Durwaza. At the angle stood the racquet court, filled with bhoosa, which, in the rains, became so saturated that it pushed down the walls, crushing a score, or so, of much valued cattle on which the garrison depended for fresh meat.
W.—SHEEP-HOUSE.
This row of out-houses was used by the Commissariat Department as a depot for the safe custody of sheep, preparatory to their removal to the slaughter-house adjacent. Many Native Christians resided in the servants' rooms in this square, and used sometimes to desert over the outer wall towards Golaganj. As, however, the enemy invariably executed all Christians, the rest thought it wiser to remain on half rations than court inevitable death at their hands by desertion.
The sheep and slaughter-houses were defended by Uncovenanted Civilians, under the command of Captain Boileau, 7th Light Cavalry.
Sheep-House Battery was begun, about the 12th September, at the end of the lane between the sheep-yard and the slaughter-yard, to flank and protect that front. After a few days the work was suspended, and then resumed about the 7th October, but the battery was never brought into use.
X.—CHURCH.
This was a Gothic building, erected in the year 1810. It was converted into store-rooms for grain, but was afterwards found too much exposed, and Volunteer fatigue parties had to be obtained for the removal of the grain, oil,. ghee, &c., which was a service of great danger, as the enemy was in possession of the native houses in close proximity to the Church on the west side. The opening through which the stores were removed is still to be seen in the east wall of the chancel.
At the gate to the east was a mortar battery to shell the whole of the western and northern buildings as far as the Iron and Stone, Bridges. Near the entrance to the Church, upon the road, was placed a battery of three guns, one 18-pounder and two 9-pounders, which, from having been commanded during the siege by Captain Evans, the Deputy Commissioner of Poorwah, was known as Evans' Battery.
The Church had no garrison in it, as the ground. before it left it so liable to a surprise. This was the weakest point in the whole defence, and one which caused the greatest anxiety to Brigadier Inglis. It was undercover of this build
