Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 8 (2nd edition).pdf/524

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

514 LUCKA’O 1!’ CITY.

On the toth of August. the mutineets attempted a second assault, which was again unsuccessful. The third assault took place on the 18th ; but the enemy were losing heart as they found the small garrison so able to withstand them, and the repulse proved comparatively easy.

Meanwhile, the British within were dwindling away and eagerly expecting reinforcements from Cawnpur. On 5th September, news of the relieving force under Outram and Havelock reached the garrison by a faithful native messenger. On 22nd September, the relief arrived at the Alambagh, a walled garden on the Cawnpnr road held by the enemy in force. llavelock stormed the Alambsigh, and on the 25th fought his way with continuous opposition through the narrow lanes of the city. On the 26th he arrived at the gate of the Residency enclosure, and was welcomed by the gallant defenders within. General Neill fell during the action outside the walls. The sufferings of the besieged had been very great; but even after the first relief, it became clear that Lucknow could only be temporarily defended till the arrival of further reinforcements should allow the garrison to cut its way out. Outram, who had now re-assumcd the command which he generously yielded to Haveloclt during the relief, accordingly fortified an enlarged area of the town, bringing many important outl'orks within the limits of defence ; and the siege began once more till a second relieving party could set the besieged at liberty. Night and day the enemy kept up a continual firing against our position, while Outram retaliated by frequent somcs.

Throughout October the garrison continued its gallant defence, and a small party, shut up in the Alamlfigh, and cut off unexpectedly from the main body, also contrived to hold good its dangerous post. Meanwhile, Sir Colin Campbell's force had advanced from Catt'npur, and arrived at the Alambfigh on the toth of November. From the day of his landing at Calcutta, Sir Colin had never ceased in his endeavours to collect an army to relieve Lucknmr, by gathering together the liberated Delhi field force and the fresh reinforcements from England. On the 12th, the main body threw itself into the Alambdgh, after a smart skirmish with the rebels. Sir Colin next occupied the Dilltusha palace, southeast of the town, and then moved against the Martini‘ere, which the enemy had fortified with guns in position. After carrying that post, he forded the canal, and on the 16th attacked the Siltandra Mgh, the chief rebel stronghold. The mutineers, driven to buy, fought desperately for their fortress, but before evening the whole place was in the hands of the British. As soon as Sir Colin Campbell reached the hloti Mahal. on the outskirts of the city proper, General Haveloek came out from the Residency to meet him, and the second relief was successfully accomplished.

Even now, however, it remained impossible to hold Lucknow, and Sir