The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-20 00:00:00

SIR COLIN CAMPBELL'S DESPATCH.

PROM SIR OOLIN 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, 1853.
My Lord,—l have the honour to announce to your
1 rdehip that I transferred my head-quarters to the camp
of Brigadier-General Sir Edward Lugard, K.C.8., at
Bunters, on the 28th ultimo, the division which had
been detached under Brigadier-General Sir J. H. Grant,
K.C.8., and that under Brigadier General Walpole
joining the next day.
Having received tolerably correct information with
respect to the lines of works, which had been constructed
by the enemy for the defence of Lucknow, it appeared
evident to me that the necessity would arise for opera-
ting from both sides of the Goomtee, 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, although I could not hope
to invest a city having a circumference of 20 miles.
My first preparations, therefore, were made for the
purpose of crossing the river. Bridges of casks bad
been previously constructed, and were ready in the
Engineers' park.
_

On the 2d March I advanced on Dilkoosha with the
following troops :—Headquarters of the divi-ion of
Artillery, and of the field artillery, brigade, under Major
General Wilson, K.C.8., and Col. D. Wood, C.B.
,Royal Horse Artillery ; Lieut.-Colonel d'Aguilar's
troops Royal Horse Artillery ; Lieut.-Colonel Tombs,
U. 8., and Lieut. Bishop's troops Bengal Horse Artil-
lery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Turner. Two 24-
pounders and two B.inch howitzers of the Shannon's
Naval Brigade, 2 companies Punjab Sappers and Miners.
The head-quarters of the Cavalry Division, and the
let Cavalry Brigade under Brigadier-General Sir J. H.
Grant, K.C.8., and Brigadier Little, her Majesty's 9th
Lancer-,, 2 I Punjaub Irregular Cavalry, detachment sth
Punjaub Irregular Cavalry, Ist Sikh Irregular Cavalry.
The 2,1 division of Infactry wider Brigadier-Gen. Sir E.
Lugar!, K.C.8., cm sisting of 3d brigade, Brigadier P.
M. M. Guy, composed of her Majesty's 34th, 38. h, and
53d Regiments ; 4th Brigade, Brigadier Hon. A. Hope,
composed of the 42d and 98d Highlanders with 4th
Punjaub Rifles—and seized that position after a skir-
mish in which a gun was taken from the enemy.
When the brigades of infantry began to close on the
advance guard the enemy opened several guns which
were in position in strong bastions along the line of the
canal. Tail fire was heavy and well-sustained,
The -e guns commanded the plateau, and compelled me
to retire to 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 allikoosha was occupied as an ad-
vadce picket on the right, and the Mahomed Bagh on
the left heavy gtos being placed in battery at both points
to; keep down. the hostile fire.

. .
During the whole of the 21, until these arrangements
Could be completed, the troops were much annoyed by
the eeie tny's gunq.
Altter,that day, until an advance took place, although
V... , .
nele,tt-a:ged up to and sometimes into the camp, but
'"4lratettriaunedd from this cause.
togethatAvith. Br 4th the remainder cf the siege train,
up on the Dilkhoicfandier-Gen. Walpole's division clouted
rug on Bitisp.e
and't 1 p sition, the right of cur line rest-
the Goomtee, the left bciLg to-
wards Aluttbagli;
There was an interval
right !about two miles between our
left and Jeirewma
; the
pi:bef the Alumbagh position.
This interval was occn
Horse (Elodsnn's). . Brigedieyr acraegiment of Irregular
c nred tee extri,ti
brigade of cavalry and hr rue artillery ell'
svitth a B,trong
sve,t.
left,, and swept the country towards
thet
Three infantry regiments were withdrawnn°rthi;ora
Alum
bash and joined the headquarter camp.
On the 5 b General Franicp, or vi 4:11 Die • • vnlon of In-
fantry can • into direct communication with me. T.;,,
officer bad marched right across the kingdom of °ode-,
having signally defeated many bodies of insurgents, et d
kept his time with punctuality, according to the order 4
given to him, with which your lordship is already ac-
quainted.
On the same day the Goomtee was bridged near Bibia-
pore. Whilst the bridge was being formed, the enemy
showed on the left bank, causing the necessity of a di,
position of troops and heavy guns. lie did not, how-
eyer, make a real attack.
These guns were very useful in another respect, as

