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THE NORTHERN OPERATIONS
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the garrison to a place of safety. But the difficulties in the way were so insuperable that they resolved, after much anxious deliberation, to remain there until the Commander-in-Chief could come to the rescue. The relieving force had now indeed to share with the original garrison the perils and hardships of an investment. It was virtually a blockade. But the position, extended by the seizure of certain palaces on the banks of the river, was successfully held in communication with the small force at the Alambágh during the many anxious days which intervened between the 25th of September and the long delayed relief by the Commander-in-Chief on the 27th of November following. The original garrison of the Residency was 1692 strong, of whom 937 were Europeans and 765 natives. It lost in killed 350 Europeans and 133 natives, while of the latter 230 deserted, making a total loss of 713. There remained of the original garrison, when relieved by Havelock, a total number of 979, of whom 577 were Europeans and 402 natives.

The following quotation from a despatch by Sir James Outram gives some idea of the nature and extent of the operations carried on during the second siege of Lucknow: — 'I am aware of no parallel to our series of mines in modern war; twenty-one shafts, aggregating 200 feet in depth, and 3291 feet of gallery, have been executed. The enemy advanced twenty mines against the palaces and outposts; of these they exploded three which caused us loss of life, and three