Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-06-01
Full and Fair Notice!
Fall of lucknow,

some interesting eAldCts lEOI llle AeGlelS VI ma
Russell to the London Times, giving an account
o. the capture and plumber Of Lucknow by the
British troops under Sir Colin Campbell, in the
month of March last
Lucknow is one OF the largest cities OF India
Its population was recently estimated at 3OO,OOV,
and the distinguished missionary, DIR. Duff, des-
cribes it as q Babylon in wealth and wickedness.
The sufferings OF a small European force ana a
few faithful natives, who, with large number
of women and children, were besieged in the
Residency at this city for several months and,
more than all, the unparalleled efforts Of the he
roic General Havelock for their rescue, have
invested the place with an interest which will
be felt as long as history endures.
Early in May, 1857, Sir Henry Lawrence
found himself at Lucknow, in the midst of q
fearful rebellion, with hundreds OF women and
children thrown upon his hands, cut off from
communication with friends, and surrounded by
On almost countless number of exasperated and
bloodthirsty natives. He fortified the Resi-
dency-which was amply prOyisioned-as Sc
curey as possible, and awaited the result. The
Governor General of India, having some knowl-
edge of the state of affairs at Lucknow despatch
ed Gen. Havelock to its relief. Hayelock pro-
ceeded to Allahabad, the nearest place to Lucknow
still held by British troops, and organized re-
lieying force. His army consisted of 1000 Eu-
ropeans, $50 Sikhs and sc irregular cavalry, in
all less than 1900 men. Among the former
were the immortal 18th Highlanders. With
this small army he left Allahabad on the It'll of
July in the midst of the rainy season, the rain
pouring down in torrents one day, and the burn
sun Of India blazing upon them the next, the
country on both sides Of the main road sub
merged, and myriads of natives swarming around
them. After several desperate fights, in which
the Highlanders achieved lasting renown, Have
lock reached Cswnpore, and there ascertained
the cruel fate of Sir Hugh Wheeler and his CON-
panions. He saw the we'll into which the bod
les of the slain-men, women and chidren-had
been cast; the writing upon the walls where
the helpless the captiyes had recorded their
sufferings; and all the evidences OF ruthless
massacre Leaving small party at Cawnpore
-
tie or two with the infamous Mana Sahib, and
then, the cholera breaking out among his men,
his march was arrested. Subsequently he was
compelled, on the 18th of August, by his great
losses from disease and the enemy, to retrace his
steps to Cawnpore. Here he was joined by
Gen. Outram, and receiving q reinforcement
which increased his command to $500 men, re-
sumed his march.
Two more battles were fought, making the
whole number twelve, and finally, on the Goth
of September, he reached Lucknow.
In the meantime, the besieged had been re-
duced to the last extremity. Sir Henry Law
renee had been long dead, from the effects of a
wound many of the defenders of the Residency
had been slain their number was still further
reduced by pestilence; and the atmosphere ofthe
confined place was tainted by the putrefying bod
les of the dead On the oath of July they had
received intelligence Of Hayelook's approach
A weary and anxious month was then passed
without other tidings, until the Goth of August,
when they heard of his retreat. Nearly suoth-
er month passed By, and on the Esd of Septem-
Der they were certified of relief by the roar OF
battle at a place seven miles distant. This brief
narrative etfectpally diSposes of the beautiful
romance of Jessie Brown and the Hghlanders.
That brave corps had something else to do be-
sides marching in with eolors flying and keep
ing step to the bagpipes.
Havelock reached Lucknow, as stated, on the
25th of September, but the entire city, defended
by $4,000 men, ferocious as tigers, lay between
him and the Residsncy. 1t was necessary for
him to pass through the city, as more circuitous
routes were impossible to artillery and baggage
wagons. Every house was loop-holed, and at
every step the Europeans were exposed to the
deadly fire of an unseen enemy; but they press
ed forward and at dark reached place of tenn
porary shelter Here Havslock at first proposed
halting for the night, but fearing that the exas-
perated natives would overcome the beleaguered
garrison by sudden assault, he again set for
ward, and the remnant of his army was admit
ted into the Residency. His niece, Mrs. Thorn
hill, greeted his entrance. His son and aid'de-
camp, Henry HaYelock, had been left behind in
the city, wounded. Mr.. Thornhill volunteered
to bring him in. EIe succeeded in doing so, but
received wound himself, from which he soon
died.
From the 25th of September till the 18th of
November the Residency was held by the Eu-
ropeans, who were subjected to daily assaults
from the besiegers. at the last named date, Sir
Colin Campbell, the Commander-in-C Chief, with
5000 men, effected an entrance. 1t was then
decided that the place was untenable, and by =
night march every soul that survived was
brought off in safety After this Havelock sick
ened and died.
At soon as possible Sir Colin Campbell march
ed against Lucknow with larger army, and the
city was captured, after succession of desperate
conflicts, in March last Mr.. Russel's letters, to
which we alluded in the outset, give graphic de-
scriptions of the closing events.
In this connection we take occasion to recon-
mend to our readers, as highly interesting and
useful the Life of General Havelock, which is
for sale by Mr.. Cowan.
c3y- The attempt of the Administration press
to throw the responsibility of the present large
expenditure of money by the Government upon
the opposition, is one of the best jokes OF the
season. The Vindicator, for instance, says
''much of the expenditures of the present Admin,
istratou are caused by paying off lien which
the extravaganza and improvidence of q Black
Republican and Know Nothing Congress left
upon the public revenue" Our neighbor sure,
Il