their practice on the Martinieie silenced much fire,
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.
On the 6th, Sir James Outran, G.O 8., who had been
withdrawn from Alumbagh, crossed to the left bank of
the Goomtee with troops as below,* the 4th division under
Brigadier Gen. Franks, C. 8., taking the place vacate]
by Brigadier Gen. Walpole in the line.
The plan of attack which had been conceived was now
developed, and Sir J. Outrun was directed to push his
advance up the left bank of the Goomtee, while the troops
in the position of Dilkoosha remained 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
abutting on the Goomtee, had been turned,:
The works may be described as follows :
The series of courts and buildings called the Kaiser
Bagh, considered as a citadel by the rebels, was shut in
by theee lines of defence towards the Goomtee, of which
the line of the canal was the outer one.
The second line circled round the large building called
the Me,s-house and the Moti Mahul, and the first, or in-
ten sr, one was the principal rampart of the Kaiser Bagh,
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 of the Goomtee, and the other on the
great buildings of the street called the Huzrut Gunge,
all of which ware strongly fortified, and flanked the street
in every direction.
Extraordinary care has been expended on the defences
of the houses and bastions, to enfilade the street. His
duty was ably performed by Sir J. Outram, who pitched
his camp on the 6th inst., after a skirmish of his advance
guard in front of the Chukkur Walla Kottee, or Yellow
House.
On the 7th he was attacked by the enemy, who was
speedily driven back.
Having reconnoitred the ground on the Bth inst., I
directed Sir James Outram to arrange his batteries
during the succeeding night, and to attack the enemy's
position, the key of which was the Chukkur Walla
Kotee, the next day or the 9 tb.
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 affording excellent
cover for the enemy.
Be was then able to bring his right shoulders forward
occupying the Fizabad road, and to plant his batteries
for the purpose of enfilading the works on the canal be
fore alluded to.
He lost no time in doing this, other batteries of heavy
guns and howitzers being the following night brought to
pay on the work and the Kaiser Bagh.
While this attack was being made by Sir J. Outran)
along the left bank of the Goomtee on the 9th inst. a
very heavy fire was kept up on the Martiniere both from
mortars and heavy guns, placed in position during the
previous night, on the Dilkoosha Plateau.
At two p.m. the 42d Highlanders, the 533, and 90th
Regiments, stormed the Martiniere under the direction
of Brigadier-General Sir E. Lugard, K.C.8., and Bri-
gadier the Hon. A. Hope.
It was quickly seen that the enfilading fire on the line
' of the canal from the opposite side of the river had pro-
duced the expected result.
The 4th Punjaub Infantry, supported by the 421
Highlanders, climbed up the entrenchment abutting on
the Goomtee, and proceeded to sweep down the whole
line of the works, till they got to the neighbourhood of
Banks's house, when it became necessary to close opera•
tions for the night.
Major Wylde, 4th Punjaub Rifles, distinguished him-
self very much on this occasion.
The line of works was strongly occupied by the troops
which had entered, and by the 53d Regiment.
On the 10th inst. Sir James Outram was engaged in
strengthening his position, Sir J. H. Grant, K.C.8.,
being employed in patrolling towards the cantonment
with the cavalry placed under Sir J. Oatram's orders a
system of extensive patrolling or reconnoissance 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 made by Sir E. Lugard for the at•
'ack on Banks's house, which was carried at noon, and
secured as a strong military post.
The second part of the Flan of attack against the
Kaiser, Bagh now came info operation, viz., to use the
great blocks of houses and palaces ex'ending from Bank's
house to the Kaiser Bagh 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 J. Outr am's advance.
The latter had already received orders to plant his guns
with a view of raking the enemy's position, to annoy the
Kaiser Bagh with a vertical and direct fire, also to attack
the suburbs in the vicinity of the iron and stone bridges
shortly after daybreak, and to commence the iron bridge
from the left bank.
All this was carried out by Sir J. 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 from both sides till the bridge
was aft.rwaida taken in reverse.
Sir Edward Lugard's attack on the 11th was pressed
forward in like manner.
The operation bad now become one of engineering
character, 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 bat-
teries with a view to breaching and shelling a large
block of the palaces called the Beguw Kotee.
The latter was stormed with great gallantry by the
931 Highlanders, supported by the 4th Punjaub Rifles
and 1,000 Goorkhas, led by Brigadier the Hon. Adrian
Hope, tinder the direction of Brigadier General Sir E.
Lugard, at four p.m.

The troops secured the whole block of buildings, and
inflicted a very heavy loss on the enemy, the attack
baying bee❑ one of very desperate character.
This was the sternest struggle which occurred duripg
the siege.

