Part 5

Monday, August 3rd. Still no news! Firing, during the night, sharp. The enemy threw several shells, some of which exploded in the Begum Kotee; but, as yet, without injury to any one. Dear Charlie came and gladdened my heart. About sunset the shelling became very sharp again; one burst over Dr. P----'s head, in the air, as he was going into Mr. G----s'. About 200 of the enemy's cavalry were seen moving, which caused a little excitement, by no means unpleasing to us in our present inactive condition. The future is a perfect blank to us; we are not able to give even a surmise as to what our fate may be: but, we have made up our minds never to give in, but to blow up all in the entrenchments sooner.

Tuesday, August 4th. Another day without news. Firing sharp, during the night. Our only consolation is, that, no news is good news; for, if any reverse happened to our reinforcements, the enemy would quickly let us hear of it, and be back upon us immediately. A fine young man was shot to-day, at the 9-pounder, in our garden; he was shot through the lungs--he has left a wife and four children. Charlie came for his half-hour's visit, my only gleam of sunshine in the gloomy day. I had an enormous rat in my bedding when I unrolled it in the Tye Khana for the night.

Wednesday, August 5th. No news whatever; but very few of the enemy to be seen round us. While Charlie was with me to-day, it came in to heavy rain, so that I got more than my half-hour's chat; and sent him home in my blanket shawl, tied in a knot on his head, and hanging down all round like a cloak. Some of the enemy's regiments of cavalry and infantry were seen to parade in front of the Redan, and then go off to the Cawnpore road. Very little firing during the night.

Thursday, August 6th. Another night without news! Poor Mr. S----, of the 32nd, had his arm broken in three places by a 24-pound shot, and his side hurt so badly that they fear he will not recover. All are to vacate the Residency to-day, as it is so unsafe.

Friday, August 7th, We were cheered by the news that a Sepoy of the 1st Oude Irregulars, who had been sent out by the Brigadier, had returned; he had lost the letter from the relieving force, but had been in their camp, and seen General H----. He said they had four European regiments and one Sikh one; and that one European regiment had a curious baja (music) played in front of them--meaning the bagpipes: that our force had had a fight with the enemy, the first march out of Cawnpore, and taken eighteen guns. A little further on they had had a fight with villagers, who had decamped, leaving five more guns in their hands; and then our troops, hearing the Nana was collecting a force again in their rear, returned to Cawnpore. However, the Nana took fright, and was off and away; so they took in fresh supplies, and were coming on again. He also said Shereef O'Dowlah was the head of the rebels in the district. There were 200 cavalry with our force, principally volunteers and officers who had lost their regiments. About 3 P.M. the Sepoy came to see Mr. C----, and we heard all his tale. Whilst we were sitting in the long verandah room after dinner, there was a call to arms, and the gentlemen went off to their posts; and I went off to fetch the things I should require at night, for I knew if there were an attack I should not be allowed to go into the room where I dressed. A few rounds from the guns were fired, and the supposed attack subsided.

Saturday, August 8th. Mr. H---- went over to baptize Mrs. K----'s child, as it was dying. Mrs. B---- and her child are also very ill; indeed, so are all those in that room at the Begum Kotee. Dr. M----, 41st N.I., and Lieut. B----, both died of cholera this day.

Sunday, August 9th. Mrs. B---- taken ill during the night, and at 8 P.M. a fine boy made his appearance. I thought of poor Mrs. D----, who, we were told, was confined in the open at Cawnpore, in the rear of a gun; she and the child were both massacred afterwards. Mr. S----, and Mrs. K----'s baby, both died to-day. Mrs. H---- rather angry at being turned out of her room to give place to the new baby. Mrs. D----, who is expecting her confinement, had a fainting fit; altogether a nice commotion. In addition to a sharp attack, with heavy firing from some of the guns close to us, a 9-pound shot came into Mrs. C----'s room, and just as we were talking of coming up to sleep in the dining-room again, two shots came in quite hot, which settled the matter.

