July 23rd.—Very heavy rain during the night. About 2A.M.the enemy sounded the "turn out," and at 3 the "assembly." About 1A.M.a native pensioner, who left us on the 27th to gain information, came in, and said he had been confined by the enemy thirteen days, but had been to Cawnpore and left it two days ago,—that a British force with twelve guns was there; that they had fought three times with the Nana's troops, and had completely beaten them, taking many guns, and that they were crossing the river preparatory to advancing to our assistance. He stated that he had not brought a letter, for fear of being detained by the enemy; he vouched to the truth of his statement, declined a pecuniary reward, and was urgent to go back quickly while it rained heavily and all was quiet comparatively. He left in two hours, taking a small note for the officer commanding the forces.
At daylight there were fewer of the enemy than we had yet seen about, and those less active; though they still fired smartly all around. Stench from dead animals in some parts dreadful; as we had very few servants of any kind and our fighting men were so few and so harassed, that we were helpless to bury them. Heavy showers both day and night, keeping the garrison constantly drenched to the skin, and making all most uncomfortable; particularly as few had a change of clothes. Enemy fired slackly during the afternoon. Cannonaded their bridge of boats, which was broken by our 18-pounder shot. Several cases of smallpox. Sick and wounded much crowded. The upper story of the hospital being under fire of round shot, the wounded were, from the commencement of the siege, confined to the ground floor, which with difficulty contained their beds. At night it rained hard; and in spite of all difficulties, we succeeded in getting up the remaining ninety barrels of powder, and safely deposited them in the centre of our position. A false alarm about 12 o'clock at night, that the enemy had got into the churchyard.