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

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opposition from the enemy, but they had deserted
it, taking their guns with them. We put up in
another village that evening, even dirtier than the
former ; the roads were ankle deep .in mud and
filth, which we had to wade through before We
could get to the mud huts where we slept. That
evening I dined off a wing of a chicken, and most
thoroughly I enjoyed it after our hard day's work.
We fired a salute from that place, to warn our
people at Lucknow of our approach. We could
distinctly hear, the firing at Lucknow, and felt more
than ever anxious for the safety of the garrison.
On Wednesday, the 23d,
we again set off at the
usual time (seven o'clock), under a cloudy sky ; the
sun shone at intervals during the day, and dried
our clothes somewhat and cheered our spirits. We
went on and on with little or nothing further than
an occasional search of some suspicious-looking vil-
lage till about two o'clock, when our reconnoitring
party came back with the news that the enemy was
in position some short distance in advance. The
" halt" was sounded, and lasted till ail the force
and baggage were well together, when we again ad-
vanced. We had not gone far before we saw the
enemy in position, their cavalry formed up in two
long lines on their right ; then came.masses of in-
fantry, and skirmishers they had thrown out to their
front ; more cavalry on the left and guns every-
where. We halted again, and the guns were sent to
take up their ground on the open plain, and theregi-
ments ordered off the road to oppose the enemy's
infantry and protect our artillery. We were march-
ing first in the column of sections preparatory to
leaving the road for the plain, when a round shdt
came ricocheting along the ditch on the left of this
read ; then came a second, whizzing close over our
heads, which killed a captain in the 90th, and
wounded others close behind us ; then another and
another, in quick succession. We soon left the
road, and deployed into line on the plain, and ad-
vanced in skirmishing order over a swampy ground,
where the men sank deep at every step. We halted
for a short time, and the men were ordered to lie
down. Poor Haig was just in the act of doing so
when a round shot passed through his body. I was
close by at the time, heard the horrid crash, and saw
him knocked down:Hes wa the first man I had saen
killed, and knowing him as I did, and having spoken
to him recently, it greatly shocked me. It is extra-
ordinary though how familiar one gets with scenes
like these in time of war. The other regiments were
hard at work on our left, opposed to the enemy's
right, taking guns and villages. A company of the
sth was ordered to take an enclosure on the right of
the road, which the enemy had possession of, and
where at the commencement of the engagement
they had guns in position, which they withdrew on
our advance. In this inclosure was a Rajah's pa-
lace, where they slept that night. After skirmishing
for a short distance, the men were again allowed to
lie down, as affording a less prominent mark for the
enemy's guns. A shell burst close in front of us,
killing three and wounding four. I was, as usual;
on the right of our line, with the Major, and the dirt
was sent spattering about us when it burst. This
kind of fighting went on for some hours, until the
enemy was driven back from Alumbagh. The. in-
fantry was drawn up—at least our brigade—in con-
tiguous columns, and our artillery and cavalry
passed by in front of us, receiving cheers from us
all for the gallant way is which they had done their
duty in the fight. The cavalry only consisted of
some 120 volunteer English anda similar number of
Affghan Cavalry. We felt sadly the want of cavalry
in all our engagements to follow up the enemy with.
The most unpleasaut part of our day's business was
yet in store for us. The enemy, though driven back,
still kept up a harassing and heavy fire -upon us
with their artillery and musketry, and some gunii
were sent down the road to try and silence them.
and we were ordered to protect them. On the right
of the road was a low marshy ground, oevered with high
grass and jungle, with two or the small villages beyond
it, occupied by the enemy. From this they opened a
heavy fire upon us with musketry and artillery, and
annoyed us not a little. Our guns, I suppose from.-not
seeing them clearly, seemed to do but little execution.
It was getting dark, and we could see nothing but the
white smoke from their guns and musketry—:hey had
opened another gun upon us, enfilading the road, and
their round shot and shell came ploughing up the groend
ea all sides, tearing through the trees, and their shells
bursting close to us, but providentially doing but little
damage. At last it was getting so very hot that
Major Simmons moat nua-tack to ask General Neill for
orders, and to explain.to him our position. The answer
was that we should receive orders almost immediately
to leave the place, and take up lodging for the night ;
CO the Major moved his men in the meantime off the
road on to a field on the left, protected from the enemy's
gun on the road by a walled enclosure, and from their
musketry on the right by a bank. The enemy seem to
have noticed this move, for they sent frequent shells
near us, one burst a few yards behind me, deer having
