Ganges for Lucknow, with better chances of success than before; and, pushing on in the teeth of vigorous opposition, occupied the Alambágh, four miles from the city, three days later. Here was received, with great rejoicing by the force, the news of the fall of Delhi; while 'the guns of the defenders of the Residency, answering those of the besiegers, made it known that all was still well with them.' Leaving the sick and wounded in the Alambágh under a strong guard, the force moved on Lucknow on the morning of the 25th of September in two brigades, the first under Outram and the second under Havelock. It was decided to cross the Chárbágh bridge, then to go eastward along a lane skirting the canal, and, finally, northwards to the east side of the Residency. The bridge was found to be strongly defended by guns, while a sharp musketry fire was poured from the adjoining houses. But the position was gallantly taken by the Madras Fusileers, serving in the brigade under Neill, and Lucknow was entered[1].
At length, amid an incessant storm of shot, in which the gallant Neill fell mortally wounded, the troops reached the Residency and entered the entrenchment, after a series of operations which were as difficult as they were creditable to all concerned.
- ↑ For a detailed, and graphic description, see Malleson, vol. i. pp. 536 et seq. In all these and other operations, 'Billy' (now Sir William) Olpherts, took a distinguished part. 'Believe me, my dear heroic Olpherts,' wrote Outram to him on the 28th of March, 1858, 'bravery is a poor and insufficient term to apply to a valour such as yours.'
