected to a very severe musketry fire. Continued efforts were made to collect all the horses and secure them, but it was impossible to do anything during the day. The fire was so heavy, and the night was so dark, it was difficult to get hold of the animals, who were half mad; added to which four or five horses were killed daily, which had to be buried at night by parties of officers, who, after being exposed to a fearful sun in the trenches all day, were often out in the rain till 12 and 1 o'clock in the morning, engaged in burying horses and bullocks, in order to prevent the dreadful stench which would otherwise have been increased, and which had already become almost insupportable.

_July 6th._--The usual amount of musketry and cannon fire all the morning: about 2 o'clock in the afternoon it became very severe, especially towards the Baillie Guard, which seemed the favourite point to-day for the heaviest fire. A heavy cannonade heard about three miles off for about half an hour. About 4 _P.M._ the flashes of the guns were distinctly seen. The cause was unknown. The enemy digging trenches in all directions. The carriage of one of our 9-pounders was disabled by the enemy.

_July 7th._--A heavy fire all the morning.

A sortie was made by fifty of the 32nd and twenty Sikhs, led by Captain Lawrence, Captain Mansfield, Ensign Green, 13th Native Infantry, and Ensign Studdy,--the latter led. The storming took place at noon. The object was to examine M. Johannes' house, and discover if the enemy were driving mines: it was perfectly successful, and fifteen or twenty of the enemy were killed. Our loss was one Seikh and one 32nd slightly, and one 32nd severely wounded.

This afternoon a very sad event occurred. Major Francis, 13th Native Infantry, who had commanded at the Muchee Bhawun, and who was in command of the brigade mess square, was struck in the legs by a round shot, which completely fractured both legs, rendering amputation of one _immediate_, and great fears were entertained for the other. He was a brave, good officer, and much respected by all, and one in whom Sir Henry Lawrence had much confidence. The calm manner in which he bore his misfortune, gained him the sympathies of all. Not a murmur escaped him; his only anxiety being a hope that the authorities would bear testimony that he had performed his duty. The Rev. Mr. Polehampton, military chaplain, was severely wounded in the side this day, by a rifle ball, while in hospital. One of the walls of the Racket Court, now used as a bhoosa gadown, fell in, and a quantity of the bhoosa became exposed in consequence. All spare tarpaulings were immediately supplied to cover, it, and officers and men worked hard for two hours, in a deluge of rain. The rains, so long expected, seem now fairly set in. It commenced raining heavily at 2 P.M., and continued pouring down the whole night.

_July 8th._--All very much as usual, and very heavy rain fell, which somewhat abated the enemy's fire. Every effort was made to put the place in some kind of order and to feed the bullocks.

Poor Major Francis insensible and sinking: he died at 7 P.M.; and was buried by a party of officers close to Mr. Ommanney's grave. Every effort was made to curtail the expenditure of provision, and officers were placed on half rations every third day. Very few servants remained, and most of the officers had none. All were on duty thirteen and twenty hours a day; and constant alarms took place at night, rendering it necessary for all to stand to their arms. Fears were entertained of the bhoosah stack taking fire, as the outer wall of the Racket Court had fallen down and left it exposed. All available officers and men worked hard, in heavy rain, to get it covered in again with tarpaulins. Twelve Seikhs of the 13th Native Infantry deserted last night. All the Hindoos and Mussulmans of the 13th, 48th, and 71st behaved nobly.

_July 9th._--Much rain fell during the morning. About 4 A.M. the enemy made an attack on the Baillie Guard Gate, and about 300 showed themselves, shouting and sounding the "Advance," on the bugle; but being received with a few rounds of grape, and a steady fire from the 13th, they speedily disappeared. Very much the same thing occurred soon after at the Cawnpore battery. Continued firing all day.

This was now the tenth day of the siege, and the heavy musketry fire on every side had never for an instant ceased night or day; and at times the fire was terrific. Many casualties occurred, and our want of protection at the different crossings over from one side of the Residency compound to the other, was very much felt. To-day, an excellent soldier, and a man greatly respected, Mr. Bryson, formerly Serjeant-major of the 16th Lancers, was shot through the head, while endeavouring to strengthen his post. The enemy appeared to have had some excellent marksmen. The commissariat began to work well, and all were well supplied. The officers were placed, however, on half rations every third day as a precautionary measure. Lieutenant Dashwood of the 48th Native Infantry, died of cholera after a few hours' illness.

