The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-25 00:00:00

SIR COLIN CAMPBELL'S DESPATCH.

THE RECAPTURE OF LUCKNOW.
(From the Governor-General's Gazette, April 5.)
The Right Hon. the Governor-General, having now re-
ceived the despatches from his Excellency the Commander-
in-Chief, giving an account of the retaking of Lucknow by
the force under his Excellency's personal command, is
pleased to publish them for general information :

In Decei-nber last it because the grateful duty of the
Governor-General in Council to promulgate in general
orders the announcement of the relief of the garrison of
Lucknow, so admirably achieved by General Sir Colin
Campbell, C.C.8., and the rescue of the women aid chil-
dren, sick and wounded, long beleagured there. It is now
the Governor-General's privilege to couvoy to his Excel-
lency the tribute of his highest admiration, and of his
most cordial congratulation on the capture of the strong
city of the rebels.
From the 2d till the 16th of March a series of masterly
operations took place, by which the Commander-in-Chief,
nobly suppoi ted in his well-laid plans of attack by the
ability and skill of the General Officers, and by the indo-
mitable bravery and resolution of the officers and men of
all arms, drove the rebels successively from all their
strongly fortified posts, till the whole fell into the posses-
sion of our troops.

That this great success should have been accomplished
at so little cost of valuable lives enhances the honour due
to the leader who has achieved it.

It is a pleamre to the Governor-Ganeral to acknowledge
publicly the services of the General and other officers who
took part in the capture of Lucknow.
During the last days of the operations the Nepaulese
force under Maharajah Jung Bahadoor was associated with
the army under General Sir Colin Campbell's command.
To the dintinguished leader of that force, the Maharajah
Jung Bahadoer, the Governor-General desires to express
his thanks for the hearty co-operation which the Com-
mander-in-Chief received from his Highness, and for the
gallant bearing of his Highness's troops.
To Major• General Sir James Outram, G.C.8., the
Government of India is under a new debt of gratitude.
After having held the exposed post of the Alumbagh for
more than three month., in the face of powerful bodies of
rebels, whose attacks he never failed to repel, Sir James
Outram has further greatly distinguished himself at the
head of the let Division, by the brilliant and thoroughly
complete manner in which he executed the duties en-
trusted to him. The Governor-General requests that Sir
James Outram will accept his most sincere thanks.
His Lordship offers his hearty acknowledgments to the
other General Officers whose services are prominently
noticed in those despatches :
To Major-General Mansfield, Chief of the Staff, of whose
eminent services the Commander-in-Chief speaks with
well-merited commendation.

To Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, K.C.8., in chief
command of the artillery, who, after winning lasting re-
nown in the capture of Delhi, has borne a conspicuous part
in the reduction of Luckuow.

To Major-General Sir J. Hope Grant, K.C.8., com-
manding the cavalry of the force ; to Brigadier-General
Franks, C. 8., Brigadier-General Walpole, and Brigadier-
General Sir E. Lugard, K.C.8., commanding the 2d, 3d,
and 4th Divisions of Infantry.
The Governor-General has to record his acknowledgments
to Capt. Sir W. Peel, K.C.8., commanding the Naval
Brigade of her Majesty's ship Shannon, and to offer his
especial thanks to him for his remarkable services.
The Governor-General entirely concurs with his Excel-
le..cy the Commander-in-Chief in prominently recognising
the great skill and ability of Brigadier Napier, who com-
manded the Engineers of her Majesty's and the East India
Company's servicea forming part of the force. Brigadier
Napier is especially entitled to the thanks of the Governor-
General, and to him, to Col. Harness, commanding the
Royal Engineers, and to the several officers under them, of
both the services, his Lordship's grateful acknowledgments
are cared. _ _ _

The Governor-General has much satisfaction in express-
ing his high sense of the merits of the several officers com-
manding brigades and regiments.
To the commanding officer of the Royal Artillery, of the
Naval Artillery, and of the Bengal and 11/a4ras Artillery,
the Governor-General tenAeis his cordial thanks.

