June 23rd.—Two men executed this morning at the Muchee Bhawun,—the one a mutineer (a naick of the 71st Native Infantry), the othera man who had, on the night of the mutiny, threatened the life of Mr. Yarbury, a merchant.
A large battery traced out, looking to the westward. It was to consist of at least two heavy guns, and to be raised so as to bombard the town in that direction. A considerable amount of labour would have been required to raise it to the necessary elevation. Altogether it was the most extensive work of the kind we had yet undertaken. An 8-inch howitzer, which had been discovered with the other guns at the Seesh Muhal, was mounted and placed in the Redan battery.
Captain Radcliffe's troop of volunteers, numbering forty sabres, were drilled and exercised daily; and now that the majority of the Irregular Cavalry had deserted, and the remainder were not considered trustworthy, the troops supplied two mounted orderlies every morning to escort Sir Henry Lawrence into the city.
The commanding officer of the 71st Regiment Native Infantry reported the remnant of the Seikhs of his regiment (about twenty men, who had remained true on the night of theémeute) as being in aninsubordinate state, and no longer to be trusted. Sir Henry Lawrence desired them to be sent to him, and spoke to them. They had asked for their discharge before, and had very precipitately been disarmed by their commanding officer, without sufficient authority. After being spoken to by the Brigadier-General, they professed themselves quite willing to continue their services: they were taken at their word, their arms restored, and were kept at the Residency under the command of an officer.
A letter was received yesterday from Cawnpore, written under the direction of General Sir H. M. Wheeler, K.C.B., giving very bad news indeed. It stated that the enemy shelled them for the last eight days, which had had fearful effect within their crowded trenches, and one third of their number had been killed.
In the meantime, the Muchee Bhawun garrison had not been idle at their defences, and Sir Henry was constant in his visits there, as well as to the Seesh Muhal, and Dowlut Khana. On the westward side of the Muchee Bhawun, a heavy tower was commenced; a work of great labour, from which a flanking fire could be given. In the vicinity ofthe fort, as at the Residency, houses were unroofed, and walls pulled down, so as to leave as little shelter as we could. Magazines were constructed, and the powder placed in safety.