_July 10th._--This morning the enemy's fire was continued much as usual. A sepoy of the 13th was killed early in the morning, and later in the day a private of the 32nd Foot and an artilleryman were wounded. The horses of the cavalry and the artillery, which, during the first days of the siege, were loose and driven nearly mad from hunger and thirst, galloping about and creating the greatest confusion, had now been nearly all turned out, though not without much trouble; and fifty of the best were retained, and secured in the Seikh square. All the bullocks were now also secured, and arrangements made for feeding and watering them; but numbers of horses and bullocks died, and their burial at night by working parties, in addition to nightly fatigue parties for the purpose of burying the dead, carrying up supplies from exposed positions, repairing entrenchments, draining, and altering the position of guns, in addition to attending on the wounded, caused excessive fatigue to the thin garrison, who had but little rest night or day: there were few officers with more than one servant, and one third certainly had _none_. In all duties, the officers equally shared the labours with the men, carrying loads and digging pits for putrid animals, at night, in heavy rain. All exerted themselves to the utmost, alternately exposed to a burning sun and heavy rain. Towards the middle of the day, the enemy fired less than they had previously done on any occasion since the siege commenced.

We received no news from any quarter, but sent off many letters. Every exertion was made to grind up the wheat in store by hand-mills; and this day thirteen maunds and two seers were ground. The firing towards the afternoon to-day was very slack, comparatively speaking. There was a comparatively slight cannonade. An injured 9-pounder in the Cawnpore battery was removed by us and replaced by another.

_July 11th._--About 1 o'clock this morning the whole force stood to their arms, in consequence of some information which was received, reporting that an attack was immediately intended. The force remained prepared till daylight, when, as usual, a smart firing on all sides began. An artilleryman was killed at Captain Simmons's battery. The enemy fired several round shot, and were most persevering in keeping us on the alert, and worrying us as much as possible. Their fire had never yet ceased day or night: sometimes it was heavier than at others, but it never abated altogether on any side.

At night the officers buried a horse which had died close to the brigade square; the night was intensely hot and close, and the labour was excessive:--the horse having died on the Pucka road, had to be dragged to a considerable distance before a grave could be dug. A great many of the stores were also brought up from the church by the assistance of a fatigue party of officers, who had all the carts to load and unload. Two of the 32nd Foot were killed during the night, which passed off with a heavy fire.

_July 12th._--The heat still excessive, and the fatigue of the garrison was _very_ great. Enemy were most persevering, and loopholed every place within fifty or sixty yards of our defences. They were evidently determined to do their best to get into the position, and had closed in on every side. We had no intelligence from any quarter; for though we had sent out many messengers, not one returned.

About 8 o'clock in the evening the enemy made an attempt to attack the Baillie Gate; but fell back, on being received with shells and musketry. About 12 P.M. they renewed their efforts on Mr. Gubbins's side with similar effect. They repeatedly sounded the advance, and were frequently heard abusing each other for not advancing. In half an hour they retired, and for the rest of the night they contented themselves with a heavy fire on the Cawnpore battery.

_July 13th._--The heat was dreadful, and garrison were greatly fatigued. The enemy reoccupied Johannes's house, and fired smartly down the street, killing two sepoys and wounding a conductor: they also pushed close up under the Redan, and greatly annoyed our outposts. Lieutenant Charlton of the 32nd Foot was shot through the head in the church, and very dangerously wounded. Several shells were fired into Johannes's house, and the walls of the house opposite to it were loopholed. Nevertheless we could not dislodge them, and they annoyed us greatly. The Havildar-major of the 13th was wounded through the thigh to-day.

The enemy possessed many excellent marksmen, and fired so many shots from every point that it was exceedingly dangerous to be seen anywhere, even for an instant: they fired several logs of wood bound with iron, and were evidently at this period hard up for round shot. In the evening they fired several carcases, and succeeded once in setting the Residency on fire; but it was soon extinguished. All the European officers laboured hard to get the supplies out of the church.