Monday, August 10th. A Sikh came in during the night; he said he had been made prisoner at Chinhut: however, he is thought to be a spy, and is confined. His account of our reinforcements agree with what we have previously heard. About 11 A.M., Lieut. B----, A.D.C., came round to warn all the garrison to be on the alert, as some regiments had been seen, with their colours flying, marching from Cantonments. As they crossed the Cawnpore battery, we fired on them, and the attack then commenced; the firing was very sharp: shells, shrapnell, round shot, gingalls, and musketry. I now can distinguish each plainly. Of course, I always feel very anxious, after an attack, before the list of casualties comes round. To-day two Europeans were killed, and five wounded--wonderfully few, considering the firing was incessant till about 2 P.M. Two of the enemies' mines were exploded, but without injury to us. About 5, just as we were coming up from dinner, dear Charlie made his appearance, with some clothes for me; but would not stop, as he said he had just seen another little army coming up to the attack; it consisted of two regiments of infantry, some cavalry, and five guns: he hurried off, and the firing commenced. I much troubled on his account, for his house has lately been so battered by round shot, it must be very unsafe; however, Dr. F---- told me he had seen him all right. One of the mines sprung in the morning, destroying one of the rooms where the Martinière boys are, but without injuring any one: however, it sent one of the heavy timbers of the stockade on to the roof of the Brigade Mess (an upper storeyed house), much to the alarm of the ladies residing there. We heard that Mrs. O----, of the 48th N.I., had had a little boy during the night. Just as we were going to bed, another attack commenced; the night was very dark, but we were providentially preserved through all.

Tuesday, August 11th. All quiet. I rose early, as my morning duties are generally very heavy. After breakfast Charlie came; I felt so thankful to see him safe once more. He told me the enemy, thirty in number, got into the Compound next us, last night, but were driven out by hand grenades, &c. During the forenoon, we heard a rumbling noise, and, on inquiry, found that one wing of the Residency had fallen, and buried six men; two were dug out alive, but only one survived it. The rest could not be got out till late in the day. Charlie told me that the day before, when the enemy's mine exploded at Sago's, two Europeans were blown out into the road, with their muskets in their hands, but being uninjured, they jumped up and ran though his gateway, and through the stockade to their posts again. From this one may imagine our defences were but slight.

Wednesday, August 12th. There had been incessant firing all night. No news, whatever, has been brought in! Charlie came and gladdened my heart; but I must say my own hope of relief was sinking.

Thursday, August 13th. Native reports that our forces are near, and firing has been heard distinctly in the district from the Redan battery for two hours--so hope revives. We countermined and blew up a mine of the enemy's at Sago's. It was well done, and it is supposed numbers perished, including the miners themselves, who were heard at their work just before; several of the enemy rushed down to dig out comrades, but of them four were shot.

Friday, August 14th. A sweeper came in this morning. Charlie caught him near the hospital, and carried him to Captain C----'s. He told them a great deal about the enemy; but, of course, nothing could be relied on. He said that the Native report was that our force was at Bushire Gunge. Mrs. F---- was very ill, and removed to Mrs. D----'s room.

Saturday, August 15th. No news from without! We had our beds brought into the dining-room, and for the first time during the siege we were to sleep on charpoys (bedsteads). The last three nights in the Tye Khana I have slept on chairs, to escape the rats; for the last night I slept on the floor I felt my bedding heaved up, and a large black rat ran from under it. This is the third time we have tried to sleep in the dining-room; twice we have been driven out by shot. This afternoon a shrapnell burst on the roof, wounding two Native Pensioners and a European sentry; an 18-pound shot also came in.

Sunday, August 16th. The first news we heard was, that a letter had been brought in from the relieving force; but, to our disappointment, it proved to be an old one--the man having been imprisoned. After his release he had returned to Cawnpore to get further news, but found, with the exception of a small force entrenched on this side, that they had re-crossed the river--the Nana having collected a fresh force. He also said that numbers of troops were on their way up the country, and that when a sufficient party had arrived--which would be about the 20th--General H---- would again advance. In the afternoon a shrapnell burst in Mrs. F----'s verandah, close to her present bedroom; some of the pieces passed over her and Mrs. B----, going through the venetians, and setting fire to the chicks; she was brought out and placed in Mrs. B----'s room with the new baby. I fought against sleeping in the dining-room, as I thought it dangerous; but, being in the minority, I was obliged to give in.

