September 4th.—The usual cannon and musketry throughout the night, which greatly increased afterdaylight, but gradually subsided after 9A.M.into a few solitary discharges of cannon. The outer wall of the mess house was greatly injured by the constant firing from the enemy's guns, although it was of great solidity. Between 9 and 10A.M.an unusual commotion was observable in the town, and the streets were much crowded, for which we were unable to account; whatever it was, the crowd gradually dispersed, and by 11A.M.all was tranquil, and the enemy's guards were relieved as usual at that hour.
Towards the middle of the day there was very little firing from the enemy: they could be distinctly heard in three of our listening galleries, sapping steadily towards us. A 32nd soldier was severely contused to-day by a round shot, while on duty in the Cawnpore battery, and another wounded by a musket-ball. About 4·30P.M.Major Bruère, commanding the 13th Regiment Native Infantry, went on the top of the brigade mess to endeavour to pick off some of the enemy's gunners. Unfortunately, in his anxiety to get a shot at some riflemen, he somewhat unnecessarily exposed himself, and washit by a rifle-ball through the chest, which almost immediately proved fatal. His death was very greatly lamented by the sepoys of the 13th, with whom he was very popular: they insisted on carrying his remains to the grave, and his funeral was attended by all the men of the 13th who could be permitted to leave their trenches. The eighteen-pounder battery made by the sepoys of the 13th, was now nearly completed, and was sixteen feet thick, besides the wall in front; the eighteen-pounder intended for it was got down, and put in position. The enemy were evidently aware of what we were about, as two shells fell quite close; one just inside, and the other outside the new battery.
The outer wall and buildings on the top of the mess house fell in this evening, with a great crash, consequent on the outer wall having been completely breached; fortunately no one was hurt, and several ladies and children still clung to the inner rooms for shelter, preferring the chance of a round shot or musket-ball to the fetid close atmosphere of an already overcrowded hovel in the interior of our position;which, after all, was perhaps hardly any safer from the fire of the enemy.