embedded itself deep in a heap of wire and clay. How-
ever, at last the order came, and wo retired into the
palace garden, and provided ourselves and men of the
sth with a handsome lodging in the
palace; formerly
occupied by some high native civilian of the King of
Oude. It must have been handsomely furnished at one
time, for we found large mirrors, chandeliers, and
pictures ; the other things bad been either carried away
or destroyed. Unfortunately, just before the order was
given to retire a tremendous rain came down, which
former tuesernate, Haig
sent us to bed for the third ni et drenched to the skn
I and many others, whoseg baggage was behind or
straying, not being able to get a change of clothes. It
was melancholy that night, as A. C. and I were sitting
down te dinner, to think of the sudden death of our
Thursday, the 24th,
have a presentiment of. his death, for just before he
went into battle he asked a brother officer by his side
to fioish a letter, which he had commenced, to his
sister. The next shot, the one which
killed him. I think, was
the enemy shelled us,
and sent round shot amonest'es, and occasioned a heavy
loss. We answered thenl' with our artillery, but they
were so well sheltered that 1 doubt whether we did
much harm% We couldinfantry and cavalry
see their
hoveein
g about, but they took care to keep out of mus•
ket-shot, except on one occasion, when their cavalry
attacked our rear_euard and bagea which was some
baggage,
way down the hill, and cut up some 120 of our men.
It was done in a moat infamous', treacherous manner.
An officer in the 90thwith his men on rear-
guatd duty, prote • was when he saw
protecting the baggage,
some cavalrythem
advancing up the road. Supposing
to be our own Irregulars, and seeing the No. 12 on
their ourco®n he allowed them to come close up
instead of firing upon them. The commandant of the
cavalry ad vanced up the • d conversed a little
le road, an
with the officer, when all of a sudden some other
men rushed by, then firedand t up several
upon, co
of the rear,.
euard ant elm') foilewers. He, seeing the
treachery, !mulediately drew his revolver, but all the
barrels missed fire? and he then drew his sword, but
it was too late, the cowardly traitors attacked and
soon killed him, however before they could decamp
several of them were shot down by our men, when
they saw the true state of things, and better precau-
tions were taken against the recurrence of such a
catastrophe. In the evening party was sent out
reconnoitring, and +
-0 see vifietahe-r the canal, which
we bad to cross the next day was fordable. They
effected their object, but were immediately obliged to
retreat, owing to the very heavy fire they were ex-
I posed to from the enemy. One of our men got his
leg carried away by a round shot ; that was the only
casualty. We were watching them from the house
in the garden all the ti'ue, and it was a marvel
to us that no more got wounded or killed. We
buried Haig in the morning in the garden, and
the Major read the burial service over him. We
were roused and called to arms late in the evening,
with the impression that we ware going to be
attacked ; a few that
we
fired, but nothing
more ; and after an hour or two watching we were
allowed to return to quarters, and
prepared for sleep.
Orders were given for ew,, , ,
uays- rations to be
i issued to the troops t efore starting for Lucknow. No
I officer was allowed to take any servant, and therefore no
baggage, with him—except mounted officers, who were
permitted to take their syee,
we haTihti
;poor fell"
seemed
to
or grass-cut.
On the 25th (Friday), after
having had our breakfasts
and completed our preparations, we took up our respec-
tive positions as we were to advance upon Lucknow.
We started then from Alunabagh,
morning, and advanced up the road some distance,'where
we halted to protect the
about eightt
guns, which had commenced
werehe meninw
front reryeot all ordered
oeer en ant illo
tyn:is Two companies of the sth
Tiheedroowa
nda.,bu and
Major w
o behind.in the
Simmons
and I were at the head of first two companies,
mounted, but the fire was sobs
Lot, both artillery and
trPeleosugolv'einrg our heads, smashing
musketry, from the right and in front,
that Simmons's
horse reared and plunged in such a manner as to oblige
him to dismount. Our position then was frightful ; the
enemy were enfiladieg the road with grape, canister, end
up the ground, tear-
ingth
rroundoduoucvshhno
artillerytb,r branches
he
eh
sw carne
efaggons,
kneeking down poor fellows
right and left, white the men were frequently wounded
by the unseen enemy's sharpshooters on our right, who
were firing at them from behind the long grass, besides
a
yiwshaviasdent on for some time, when
Gclose by, gave the order,
in position, in a small Nil.
la
t.
e the guns." Simmons immediately ordered
uegsonetthehor, eancrl
hogaouurrgnu ,trriaga
Outran',
which
whotih he
the men to rise and advance up the road. About 100
yards further on was a loopholed house inside a walled
garden, the wall also loopholed, from which they had
kept up a sharp fire of musketry the last day, and this
morning. When passing this, volley after volley was
poured out, and before we effected our entrance, the
o
enemy had deserted it, and moved on to meet us at some
defence. It was a marvel to me how 1-escaped, as
I was on horseback.