To Major Norman, Deputy Adjutant-General 6f the
army, to whose superior merits and distinguished services
the Commander-in-Chief bears willing testimony, a tribute
in which the Governor-General concurs ; to Colonel the
Hon. W. L. Pakenham, C. 8., Officiating Adjutant-Gene-
ral of her Majesty's Forces in India; to Lieutenant-Col.
Macpherson, Officiating Quartermaster-General of the
Army; to Captain Seymour, Officiating Quartermaster-
General her Majesty's Forces; to Captain Brace, Deputy
Quartermaster-General, end Captain Algood, Assistant
Quartermaster-General ; to Lieutenant-Colonel Keith
Young, Judge-Advocate-General ; to Captain Fitzgerald,
Assistant-Commissary-General, who is specially mentioned
by the Commander-in-Chief ; to Lieutenant P. Stewart, of
Engineers, Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs ; to Dr.
M'Andrew, Inspector-General of Hospitals her Majesty's
Forces, and to Dr. Brown, Superintending-Surgeon of the
Force, the Governor-General has much satisfaction in ex-
pressing his sense of the good service they have rendered.
To the officers of the personal Staff of the Commander-
in Chief, of the Chief of Staff, and of General Officers
commanding divisions, the thanks of the Governor-Gene-
ral are due ; and his lordship records his acknowledgments
to the officers of the Staff of divisions and brigades, all of
whom have zealously performod their duty.
To the officers and men of every service, soldiers, sea•
men, and marines, composing the force by which Lucknow
has been taken, the Governor-General desires to express
his admiration of their conduct, and to tender to each in-
dividual the thanks of the Government of India. His
Lordship will take the earliest opportunity of bringing
under the favourable notice of her Majesty's Government,
and of the Hon. Court of Directors, the services rendered
by the force.
In testimony of these services, the Governor-General is
pleased to direct that every officer and soldier, -European
and native, and the officers and men of the navy, who took
part in the capture of Lucknow. shall receive a donation
of six months mita. - -

By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General,
R. J. F. BIRCH, Colonel,
Secretary to the Government of India, Military
Dppartalent, with the Governor•Generjl.

