Page:The tourist's guide to Lucknow.djvu/51

Rh the 29th June news was received from the scouts, that the enemy's advance-guard of about 600 men had arrived at Chinhut, a large village within seven miles of the Residency, on the Fyzabad road, and situated on the banks of a very extensive jheel, or lake, close to which stood a hunting lodge* of the former Kings of Oudh. Upon this being reported to Sir Henry he ordered out a reconnoitring party of Sikh Cavalry, who confirmed the report given by the scouts. Sir Henry resolved to attack the enemy next day, and, with this object, he withdrew the troops from Mariáon Cantonments into the Residency and Machhi Bhawan at sunset of the same day. Early on the morning of the 30th he marched out to oppose the enemy's advance with the following force :--

4 Guns of 4th Company, 1st. Battalion Bengal Artillery

(now No. 22 Field Battery, R. A.), under

Lt. F. J. Cunliffe.

4 Guns of Lt. Alexander's O. I Battery.

2,, of Ashe's O. I. Battery under Lt. Bryce.

1 eight-inch howitzer, under Lt. Bonham.

Major Simons in command of the whole.

Radcliffe's European Volunteers, numbering 36 sabres.

The Sikh Cavalry, under Captains H. Forbes and G.

Hardinge, about 80 sabres.

H. M's 32nd Foot     .. ... 300

13th N. I., under Major Bruce 48th N. I., under Colonel Palmer 71st N. I., Sikhs, under Lt. Birch 300 150 .. 50 20

56. This small force was under the command of Sir Henry Lawrence in person, accompanied by Brigadier Ing. lis, an the whole body moved on confident of success. The troops, misled by the reports of wayfarers who stated that there were few or no men between Lucknow and Chin- hut, proceeded somewhat further than had been original- ly intended and suddenly fell in with the enemy, who had, up to that time, eluded the vigilance of the advance-guard by concealing themselves, in overwhelming numbers, be- hind a thick mango-grove on the near side of Chinhut. The enemy, fifteen thousand strong, with six batteries of guns of various calibre, was found drawn up right in front of the (1775-97). Owing to its dilapidated condition, it was razed and the materials so by auction, on 17th July, 1891.
 * This chateau was built in the reign of King Asuf-ud-daulah