' order,' in which, while heartily commend- | re-formed in great force-infantry, guns, ing his men who had won his battles for and cavalry on the plain. The signal him, he reminded them that their work for attack was at once given, and the enemy was only begun. 'Soldiers,' he said, 'your were put to flight and their guns taken. General is satisfied, and more than satisfied with you. He has never seen steadier or more devoted troops. Between the 7th and the 16th you have under the Indian sun of July marched 126 miles and fought four actions. Your comrades at Lucknow,' he added, 'are in peril; Agra is besieged; Delhi is still the focus of mutiny and rebellion. You must make great sacrifices, if you would obtain great results. Three cities have to be saved; two strong places to be disblockaded. Your General is confident that he can accomplish all these things and restore this part of India to tranquillity, if you only second him with your efforts, and if your discipline is equal to your valour.'

Leaving Cawnpore in charge of General Neill with 300 men, Havelock crossed the Ganges on the 25th of July and advanced towards Lucknow. He found the whole country in arms against the British Government. The landowners and the court of the deposed king had made common cause with the revolted Sepoys, in their efforts to destroy the power that had deprived them of their independence. On the 28th Havelock came up with the rebels, and defeated them in two engagements. Next day, on reaching the town of Oonao, he found it defended by an insurgent army 10,000 strong, including a portion of Nana Sahib's force. Their position was strongly intrenched; in fact, it was protected by a garden inclosure and a village, the houses of which were loopholed, while a swamp on the right and the flooded state of the country on the left made it impossible for the position to be turned. An attack in front was therefore inevitable. After an obsti- | nate resistance, the inclosure and the village were carried by our troops at the point of the bayonet, and the guns captured. But in debouching on the place by a narrow passage which ran between the village and the town, they found the enemy rallied and

After a halt of three hours the indefatigable and victorious commander pushed on towards Busherut Gunge, a walled town with wet ditches, protected in the rear by a broad and deep inundation. The position, however, was turned by our troops, the earthworks carried in a rush, and the town. captured. But though thus victorious in every engagement, Havelock now found to his great vexation that further progress was for the present impracticable. A body of the rebels, 25,000 strong, was posted in an intrenched position in his front; cholera had broken out in his small force, which had been already reduced by incessant combats. It now numbered less than 900 men. In a communication which he made at this time to the Commander-in-Chief, he said the enemy was in such force at Lucknow that to encounter him at five marches from that position would be to court annihilation. In these circumstances, being satisfied that it was impossible to penetrate the dense masses of the insurgents, Havelock deemed it incumbent upon him to pause in his victorious career, and to fall back upon Cawnpore. He accordingly returned to Mungalwar, which is about 6 miles from the Oude bank of the Ganges opposite to Cawnpore. Here he learned that the rebels, taking heart from his retreat, were following in his rear, and had reoccupied Busherut Gunge. He at once turned upon them, and defeated them with great slaughter. He then returned to his camp at Mungalwar, and made preparations to cross the Ganges. He had already sent across his baggage and spare ammunition, when he was informed that the rebels had a third time mustered in strong force at Busherut Gunge. He determined to strike another effective blow. Though the insurgents, about 4000 in number, had six fieldguns, and were strongly intrenched, the Highlanders, without firing a shot, rushed

with a cheer upon the principal redoubt, | drove them from their position, and capand captured two out of the three guns with which it was armed. The Fusiliers at the same time routed the enemy's left, and the whole line was speedily in full retreat, leaving 300 killed and wounded on the battle-field. Havelock then returned to his former position, and on the 12th and 13th of August the British troops crossed the Ganges to Cawnpore, worn out by fatigue, sickness, and constant exposure to the burning sun. But after resting for a couple of days, Havelock learned that a large body of the rebels had collected at Bithoor, and on the 16th of August, uniting his force with that of General Neill, he marched to give them battle. They were 4000 in number, and were posted with two guns in a position which Havelock described as one of the strongest he had ever seen. But after an obstinate engagement, in which the enemy lost 250 killed and wounded, he

tured their guns. The British loss was fourteen killed and thirty wounded. General Havelock said in his despatch, that if he had possessed cavalry not a mutineer could have reached Seorajpore, to which they retreated. The British column now took up its quarters at Cawnpore, there to await the arrival of reinforcements, without which it was utterly impossible to reach Lucknow and relieve the beleaguered garrison in the Residency there. Between the 12th of July and the 17th of August this heroic body of troops had encountered an enemy five times more numerous in no less than nine engagements, had defeated them on every occasion, and had captured in the field forty guns and had recovered sixty men. Such a series of gallant exploits forms one of the most brilliant episodes in the history of our Indian Empire, or indeed of our country.