From Sir Colin Campbell, General, Commander-in-Chief
in India, to the Right Hon. the Viscount Canning,
Governor-General of India, &c.
Camp La Martiniere, dated Lucknow, March 22,1858.
My Lord,—l have the honour to announce to your Lord-
ship that I transferred my bead-quarters to the camp of
Brigadier-General Sir Edward Lugard, K.C.8., at Bun-
tara, on the 28th ult., the division which had been de-
tached under Brigadier-General Sir J. Hope Grant,
K.C.8., and that under Brigadier-General Walpole join-
ing the next day.
Having received tolerably correct information with re-
spect to the lines of works which have been constructed by
the enemy for the defence of Lucknow, it appeared evident
to me that the necessity would arise for operating from
both sides of the Gomtee when the capture of the city
should be seriously entertained. Two very important
reasons conduced to show the expediency of such a course
the one being that it would become possible to enfilade
many of the enemy's new works, the other that great
avenues of supply would be closed against the town, al-
though I could not hope to invest a city having a circum-
ference of 20 miles. My first preparations, therefore, were
made for the purpose of crossing the river. Bridges of
casks had been previously constructed, and were rea iy
in the Engineers' park.
On the 2d of March I advanced on Dilkoosba, with the
following troops :—Head quarters of the Division of Ar-
tillery, and of the Field Artillery Brigade, under Major-
General Sir A. Wilson, K.C.8., and Colonel D. Wood,
C. 8., Royal Horse Artilley ; Lieut.-Colonel . Aguilar's
troops Royal Horse Artillery; Lieut.-Colonel Tombs, C. 8.,
and Lieut. Bishop's troops Bengal Horse Artillery, under
Lieut.-Colonel Turner. Two 24-pounders and two 8-inch
howitzers of the Shannon's Navel Brigade, two companies
Punjab Seppers and Minnere. The head quarters of the
cavalry division, and the let Cavalry Brigade under Briga-
dier-General Sir J. H. Grant, K.C.8., and Brigadier
Little. Her Majesty's 9th Lancers, 2d Punjab Irregular
Cavalry, Detachment sth Punjab Irregular Cavalry, Ist
Sikh Irregular Cavalry, the 2d Division of Infantry, under
Brigadier-General Sir E. Lugard, K.C.8., consisting of
3(1 Brigade, Bri,eadier P. M. M. Guy, composed of Her
Majesty's 34th, Bth, and 53d Regiments; 4th Brigade,
Brigadier Hon. A. Hope, composed of the 42d and 93d
Highlanders, with 4th Punjab Rifles; and seized that
position after a skirmish, in which a gun was taken from
the enemy.
When the brigades of inft.ntry began to close on the ad-
vance guard the enemy opened several guns which were in
position in strong bastions along the line of the carrel.
This fire was heavy and well sustained. These guns com-
manded the plateau, and compelled me to retire the camp
as far back as it was possible, but not so far as I could
have wished, owing to the ravines in rear. The palace of
Dilkoosha was occupied as an advance picket on the right,
and the Mahomodbagh on the left--heavy guns being
placed in battery at both points to keep down the hostile
tiro. During the whole of the 2d, until these arrange-
ments could be completed, the troops were mush annoyed
by the enemy's gone. After that day, until an advance
took place, although the shot ranged up to aid sometimes
into the camp, but slight loss ensued from this cause.
On the 3d and 4th the remainder of the siege train, to-
gether withßrigadier-General Walpole's division,closed up
on the Dilkoosha position, the right of our line resting on
Bibiapore and the Goomtee,theleft being towards the Alum-
, bagh. There was an interval of about two miles between
our left and Jellalabad, the right of the Alumbagh posi-
tion. This position was occupied by a regiment of Irre-
gular Horse (Hoteon's). Brigadier Campbell, with a
strong brigade of cavalry and horse artillery, secured the
extreme left, and swept the country towards the north-
west. Three regiments wero withdrawn from the Allum-
bagh, and joined the head-quarters camp.
' On the sth General Franke, of the 4th Division of In-
Entry, came into direct communication with me. This
officer had marched right accross the country of Gude,
having signally defeated many bodies of insurgents, and
kept his time with punctuality according to the orders
given to him, with which your lordship is already ac-
quainted. On the same day the Goorntee was bridged
near Bibiapore. While the bridge was being formed the
enemy showed on the left bank, causing the necessity of
a disposition of troops and heavy guns. He did
not, however, make a. real attack. Those guns were
very useful in another respect, as
_their practice on the
Martiniere silenced much tire which would otherwise have
annoyed the pickets. They were accordingly kept on the
same ground for some days, till the advance of the troops
rendered them unnecessary.
Oa the Gth Sir James Outram, G.C.8., who had been
withdrawn from the Alurnbagh, crossed to the left bank
of the Goenitee, witn troops as below,* the 4th Division
under Brigadier-General Franks, C. 8., takieg the place
vacated by Brigadier-Gen Tal Walpole in the line.
The plan of attack which had been conceived was now
developed, and Sir J. Out: am was directed -to push his
:advance up the left bank of the Goourtee, while the troops
in the position of Dillsouslia remeireal at rest till it should
have become apparent that the first line of the enemy's
works, or the rampart running along the canal, and abut-
ting on the Goorntee, ha l been'turned.
Tee works may be b.iefly described as follows :—The
series, of courts and beildinge celled the Keiser-beet', con-
sidered as a citadel by the rebels, was shut in by three
lines of defence towards the Goorntee, of which the line of

