although all mourned the fiery Hodson[1], who here fell mortally wounded, shot by an unseen foe, whilst he and others were searching in the Palace for lurking rebels. On this day also the Secundra Bágh, the Sháh Najaf, and other strongholds of the enemy, fell into our hands. At length on March 14th, 1858, when the Engineers under the gallant Napier had completed their dangerous work of sapping through the houses in the line of the enemy's fire. General Franks was ordered to attack the Kaisar Bágh and Imámbára. These buildings were rightly considered to be the keystones of the enemy's position, and they were stormed with such vigour and success that before night Lucknow had virtually fallen into our hands.
In this operation the 20th Regiment, now the Lancashire Fusileers (supported by some companies of the 38th Regiment), bore an honourable part. In a desperate hand to hand struggle a strong position called the Engine-house was taken by these gallant men under Major (now Sir Pollexfen) Radcliffe, with a loss to the enemy of some 350 men. The fact deserves special mention, since for some unaccountable reason this and other services were left unnoticed in public despatches, and some surprise was felt in the army at the omission[2]. The 20th Regiment had the
- ↑ 'The whole army,' Sir Colin wrote to Hodson's widow, 'which admired his talents, his bravery, and his military skill, deplored his loss, and sympathised with her in her irreparable bereavement.'
- ↑ It was characteristic of Sir Colin Campbell that here and elsewhere, while drawing special attention to the service of High-
