The Press.
London, England, 1858-01-16 00:00:00

DESPATCH OF SIR COLIN CAMPBELL.

Despatches from Sir Colin Campbell, G.C.8., de-
tailing his operatiots in the advance upon Lucknow,
have been received. On the 18th Nov. Sir Colin
writes from "Head-quarters, Shah Nujjeef, Lucknow,"
that having left Cawnpore on the 9th Nov., and
having joined Brigadier Hope Grant, C. 8., the same
day at Camp Buntara, about six miles from Alum-
bagh, he advanced upon the latter place, after re.
calving all his reinforcements, on the morning of the
12th, with a force of some 700 Cavalry and 2,700
Infantry, of which about 1,800 were Punjaub native
troops. He reached Alumbagh the same day, and,
joined by about 700 more European troops, marched
out upon Lucknow on the morning of the 14th. Aa
he approached the park of the Dilkoosha, the
enemy threw out skirmishers, and after a running
fight of about two hours, the enemy were driven back
beyond the canal, and the Dilkoosha and the Marti-
niere both occupied. On the morning of the 16th
Sir Colin advanced upon Secunderbagh. This
place, a high walled inclosure of strong masonry of
120 yards square, was carefully loopholed all round.
It was held very strongly by the enemy. Opposite
to it was a village at a distance of a hundred yards,
which was also loopholed and filled with men :

On the head of the column advancing up the lane, to the
left of the Secunderbagh, fire was opened on us. The
infantry of the advance-guard was quickly thrown in skir-
mishing order, to line a bank to the right. The guns
were pushed rapidly onwards—viz., Captain Blunt's troop,
Bengal Horse Artillery, and Captain Travers's Royal
Artillery, heavy field battery. The troop passed at a
gallop through a cross-fire from the village and Secunder-
bagh, and opened fire within easy musketry range in a
most daring manner. As soon as they could be pushed
up a stiff bank, two 18-pounder guns, under Captain
Travers, were also brought to bear on the building.
Whilst this was being effected, the leading brigade of in-
fantry, under Brigadier the Hon. Adrian Hope, coming
rapidly into action, caused the loopholed village to be
abandoned, the whole fire of the brigade being then
directed on the Secunderbagb. After a time, a large body
of the enemy, who were holding ground to the left of our
advance, were driven in by parties of the 53rd and 03rd,
two of Captain Blunt's guns aiding the movement. The
Highlanders pursued their advantage and seized the bar-
racks, and immediately converted them into a military
post, the 53rd stretching in a long line of skirmishers in
the open plain, and driving the enemy before them.
The attack on the Secunderbagh had now been
proceeding for about an hour and a half, when it was
determined to take the place by storm through a
small opening which had been made
This was done in the most brilliant manner by the re-
mainder of the Highlanders and the 53rd and the 4th Pun-
jaub Infantry, supported by a battalion of detachments
under Major Barnaton. Thera never was a bolder feat of
arms, and the loss inflicted on the enemy after the entrance
of the Secunderbaghwas effected was immense—more than
2,030 of the enemy were afterwards carried out. The
officers who led these regiments were Lieutenant-Colonel
Leith Hay, her Majesty's 93rd Highlanders ; Lieutenant-
Colonel Gordon, her Majesty's 93rd Flighlandera ; Captain
Walton, her Majesty's 53rd Foot ; Lieutenant Paul, 4th
Puojaub Infantry (since dead); andinajor Barnaton, her
Majesty's 90th Foot.
Captain Peel's Royal Naval Siege Train was then
pushed to the front, and advanced towards the Shah
Nujjeef, together with the field•battery and some
mortars, the village to the left having been cleared
by Brigadier Hope and Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon.
The Shah Nujjeef is a domed mosque, with a gat den,
of which the most had been made by the enemy.
The wall of the inclosure of the mosque was loop-
holed with great care. The entrance to it had been
covered by a regular work in masonry, and the top
of the building was crowned with a parapet. From
this, and from the defences in the garden, an un-
ceasing fire of musketry was kept up from the com-
mencement of the attack :
This position was defended with great resolution against
a heavy cannonade of three hours. It was then stormed
in the boldest manner by the 93rd Highlanders, under
Brigadier Hope, supported by a battalion of detachments
under Major Barnaton, who was, I regret to say, severely
wounded; Captain Peel leading up his heavy guns with
extraordinary gallantry within a few yards of the building,
to batter the massive stone walls. The withering fire of
the Highlanders effectually covered the Naval Brigade
from great loss, but it was an action almost unexampled
in war.