the canal was the outer one. The second line circled round
the large building called the Mess-house and the Motee
Mahul, and the first or interior one was the principal ram-
part of the Kaiserbagh, the rear of the enclosures of the
latter being closed in by the city, through which approach
would have been dangerous to an assailant. These lines
were flanked by numerous bastions, and rested at one end
on the Goomtee, and on the other on the great buildings
of the street called the Huzrut Gunge, all of which were
strongly fortified, and flanked the street in every direction.
Extraordinary care had been expended on the defences of
the houses and bastions, to enfilade the streets. This duty
was ably performed by Sir J. Outram, who pitched his
camp on the 6th inst., after a skirmish of his advanced
guard in front of the Chukkur Walla Kotee, or Yellow-
house. On the 7th he was attacked by the enemy, who
was speedily driven back.
Having reconnoitred the ground on the Sth inst., I di-
rected Sir J. Outram to arrange his batteries during the
succeeding night, and to attack the enemy's position, the
key of which was the Chukkar Walla Kotee the next day
or the 9th. This was done in very good style by the troops
under his command, the enemy being driven at all
points, the Yellow-house being seized, and the whole
force advanced for some distance through ground afford-
ing excellent cover for the army. He was then able to
bring his right shoulders forward, occupying the Fyzabad
road, and to plant his batteries for the purpose of enfi-
lading the works on the canal before alluded to. He lost
no time in doing this, other batteries of heavy guns and
howitzers being the following night to play on the works
and the Kaiserbagh.
While this attack was being made by Sir James Outram
along the left bank of the Goomtee on the 9th inst. a very
heavy fire was kept up on the Martiniere, both from mor-
tars and heavy guns placed in position during the previous
night on the Dilkoosha Plateau. At 2 p.m. the 42d High-
landers, the 531, and 9)th Regiments stormed the Mar-
tiniere, under the directionof Br igadier-Ganoral Sir Edward
Lugard, K.C.8., and Brigadier the Hon. Adrian Hope.
It was quickly seen that the enfilading fire on the line of
the canal from the opposite side of the river had produced
the expected result. The 4th Punjab Infantry, supported
by the 42d Highlanders; climbed up the intrenchment
abutting on the Goomtee, and proceeded to sweep down
the whole line of the works, till they got to the neighbour-
hood of Bank's house, when it became necessary to close
operations for the night. Major Wylde, 4th Punjaub
Rifles, distinguished himself very much on this occasion.
The line of works was strongly occupied by the troops
which had first entered and by the 53d Regiment.
Oa the 10th inst. Sir James Outram was engaged in
strengthening his position, Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.8.,
being employed in patrolling towards the cantonment with
the cavalry placed under Sir James Outrana's orders, a
system of extensive patrolling or reconnaissance having
been established by my order in that direction from the
time that the first position had been taken up across the
Goomtee. At sunrise on the same day a disposition of
troops and heavy guns was ma le by Sir Edward Lugard
for the attack on Bank's house, which was carried at noon,
and secured as a strong military posf.
The second part of the plan of attack against the Kaiser-
bagh now came into operation—viz., to use the great
blocks of houses and palaces, extending from Bank's house
to the Kaiserbagh, as our approach, instead of sapping up
towards the front of the second line of works. By these
means I was enabled to turn towards our own left at the
same time that they were enfiladed on the right by Sir
James Outram's advance. The latter had already received
orders to plant his guns with a view to raking the enemy's
position, to annoy the Kaiserbagh with a vertical and
direct fire, also to attack the suburbs in the vicinity of the
iron and stone bridges, shortly after daybreak, and so com-
mence the iron bridge from the left bank. All this was
carried out by Sir James Outram with the most marked
success. The enemy, however, still held pertinaciously to
his own end of the iron bridge on the right bank, and
there was heavy cannonading trom both sides till the
bridge was afterwards taken in reverse.
Sir Edward Lngard's attack on the 11th was pressed for-
ward in like manner.