Unfortunately for tho sth, while they were engaged
in searching anti clearing the house and grounds, and

P-AICER

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-- • •
• Fr/74
assisted in driving them from the uppeO.oe
fought from room to room, and froM„, •
14. • _ a
another, and we made our way ove4.:LW -• .‘"*"'
killed. It was wretched fighting. In .s m
shotiownfet6haehtnin
i nougrodwi
nebayonetted na
dark,
lessand thanwe
;Ord our. further
picket near the mosque, from which they bad been driven
leaving the enemy, I am sorry to say,
in possession. From this place they kept up a firetpon
our picket, and any man exposing himself at the win-
dws, even though behind the wooden venetian was
nearly sure to be shot. Two men in the 90th, who would
foolishly expose themselves, were shot cloie by me—one
died instantly. I dined and breakfasted in one, at about
five o'clock, at my picquet. I was dreadfully hungry,
having had nothing to eat all day, and hard work. We
were very busy now in the trenches, countermisiingl and
mining the enemy, and the sth provided their 'quota of
working parties. The seßoys and city people are capital
miners, and if not carefully watched would-'do uji an
immensity of harm. In their last explosion they 'blew
up two of our poor fellows, and buried them in the
ruins, besides wcunding others.
On Sunday, the 116, we retook the mosque, seven
men wounded in the affair. As I was waiting with
another officer in the picket garden a shell burst ever
us, scattering its pieces close by, but providentially
doing us no hurt. Such escapes are quite common in
garrison. An offioer the other night, while asleep,. had
his pillow out in two by a round shot which came in at
his window without doing anybody any harm.
On Tuesday, the I.Btb,we provided ourselveawithakhan-
semen. This was quite an event, as before we lived, or
rather were starving, on half rations, and since the old man
generally manages to get something extra for us, which
makes our meals a little more profitable. We want
vegetables almost more than anything, and next to that
liquor and beer. The enemy is making& bridge of boats.
We shell it, and they move and complete it further down
without further interruption. Close by here we found
rooms full of china and old crockery ; all the crockery
was piled up on the floor, and no space left to walleon,
so every step you took something was destroyed. We
-were frequently disturbed by shells bursting in and near
our square, and round shot came tearing through the
upper look-nut rooms, morning, noon, and night. An
absurd report got afloat that Maun Sing, an influential
rebel outside, had offered the general safe conduct out of
the place, and had consented to the troops carrying their
side arms. I think Mr. Mann Sing too sharp a fellow to
isend 119 tidiCllloOf masiligo. Thestswer w 414 ofategnitb
that when it suited our convenience We should go without
asking his help. This man, at the commencement'of the
rebellion, behaved very well, and safely escorted come
Europeans out of the bands of the rebels, but consi-
dering himself aggrieved he himself turned a rebel-and
fought against us on that-25th, the day we:entered
Lucknow. He is a great landowner in-Oude, and has a
kind of army of his own.; he is very wealthy, .and has
a large stock of money in government paper, which I
should not be surprised to hear was confiscated. News
was brought that all our camp followers- had fled from
Alumbagh, as they could get no food there-.- Spies fre-
quently come in and out with news of the enemy's
movements. At the commencement of the siege 5,060
rupees were given to a Sepoy each time he succeeded
in taking despatches to Cawnpore. The usual mode
of securing the letters is wrapping them up in quills.
At first, I believe,' they used to place letters between
the soles of their shoes, but that was discovered, and
another and safer plan adopted. It is a dangerous
calling, that of espionage— If a spy is caught by the
enemy, be is either killed or tortured. They are fond of
cutting off the nose, ears, or bande of those they cap-
ture, and seeding them back if their guilt be proved.
If there is not sufficient evidence against them they
sometimes let them go, sometimes retain them for
working in their mines and trenches, so at the best it is
an unpleasant and hazardous undertaking. One Sepoy
cootriv:d to snake five safe trips to Cawnpore with
de•pa'cbee. - -•

