From The Char Bagh Bridge to the Moti Mahal, Lucknow, India 25 September 1857

25 September 1857

After 78th Regiment had routed the mutineers approaching from the south along the Cawnpore Road and captured their two guns, it crossed over the Char Bagh Bridge to follow the main column. However, contact was lost and instead of continuing north to the Secunderabagh, the 78th turned west along the Huzerutgunge (Hazratganj) where it came under heavy attack. When the officers carrying the Colours were wounded, Assistant Surgeon V M McMaster seized the Colours and rushed forward. The 78th emerged near the Kaisarbagh Palace where it met the main column coming from between the Moti Mahal and the Mess House. As the relieving force approached the Residency, Lieutenant R H M Aitken VC and a party of the 13th Bengal Native Infantry sallied out of the Baillie Guard Gate to meet them. Aitken then went on to attack the Teree Kotee. The majority of the wounded were left with Colonel Campbell by the Moti Mahal Palace. The enemy attacked him there and on the following day reinforcements were sent to assist him (Private T Duffy VC). That day the wounded were brought into the Residency, though many were killed during the massacre at ‘Dooly Square’.