General, Captain Wilson, to the Residency. Arrived there he despatched fifty of the 32d, under Lieutenant Edmonstone, to defend the iron bridge against the rebels. This, despite the efforts of the elated enemy, they succeeded in doing, though with some loss. The rebels, however, had penetrated within the city, and, aided by the mass of the population, began to loophole many of the houses in the vicinity of the Residency and the Machchí Bhawan. They went so far as to attack one of the posts of the Residency, afterwards known, from the officer who ultimately commanded there, as 'Anderson's post' The house which constituted the salient point of the post was the residence of Mr Capper. That gentleman was standing in the verandah when a shot from the rebels brought it down and buried him in the ruins. He would have been lost but for the determination to save him at all cost expressed by Anderson. Working with a will, under the concentrated fire of the rebels, this officer, aided by Corporal Oxenham, 32d Foot, M. Geoffroi, a Frenchman, Signor Barsotelli, an Italian, and two Englishmen, Lincoln and Chick, succeeded, by incredible exertions, in rescuing him.[1] It was a very gallant deed.
The following evening Sir Henry, threatened at both points by the enemy, caused the defences of the Machchí Bhawan to be blown up, and concentrated his forces within the Residency enclosure. From that date, the 1st of July, began that famous 'leaguer,' to the story of which I shall, in its proper place, devote a separate chapter.
- ↑ Oxenham received the Victoria Cross; but Capper always felt that he owed his life primarily to Anderson, who was left unrewarded. It was Anderson who suggested the attempt to rescue, who summoned the others to assist him, and who took the chief part in the operation. That operation lasted three-quarters of an hour, during every second of which Anderson, acting against the advice of his superior officer, exposed himself voluntarily to imminent danger.