The operation had now become one of engineering cha-
racter, and the most earnest endeavours were made to save
the infantry from being hazarded before due preparation
had been made. The Chief Engineer, Brigadier Napier,
placed the batteries with a view to breaching and shelling
a large block of the palaces called the Begum Kotee. The
latter was stormed with great gallantry by the 93d High-
landers supported by the 4th Punjab Rifles and 1,0'))
Ghoorkas, led by Brigadier the Hon. Adrian Hope, under
the direction of Brigadier-General Sir Edward Lugard, at
4 p.m. The troops secured the whole block of buildings,
and inflicted a very heavy loss on the enemy, the attack
having been one of very desperate character.
This was the sternest struggle which occurred during the
siege. From thenceforward the Chief Engineer pushed his
approach with the greatest judgment tbroughthe enclosures
by the aid of the sapper and of heavy guns, the troops im
mediately occupying the ground as he advanced, and the
mortars being moved from one place to another, as the
ground was won on which they could be placed. The build-
ings to the right and the Secunderabagh were taken in the
early morning of the same day without odposition.
During the night of the 12th Sir James Ontram was rein-
forced with Pa ;number of heavy guns and mortars, and
directed to increase his fire on the Kaiserbagh, while, at
the same time, mortars placed in position at the Begum's
house Palace
ceased to play on the Imaumbrah, the next
large Palace it was necessary to storm between the Seguin
Kotee and the Kaiserbagh. On Brigadier-General Franks,
C. 8., who had relieved Sir Edward Lugard, and the 2d
Division, with the 4th Division, on the 12th inst., devolved
the duty of attackinc, the Imaumbarrab. A column of
attack was formed for that purpose by Brigadier D. Rus-
sell on the morning of the 14th.

In the meantime the Maharajah Jung Bahadoor, with a
force of about 9,030 men and 24 field guns, drawn by men,
had arrived, and taken his position in our line on the 12th
inst., and moved close to the canal on the 13th. At my
request his Highness was begged by Brigadier-General Mac-
Gregor, C. 8., the special commissioner attached to him, to
pass the canal and attack the suburb; iu his front and consi-
derably to the left of Bank's house. To this his Highness ae-
ries., we, force was most adv..-
Z•Velm‘ll4l,leTTiiiNveicilienngtnus covering my left for several
days, during which, from the nature of our operations, I
was obliged to mass all the available strength of the British
force towards the [right, in the joint attack carried along
both banks of the Goomtee, The Imaumbarrab was car-
ried early on the 14th, and the Sikhs of the Ferozepore
Regiment, un ler Major Brayer, pressing forward in pur-
suit, entered the Kaiserbagh, the third line of the defences
having been turned without a single gun being fired from
them. Supports were quickly thrown in, and all the wall-
known ground of the former defence and attack, the Mess-
house, the Tara Kotee, the Motee Mahul, and the Chuttur
Munzil were rapidly occupied by the troops, while the
Engineers devoted their attention to securing the position
towards the south and west. The day was one of continued
exertion, and every one felt that, although much remained
to be done before the final expulsion of the rebels, the most
difficult part of the undertaking had been overcome.
This is not the place for description of the various build-
ings successively sapped into or stormed ; suffice it to say
that they formed a range of massive palaces and walled
courts of vast extent, equalled, perhaps, but certainly not
surpassed, in any capital in Europe. Rvery outlet had
been covered by a work, and on every side were prepared
barricades and loophooled parapets. The extraordinary
industry evinced by the enemy in this 'respect has been
really unexampled. Hence the absolute necessity for hold-
ing the troops in hand till at each successive move for-
ward the Engineers reported to me that all which could be
effected by artillery and the sappers had been done before
the troops were led to the assault.
The 15th inst. was employed in securing what had been
taken, removing powder, destroying mines, and fixing mor-
tars for the further bombardment of the positions still
held by the enemy on the line of our advance up the Goons-
too, and in the heart of the city.
Brigadier-General Sir J. H. Grant, K.C.8., was sent
out with cavalry on one side towards Setapore to intercept
fugitives, while another Brigadiernearched with like orders
in the direction of Sundeela on a similar duty. They re-
turned on the 17th to their former positions.
On the 16th inst. Sir J. Outram, with the sth Brigade,
under Brigadier Douglas, supported by two other regi-
ments, her Majesty's 20th and the Regiment of Ferozepore,
having crossed over the Goumtee by a bridge of casks oppo-
site the Secunderabagh, advanced according to order
through the Chuttur Munzil to take the Residency.
During the first movements of this operation a move-
ment of the enemy in retreat across the stone bridge be-
came apparent. Sir Jam 3S was ordered to press forward,
and ho was able, almost without opposition, not only to
take the iron bridge in reverse, which was my principal
object, but also to advance far more than a mile and oc-
cupy the Muchee Bawau and Great Imaumbarrah. In
short, the city was ours. Brigadier-General Walpole'a
pickets on the left bank were attacked by the retreating
enemy, who was, as usual, heavily repulsed.
On the 19th a combined movement was organised. Sir
J. Outram moved forward directly on the Moosabagh, the
last position of the enemy on the line of the Goomtee.
Sir J. Hope Grant cannonaded the latter from the left
bank, while Brigadier Campbell, moving right round
the western side from the Alumbagh, prevented retreat in
that direction: The rout was now complete, and great
loss was inflicted on the enemy by all these col:items.
On the 16th, for the last time, the enemy had shown in
some strength before the Alumbagh, which that dby was
held by only two of our regiments. Jung Bahadoor was
requested to move to his left up the canal alid take the
position in reverse from which our position at the Alum-
bagh had been so long annoyed. This was executed very
well by his highness, and he seized the positions, one after
another, with little loss to himself. The guns of the
enemy which the latter did not stop to take away fell into
his hands.

