File:P09. The Baillie Guard Battery and Hospital.jpg

English: Plate 9. The Baillie Guard Battery and Hospital.

This is the best obtainable view of the Hospital,— that large building on the right of the picture. It lies between the Residency and the Baillie Guard gateway, not fifty yards distant from either, and consequently it was impossible to make a more prominent sketch of this scene of Christian endurance of every trial which it has pleased the Author of all Good to inflict upon frail humanity. It was in itself a most dangerous position. Round shot and shell crashed into it from all sides, and the upper story, the only portion visible in the sketch, was in a few days rendered entirely untenable. Into the basement rooms, therefore, were crammed, to languish and die amid all the miseries engendered by wounds, disease, foul atmosphere, and confinement, the devoted sick and wounded of our feeble garrison ; and even the lower story was not secure from round shot and musketry. The sufferers were constantly shot on their beds. In fact, there was no spot, either in this sanctuary or throughout the entire defences, where a dying soldier or an ailing woman or child could feel an instant security. It was an affecting scene to walk through this Hospital. The poor soldiers, and other wounded combatants, destitute as they were of everything that renders pain and disease endurable, were so patient and cheerful under their agony and afflictions, which the pitying beholder could only, sympathize with, while powerless to alleviate. All ranks, from the general to the soldier, were animated with the same feelings. All were bound to die— and all felt that they were bound to die—for the helpless women and children intrusted to their care. Ho murmur, no grumbling was ever heard. If there was any complaint, it was that the sufferer had been incapacitated from taking further part in the desperate and holy struggle. If there was any expression of regret, it was that his fall had entailed additional duty upon his remaining comrades. The example of Miss Nightingale in the Crimea was not inaptly followed by the women of Lucknow, some of whom devoted themselves entirely to the holy duty of nursing the suffering soldiery.

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.