While we were rejoicing at the prospect of being reinforced by a large number of British soldiers, a gloom was cast over the whole camp by the rumour that Sir Henry Lawrence was dead.  As the first British Ruler of the Punjab, Henry Lawrence was known by reputation to, and respected by, every man belonging to the Delhi Force, and all realized what a serious loss his death would be to the beleaguered garrison of Lucknow.  Much time, however, was not given us for lamentation, for at the end of the first week in August another attempt was made to drive us from the Metcalfe House piquets.  Guns were again brought out through the Kashmir gate, and posted at Ludlow Castle and the Kudsiabagh; at the same time a number of Infantry skirmishers kept up an almost constant fire from the jungle in front of our position.  The losses at the piquets themselves were not heavy, good cover having been provided; but the communications between the piquets and our main position were much exposed and extremely hazardous for the reliefs.  It was felt that the enemy could not be allowed to remain in such close proximity to our outposts, and Showers (who had recovered from his slight wound) was again ordered to drive them off, for which purpose he was given a strong body of Infantry, composed of Europeans, Sikhs, and Gurkhas, a troop of Horse Artillery, a squadron of the 9th Lancers, and the Guides Cavalry.  The result was a very brilliant little affair.  The orders on this occasion were to ’move up silently and take the guns at Ludlow Castle.’  The small column proceeded in the deepest silence, and the first sound heard at dawn on the 12th August was the challenge of the enemy’s sentry, ‘Ho come dar?’ (Who comes there?).  A bullet in his body was the reply.  A volley of musketry followed, and effectually awoke the sleeping foe, who succeeded in letting off two of their guns as our men rushed on the battery.  An Irish soldier, named Reegan, springing forward, prevented the discharge of the third gun.  He bayoneted the gunner in the act of applying the port-fire, and was himself severely wounded.  The rebel Artillerymen stood to their guns splendidly, and fought till they were all killed.  The enemy’s loss was severe; some 250 men were killed, and four guns were captured.  On our side 1 officer and 19 men were killed, 7 officers and 85 men wounded, and 5 men missing.  Amongst the wounded was the gallant Commander of the column, and that fine soldier, Major John Coke, the Commandant of the 1st Punjab Infantry.  The return to camp was a stirring sight:  the captured guns were brought home in triumph, pushed along by the soldiers, all madly cheering, and the horses ridden by men carrying their muskets with bayonets fixed.

The following morning the Punjab Movable Column arrived.  Nicholson had preceded it by a few days, and from him I heard all about his fight with the Sialkot mutineers at Trimmu Ghat and the various marches and counter-marches which he had made since I left him at Philour.