After the beginning of the Indian Mutiny at Meerut on 10 May 1857, Governor Henry Lawrence began preparing for a siege in the nearby city of Lucknow; he amassed a large number of men and supplies, as well as civilians from nearby who feared being killed. The siege itself began seven weeks later, with more than 8,000 mutineers surrounding Lucknow. In spite of superior enemy forces as well as widespread disease, the city’s defenders consistently held out. Major-General Henry Havelock quickly moved to relieve Lucknow, recapturing Cawnpore – site of the infamous Bibighar massacre – on the way. After crossing the Ganges, his force encountered mutineers at Oonao on 29 July. One of the units taking part in this relief effort was the 78th Regiment of Foot; as they moved on Oonao, heavy fire from a well-placed house was inflicting heavy losses. Undeterred, an advance party led by Lieutenant Andrew Bogle charged forward and captured the house. Lieutenant Bogle, although badly wounded, would survive and become the first man of his distinguished Regiment to receive the VC. The action at Oonao had ended successfully for General Havelock’s force; however, forces more powerful than mutineers – namely heat and disease – would soon stop him. The troops and civilians besieged at Lucknow would have to wait for almost two more months.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 02:55:56 +0000
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