CHAPTER XVII.

General state of Oude-Causes of inquietude-Harsh and unjust treatment of the nobles and great landholders— Misconduct of Commissioner Jackson-He is superseded and Sir Henry Lawrence appointed to succeed him-His defensive measures-Battle of Chinhut-Commencement of the siege-Death of Sir Henry Lawrence-Sufferings of the Garrison-Mining and Countermining-Death of Major Banks-Despatch of Brigadier Inglis-Havelock's preparations for the relief of Lucknow-He is joined by Sir James Outram, who continues Havelock in command -Advance of the relieving force-Defeat of the rebels-Capture of the Alumbagh-Death of General NeillHavelock forces his way through the city to the Residency-Joy of the Garrison-Sir James Outram assumes the command-Renewal of the Siege of Lucknow-Siege of Delhi-Position and defences of the city-Operations of the British troops-Attacks of the Sepoys-Death of General Barnard-General Reed, his successor, resigns the command to General Archdale Wilson-Arrival of Brigadier Nicholson-Colonel Baird Smith-Captain Alexander Taylor-Storming of Delhi-Nicholson mortally wounded-Gallant exploits-Flight and capture of the King-His sons seized and shot by Hodson-Death of Brigadier Nicholson-The column of pursuit.

On the outbreak of the mutiny the great- | British dominions, and little more than est anxiety was felt respecting the province one-fourth of them were enlisted in our of Oude, which little more than a year before had passed under the administration of the British. The general opinion seemed to be that, owing to the long misgovernment of its native rulers, who were sunk in the grossest voluptuousness and pollution, and the grievous oppression of the people by the agents of the Government and the Talookdars, its annexation had become a matter of necessity. But it was carried out in a manner most unjust and oppressive. The landowners were deprived of the greater part of their property, and many of them reduced to a state of abject poverty. Some women of high birth were obliged to sell their shawls and trinkets in order to save themselves from starvation; and Mr. Gubbins, the Financial Commissioner, admits that families which had never before been outside the Zenana had to go forth under cover of the darkness of night to beg their bread. The civilians let loose upon the newly acquired territory, in order to recommend themselves to the Government, strove to extract from the inhabitants the utmost possible amount of revenue, by imposing heavy taxes on the necessaries of life, which caused universal and intense dissatisfaction. The large native army which had been in the service of the King was necessarily disbanded when his territories were annexed to the

forces. Thus the dangerous classes in the country were swollen by the addition, not only of the ruined retainers of the Talookdars, but by upwards of 40,000 men trained to the use of arms and indignant at their loss of employment. Sir Henry Lawrence earnestly remonstrated against this system of wholesale confiscation and oppression, and warned the Governor-General of the danger which could not but arise from the harsh and often unjust proceedings of the Commissioners and their subordinates. His remonstrances and warnings, however, were unheeded, and Mr. Coverly Jackson, Mr. Robert M. Bird, and other officials of the same stamp, not only persisted in carrying out, with the utmost rigour, the 'Settlement' and the 'Resumption' which stripped the native gentry of their estates, but treated the unfortunate landowners with contumely and insult. Charges of the most serious nature were brought by the ex-King of Oude against the British officials in the provinces. It was affirmed,' says Sir John Kaye, 'that they had turned the stately palaces of Lucknow into stalls and kennels; that delicate women, the daughters and companions of kings, had been sent adrift helpless and homeless; that treasurehouses had been violently broken open and despoiled; that the private property of the royal family had been sent to the hammer;

and that other vile things had been done, | son was of opinion that no white troops very humiliating to the King's people, but were required in Oude, and so they had far more disgraceful to our own.'

