File:P07. The Church (cropped).jpg

English: Plate 7. St Mary's Church and part of the Residency Cemetery

This is a view of the Church, and that portion of the enclosure where so many of the kindest, bravest, and most devoted hearts that ever beat in human bosoms now rest from their labours. Here lies Lawrence, and near him sleeps the gentle and good Polehampton, who, by his patient and calm endurance of the most dire sufferings under wounds and cholera, illustrated the truth of those divine doctrines which he was wont so earnestly and so eloquently to set forth from the pulpit of the building close to which he reposes. Here, too, in the same grave with two brave privates of the 32nd Foot, lies Banks, who, during the brief period he held the office bequeathed to him by Sir Henry Lawrence, had won the respect and regard of every man in the garrison. Here slumber many women, and more children, brought to an untimely end by wounds, disease, and privation, all of which were borne with a resignation so touching, that it aggravated the grief of the sad witnesses of so much innocent suffering. There are few surviving members of the garrison who have not lost a child, or been made widows, widowers, or orphans, during this long season of almost unparalleled misery. Many men fell in the churchyard itself, which was a most exposed position. That loopholed wall on the right was held by the enemy, and overlooked the Church, at a distance of little more than a hundred yards. The consequence was, that men passing through the compound on their way to other positions, were subjected to a galling fire of musketry, which occasionally, especially during an attack, was very severe and destructive. Prior to. the siege, the Church had been turned into a magazine for the reception of commissariat stores. After the fight had commenced, however, it was found impossible to continue it as such, owing to the loss inflicted by the enemy upon the officers and men while dealing out the provisions. The greater part of its contents were consequently removed at night by fatigue parties, composed principally of officers from the Brigade Mess garrison. This harassing and dangerous duty, owing to the hearty good-will and readiness with which it was undertaken and carried out by the amateur coolies, became the source of much merriment. The chief difficulty was experienced in removing the oil, which was stowed away in jars almost as large as those in which Morgiana buried her forty thieves, and under one of which an officer might be seen staggering, stripped to the waist, and with the oil and perspiration pouring down his gasping cheeks, who only a month before had perhaps been the greatest “ swell” in his regiment.

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.