The fortitude of the beleaguered garrison was the
admiration of the world. The women nursed the wounded and performed
every womanly duty with self-sacrificing heroism; and when the fight was
over they received the well-merited thanks of Her Majesty Queen
Victoria.
During four long months the garrison had known nothing of what was going
on in the outer world. They were aware of the advance and retreat of
Havelock, and that was all. At last, on September 23d, they heard the
booming of the guns at the Alumbagh. On the morning of the 25th they
could see something of the growing excitement in the city; the people
abandoning their houses and flying across the river. Still the guns of
the rebels kept up a heavy cannonade upon the residency, and volleys of
musketry continued to pour upon the besieged from the loopholes of the
besiegers. But soon the firing was heard from the city; the welcome
sounds came nearer and nearer. The excitement of the garrison grew
beyond control. Presently the relieving force was seen fighting its way
toward the residency.
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