On the 21st Sir E. Lugatal was directed to attack a
stronghold held by the Moulvie in the heart of the city.
This he occupied after a shßrp contest, and it now became
possible to invite the return of the inhabitants and to
rescue the city from the horrors of this prolonged contest.
Brigadier Campbell, with his cavalry, attacked the enemy
when retreating from the city, in consequence of Sir E.
Lugard's advance, inflicting heavy loss, and pursued him
for six miles.
I beg to enclose Sir James Outram's own account of his
operation•, which were removed from my immediate
superintendence till he recrossed the Goomtee prior to the
attack of the 16th. It was matter of real gratification to
me to b 3 able to intrust the trans-Goonitae operation to
this very distinguished officer, and. after that had been
conducted to my perfect satisfaction to bring him for-
ward again to put the finishing stroke on the enemy while
'the extended position in the town was of necessity held by
the troops who had won it. My thanks are eminently
duo to him. and I trust he will receive them as heartily as
they are offered.
I have now the pleasing task of communicating to your
Lordship the name of an officer to whom, not only as com-
manding general, but to whom, in truth, the service at
lorge is under great obligation—Major-General Mansfield,
the Chief of the Staff--whose lab. ur has been unceasing,
whose abilities are of the highest order, and luive been of
the greatest use to me during the a tinpaigu. It is impos-
sible for me to praise th's officer too highly, or to recom-
mend him sufficiently to the protection of your Lordship
and of the government,

I desire to draw the particular attention of your Lord-
ship to Brigadiers-general Franks, C. B. ; Walpole ; Sir
J. Hope Grant, K.O B. ; and Sir Edward Lugard, K.C.
Their divisions have barn most admirably commanded,
and they thave on every occasion amply justified all my
expectations.
Brigadiers-General Walpole and Sir J. H. Grant wo
o
employed more imincdi itely under the direction of Sir
James Outran), who speaks in the •highest tems of the as-
sistance he received from them. Sir J. 11. Grant's manage-
ment of his cavalry and horso artillery is always most
admirable. As detailed above, the manner in which the
attacks on the main lino of operations were directed by
Sir Edward Luga.rd and Brigadier-General Franks reflected
the greatest credit on them.
The officers in command of the cavalry brigades have
proved themselves equal to their high position, and are
worthy of your krdship's favourable congideT Wien. Briga-
dier Campbell, in command of the cavalry on the left per- •
formed his detached duty with much vigilance and judg-
ment. His march round the city on the 19th inst., which
was a running light for the greater part of the day, was a •