September 7th.—The enemy were unusually quietwith their cannon this morning, contenting themselves with mining, while we as busily endeavoured to countermine them. An unusual commotion among them: large numbers crossing and re-crossing the bridge of boats; and about 11A.M.a regiment, with colours, and band playing, and about 1000 matchlockmen, passed from right to left of our position. About 5000 men passed during the afternoon from right to left; many of them seemed as though they had marched in from a distance. Heavy showers during the afternoon; the garrison constantly wet.
Our miners, both European and native, were greatly done up with their day and night exertions, which were absolutely requisite for our preservation. In all these operations the Seikhs and Hindoostanee sepoys worked remarkably well.
September 8th.—Captain Simons of the Artillery, who had been long suffering from his wounds, died early this morning. A tolerable cannonade kept up all night. The enemy had now completed a breach in the wall enclosing the courtyard of the Martiniere School, broad enough for four or five mento pass through abreast, and which we were obliged to retrench and stockade. Nearly one-half of the officers were on the sick list, with fever and dysentery.
The shot fired in by the enemy were yesterday collected, and 280 round shot, varying in size from a 24 to a 3-pounder, were gathered from the roof of the brigade-mess alone! In the evening we had heavy rain and a moderate cannonade.