_July 14th._--Heavy rain, thunder and lightning, and night intensely dark. No alarms, and less firing than usual. Heavy rain at daybreak, which cleared off at 9 o'clock, when the enemy assembled in force. They were apparently undecided how to act, for they moved about in various directions, and in about half an hour retired altogether; but they fired many carcases, shot, and logs of wood shod with iron, and displayed several new batteries. We threw up a traverse near the Post-office gate, in order to save our people from the fire from Johannes's house, which was very sharp. Our sharp-shooters killed four of the enemy in Johannes's house. Four Seikhs of the 13th deserted, leaving their arms and accoutrements. Still no information of any kind.

Enemy erecting new batteries; one of which opened about 5 P.M. with a 9-pounder on the gable end of the brigade mess, occupied by the ladies and children, and the roof of which was held by a party of officers, assisted by six men of the 32nd. At the first discharge, a soldier of the 32nd had his thigh fractured, rendering amputation necessary. They fired several iron shot, which tore away the parapet; but fortunately no one else was hurt. The night was very dark, and the enemy fired a great deal; more particularly on Mr. Gubbins's post, where Lieutenant Lester was mortally wounded: towards daylight the fire abated. Several cases of cholera. The enemy's fire to-day destroyed a 9-pounder of ours, smashing the axle tree all to pieces.

_July 15th._--The enemy opened fire from their 9-pounder battery, situated about fifty yards from the end of the brigade mess, and fired many shots; but the garrison laid close, and up to 3 P.M. no casualties occurred. Towards the middle of the day, the enemy's fire lulled to a greater extent than it had ever done since the siege commenced.

The stores out of Anderson's house got in; the house being entirely destroyed by round shot; though still nobly held by the garrison. A mortar moved down to the gate of the Post-office, behind the traverse, and several shells were thrown into Johannes's house. All much as usual. The enemy fired three rounds of grape into the Redan battery during the night, but fortunately hit no one.

_July 16th._--The heat during the night was fearful. A slight alarm about 2 A.M., but it was soon over. The enemy fired smartly throughout the night, and in the morning sent several round shot through the roof of the brigade mess, and hit the Residency. They were busy, besides, making batteries in the garden of Johannes's house, and opposite the 13th and the Cawnpore battery.

We shelled the enemy heavily during the forenoon, throwing them far into the town and across the river. Lieutenant Bryce was badly wounded in the thigh early this morning; and later in the day, Lieutenant O'Brien of the 84th was shot through the arm. In the evening the enemy kept up a heavy fusilade, and we shelled them smartly; they fired a shell which narrowly escaped falling into our bhoosah stack. At half-past 11 o'clock, they fired a good deal on the Cawnpore battery, and made a feint of attacking, but finding us well on the alert did not do so. Our wheat-grinding operations continued, and we now had hand-mills sufficiently well worked to grind twenty maunds of atta daily. During the night we threw up a stockade and traverse, as a protection against the musketry which swept the entrance of the Residency.

_July 17th._--The heat excessive. A very heavy fire during the night, and the garrison kept on the alert, preventing rest and greatly fatiguing all. Several cases of cholera and deaths of children occurred. Twenty-two maunds of wheat were ground.

To-day a bad accident occurred: Lieutenant Alexander, of the Artillery, and Captain Barlow, 50th Native Infantry, in firing a mortar, were most severely burnt by the piece going off at the time of loading. The enemy sent two shells into the Residency which exploded, but fortunately caused no loss of life. The stench from putrid animals was most offensive. Painful boils about the head were very prevalent. The wounded doing well. The prisoners and main guard removed to another place, in order to give more room at the hospital.

The enemy were busy making more batteries and intrenchments. In the night about 12 o'clock, the enemy made an attack on Mr. Gubbins's position, but were received with a steady fire, and soon driven back.

