in the mango tope, known as the Bandaria Bagh, or Monkey Park, on the south boundary of the College Park, evidently intending to attack us in the night. Hardly had they done so when the Volunteer Cavalry and the Artillery from the Residency galloped up and opened on them with grapeat close quarters. This threw the rebels into great confusion; and a charge from the Volunteer Cavalry scattered them in every direction, some of them even taking refuge in the trees. Just then two companies of the 32nd came up in skirmishing order, and, though they could not overtake the scattered and flying main body, they brought down not a few of the sepoys roosting amorg the foliage.
48. The enemy, on this occasion, was about 700 strong, while the force sent against them consisted of 220, of whom the greater part were Europeans. The force was commanded by Brigadier Inglis, of H. M.’s 32nd Regiment. We, at La Martiniere, had a clear view of this skirmish from the top of the main building, and longed to join in the fray, but dared not leave our position, which we had to protect against any unexpected attack of the enemy. Just then our Principal, Mr. Schilling, was returning from the Residency and met the rebels passing through the Park; but he managed to escape unmolested.
49. Next morning, the 13th of June, 1857, the Principal received orders from Sir Henry Lawrence to abandon
La Martiniere[1] and march the boys under his charge into the Residency. Leaving our stores and the greater part of our clothing at La Martiniere we marched in column to the Residency. On our way there we had to pass through the most frequented streets of Lucknow, yet we met with no molestation, though a malignant scowl was discernable on almost every native’s face. Notwithstanding an order had been issued prohibiting the carrying of arms, we noticed several armed to the teeth. The only escort we had was a guard of the 32nd Regiment leading, and the senior boys, armed with muskets, + bringing up the
- ↑ La Martiniere College is about three miles south-east of the Residency. The Brown-Bess was the only weapon used by the boys during the siege till the arrival of the first relief, when the Enfield Rifle was distributed. Sir Frederick Roberts, the late Commander-in-Chief, in his address to the Simla Volunteers, made the following remark with regard to the former weapon —‘‘It seems that, with the old Brown-Bess, you might stand at the foot of Ludgate Hill and fire at St. Paul’s with little chance of hitting it more than once in five hundred shots.’’ After which His Excellency told an amusing anecdote of a distinguished Peninsular Officer, who offered to stand as a target all day long, provided the distance was 300 yards and the marksman promised to aim correctly. ‘The carbine Lused in the Residency has been carefully preserved by me up to the present time.
