Page:The tourist's guide to Lucknow.djvu/99

Rh Residency. This was the shortest available; but it was strongly defended. Progress here could only be attempted as a last resort."

"The second road involved a detour to the right by the Dilkusha Palace, whence troops might advance, by a circuitous route on the right bank of the Gumti, or, crossing the Gumti, might march along its left bank to an advantageous site nearly facing the Residency."

"The latter project had commended itself to General Havelock, not only as a means of avoiding the strong positions taken up by the enemy in the streets and outlying buildings of the city, but also because it seemed to present facilities for withdrawing the occupants of the Residency to the north side of the river. But, setting aside discussion on other grounds, the season was unfavourable to this movement. Incessant rain had thoroughly soaked the earth and its effects would be felt for too long a period to admit of delaying the advance. A reconnaissance made resulted in the decision that it was impossible to move even the light field pieces across the country. This opinion was adopted, and the proposal consequently abandoned."

"The third plan was a kind of compromise, and pointed to a middle course between the other two. It was to force a passage across the Charbagh bridge, thence to turn to the right and move along the bank of the canal, for nearly two miles, to the bridge on the direct road to Dilkusha Palace, from which point a rectangular sweep of about three miles might be made. At the Charbagh bridge was the first severe opposition. The bridge was taken, the adjacent houses were stormed, and the 78th Highlanders were directed to occupy them until all the troops and baggage had passed, and then to follow, protecting the rear. The main body advanced by the canal; on reaching the bridge east of Bank's house, (now Government House), it turned to the left towards the 32nd barracks (Lawrence Terrace); thence towards the Sikander Bagh, Shah Najaf, and Moti Mahal. Between the Charbagh bridge and the Moti Mahal the force met with very slight opposition. Butat the Moti Mahal and the farther advanced posts, it came under a strong fire from the Khursheid Munzil and the Kaiser Bagh. It was from the Moti Mahal that the real contest began; and this was continued with deadly vigour for about three-quarters of a mile, or the whole remaining distance to the Residency. The shelter afforded by the deserted buildings of the Chutter Munzil Palace, allowed a lull to take place in the busy proceedings of that eventful day."