_July 18th._--Rain began falling about 4 A.M. and continued to do so till 8 A.M., when the heat became insufferable. The enemy fired several round shot, which hit the brigade mess; and they also took up an annoying position in one of the towers which remained of the Ferad Buksh gate. They were, however, speedily dislodged by a few exceedingly well-directed shots from Lieutenant Bonham, from an 18-pounder in the Post-office. Two children died of cholera. In the evening the enemy fired many round shot into the Post-office, Dr. Fayrer's, Mr. Gubbins's and the brigade mess house: they evidently had been reinforced in guns. At night, Brigadier Inglis, Captain Wilson, Lieutenant Innes, and Ensign Birch, proceeded to the gate with eight Europeans, and dragged in a body that was seen lying near the gate, and which it was supposed might be the body of one of our spies shot coming in. It was safely brought in, and found to be the corpse of a woman. Nothing was found on the body. The enemy got into the turret on the top of Mr. Johannes' house, and fired into the Cawnpore battery: fortunately no casualties occurred, and the night, which was fearfully oppressive, passed away with a heavy fire from the enemy.

_July 19th._--Dreadful heat: cloudy, but no rain. Enemy fired round shot all the morning. About half-past 9 a large shot passed through a room in the Residency, in which the officers were at breakfast, fracturing the leg of Lieutenant Harmer, 32nd Foot, but providentially injuring no one else; about the same time Lieutenant Arthur, 7th Cavalry, was shot dead (through the heart) in the Cawnpore battery. Our 18-pounder fired several shots, and we threw several shells. The enemy seemed to be at work at the Muchee Bhawun, probably looking for shot which had been buried in the ruins.

About 12 o'clock to-day the enemy sounded the advance, and threatened an attack on the Redan. A few shells, however, soon made them give up all idea of coming on. They got into Johannes' house in force, and fired steadily into the cook-house of the brigade mess.

Much drunkenness prevailed amongst a few of the garrison, who had stolen quantities of liquor, which could not be discovered. From the commencement of the siege, the large quantities of liquor in the hands of the merchants caused much anxiety, and every possible endeavour was made to get it all into safe custody. One or two alarms during the early part of the night. Mr. Polehampton (wounded and in hospital) died this day from cholera.

_July 20th._--From midnight the enemy remained unusually quiet, and at daylight all seemed much as usual. About half-past 8 A.M. it was reported that a very large body of men could be seen marching about in different directions within a few hundred yards of our position. A sharp look-out was kept, and the garrison stood to their arms. At a quarter-past 10, the enemy sprung a mine inside the water gate, and about twenty-five yards from our inner defences: the explosion was great, and was evidently intended to have blown up our Redan battery, and also to act as a signal; for immediately the dust and smote subsided, a very heavy fire of round shot was commenced from every gun that the enemy possessed, followed immediately almost by a terrific fire of musketry, under which the enemy made an attempt to storm the Redan and Innes' house. The garrison were ready, and every one at his post, and the attack was coolly met and repulsed; however the enemy advanced boldly and came up within twenty-five yards of the battery in immense force, but were unable to withstand the fire of our men.

They made a similar attempt on Innes' house, but were similarly repulsed by the garrison, consisting of twelve men of the 32nd, twelve of the 13th Native Infantry, and a few uncovenanted gentlemen, under Ensign Loughnan (who distinguished himself greatly): very great loss was inflicted on the enemy, who repeatedly tried to advance, but were driven back each time with much slaughter. Finding their efforts useless, the enemy fell back, and contented themselves with throwing in a terrific storm of musketry; from which we shielded our men as much as possible, by keeping them laid under our defences. Almost at the same time an attack was made on the Cawnpore Battery, but the enemy's standard-bearer (who advanced bravely) being shot in the ditch of the battery, the rest fell back. The enemy now moved towards Lieutenant Anderson's house and Captain Germon's post, with scaling-ladders, but were well received and fell back with much loss. The attack was now over, though for the rest of the day, until 4 P.M., the enemy threw in a heavy fire; when it gradually subsided: the attack was mostly confined to the points above noted.

In the afternoon they succeeded in making a lodgment in some pucka cook-houses inside our abattis, and began to use a crowbar, which was distinctly heard. We made a hole through to them from above, through which they fired, injuring no one; but on our throwing down some hand grenades, they fled across the road, two being shot by the officers who were watching from above. The 13th, 71st, and 48th sepoys all behaved well, and the manner in which the outposts were held, was beyond all praise. The uncovenanted distinguished themselves greatly. We had fortunately only four men killed, and some twelve wounded: Captain Forbes, Lieutenant Grant, Lieutenant Edmonstone, and Mr. Hely, were wounded. All were under arms from eight in the morning until eight at night, and greatly fatigued and worn out.