FreeTa thenceforward the chief engineer pushed his ap•
proach with the greates.tjudgmentthrough the enclosures
by the aid of the sappers and of heavy guns, the troops
immediately occupying the ground as he advanced, and
the mortars being moved from one position to another as
the ground was won on which they could be placed.
The buildings to the right, and the Seconder Thigh,
were taken in the early morning of the same day with-
out opposition..

Daring the night of the 12th Sir J. Outram was rein-
forced with a number of heavy guns and mortars, and
directed to increase his fire on the Kaiser Bagh, while,
at the same time, mortars placed in position at the
Begum's house never ceased to play on the Emambarra,
the next large palace it was necessary to storm betwee❑
the Begum Kotee and the Kaiser BAgb.
On Brigadier General Franks, C, 8,, who had relieved
Sir Edward Lugard, and the 2d division with the 4th
division on the 12th instant, devolved the duty of
attacking the Emambarra.
A column of attaek was formed for that purpose by
Brigadier D. Russell, on the morning of the 14th.
In the meantime the Maharajah Jung Bahadoor, with
a force of about 9,000 men and 24 field guns drawn by
men, bad arrayed, 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
Gen. Macgregor, C. 8., the special commissioner attached
to him, to pass the canal and attack the suburbs in his
front and considerably to the left of Banks's house. To
this his Highness acceded with much willingness, and
his force was most advantageously employed in thus co-
vering 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 Emambarra was carried early on the 14th, and
the Sikhs of the Ferozepore Regt., under Major Braver,
pressing forward in pursuit, entered the Kaiser Bagh,
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 wel:-
known ground of former defence and attack, the mess
house, the Tara Kotee, the Motee Mahnl, and the Chut-
tur Murzil, were rapidly occupied by the troops, while
the engineers devoted their attention to securing the po-
sition 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 a
the rebels, the most difficult part of the undertaking had
been overcome.
This is not de placefor description of the various build-
ingsvelysarppege of massiveedintoorstormed ; suffice it to say
that u
a theye eB.
formed a a
palaces and walled
courts of vast extent, equalled perhaps, but certainly not
surpassed in any capital in Europe. Every outlet had
been covered by a work, and on every side were prepared
barricades and loopholed parapets.
The extraordinary industry evinced by the enemy in
this re-pest has been really unexampled. Hence the abso-
lute necessity f )r holding the troops in hand, till at each
successive move forward the engineers reported to me
that all which could be effected by artillery and Sappers
had been done, before the troops were led to the assault.
Tie 15th inst. was employedest
riunysecuring m
in
and fixing
what had e n
taken,urtr for removingthefurher ptwderbombardmentdestroying
of the positions still
mt
held by the enemy on the line of oar advance up the
Goomtee, and in the heal t of the city.
B igadier-General Sir J. Hope Grant, K.C.8., Was
sent out with cavalry on one side towards Seetapore, to
intercept fujtivc,2, while Brigadier marched with
Tl i kh ee
yo rrdeetrusrinnedthee tiudtihreecl7onhotf Snde
utuheirfela on
former positions.
similarusitiu duty.
ua
Brigaqe, under Brigadier Douelaß, suppohr
On the 16th init. Sir James Outram, vpitteha tbhye
t5,,0h
of Ferozepore, having crossed over
other regiments—her Ttljesty's 20th
tahnedotloemßt,3eegiihnyeralt
bridgecco
t
f casks,order, opposite
throughthe
Glutton the Se eunudtetru
rila
Bagh,
zii
totakeadvanced,
a
the Residency.
During the first movements of this operation a move-
ment of the enemy in retreat across the stone bridge Le-
came apparent.

Sir James wai ordered to press forward, and he sra,;

* Force sent across the Goomteo under Sir J. Outran.
Detail : Lt.-Col. D'Aguilai's troop Royal Horse Artillery ;
Major Lemington's and Capt. M`Kinnon's troops Royal
Artillery, under Lieut.-Col. F. Turner; Capt. Gibbon's
and Aliddleton'a Light Field Batteries, R.yal Artillery,
and head-quarters Field Artillery Brigade; H.M. 2,l Ma-
goon Guards (Bays); 9th Lancers; 2d Pnnjaub
Cavalry; Detachments Ist and sth Punjaub Cavalry,
under Captains Watson and Sanford; 3d Infantry Divi-
sion, under Brigadier-General It. Walpole; sth Brigade,
Brigadier Douglas, C.B , H.M. 23d Fusiliers H.M. 79th
Highlanders, lst Bengal Fusiliers ; 6th Brigade, Brigadier
Horsford, C. 8., 2d Battalion_Rie Brigade, 3d Battalion
do, 3d Panjaub Infantry.