A Diary Kept by Mrs. R. C. Germon, at Lucknow, Between the Months of May and December, 1857Germon, Maria
History
A Diary Kept by Mrs. R. C. Germon, at Lucknow, Between the Months of May and December, 1857
Germon, Maria
Germon, Maria; India -- History -- Sepoy Rebellion, 1857-1858; Lucknow (India) -- History -- Siege, 1857 -- Personal narratives
Friday, October 30th. No news! I went to tea with Charlie; while there
a round shot came in and wounded one of the garrison by causing a brick
to strike him.
Saturday, October 31st. After breakfast Charlie came and put up my
mosquito curtains, as Mrs. A---- and I had the luxury of sleeping away
from the party. We had Mrs. F----'s room to ourselves, Mrs. A---- being
an invalid. I returned with Charlie and had a delightful morning. I
altered a jacket for him; it is astonishing how clever this siege has
made me in tailoring, &c. I returned about half-past 3. Everyone thinks
it very dangerous my going to his house; but his room is tolerably
safe--at all events, as safe for him as me, and it is delightful to
have a nice chat together, for we know not how soon we may be parted.
Sunday, November 1st. Commencement of another month of the siege! Where
will the 1st of December find us? It is coming to a crisis now. But the
Almighty has spared us through so much danger, I trust He will bring us
out of it; my hope now is strong! We had a quiet day; no news!
Monday, November 2nd. The enemy threw several shells. I went,
notwithstanding, to Charlie's quarters, and had a cosy evening with
him. On my return, as were sitting in the verandah, a letter came from
Allum Bagh, and the General, after reading it, said, he must tell the
ladies the good news. The Commander-in-Chief was to be at Cawnpore this
day, and that part of the force was already sent on to Allum Bagh, and
that the rest remained to escort the Commander-in-Chief, who, it was
conjectured, would push on to Lucknow immediately. The General said he
did not like part of the force being sent to wait at Allum Bagh, as it
would give the enemy the idea that they were afraid to enter Lucknow.
The old gentleman then became very facetious, and asked if we would
take the Commander-in-Chief into our mess in the Tye Khana, and other
little jokes. I afterwards learnt that the arrival of the troops at
Allum Bagh was to be signalled by three salvos of four guns each.
Tuesday, November 3rd. The enemy had been firing tremendously all
night, and this day an attack was expected, so all were ordered to
remain at their posts; Charlie, therefore, could not come to me. I got
Capt. W---- to escort me over to his post, and spent a very pleasant
morning with him; I making a cloth jacket. Charlie went with his men
for a few minutes to help to put up the semaphore intended for the
Residency to telegraph with Allum Bagh; the enemy sent a number of
round shot and shell in, during the evening and night.
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