File:P06. Front view of the Residency.jpg

English: Plate 6. Front view of the Residency.

This is a representation of the front of the Residency; the principal entrance to which was under the portico in the centre of the building. I have endeavoured to convey as shattered an appearance as possible to the poor old ruin yet every one who has seen the original, tells me that the sketch fails to give an accurate notion of the condition to which it was reduced by shells, round shot, and musketry. That edifice to the left of the picture is the Tai Khana, the underground portion of which was the safest place in the position, and here lay the women and children of Her Majesty’s 32nd Foot. It was in the upper story of this building that poor Miss Palmer, the daughter of Colonel Palmer, of the 48th regiment Native Infantry, was killed by a round shot. It was always a matter of danger to go to the Residency, as bullets flew over the compound from all sides; and it was across the piece of ground between the portico and the Tai Khana gate that the enemy rained their heaviest fire at the commencement of the siege. The moment a man left the entrance-pillars he became visible, and from thence, until he reached the gateway, he led the life of a rabbit. But even then his troubles were not over. A road had still to be traversed, across which the fire was hotter than ever. The enemy could see their victim the whole way, and it was not uncommon for a portly individual, fat and scant of breath,” to pause for shelter at the gateway to recover wind, preparatory to making his final dart across the road. While so occupied, the enemy ceased firing; but the instant he made his bolt, he was received with a storm of bullets. This game must doubtless have been the source of much amusement and excitement to our rascally foes; but to a man whose duty, in the early days, called him frequently to the Residency, it was the reverse of pleasant, although undeniably exciting. On the highest turret to the left was placed the telegraph, with which we conducted our communications with the Allum Bagh. It was on the top of this building that a telegraph was constructed before the siege, to correspond with our other post, the Mucchee Bhawn, which was blown up the second day after we were invested. Not, however, before the officers and men who worked the telegraph had formed a pretty good idea of the fate which would have been theirs had that means of communication been kept up; as the fire of the enemy was so close and severe upon the machine, which they regarded as some piece of necromancy on the part of the Europeans, that the ropes, were actually severed in several places by bullets.

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.