Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/368

334 tached the 5th Brigade, under Russell, to seize Banks's house and four bungalows close to the Barracks, and to convert them into military posts. By this process his left rear would be secured, and his retirement with the impedimenta from the Residency made safe. He then proceeded to cannonade the mess-house.

No sooner had the musketry fire of the enemy been completely silenced than the order to storm was given. This feat of arms was most gallantly achieved by Captain Hopkins of the 53d — one of the bravest men that ever lived, a man who literally revelled in danger — who carried the place with a rush. He had just reached the entrance when Roberts, now the Commander-in-Chief in India, handed him a Union Jack, and requested him to hoist it on one of the turrets. Hopkins, assisted by one of his men, did this twice in succession. Twice was the Jack shot down. Hopkins was about to hoist it the third time when he received an order from Sir Colin to desist. The flag was attracting too earnestly the attention of the enemy. In an equally gallant manner Captain Garnet Wolseley had carried the houses to the right of the mess-house, and pushing on his enterprise, had stormed the Motí Mahall. It was a great feat.

An open space, nearly half a mile in width, still intervened between the assailants and the advanced posts of Outram and Havelock. On this space the fire of the guns from the Kaisarbágh played with unintermitting fury. To cross it was to run a great risk. But in those days risks when an object was to be gained were not considered. Outram, Havelock, Napier, Vincent Eyre,