_July 21st._--All very quiet during the night. The enemy were probably fatigued with their exertions yesterday, for throughout the night only a few round shot were thrown in. About 10 A.M. the enemy lodged themselves in some force in the low buildings between the Seikh courtyard and Mr. Gubbins's post, but were driven out by a few shells, and were fired on by the officers of the brigade mess, as they ran across a small lane: they did not attempt to reoccupy the position during the day. About 12 o'clock, Major Banks was killed by a musket-shot through the head, as he was reconnoitring from the top of an outhouse. Mr. Gubbins's garrison was fired on smartly during the morning, and many round shot were sent into Mr. Gubbins's house; the garrison of which had many alarms during the day. Painful boils very prevalent. A dreadful stench pervaded the place in consequence of the number of dead horses and bullocks, which, lying direct under the fire of the enemy, we were unable to remove. Excessive heat, and several cases of cholera. Great fatigue; no news. Poor Dr. Brydon severely wounded in Mr. Gubbins's house. Two Europeans killed, and two wounded; also one of the 13th sepoys.

_July 22nd._--Very heavy rain began to fall at 1 A.M., and continued till 8 A.M., when it cleared off. During the heavy rain, the enemy only fired slightly. After 8 A.M. it became more brisk, and they fired several round shot, but were not very active during the forenoon. Cholera still prevalent. Our numerical strength much diminished, as we had had 151 casualties in the 32nd Regiment alone. The enemy moved the 8-inch howitzer from its old position, and brought it across the river by elephants, with a tumbril behind it. Up to this date, we had no intelligence of any kind from any quarter, and, indeed, we had received none since the 27th ultimo. Many messengers were sent with letters, but not a single line did we receive in reply. A letter was sent off to Cawnpore to-day, and conveyed by a man named Ram Singh, a Seikh subadar of the 63rd Native Infantry. The enemy steadily loop-holing all the houses close round about, and evidently up to some new attempt at our position.

At dusk heavy rain; we got out a strong working party, and opened our large powder magazine, and after much labour and exertion got up 150 barrels out of the 240 we had buried. The night was pitch dark, and the rain fell heavily, and the work being outside of our entrenchment, over which all the barrels had to be handed out of mud knee deep, rendered the work fearfully fatiguing. Many of the officers and civilians worked for five hours at this work. Only a few shots during the night. Boils still very prevalent. A Seikh from the cavalry deserted. One or two cases of cholera. Mortification having set in, Mr. Hely's arm was amputated.

The buildings outside Mr. Gubbins's position were shelled at sunset, and after we had driven the enemy out, we made a sortie through the wall (in which we had cut a large hole), and rushed out and examined the houses in which the enemy had been. We failed to find any trace of mining. We lost one man of the 32nd, killed. Mrs. Dorin was killed dead by a musket ball in Mr. Gubbins's house to-day.

_July 23rd._--Very heavy rain during the night. About 2 A.M. the enemy sounded the "turn out," and at 3 the "assembly." About 1 A.M. a native pensioner, who left us on the 27th to gain information, came in, and said he had been confined by the enemy thirteen days, but had been to Cawnpore and left it two days ago,--that a British force with twelve guns was there; that they had fought three times with the Nana's troops, and had completely beaten them, taking many guns, and that they were crossing the river preparatory to advancing to our assistance. He stated that he had not brought a letter, for fear of being detained by the enemy; he vouched to the truth of his statement, declined a pecuniary reward, and was urgent to go back quickly while it rained heavily and all was quiet comparatively. He left in two hours, taking a small note for the officer commanding the forces.

At daylight there were fewer of the enemy than we had yet seen about, and those less active; though they still fired smartly all around. Stench from dead animals in some parts dreadful; as we had very few servants of any kind and our fighting men were so few and so harassed, that we were helpless to bury them. Heavy showers both day and night, keeping the garrison constantly drenched to the skin, and making all most uncomfortable; particularly as few had a change of clothes. Enemy fired slackly during the afternoon. Cannonaded their bridge of boats, which was broken by our 18-pounder shot. Several cases of smallpox. Sick and wounded much crowded. The upper story of the hospital being under fire of round shot, the wounded were, from the commencement of the siege, confined to the ground floor, which with difficulty contained their beds. At night it rained hard; and in spite of all difficulties, we succeeded in getting up the remaining ninety barrels of powder, and safely deposited them in the centre of our position. A false alarm about 12 o'clock at night, that the enemy had got into the churchyard.