---
Captain Peel, says Sir Colin, behaved very much
" as if he had been laying the Shannon alongside an
enemy's frigate." This brought the day's operations
to a close. On the next day communications wero
opened to the left rear of the barracks to the canal,
after overcoming considerable difficulty. Captain
Peel kept up a steady cannonade on the building
called the Mess-house. This building, of consider-

able size, was defended by a ditch about twelve feet
broad and scarped with masonry, and beyond that. a
loopholed mud wall
determined to use the guns as much as possible in
taking it. About three p.m., when it was considered that
men might be sent to storm it without much risk, it was
taken by a company of the DOth Foot under Captain
Wolseley, and a picket of her Majesty's 53rd under Cap-
tain Hopkins, supported by Major Barnston's battalion of
detachments under Captain Guise, her Majesty's 90th
Foot, and some of the Punjaub Infantry under Lieutenant
Powlett. The Mess-house was carried immediately with a
rush. The troops then pressed forward with great vigour,
and lined the wall separating the Mess•house from the
Motee Mahal, which consists of a wide iuclosure and many
buildings. The enemy here made a last stand, which was
overcome after an hour, openings having been broken in
the wall, through which the troops poured, with a body of
Sappers, and accomplished our communications with the
Residency. I had the inexpressible satisfaction shortly
afterwards of greeting Sir James Outran' and Sir Henry
Havelock, who came out to meet me before the action was
at an end. The relief of the besieged garrison had been
accomplished. The troops, including all ranks of officers
and men, bad worked strenuously and persevered boldly
in following up the advantages gained in the various at-
tacks. Every man in the force had exerted himself to the
utmost, and now met with his reward.
"It should not be forgotten," adds Sir Colin,
"that these exertions did not date merely from the
day that I joined the camp—the :arious bodies of
which the relieving force was composed having made
the longest forced marches from various directions
to enable the Government of India to save the gar-
rison of Lucknow. Some from Agra, some from
Allababad—all alike had undergone the same
fatigues in pressing forward for the attainment of
this great object. Of their conduct in the field of
battle the facts narrated in this despatch are suffi-
cient evidence,) which I will not weaken by any

eulogy of aline."
Sir Colin Campbell then enumerates the services
of the gallant officers under his command, calling
especial attention to Major General Mansfield, chief
of the staff, " for the very able and cordial assistance
he has afforded me and the service during these
operations, and how admirably the very many and
important duties belonging to his situation have been
performed, for which his high talents and experience
of service in this country so peculiarly fit him.
Also to Brigadier-General Hope Grant, C. 8., " who
was in immediate command of the division by which
this service was effected. His activity in carrying
out the details has been admirable, and his vigilance
in superintending the outpost duties has been un-
surpassed." Also to Brigadier the Hon. Adrian
Hope, who commanded the advance of the force ; as
also to Captain Peel, C. 8., of the Royal Navy, who,
" distinguished himself in a most marked manlier."
Also to the officers commanding brigades and others
engaged ; while a list of the men and non-commis-
sioned officers who particularly distinguished them-
selves was to be separately forwarded.
A second despatch from Sir Colin, dated " Nov.
25th, Head-quarters' Alumbagh," announces the
abandonment of the Residency at Lucknow by the
forces under his command at midnight on the 22nd
of November. In continuation of the previous re-
port, Sir Colin explains that on the night of the 17th
November he secured the left rear of his position by
the seizure of a building called Bank's House, and
on the 18th completed his chain of posts, " which
difficult and wdious operations, conducted as they
were under a most galling fire and in cramped sub-
urbs," reflected " much credit on all the officers and
men concerned, and secured the position."
The same afternoon, the enemy made a smart
attack on the pickets covering the centre of the line.
" I supported them," writes Sir Colin, " with a com-
pany of her Majesty's 23rd and another of her
Majesty's 53rd Foot, not having any more infantry at
my disposal " :
Captain Remmington's troop of Horse Artillery was
brought up and dashed right into the jungle with the lead-
ing skirmishers, and opened fire with extraordinary
rapidity and precision.
Captain Rernmington distinguished himself very much.
I superintended this affair myself, and I have particular
pleasure in drawing your lordship's attention to the con-
duct of this troop on this occasion, as an instance of the
never failing readiness and quickness of the Horse
Artillery of the Bengal Service.
During the next three days, Sir Colin, having thus
secured his left flank, continued to hold the whole of
the country from the Dilkoosha to the gates of the
Residency, " with a view to extricating the garrison,
without exposing it to the chance of even a stray
musket-shot."
"From the first," adds Sir Colin Campbell, "all
the arrangements have been conducted towards this

end":—
The whole of the force under my immediate command
being one outlying picket, every man remained on duty,
and was constantly subject to annoyance from the enemy's
fire ; but such were the vigilance and intelligence of the
force, and so heartily did all ranks co-operate to support
me, that T was enabled to conduct this affair to a happy
issue, exactly in the manner originally proposed.