- On Saturday, the 17th, the enemy sprung another
mice in the picket garden, and blew in our gate, and a
second at the mosque, bloeving up two unfortunate Rene
tries in the Marfra.i Finsihere and one Sikb, besides
wounding three or four More Sikhs. One of the latter
had both his arms amptvated immediately afterwards,
and died eventually. Carter, one of our wounded
offic:re, died in hospital to-day of his wounds. --It is
melancholy seeing men drop off one by oneslowly but
surely ; bad food, e ant of hospital stores and comforts
do their work, and you watch men who were at first but
slightly wounded waste away inch by inch ender a diet
hardly sufficient for a child.- I frequently go up to see
the sick officers in hospital. It is a henir task to cheer
them up, for se all, sick wed healtby„-suffer-more or lees
freiii the same cause, and hate hardly spirit buoy-
ant enough ourselves to impart any cheerieg influence to
others; besides, affairs until lately have borne a very
07----on-y aspect, with no prospect of early re.ief ; but we
have very much to be thankful for that a supply of pro-
visions sufficient for the maintenance of our force was
lad in at site commencement by th© foresight of Sir
Healy Lawrence. Few other men, I thir k, would have
acted with the same discretion andlong-sightednesti;
Oa Sunday, Mears, our present commandant,. read the
service to the men. We formed but a smailcongregation
for, in addition to the killed and wounded, many were
absent from head-quarters on picket duty, reducing our
numbers to about 120. Received news that the 93d
and 231, Queen's, were on the road between Allahabad
and Cawnpore, moving to our relief. It is said that
some petty rajahs now with the rebels are dishearteced
at the news received from Delhi, and are contemplating
retiring from the struggle, if they can. Maim Sing is
reported to be treating with the general.,.
On Thursday, the 223, the enemy made an attack on
Alumbagb, some three or so miles from here, where we
hit rocie inen and guns, our sick and wounded, and pro-
visions. They played at long bowls with their artillery.
The extent .if our loss was some four elephants and a.few
Sikhs which t,eir cavalry managed to cut off while
out Imaging. We, on the other hand, could do nothing
but hold our own. Young Birch, brother to my friend,
got- wounded on the way_here.. _lle was in the Volunteer
Cavalry, his own regiment—cavalry—having mutinied.
On MenOay, Oct. 26, we really did hear cheering news,
to the effect that -Col. Grant, of the 9th Lancers, with
one Delhi column, was on his way down here to relieve
us—that he wasurgeetly recalled by express from Agra,
to assi,t in drivreg off a large body of the enemy
threate e ino an attack on the place—that be made a forced
march of 27 miles back to Agra, and while the force was
breakfasting the alarm was spread that they were
attacked—that be gave them a tremendous drubbing,
and cut up a great many of the enemy—that troops were
las.. gathering at Cawnpore—and that 400 men, with a
convoy of provisions, had arrived at Alumbagh.
Ort'Wednesday, the 28th October, we received news
that Grant had again defeated the rebels at Mynpoorie
and Meerutkiserai, and that his Delhi column bad ar-
rived at Cawnpore. This force consisted of a wing of
her Mejesty's 52d, 250 of 9th Lancers, two troops of
Horse Artillery, two regiments of Puejaub Infantry,
and two Priejaub Cavalry. In speaking to S--, of
the Madras Fueil ens, a day or two ago, I found out
that he knew you all. Major Renaud of the same regi-
ment he spoke about; be seems to have been a fine,
gallant fellow, and is universally well spoken of.
On Saturday, October 31, I found, much to my grief,
teat my only flannel shirt was getting into holes, and I
fold none to replace it ; luckily I managed to buy, from
a friend in the e Itrenchinents, some old linen ones for
two rupees each, and some socks for about the same
price—very, very cheap, much below the market price.
I never could have believed I could have worn the same
suit of clothes so long. It is not comfortable, as you
may imagine. When my shirt is washed I only wear
my coat, and vice versos ; before I got a second pair of
trowsers I had to remain in bed for the morning.
I.resterdty (Monday, 2d November), I had another
narrow escape of being shot. I was behind a Venetian
doA. in a turret, with Capt. Grant, of Madras Fusiliers,
shooting at the rebels on the top of a sandbagged, loop-
hooled house, from which they were keeping up a hot
fire on our picket. While we were firing they sent in
several bullets, stinging us with the splinters from the
door. Grant had only just picked out some splinters
from my neck, and was en the point of taking a shot,
when he threw down his rifle, and said, "I'm shot I"
I took him down stairs, and laid him down till the
doctor came, who dressed his wound and extracted the
bullet. I fear from what the doctors say the wound is
serious, but it is early to judge. I shall go in the even-
ing to see him, poor fellow.
Nov.ugh t 4.—
my 4.—1 have little more to tell yea now, having
diary down to this date. Grant, lam happy
to say, is doing well as yet,
and I am in hopes his wound
feareeede.rel oAceotdreem moftsigdntahe
signals
ro
b
Commandant at Alumbagh. The whole relieving force
hisansohtee so e beastda
twowia salvoeshe to us oft guns.
There
is expected to arrive at Alumbagh to-day. Its arrival
is to
be
an signalled
balsished was
at
between first
G
Ware hatalne
sound rumours
—but only rumours—about their and our plan of opera-
tion and co-operation in entering the city. In a few
days—before the week is over—we hope we shall be
d music thatby
relieved from our uncomfortable position. If lam spared
you shall hear full accounts of theseeond relief of Luck-
now. The enemy made another attack on the picket
garden, but were soon driven back by our fire, without
any loss on our side. Two of our men while digging
in the trenches this morning in the garden, werei_it im
bared, mortally wounded. Since we arrived here I
believe we have lost upwards of 300, and our force is
now reduced to something like 1,800 effective men. On
the 30th L'Estrange, another captain of toe sth, died of
his wounds ; only two are remaining in hospital now of
the officers who were there.