_July 24th._--Morning fair and cloudy. The enemy endeavoured to repair the bridge of boats, but were prevented by the fire of our 18-pounder. The heat and stench terrible, and the flies were beyond endurance, contesting every particle of food with us, and preventing all attempts at rest during the day. Only a few round shot thrown, but the enemy actively at work about forty yards from the Redan battery, in a deep trench. Advantage taken of the temporary lull to repair some of our defences, which had sunk a great deal in consequence of the heavy rain; but our men, reduced in numbers and harassed to death day and night, were not capable of any prolonged exertion. Every possible effort was made to grind wheat, and from twenty-five to thirty hand-mills were kept steadily at work, producing an average of twenty maunds of flour daily. The 48th Regiment Native Infantry have had seven, and the 71st Regiment, upwards of fifty desertions, since the commencement of the siege.

About dusk, the enemy, for the first time, sent in many shells; which, however, caused no loss, fortunately. The commissariat department busy with the stores, getting ghee up from the Round House; while a fatigue party of officers, under Captain Radcliffe, threw up earth, and heightened the traverse across the road, near the Post-office gate. Lieutenant Hutchinson, of the Engineers, accompanied by Lieutenant Birch, crept down in the dark, and examined, as well as they could, the enemy's works in the immediate vicinity of the Redan. Night dark and cloudy.

_July 25th._--The night passed away tolerably quietly; the enemy firing several 18-pound shot into the Cawnpore battery. At daylight they were tolerably quiet, contenting themselves with musketry; but about 8 A.M. they fired an 8-inch shell, which fell through the centre of the roof of the Post-office, and lodged on the table on which the officers of that post breakfasted; fortunately it did not explode, and no mischief was done. Immediately after, several shells, apparently thrown out of mortars, were thrown in, and continued to be so during the forenoon. One fell in the verandah of the Post-office, and shattered the hand of an artilleryman. Two men of the 32nd were shot this morning by the enemy's sharp-shooters. Still not one word of intelligence from any quarter, though this was now the twenty-sixth day we had been besieged. We knew nothing; but the most absurd rumours were afloat amongst the natives, and indeed among many of the Europeans, who were credulous enough to believe them. Removed the powder out of the place in which we had it, to a tykhana under the Begum Kotee which the engineers considered safer than where it was first removed to. Very slight firing on the river side, but the enemy still very active near the Redan. Much difference of opinion existed as to the object of the work; the majority believed that they were mining, while the engineers thought they were only making a trench. Although the earlier part of the morning had been quiet enough, towards 11 and 12 o'clock, a very sharp fire was opened and maintained on the side of the Post-office and Cawnpore battery.

The casualties on this side alone amounted to six, besides three others in different places, which made the total of the day's casualties one of the heaviest on record. Towards evening the enemy commenced shelling us. Seven shells were sent in, but did no damage. Opinions differed whether they were discharged from howitzers or mortars.

About 11 P.M. a pensioner, who had been sent out from this on the 22nd instant with a letter, effected his entrance into Mr. Gubbins's compound, and produced a letter which he had brought back from the camp. He was at once brought to Brigadier Inglis and examined. The letter proved to be one from Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser Tytler, Quartermaster-General with General Havelock's force. It was determined to transmit to General Havelock by this man a plan of our position and of the roads approaching it, with memoranda drawn up by the engineers.

_July 26th._--At daybreak cloudy and sultry: enemy tolerably quiet, but about 8 A.M. they threw in several shells. From 11 to 1 very heavy rain, and a partial cessation from firing, during which Lieutenant Lewin of the Artillery, who was reconnoitring from the Cawnpore battery, was shot dead by one of the enemy's sharp-shooters. Enemy recommenced shelling from the city side: few of them to be seen, all being under cover. Supposed to be mining at the Cawnpore battery. A countermine commenced by us, out of the house next the battery; but having no workmen except our harassed soldiers, the work was slow; however, as the engineers seemed to entertain little or no doubt but that the enemy were mining, it was necessary to endeavour to counteract them. Little musketry fire during the afternoon; the enemy throwing in heavy shot, fired at a great elevation (apparently out of howitzer). One or two cases of cholera. Garrison in good spirits at the prospect of early relief.