Monday, August 17th. We passed the night without an accident, though the roof was hit by round shots. Mrs. F----'s little boy Bobby very ill; he looks a perfect skeleton: as for Mrs. D----'s youngest boy, you can count his bones; they are only just covered with skin. It is a terrible time for poor children; they pine for fresh air.

Tuesday, August 18th. We were awoke by an explosion of one of the enemy's mines in the Sikh Square; no one knew they were mining there: it buried six half-caste drummers and a Sepoy, and blew two officers into the Square, who escaped with slight bruises. This made a great breach in our defences, and the enemy might have come in easily if they had only had a little pluck. Three of the leaders tried to induce a party to make a rush, but failed; and, two of them being shot, the affair ended. There was a great firing of round shot and shell, but only one of our men was killed and none wounded. Bobby had been very ill all night, and Miss S---- sitting up with him; so, at 5, I got up and relieved her, and after breakfast I had to complete my wash of clothes. No news of our reinforcements! During the day a sortie was made, and young J----'s house was blown up: they found eleven men in it, whom they bayonetted; they also blew up a lot of houses in the neighbourhood. A shell had gone through the roof of one of them, and underneath there was a large pool of blood. Two of the enemy's mines were destroyed with their own powder, and one by pouring a quantity of water down it; so they are paid off for the morning. At sunset Mrs. F---- was brought out on her bed into the verandah for air. At night, as we were all sitting under the portico, we heard a peculiar cry, three times repeated, and thought it might be a signal; sure enough it was. Then there was a cry at once, "Stand to your arms!" followed immediately by a great discharge of musketry and great guns. All the posts had been warned to be on the alert, but the attack did not last long. About 3 in the morning, Mrs. D----'s youngest child died.

Wednesday, August 19th. No news! After breakfast Mrs. D--'s poor baby was sewed up by Mrs.---- in a clean table cloth, she having first dressed it in a clean night-dress and lace cap, and crossed its little arms on its breast; the little thing was carried to the hospital to await its burial, at night. The day passed as usual.

Thursday, August 20th. No news again! The night had been very quiet. As I was sitting at the front door at work, a European was shot, at the gun in our garden, right through the head. Mr. C---- was wounded. I had a very bad boil on my hand, for which I made an ottah poultice; our dinner this day was stewed beef, dal and rice, and chupattees. We were told, before going to bed, that J----s' large house was to be blown up at daybreak.

Friday, August 21st. We had a most disturbed night. There was an attack about 12, and I heard, "Turn out! turn out!" called from the gentlemen's room; and, being half asleep and half awake, out I and Mrs. A---- rushed from our bed over two other ladies in our haste; and, much to our amusement, several of them scolded us famously for making such a rush. We thought, however, we had a right to leave our bed when we chose, especially as we had about the most dangerous corner of the room; this amused us so much, that we lay down again in a fit of laughter. I heard almost every hour strike during the night. At daybreak, J----s' house was blown up, but it did not shake us so much as we expected.

Saturday, August 22nd. I rose very early, as I had so much to do. I was engaged till noon. While Mr. C---- was in the gentlemen's bath-room, a round shot came in and covered him with bricks and mortar, but did him no injury. This morning, a sortie with about 100 men was made; they blew up some houses, spiked three guns, and killed many Natives, with the loss of one killed and several wounded; two, they fear, mortally. The rest of the day passed quietly. Our dinner to-day was roast mutton, but very little of it, so we opened a tin of salmon, and Mrs. N----, a woman who has charge of Mrs. B----'s children, made us a roly-pudding of ottah and suet--to us a perfect luxury.

Sunday, August 23rd. I always try to have some clean garments ready to put on on Sunday, as one way of recognizing the day. There was service at the Brigade Mess at noon, and in our house at 3 P.M.; Mrs. F---- and Mrs. B---- came over to it, and lay on couches. Col. P---- brought over Mrs. P----, Mrs. B----, and Mrs. L----, three young newly-made widows; Mr. C. D---- and Charlie also came. Mr. H---- administered the Sacrament; it was placed on a small round table, covered with a white cloth: it was an affecting meeting--so many had lost friends! Poor Mrs. P---- was sobbing all the time. Mrs. L---- had lost both husband and child!

