Sunday, August 9th. Mrs. B—— taken ill during the night, and at 8 P.M. a fine boy made his appearance. I thought of poor Mrs. D——, who, we were told, was confined in the open at Cawnpore, in the rear of a gun; she and the child were both massacred afterwards. Mr. S——, and Mrs. K——'s baby, both died to-day. Mrs. H—— rather angry at being turned out of her room to give place to the new baby. Mrs. D——, who is expecting her confinement, had a fainting fit; altogether a nice commotion. In addition to a sharp attack, with heavy firing from some of the guns close to us, a 9-pound shot came into Mrs. C——'s room, and just as we were talking of coming up to sleep in the dining-room again, two shots came in quite hot, which settled the matter.
Monday, August 10th. A Sikh came in during the night; he said he had been made prisoner at Chinhut: however, he is thought to be a spy, and is confined. His account of our reinforcements agree with what we have previously heard. About 11 A.M., Lieut. B——, A.D.C., came round to warn all the garrison to be on the alert, as some regiments had been seen, with their colours flying, marching from Cantonments. As they crossed the Cawnpore battery, we fired on them, and the attack then commenced; the firing was very sharp: shells, shrapnell, round shot, gingalls, and musketry. I now can distinguish each plainly. Of course, I always feel very anxious, after an attack, before the list of casualties comes round. To-day two Europeans were killed, and five wounded—wonderfully few, considering the firing was incessant till about 2 P.M. Two of the enemies' mines were exploded, but without injury to us. About 5, just as we were coming up from dinner, dear Charlie made his appearance, with some clothes for me; but would not stop, as he said he had just seen another little army coming up to the attack; it consisted of two regiments of infantry, some cavalry, and five guns: he hurried off, and the firing commenced. I much troubled on his account, for his house has lately been so battered by round shot, it must be very unsafe; however, Dr. F—— told me he had seen him all right. One of the mines sprung in the morning, destroying one of the rooms where the Martinière boys are, but without injuring any one: however, it sent one of the heavy timbers of the stockade on to the roof of the Brigade Mess (an upper storeyed house), much to the alarm of the ladies residing there. We heard that Mrs. O——, of the 48th N.I., had had a little boy during the night. Just as we were going to bed, another attack commenced; the night was very dark, but we were providentially preserved through all.
Tuesday, August 11th. All quiet. I rose early, as my morning duties are generally very heavy. After breakfast Charlie came; I felt so thankful to see him safe once more. He told me the enemy, thirty in number, got into the Compound next us, last night, but were driven out by hand grenades, &c. During the forenoon, we heard a rumbling noise, and, on inquiry, found that one wing of the Residency had fallen, and buried six men; two were dug out alive, but only one survived it. The rest could not be got out till late in the day. Charlie told me that the day before, when the enemy's mine exploded at Sago's, two Europeans were blown out into the road, with their muskets in their hands, but being uninjured, they jumped up and ran though his gateway, and through the stockade to their posts again. From this one may imagine our defences were but slight.
Wednesday, August 12th. There had been incessant firing all night. No news, whatever, has been brought in! Charlie came and gladdened my heart; but I must say my own hope of relief was sinking.
Thursday, August 13th. Native reports that our forces are near, and firing has been heard distinctly in the district from the Redan battery for two hours—so hope revives. We countermined and blew up a mine of the enemy's at Sago's. It was well done, and it is supposed numbers perished, including the miners themselves, who were heard at their work just before; several of the enemy rushed down to dig out comrades, but of them four were shot.
Friday, August 14th. A sweeper came in this morning. Charlie caught him near the hospital, and carried him to Captain C——'s. He told them a great deal about the enemy; but, of course, nothing could be relied on. He said that the Native report was that our force was at Bushire Gunge. Mrs. F—— was very ill, and removed to Mrs. D——'s room.
Saturday, August 15th. No news from without! We had our beds brought into the dining-room, and for the first time during the siege we were to sleep on charpoys (bedsteads). The last three nights in the Tye Khana I have slept on chairs, to escape the rats; for the last night I slept on the floor I felt my bedding heaved up, and a large black rat ran from under it. This is the third time we have tried to sleep in the dining-room; twice we have been driven out by shot. This afternoon a shrapnell burst on the roof, wounding two Native Pensioners and a European sentry; an 18-pound shot also came in.
Sunday, August 16th. The first news we heard was, that a letter had been brought in from the relieving force; but, to our disappointment, it proved to be an old one—the man having been imprisoned. After his release he had returned to Cawnpore to get further news, but found, with the exception of a small force entrenched on this side, that they had re-crossed the river—the Nana having collected a fresh force. He also said that numbers of troops were on their way up the country, and that when a sufficient party had arrived—which would be about the 20th—General H—— would again advance. In the afternoon a shrapnell burst in Mrs. F——'s verandah, close to her present bedroom; some of the pieces passed over her and Mrs. B——, going through the venetians, and setting fire to the chicks; she was brought out and placed in Mrs. B——'s room with the new baby. I fought against sleeping in the dining-room, as I thought it dangerous; but, being in the minority, I was obliged to give in.
Monday, August 17th. We passed the night without an accident, though the roof was hit by round shots. Mrs. F——'s little boy Bobby very ill; he looks a perfect skeleton: as for Mrs. D——'s youngest boy, you can count his bones; they are only just covered with skin. It is a terrible time for poor children; they pine for fresh air.