A letter and plan of our position forwarded at night by a messenger to the officer commanding the relieving force: 5000 rupees promised the messenger if he brought a reply. Suddenly at 10 P.M. the enemy commenced a heavy fire along the whole of the city front of our position; but nothing came of it, as after a few shells had been thrown amongst them, their fire gradually subsided, and all became tolerably quiet again. During this heavy firing, a sad accident occurred; Lieutenant Shepherd of the 7th Cavalry being shot dead in the brigade square, by a shot fired from the top of the brigade mess by one of our garrison. This was the only casualty of the night.

_July 27th._--From midnight all quiet, save the usual musketry fire. Cloudy, sultry weather. About 7 A.M. two planks were observed laid across the road in front of Johannes' house. They were not seen the night before, and being carefully watched, a man's hand was seen coming up from below; and soon after some eight feet of earth fell in, showing the direction of a mine of the enemy right across the road, and pointing direct for our stockade, within six feet of which it had apparently reached. This was a most fortunate discovery for us: they had evidently kept this mine too near the surface, and the heavy rain had broken it in. Our mine continued to be pushed on as rapidly as possible, and our sharp-shooters from the top of the brigade mess kept up so hot a fire on the enemy's sap from above, that they could make no attempt to repair the mischief. Much fever prevalent, consequent on being constantly wet day and night.

Towards the afternoon, the enemy again covered their trench with boards; but we got a mortar under our wall, and after one or two failures, a shell fell right into the hole and blew all the planks away, leaving the remains of the trench exposed to view, giving us no further anxiety. Fine weather in the afternoon. Enemy heard mining towards the brigadier mess; on which a shaft was commenced by the officers, and the enemy ceased working. Late in the evening, the enemy were very distinctly heard mining towards the Seikh lines; on which the Seikhs, under Lieutenant Hardinge, commenced and sunk an eight feet shaft; hearing us, the enemy seemed to stop working. All quiet, with the exception of the usual amount of firing. Fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, and painful boils, from constant wet and exposure, still prevalent amongst the garrison. Mrs. Grant (wife of Lieutenant Grant) died of cholera. Captain Boileau, 7th Cavalry, was wounded to-day.

_July 28th._--Much shouting and bugling amongst the enemy during the early part of the morning: heavy rain at daylight. Made repairs to the Redan battery, also made a small field work for a 9-pounder. Sickness much increased, and for many days past only one engineer officer was available for duty: hard work, privation, and exposure day and night to wet and heat, few could long stand against. We had no further news of our coming friends, but trusted that to-day they would reach Bunnee.

The enemy threw in several shells, also a number of stink-pots, which were a very curious composition of large pieces of our exploded iron shell sewn up in canvas, and surrounded by flax and resin, with dry powder in the centre: these, from the commencement of the siege, had been thrown in daily from a howitzer; they made a fearful hissing noise and great stench, and finally exploded. They were not very dangerous, unless they exploded _very_ close to a person. We also had a few rockets thrown in, but not many; and lately a number of shrapnel shells, fired apparently from a howitzer with a very great elevation. The enemy's miners could now be distinctly heard working close to the Seikh Square sap.

The room in the Residency containing the jewellery and valuables belonging to the late King of Oude, was broken into last night by some of the garrison, and most of them stolen. Enemy tolerably quiet in the afternoon. About 5 P.M. our sap in the Seikh Square, which had been going on as fast as we could push it in the direction of the enemy's, met theirs, which they continued to work to the last moment. On our crowbar, however, going through into their gallery, they instantly fled out of it, and commenced to fill in their shaft. We immediately made use of their gallery, and blew the whole up with 100 lbs. of powder, which brought down all the adjacent houses, &c. After this the enemy tolerably quiet. Good progress made in our Cawnpore sap.