Monday, August 24th. I rose with a distracting headache, from the constant firing of the heavy guns during the night; the enemy sent three round shots into our house, and the guns in our Compound returned the fire. Mrs. C---- was ill with erysipelas. A Kitmagar came into the entrenchment to-day, but was put in confinement on suspicion of his being a spy. Mr. G---- came about 4 P.M. for Dr. F---- and Dr. P---- to go to the post office with their amputating instruments and chloroform, as Mr. M'C----, C.E., had been shot in the arm; however, they did not consider amputation necessary: a sergeant and private were shot at Sago's. I could hardly recognise Mr. G----, he looked so much older with a beard and the effects of his late fever.

Tuesday, August 25th. A sharp attack on the Bailey Guard Gate kept us awake the first part of the night. I got up and dressed as I usually do, though it is perfectly useless; we have no safe place to go to. Mrs. B----'s child kept us awake the latter part. No news of our reinforcements: very little firing to-day, Mr. and Mrs. H---- came in the afternoon, both so nicely dressed; one could hardly fancy the siege was going on.

Wednesday, August 26th. Dearest mother's birthday. We had a wretched night with Mrs. B----'s children and the firing; I actually lay till 7. I then went down for my cup of tea without milk or sugar, or rather mug, for I use Charlie's silver mug now; cups have become so scarce. Dear Charlie sent me a beautiful bouquet of roses, myrtle, and tuberoses; it is such a treat to have a sight of lovely flowers again! Oh! the longing one has to be out in the fresh air again! wandering in fields or gardens. But the useless dreams only do one harm. We have the stern realities of life before us; so to return to them. I went and acted as my own laundress; to-day our rations are reduced: gentlemen get twelve instead of fifteen ounces of meat, and we six instead of twelve; with rather less dal. A sentry was shot through the leg in our verandah during the night, and Dr. F---- was hit by a spent ball. After breakfast I mended a pair of Charlie's unmentionables with a piece of Mrs. H----'s habit, presented for the purpose: he came for a little chat, but a note from the Brigadier called him away. A little milk-punch is "doled" out to us every day about 1 o'clock, and I drank dear mamma's health in mine. I sat at the door till dinner time, 4 o'clock, making flannel garments for myself, having luckily taken a new piece of flannel into the entrenchments with me. After dinner the invalids came out and took the air on their couches at the door; at 7, I made tea for all, then sat at the door till half-past 8, when we had prayers and went to bed; and I had a good night's rest, though the children were rather squally. Lieut. W---- 32nd Queen's, killed by a round shot to-day at Mr. G----'s.

Thursday, August 27th. No news. The enemy fired an immense number of shot and shells; one soldier wounded in our drawing-room verandah, but it was his own fault; they are forbidden to go there, as it is dangerous. Sir H. Lawrence's stores were sold to-day, and fetched enormous prices: a bottle of honey, forty-two rupees and upwards; a dozen of brandy, 107 rupees; a ham, seventy rupees; two tins of soup, fifty-five rupees; a small bottle of pearl barley, sixteen rupees; twenty bottles of sherry, 110 rupees. People seemed to bid recklessly, Charlie said; they were to be paid for on the first issue of pay, which many, I believe, think they will never live to receive. Charlie bought, instead, a pair of soldier's high-lows, for eight rupees, from a Sergeant--quite a catch; and far more useful than truffled larks, &c.

Friday, August 28th. No news again! This is very trying--the siege has lasted now more than two months. Every one agrees that the only plan is to blow ourselves up, if the reinforcements do not come in time. I rose very early, as Mrs. A---- was ill; and having a great deal of work to do, I did not sit down till 12 o'clock. I have a chance of having some things washed by a dhobee, but at the exorbitant charge of twenty-five rupees per 100! more than eight times the usual charge. We expected an attack to-night, as the Mohurrum and Mussulman fast is just over; it did not, however, take place.