Nov. 6.—Nothing has occurred in the last two days
worth relating. The enemy made one of their night
attacks the night before last, but we are so accustomed
to them now that it failed to disturb us farther than just
arrest the sleep of some, but not of me. I still retain
my sleeping powers. Vire are getting quite accustomed
to this kind of life, and were it not for fear
of our provisions falling short should not vex
ourselves about the delay of the reinforcements. There
will be a severe fight when they come in, and a difficult
job we shall have to drivetheenemy out entirely from the
city, for they are legion, and the paucity or great in-
feriority of our numbers will oblige the greatest caution
in advancing and guarding against the second force being
hemmed in and besieged as ours, the first, is. The
engineers are busy day and night, mining and trenching
and getting batteries ready for our heavy siege ring,
which are to batter and shell the Kass Bagb, or yew
palace of the present King, when the time for 00;
operation with the relieving
trust, on the reorganisation of our array, ut, and
terest will not be overlooked ;it would ,u_zy.a 80
force arrives. I matour in.
bat a poor return for the heroic fortnit . Fre
many of our officers in this tinfnorr•dtuinor:ZUZippil.tting
have not shown ourselves boo
The mornings now are
ness or Apathy
thel
walked, and felt inclined to run
cold. myselfwarm, for a long tine.
getting bitterly
to
get
this n2orning,
of the fresh English mornings at
it reminds one
it down, and our worst en:
'b. end of autumn, and is very enjoyable atter the
rfaii
ikeswesenot *cause us of inert

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow-
leg company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
S ilections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS,
CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, dzc., viz. :—Miss Russell,
Mrs. Badgey, Madile. Marietta Miss Brunell, Miss Ray,
Madame Bartoletti, Miss Montague, and Madame Marietta ;
Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw' R. Grover, T. Farrant,
S. Jonec, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L.
Rime, Mr. Badgey, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Ber-
nard; Messrs. W. 'I. Critchfield and E. Max' kuey. Piano-
forte, Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium, Master Williams ;
Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock
precisely. Suppers, die., until twelve o'clock.
Mr. AIIGTISTIIS BRAHAM will make his first appearance on
Monday, the 25th inst.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tars DAY—Morn., 55 min. aft. 2—Even., 15 min aft. 3
To-MORROW—Morn•, 30 min. aft. 3--Even., 50 min. aft. 3

THE WEATHER--SUN OFFICE, JA CART 16.
I HERMOMETER, IN THE SEIID E.
46—highest since noon yesterday.
42—lowest this morning and during the night.
50 —this day at noon.

BAROMETBR, 30.38.
s North-Easterly ; rather fresh and cold, with
IrD
fine weather.
Two o'clock—Easterly ; fresh and strong, with rain.

tit 77, C-7