_July 29th._--A fine moonlight night. Enemy fired many round shot about daylight, and also musketry from the houses across the road; they also threw in many carcases, which nearly all fell in the vicinity of the Cawnpore battery. No intelligence. All were anxious for the relieving force, which we thought could not be far off. Our Cawnpore sap loaded with 200lbs. of powder, ready to explode whenever it might be thought most advisable. Colonel Halford, 71st Regiment Native Infantry, who had been long ill, died this morning.

A few convalescents joined the ranks, giving more room in the hospital, which was greatly overcrowded in consequence of all the patients being obliged to be kept on the ground floor, as also the state prisoners and their servants; the round shot passing so frequently through the upper story as to make it impossible to make use of it. Rumour stated that the enemy had gone out in force to meet our coming army, and had left two or three regiments of infantry, and a body of military police, to keep us in; but it was most difficult to tell what force we had opposed to us, as the enemy seldom or never showed in any number, but kept in the houses under cover, occasionally yelling, bugling, and throwing in a heavy fire, then subsiding into the usual steady fire which went on night and day.

Firing of cannon heard in the direction of Cawnpore. We hoped it was our friends. All anxious, but all conjecture. Enemy recommenced mining towards our mine in the Cawnpore battery. About 6 P.M., a heavy firing was heard for about five minutes in the road from Cawnpore, and in about half an hour, several guns were heard in the direction of cantonments; this made us think it was a salute fired by the enemy for some reason or other; probably to reassure themselves. However, all is conjecture; but it threw our garrison into a great state of excitement, and many (indeed most) stoutly maintained it was our force. About 300 or 400 sepoys were seen at the same time running across the iron bridge towards cantonments in great haste. We fired two shots at them with an 18-pounder.

The excitement gradually cooled down; the enemy keeping up their usual fire. Another mine was discovered this evening, by a portion of it falling in: it was running in the direction of Sago's house. Lieutenant Grant of the Bombay army, whose wife and child died a few days ago of cholera, died in hospital this night, from the effects of his wound: his right hand had been blown off by a hand-grenade. A fine moonlight night.

_July 30th._--From 2 A.M. till daylight heavy rain. Enemy got in close under the wall of the Seikh lines, and began some kind of operations against it; they were so close that no musket could be fired, being under a projecting piece of the wall; they were, however, dislodged by a few pistol shots, and ran off. No further incident occurred during the night, beyond that there was the usual amount of firing into our position, and bugling on the part of the enemy. After daylight enemy fired slackly. Terrible stench in many parts of the garrison from half-buried corpses and animals, which we had no time or means to bury properly. Several cases of fever, cholera, and smallpox.

About 9 A.M. a number of sepoys and matchlockmen were seen coming along the Cawnpore road, and for about an hour and a half a continuous stream of men came in in detached parties of twenty and thirty: some sepoys were among them. Slack firing during the forenoon, only a few shells and musketry. In the afternoon, heavy rain for an hour. Unable to discover what the enemy were about. Considerable progress made in a sap, which we had sunk in an outhouse close to the corner of the brigade mess-house, where most of the children and ladies were located. At first the enemy were heard mining towards us, but since yesterday we had not heard them. We continued, however, to steadily push our sap, hoping either to come across that of the enemy or succeed in getting under Johannes' house; from which they fired all day long on any one who showed himself. Yesterday an artillery sergeant, who incautiously crossed the road commanded from Johannes' house, was shot through both legs. The enemy had many riflemen, and some of them were most expert shots, firing through our loopholes.

About 8 P.M., as Captain Wilson, Lieutenant Barwell, Lieutenant James, and Mr. Lawrence were sitting on the chubootra of the Begum Kotee, a shell came in and exploded as it struck the parapet of the wall under which they sat, bringing it down. Lieutenant James, who was lying wounded on his bed, had a most wonderful escape. A large piece of masonry, weighing upwards of a hundred weight, fell on his bed, breaking it to pieces, and bringing him down on the ground; but he was uninjured. Mr. Lawrence received a severe contusion on the back and head from falling masonry; and this was the extent of the damage. Mrs. Clarke, wife of Lieutenant Clarke of the 21st Native Infantry, died this evening: bad food, privation, confinement, and smells of all kinds, worked their effects.

_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.