The National tribune., 1882-04-01
THE RELIEF OE IIICKNOW-

1t should be remembered that General
Havelock was not an hour too soon in his
relief, as the advance of the enemy's bat
teries and mines had settled the fate of the
garrison; and it should be known that in
the continual uproar Of the cannonade, and
the obstruetions of military works and
buildings, the beleaguered and devoted gar
rison did not hear or see anything of the
advancing relief until the battle had been
fought outside, and the relieving force was
marching up to the gates. The following is
an extract from letter to the London Times,
by the wife of an officer at Lucknow:
On every side death stared us in the face
no human skill could avert it any longer.
We saw the moment approach when we
must bid farewell to earth, yet without
feeling that unutterable horror which must
have been experienced by the unhappy vic
Tins at Cawnpore. We were resolved rather
to die than to yield, and were fully persuaded
that in twenty-four. hours all would be over.
The engineers had said so, and all knew the
worst. We women strove to encourage each
other, and to perform the light duties which
had been assigned to us, such as conveying
orders to the batteries, and supplying the
men with provisions, especially cups of
coffee, which we prepared day and night. 1
had gone out to try and make myself useful,
in company with Jessie Brown, the wife of a
corporal in my husbands regiment. Poor
Jessie had been in a state of restless excite
ment all through the siege, and had fallen
away visibly within the last few days. A
constant fever consumed her, and her mind
wapdered occasionally, especially that day,
when the recollectionS of home seemed DOW
erfully present to her. At last, overcome
with fatigue, she lay down on the ground,
wrapped up in her plaid. I sat beside her.
promising to awaken her when, as she said,
her father should return from the plowing."
She fell at length into a profound slumber,
motionless, and apparently breathless, her
head resting in my lap I myself could no
longer resist the inclination to sleep. in
spite of the continual roar of the cannon
Suddenly was aroused by wild, unearthly
scream close to my ear; my companion stood
upright beside me, her arms raised, and her
head bent forward in the attitude of listen
ing. A look of intense delight broke over
her countenance, she grasped my hand,
drew me toward her, and exclaimed "Dinna
ye hear ii? dinna ye hear it? Ay, I'm no
dreaming; it's the slogan OF. the Highlanders
We're saved we're savedi" Then, flinging
herself on her knees, she thanked God with
passionate fervor. l feltutterly bewildered;
my English ears heard only the roar of ar
tillery, and l thought nay poor Jessie was
still raving; but she darted to the batteries,
and I heard her cry incessantly to the men,
Courage! courage! Hark to the slogan
to the McGregor, the grandest of them a. 4!
Here's help Mt last!"
To describe the effect of these words upon
the soldiers would be impossible. For
they ceased firing, and every soul
listened with intense anxiety. Gradually, |
however, there arose q murmur of bit |
ter disappointment, and the wailing of
the women, who had focked to the spot, |
burst out anew as the colonel shook his |
head. Our dull Lowland ears heard only |
the rattle of the nusketry. A few mo-
ments more of this death-hke suspense, Of