Page 70 - Wish Stream Year of 2016
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Only an open space of 450 yards now separated the two forces.
Within the besieged Residency, Havelock and Outram completed their preparations to link up with Campbell’s column. The Moti Mahal, (a small royal palace), the last major position that separated the two British forces, was cleared by charges from Campbell’s column.
Only an open space of 450 yards now sepa- rated the two forces. Outram, Havelock and some other of cers ran across the space to con- fer with Campbell, before returning. Stubborn resistance continued as the sepoys defended their remaining positions, but repeated efforts by the British cleared these last pockets of resist- ance. The second relief column had reached the Residency.
To secure the British position, Outram and Have- lock both recommended storming the Kaisar- bagh (Qaiserbagh) Palace, the enormous royal palace complex built by the last Nawab before he was exiled. Campbell knew that other rebel forces were threatening Cawnpore and other cit- ies held by the British, and he ordered Lucknow to be abandoned. The evacuation began on
The Residency now – front of the main Residence, showing the main entrance portico (this part of the building is more or less intact and now houses a museum with exhibits from the siege). Some of the artillery
pieces used by the British are included in the photo
The Residency now – part of the Treasury building, used during the siege as an armoury for the manufacture of ammunition/cartridges etc
19th November. While Campbell’s artillery bom- barded the Kaisarbagh to deceive the rebels that an assault on it was imminent, canvas screens were erected to shield the open space from the rebels’ view. The women, children and sick and wounded made their way out of the Residency under cover of these screens, some in a variety of carriages or on litters, others on foot. Over the next two days, Outram spiked his guns and withdrew after them.
Shortly after leaving the Residency, Havelock died (of a sudden attack of dysentery) on 24th November. The entire army and convoy now
68 SANDHURST