File:P04. Mr. Gubbins's House (cropped).jpg

English: Plate 4. Mr. Gubbins's House.

This sketch illustrates Mr. Gubbins’s house, the private residence of the ‘Financial Commissioner of Oude. It was. a critical and important position, and was heavily cannonaded by the enemy, as its ruined condition testifies. The garden all round it, too, was commanded by houses, from which the insurgents kept up a very destructive fire of musketry. It was at this post that the enemy exploded a mine, on the day of their last assault on the place. They then came desperately on to the attack with scaling-ladders, and for a moment actually gained a footing within an embrasure, from which, however, they were speedily, dislodged by -the bayonets of the 32nd Foot. It was here that the popular and gallant Lieutenant Fulton, of the Engineers, was killed by a round shot, while reconnoitring the enemy’s position through one of the embrasures. It was at a loophole here, too, where that’ true gentleman and soldier, Major Banks, received a ball through his brain. The house itself was no less exposed; for in one of its most sheltered rooms Mrs. Horin, a poor lady who had escaped from the horrors of Seetapore, and reached Lucknow in a native dress, was shot dead on the spot; and Dr. Brydon received a bullet through his back, while sitting with the rest of the garrison at dinner, with a lady on either side of him. The post was commanded by Major Apthorpe, of the 41st regiment Native Infantry. The garrison, however, were the guests of Mr. Gubbins; and many sick and wounded officers still survive, who will testify with me to the hospitality of their gallant host, and their kind hostess, Mrs. Gubbins.

Sketches & Incidents of the Siege of Lucknow. From Drawings Made during the Siege, by Clifford Henry Mecham, Lieutenant Madras Army, with descriptive notices by George Couper, esq. late secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Oude. First edition, tinted lithographed title with vignette, 27 views on 17 tinted lithographed plates, folio, Day & Son, published 1 Oct 1858.