On the morning of September 27th, when the rearguard was brought into the Residency, there was a serious and deplorable misadventure. Certain 'doolis' carrying wounded men were taken by mistake into a courtyard occupied by the enemy, afterwards known as 'Dooli Square,' and some forty wounded men were ruthlessly murdered by the rebels. The total loss sustained by the relieving force on the march to Lucknow, and in fighting its way into the Residency, amounted to not less than 31 officers and 540 men killed, wounded, and missing.
Once fairly in the Residency enclosure, the long pent-up feelings of anxiety and suspense endured by the garrison are said by an eye-witness to have burst forth in a succession of deafening cheers. It was a moment never to be forgotten. The delight of the gallant Highlanders (the 78th) who had fought twelve actions to enjoy that supreme moment of ecstasy, and who in the last few days had lost a third of their numbers, knew no bounds. As Outram and Havelock entered Fayrer's house, the 'rough-bearded warriors shook the ladies by the hand and took the children up in their arms; anxious questions were asked, actions were fought over again, news were retailed from one to another, and satisfaction and joy filled all hearts.'
With the arrival of Havelock's relieving force, the siege of the Lucknow Residency, properly so called, terminated. The two generals had entered the entrenchment with the determination of withdrawing
