| Description | William has just met [Richard Vicars] Boyle, the engineer who defended Arrah by fortifying a house there. His wife [Eleanor Anne Boyle] is also there, proud of his heroic conduct. William describes Boyle as 'properly modest'. Alick will have read about the siege in the newspapers, so William promises to fill in the details. On their arrival, the Sikh defenders had only 30 rounds of ammunition to a man, the Europeans had quantities of powder, ball and caps. The engagement is described, including the use of a small cannon by the defenders, blazing away 'brass ornaments of the chairs and tables for want of balls'. The attackers did damage to the house with iron cannon balls made in the village, and in another week might have brought down a wall. He notes the attendance of the rebel leader Kunwar Singh and attempts to seduce the Sikhs to the cause. Their ammunition was short, then water, but they held firm. Boyle described their feelings at hearing the firing from the ambush of the relief party from Dinapoor [Dinapur]. [Charles] Dunbar who commanded the party lost his life but was unfit for command and William gives details of the losses incurred by the 10th and 35th Regiments, including attempts to reach boats, which were set on fire. This must have made [Vincent] Eyre's victory more difficult and the besieged could not hear his approach properly as the wind was strongly in another direction. The small garrison decided on a sally and found a suspected mine, which had reached very near to the house. The garrison could have held out another week, although the Sikhs were very averse to the defence, their Jemander wishing to cut his way through the besiegers. William concludes the letter by asking if Alick has time for photography. |