Volume 4

Kaye's and Malleson's history of the Indian mutiny of 1857-8 / edited by G.B. Malleson.

  • Kaye, John William, Sir.
Date:
1897-1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: Kaye's and Malleson's history of the Indian mutiny of 1857-8 / edited by G.B. Malleson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    safety and disposed of the Gwaliar mutineers, should return, to act offensively against the city of Lakhnao. To maintain the communication with Kanhpur, a post at the Banni bridge, up to that time occupied by the wing of a Madras native regiment and two guns, was strengthened by a detachment of European troops. Having made this disposition on the 26th, Sir Colin set out for Kanhpur at 11 a.m. on the 27th. He had with Nov. 27. about three thousand men, including the wasted fie remainder remnant of the 32nd Regiment, and the few sur- of'hefurce r vivors of the native pensioners who had responded Kdnhpdr; to the call of Sir Henry Lawrence. Under the convoy of the troops were the ladies, the children, the sick and the wounded, numbering altogether about two thou- sand, and the treasure which had been rescued from Baannf Lakhnao. That same evening Sir Colin encamped at the Banni bridge. In reply to an inquiry as to whether any communication had been received from Kanhpur, but can bear the officer there commanding reported that not only nothing of had he heard a cannonade during that day, but Windham. <juring the day previous also. This information was of an alarming nature. If Windham had been overwhelmed, the rebels would certainly sho.ihMVin i have destroyed the bridge of boats, and the British ham have would be cut off from their own provinces, which for weheiraedr.’ the moment would be in the power of the rebels. There was nothing for it but to march on with the utmost expedition. Early on the following morning, the force pressed onward. “At every step the sound of a heavy and distant cannonade became more distinct; but mile after mile was passed over, and no news could be ob- a cannonade tained.” * Just before noon, however, a native who the distance, had been concealed behind a hedge, ran forward, and delivered a missive to the Staff at the head of the advance guard. “ He had a small rolled-up letter in the Greek character, addressed ‘ Most urgent, to General impendtng^itaster'to Sir Colin Campbell, or any officer command- windimm, unless he ing troops on the Lakhnao road. 1 he letter were speedily relieved. w&g ^ate(j two days previously, and said that, unless affairs shortly took a favourable turn, the troops would * Blacliicood's Magazine.