Saturday, August 29th. Rose and I did all Mrs. A----'s work again. A Pensioner came in during the night, with a letter, direct from Gen. H----, dated August 24th, saying he was waiting for more troops, and could not come to our relief under twenty-four days; he added, that Sir C---- C---- had arrived in Calcutta, as Commander-in-Chief, and was sending up troops as quickly as possible; that Lucknow would be his first care, and also begging us, on no account, to treat with the enemy, but rather to die at our posts. The man who brought the letter said, when he was in General H----'s camp, a man had come from Delhi, who told him we had an immense force before Delhi; partly composed of Bombay troops. The day passed quietly; only the usual firing; no attack.

Sunday, August 30th. When we got up, we discovered our two remaining Kitmagars had fled. Many Half-castes and Natives left the entrenchments last night, having heard our relief was not to take place for some time. Mrs. H---- and I had to boil the kettles, in addition to our morning duties; Manuel, a Madras servant Dr. F---- has just picked up, lighting the fires for us. We all had to help in preparing breakfast and dinner, and washing up. We had no service till late in the evening, as Mr. H---- had one at the Brigade Mess, another at Mr. G----s', and a third at the Hospital. I got perfectly worn out, with running up and down stairs; but I am thankful to say I am in excellent health, and thoroughly enjoy my meals.

Monday, August 31st. We were awoke at daybreak, by Mrs. D---- being taken ill. I ran down sharp to light the fire and boil the kettles--the former by far the most difficult operation--I am very stupid at it, and before it was completed, down came Mrs. C----, saying the baby was born. It was a most expeditious affair; they had hardly time to get her into her own room. Mrs. C---- finished boiling the kettle, while I prepared the early tea-things. I worked really very hard this morning in the kitchen store-rooms, and it is anything but a joke this hot weather to have to stand before the fire fanning it to make the kettle boil. I was quite tired out before all was completed; but I am a perfect wonder to myself. I never thought I was capable of such fatigue, or was half so accomplished as I find I am. Mrs. B---- and her baby were turned out of the invalid room for Mrs. D---- and her's. Great scrimmage with another Mrs. B---- about her European servant being allowed to cook for us; we carried our point. The cooking establishment, now, consists of Mrs. N----, slightly assisted by Manuel and two little boys from the Martinière school; the latter are useful in the washing-up department. The enemy tolerably quiet to-day, no shells till 9 P.M., when there was rather a sharp attack, but not of long duration.

Tuesday, September 1st. Went to my regular work, and discovered the two Martinière boys were to be taken from us; so there was another grand scrimmage about washing up plates and dishes. The enemy brought a gun to bear on the Bailey Guard Gate again. (I forgot to say that on the 30th ultimo, our miners discovered a mine of the enemy's close to them; so Mr. F---- sat nearly the whole day in the mine, pistol in hand, waiting for them to pick into it; they, however, stopped, so we broke into theirs and blew up the gallery. Lieut. B----, Artillery, was also shot in the chest, while sitting in the portico of the dawk office talking to Charlie). This day, Tuesday, two Artillerymen were shot in the dawk office compound, while standing by the 18-pounder; the ball, a round shot, ricocheted from the hospital. One had some property in his box, and though the officer sent for it immediately, the box was missing; however, it was recovered before the thief, a brother gunner, had had time to open it. The looting now is something dreadful; many of the Crown Jewels have been stolen, and a bottle of brandy will now purchase a handful of precious stones. Charlie told me he had seen a handful of pearls, one of them very large, and many of them the size of peas, which had been purchased for twenty rupees.

Wednesday, September 2nd. The sexton's wife came to help. Mrs. N----. The enemy were discovered mining, close to the Financial garrison; so we countermined, and blew them up. Several of the enemy were seen rushing to the spot, to try and recover their blown-up comrades. A sad occurrence took place to-day! Lieut. B----, Assistant Engineer, was shot by one of our own sentries while searching some ground just outside our works, in the dusk of the evening, to see if there were any mining going on; he was taken to the hospital in great agony, having been shot through the stomach. Mr. H---- took his poor wife to him; he died during the night.

Thursday, September 3rd. Nothing particular occurred.