In these critical circumstances it had The long-meditated revolt at length took become a matter of necessity to remove place on the 31st of May, accompanied by the officiating Commissioner' from a post the usual plunder and incendiarism, but for which he was so unfit, and Sir Henry owing to Lawrence's judicious precautions Lawrence was selected to succeed him. the loss of life was much less than the rebels No better choice could have been made. had intended and hoped. But Brigadier Sir Henry's great ability, long experience, Handscombe, Lieutenant Grant, and Cornet and intimate knowledge of the Sepoy char- Raleigh were murdered by their men, and acter pre-eminently fitted him for the re- Lieutenant Chambers was severely wounded. sponsible and dangerous office to which he Next morning the mutineers, who were was now appointed. He had repeatedly drawn up on the racecourse, were gallantly called the attention of the Government to charged by Lieutenant Hardinge and Comthe great risk arising out of the false missioner Gubbins, whose combative prosecurity which they indulged. Mr. Jack-pensities found ample scope in this struggle.

Many of the rebels were captured, and the | tell the tale. At Fyzabad, where, 'after rest were put to flight in great confusion. the wonted fashion, the infantry, artillery, The mutiny thus commenced at Lucknow and cavalry, one and all, protested their spread with the speed of lightning through fidelity,' they all mutinied; but the infantry the whole province. The native troops at and artillery prevented the cavalry from the out-stations rose at once, and the great murdering their officers and other Eurobody of the disaffected population rose with peans, and assisted them to escape. The them. 'Day after day the saddest tidings fugitives went down the river Gogra in of mutiny and massacre, of English officers boats; but they had scarcely left Fyzabad murdered, of property pillaged and destroyed, when one of these regiments-the 22ndof law and authority extinguished and commanded by Colonel Lennox, sent a anarchy triumphant, came in from the out-messenger to the 17th, who were then on posts and filled our people with dismay.' The new Government had toppled down, Mr. Gubbins said, 'like a house built of cards.' In some few instances the Sepoys protected their officers and assisted them to escape; and two or three of the ill-used landowners returned good for the evil they had suffered at the hands of the Government, by affording shelter to the civil officers and their wives and children in their flight. But in the great majority of cases the rebels added murder to mutiny and plunder; and the great landholders, who might have been a tower of strength to the British Government, had been hopelessly alienated by the Resumption and Revenue measures, which had stripped them of their property and converted them into our bitterest enemies. At Seetapore Mr. Christian with his wife and child, Colonel Bird and five of his lieutenants, Dr. Hill, and other civilians, were barbarously murdered. Sir Mountstuart Jackson and several ladies made their escape, but only to fall shortly after into the hands of the enemy, by whom, after great hardships and imprisonment, the men of the party were barbarously murdered at Lucknow. At Mohumdu the Sepoys allowed the Europeans, headed by Mr. J. G. Thomason, deputy commissioner, and Captain Patrick Orr, his assistant, along with the refugees from Shahjehanpore, including a number of women and children, to escape towards Arun. But they were followed by a party of Oude Irregular Force, and butchered in the most brutal manner. Captain Orr alone escaped to

the banks of the Gogra, to intercept and destroy the very persons they had assisted to escape. The treacherous request was readily obeyed. The boats were intercepted about thirty miles down the river; Colonel Goldney, a gallant old officer, was shot, and nearly all the rest either shared his fate or were drowned. A portion of them got away for the moment, but all except one were murdered by the country people. Colonel Lennox, with his wife and daughter, were several hours later than the others in leaving Fyzabad, but they had not gone far down the river when they were obliged to abandon their boat and to set out on foot for Goruckpore. On their way they narrowly escaped being handed over to the mutineers, but were rescued by the followers of Mahmud Hoossein Khan, who sheltered and provided for them till the magistrate of Goruckpore sent an escort to convey them to that place. At the out-stations of Sultanpore, Salone, Bareitch, Gonde, Secrora, and Durriabad there were similar scenes of disloyalty, treachery, pillage, and murder, alternated with wonderful and narrow escapes. Everywhere British authority had collapsed, and in Lucknow alone were our officers able to make a stand against the tremendous inundation that was sweeping everything before it.

All the outposts of Oude being thus lost, the mutineers gradually closed in upon Lucknow. The position of Lawrence was now becoming critical. His European force which alone could be depended upon, consisted of only 510 men of Her Majesty's