Upon the 20th fire was opened on the Kaiserbagh,
which gradully increased in importance, till it assumed
the character of regular breaching and bombardment.
The Kaiserbagh was breached in three places by Captain
Peel, R.N., and I have been told that the enemy suffered
mach loss within its precincts. Having thus led the enemy
to believe that itthnediate assault was contemplated, orders
were issued for the retreat of the garrison through the lines
of our pickets at midnight on the 22nd.
The ladies and families, the wounded, the treasure, the
guns it was thought worth while to keep, the ordnance
stores, the grain still possessed by the commissariat of the
garrison, and the State prisoners, had all been previously
removed.
Sir James Outram had received orders to burst the gnns
which it was thought undesirable to take away; and he was
finally directed silently to evacuate the Residency of Luck-
now ut the hour indicated.
The dispositions to cover the retreat and to resist the
enemy, should he pursue, were ably carried out by
Brigadier Hon. Adrian Hope; " but I am happy,"
adds Sir Colin, "to say the enemy was completely
deceived and he did not attempt to follow. On the
contrary, he began firing on our old positions many
hours after we had left them." The movement of
retreat, remarks the commander in•chief, was ad-
mirably executed, and was a perfect lesson in such
combinations:—
Each exterior line came gradually retiring through its
supports, till at length nothing remained hut the last line
of infantry and guns, with which I was myself to crush
the enemy if he had ventured to follow up the pickets.
The only line of retreat lay through a long and tortuous
lane, and all these precautions were absolutely necessary
to insure the safety of the force.
The extreme posts on the left, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Hale, her Majesty's 82nd ; Lieutenant-Colonel Wells, her
Majesty's 23rd Foot; and Lieutenant-Colonel Ewatt, her
Majesty's 93rd Highlanders, made their way by a road
which had been explored for them, after I considered that
the time had arrived, with due regard to the security of the
whole, that their posts should be evacuated.
It was my endeavour that nothing should be left to
chance, and the conduct of the officers in exactly carrying
oat their instructions was beyond all praise.
During all these operations, from the 16th inst.,
Brigadier Greathed's brigade closed in the rear, and
then formed the rear-guard as the troops retired to
Dilkoosha, which was reached at four a.m. on the
23rd inst. by the whole force
I must not forget to mention the exertions of the
cavalry during all the operations which have been de-
scribed.
The exertions of Brigadier Little and of Major Ouvry,
respectively, of the Cavalry Brigade and the 9th Lancers,
were unceasing in keeping up our long line of communica-
tions, and preserving our extreme rear beyond the Dil-
koosha, which was constantly threatened.
On the 22nd the enemy attacked at Dilkoosha; but was
speedily driven off under Brig idler Little's orders.
The officers commanding tile Irregular Cavalry, Lieu-
tenants Watson, Youngliusband, l'robyn, and Gough, as
well as all the officers of the 9th Lancers, were never out of
the saddle during all this time, and well maintained the
character they have won throughout the war.
I moved with General Grant's division to Alumbagh on
the afternoon of the 24th, leaving Sir James Outram's
division in position at Dilkoosha, to prevent molestation
of the immense convey of the women and wounded which
it was necessary to tranaport with us. Sir James Outram
closed up this day without annoyance from the enemy.
I have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's must
obedient humble servant,
C. CAMPBELL, General, Commander-in-Chief.

In the following " General Order" Sir Colin
Campbell congratulates the army upon this great
exploit :

- Head-quarters, La Martiniere, Lucknow,
November 23, 1857.
. _ .

The commander-in-chief has reason to be thankful to
the force he conducted far the relief of the garrison of
Lucknow.
2. Hastily assembled, fatigued by forced marches, but
animated by a common feeling of determination to accom-
plish the duty before them, all ranks of this force have
compensated for their small number in the execution of a
most difficult duty by unceasing exertions.
3. From the morning of the Roth till last night the
whole force has been one outlying picket, never out of fire,
and covering an immense extent of ground, to permit the
garrison to retire scathless and in safety, covered by the
whole of the relieving force.
4. That ground was son by fighting as bard as it ever
fell to the lot of the commander-in-chief to witness, it
being necessary to bring up the same men over and over
again to fresh attacks; and it is with the greatest gratifi-
cation that his Excellency declares he never saw men be-
have better.
5. The storming of the Secunderbagh and the Shah
Nujjeef has never been surpassed in daring, and the success
of it was most brilliant and complete.
6. The movement of retreat of last night, by which the
final rescue of the garrison was effected, was a model of
discipline and er.actness. Tile consequence was that the
enemy was completely deceived, and the force retired by a
narrow, tortuous lane, the orly line of retreat open, in the
face of 50,000 teemies, without molestation.
7. The commander-in-chief offers his sincere thanks to
Major-General Sir James Outram, G.C.8., for the happy
manner in which he planned and carried out his arrange-
ments for the evacuation of the Residency of Lucknow.
L. By order of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief,
IV. MAYHEW, Major,
Deputy-Adjutant-General of the Army.