Our third sap from Anderson's post nearly completed, and considerable progress made in the one commenced out of Sago's house. All the boys in garrison above ten years of age were collected and set to work with hand-mills, to assist in grinding flour for the use of the garrison. Sickness showed itself amongst the bullocks; and in the last two days two bullocks had to be suddenly killed, in order to save the meat. This was most unfortunate, as the stock in hand would not last (even at the reduced rate of rations) the time we might probably be besieged. Arrangements were made to have some artillery and irregular cavalry horses that were wounded, or from want of condition were unserviceable, turned out on this evening. The last cook-boy of the artillery absconded last night. This put the men to much inconvenience, as they had now to draw their rations with Her Majesty's 32nd Regiment; but it was better for the service, as now there was no excuse for any of the guns' crews leaving their batteries for their food. This morning some fresh beef was accidentally removed from the slaughter-yard in one of the magazine carts. As these carts were used also for transporting grain, it excited remark amongst some Seikhs. The cart in question was immediately marked in the presence of the Commissariat Establishment, and strict orders were given that it should not be used again. This shows how careful we had to be with all the natives about their castes.
In the evening, about dusk, two European artillerymen were struck in the Post-office battery by an 18-pounder shot, which killed both. Great progress was made in the battery which was erected by the 13th Native Infantry, for the 18-pounder to be placed in at the Baillie Guard gate. Two 8-inch shells exploded in the vicinity of our magazine, but without doing any injury. Our third mine from Anderson's house completed, but not charged, it being retained as a listening gallery. Another shaft for a mine was struck out from Captain Saunders' post, to be ready to meet the enemy's so soon as it could be ascertained which way they were mining. The cook-boys of two companies of the 32nd Foot deserted to-day, which caused extreme inconvenience.
2nd September.—Sounds of mining heard near the slaughter-house. This was quite a new direction for the enemy to commence this work at; but it had not yet been ascertained for a certainty, and appeared most unlikely. Last night three men of Her Majesty's 32nd Regiment died in hospital.
About 9 A.M. this morning a mine of the enemy was discovered within thirty feet of Captain Saunders' post: they came up to a well, and, not knowing what it was, made a hole in the surface; when the smoke from their lamp became apparent. A countermine was immediately commenced and run out sixteen feet, and within two feet of the enemy; it was quickly loaded and tamped for about fourteen feet, and the head of their gallery was blown in. Their miners were heard at work when the hose of our mine was ignited; and it was believed they must have sustained some loss. Another of the enemy's mines was also discovered this morning, coming for the centre of the brigade mess-house; but we had a shaft and gallery ready to frustrate their efforts. One of the sepoys of the 13th Regiment Native Infantry was severely wounded this morning while standing sentry. We had a heavy cannonade from the enemy in the afternoon, and some alteration was made in the position of some of their guns on the Cawnpore side of our position. The advance of a month's pay, which had been offered to all natives, was declined by the 13th, 48th, and 71st, and pensioners, and only four rupees each was received by the Seikh Cavalry, as all preferred to receive it in arrears hereafter. This spoke volumes for their faithfulness.
This evening a very sad event occurred. Lieut. Birch, of the 59th Regiment Native Infantry, attached to the Engineer department, went out at dusk, accompanied by four other officers, to explore some old ruins quite close to the north side of our position, in order to see if there were any traces of mining. The work had been most satisfactorily performed, and the party were returning, when a sentry of the 32nd Regiment, who, unfortunately, had not received the caution that a party was going out and to be careful not to fire, seeing objects moving in the dark outside our limits, fired his musket; lamentable to relate, it took effect, and the bullet passed through the lower part of the belly of Lieutenant Birch, who died two hours after. He was a gallant and efficient officer, and had only been married six months. His loss was greatly deplored by the garrison. Our miners were all hard at work all day, countermining the enemy, who still persevered in their efforts to blow us up.
September 3rd.—About 2 A.M. a very heavy cannonade from the enemy till 9 A.M. Unbarricaded a door leading out of our position, and turned loose during the night sixteen horses and a mule, which had been wounded, and were unfit for use. Further efforts made to limit the supply of flour, and issue wheat in lieu thereof. Advances of pay made to officers, ladies, the civil and uncovenanted service, and a few natives who desired it.
The sun particularly powerful, and as during the nights a heavy dew fell, and occasionally the mornings were very cool, great fears were entertained for the health of our men; especially as nearly all had to sleep in the trenches. Consequently search was everywhere made for tents to shelter them; but the majority of these had been used as barricades and other defences, and were now, from exposure to the rain, &c., completely rotten and useless.
The enemy commenced mining at Sago's garrison, and a shaft and gallery were made to meet them. In the evening there was a heavy cannonade on Mr. Gubbins's post. A soldier of the 32nd was dangerously wounded at Innes' house by an 18-pounder shot, and another slightly wounded by grape shot. Much heavy firing from the enemy. Very severe work at mining, as our people were employed at four different points. After 10 P.M. an exceedingly heavy cannonade accompanied by musketry. The enemy were distinctly heard repairing their batteries, and moving a heavy gun with elephants, in the direction of the Cawnpore battery.
September 4th.—The usual cannon and musketry throughout the night, which greatly increased after daylight, but gradually subsided after 9 A.M. into a few solitary discharges of cannon. The outer wall of the mess house was greatly injured by the constant firing from the enemy's guns, although it was of great solidity. Between 9 and 10 A.M. an unusual commotion was observable in the town, and the streets were much crowded, for which we were unable to account; whatever it was, the crowd gradually dispersed, and by 11 A.M. all was tranquil, and the enemy's guards were relieved as usual at that hour.
Towards the middle of the day there was very little firing from the enemy: they could be distinctly heard in three of our listening galleries, sapping steadily towards us. A 32nd soldier was severely contused to-day by a round shot, while on duty in the Cawnpore battery, and another wounded by a musket-ball. About 4·30 P.M. Major Bruère, commanding the 13th Regiment Native Infantry, went on the top of the brigade mess to endeavour to pick off some of the enemy's gunners. Unfortunately, in his anxiety to get a shot at some riflemen, he somewhat unnecessarily exposed himself, and was hit by a rifle-ball through the chest, which almost immediately proved fatal. His death was very greatly lamented by the sepoys of the 13th, with whom he was very popular: they insisted on carrying his remains to the grave, and his funeral was attended by all the men of the 13th who could be permitted to leave their trenches. The eighteen-pounder battery made by the sepoys of the 13th, was now nearly completed, and was sixteen feet thick, besides the wall in front; the eighteen-pounder intended for it was got down, and put in position. The enemy were evidently aware of what we were about, as two shells fell quite close; one just inside, and the other outside the new battery.