HAVELOCK ASSUMES COMMAND.

525

But that does not lessen the value of the sacrifice he has made with such disinterested generosity in favour of Brigadier-General Havelock, C.B., commanding the field force in Oudh.

66

Concurring as the Commander-in-Chief does, in everything stated in the just eulogy of the latter by Sir James Outram, His Excellency takes this opportunity of publicly testifying to the army his admiration for an act of self-sacrifice and generosity, on a point, which, of all others, is dear to a real soldier.'

BOOK IX. Chapter III.

1857.

Sept. 16.

on the act.

I cannot believe that there will be one amongst Reflections my readers who will grudge the time and the space I have devoted to the complete elucidation of this "act of self-sacrifice and generosity." The incidents of war often harrow the imagination. They bring to the surface many of the darker and the baser emotions of human nature. They show men to the world with their passions excited often beyond control, their worst feelings rampant and raging. This was especially the case with the mutinous sepoys, and with the rebellious population generally. It is a relief to turn from the contemplation of such incidents to a noble deed-a noble deed of a noble man-unsurpassed and unsurpassable of its kind and which will have its record eternal as the language in which it has been chronicled.

He

General Havelock then remained commander of the force that was to relieve Lakhnao. issued the same day an order acknowledging "the kind and generous determination of Major-General Sir James Outram, G.C.B., to leave to him the

BOOK IX. Chapter III.

1857. Sept. 16.

Numerical

strength of

force.

526

STRENGTH OF THE RELIEVING FORCE.

task of relieving Lucknow, and rescuing its gallant and enduring garrison," and expressing "his hope that the troops will strive, by their exemplary and gallant conduct in the field, to justify the confidence thus reposed in them."

The force now at Havelock's disposal consisted the relieving of three thousand one hundred and seventy-nine men of all arms. He divided it into three brigades:-two of infantry, the third of artillery. The first brigade consisted of the 5th Fusiliers, the 84th Regiment, and, attached to it, two companies of the 64th, the 1st Madras Fusiliers. It was commanded by the gallant Neill.

The 2nd Brigade, composed of the 78th Highlanders, the 90th Light Infantry, and the Sikh regiment of Firozpúr, was commanded by Brigadier Hamilton, 78th Highlanders.

The 3rd Brigade comprehended Captain Maude's battery, Captain Olpherts's battery, Major Eyre's battery of heavy 18-pounders, the whole commanded by Major Cooper.

Besides these there were a hundred and nine volunteers, and some fifty-nine of the 12th Irregulars, believed to be faithful, under the command of Captain L. Barrow. Major-General Outram was one of these volunteers. To defend Kánh

* The numerical strength of the component portions of the force was as follows:

THE PASSAGE OF THE GANGES.

527

BOOK IX.

púr during the advance on Lakhnao there remained the Head-Quarters of the 64th Regiment, Chapter III. under the command of Colonel Wilson.

The whole of the reinforcements had reached Kánhpúr by the morning of the 16th of September. It was decided, however, not to attempt the passage of the river till the bridge of boats should be completed.

1857. Sept. 16.

On Measures

taken to en

The enemy, meanwhile, were on the alert. the afternoon of the 17th, a party of their cavalry the passage and infantry, with three guns, came down to the of the Ganges. opposite bank to reconnoitre. Their appearance was the signal for the withdrawal to our side of a party of Sikhs who had been sent across to cover the formation of the bridge. Emboldened by this, a portion of their infantry crossed to an island, and under cover of the long grass found there opened a fire on the men working at the bridge. But a few round and shrapnell shot from our heavy pieces soon drove them away.

The bridge head on the opposite side was covered by a detachment of our men during the night, and on the 18th the bridge had so nearly approached completion, that it was resolved to make arrangements at once to effect a successful passage. On the 18th no enemy was to be seen on the opposite bank. That morning four guns of Maude's battery were crossed over to the island above referred to, and the 78th Highlanders and the 90th Light Infantry were marched to a position en the river bank to be ready to take immediate advantage of the completion of the bridge. Subsequently, part of the 90th and three

BOOK IX. Chapter III.

1857. Sept. 18.

The passage.

First movements after the passage of the main body had

guns of Maude's battery crossed the river. At
11 o'clock the enemy brought down their heavy
guns and opened fire on our men.
Our guns
answered. The cannonade lasted three hours,
when it ceased almost as suddenly as it had
begun.

On the 19th the bridge was ready. Our troops crossed in the following order. The 78th Highlanders led. They were followed by the Sikhs of the regiment of Firozpúr, by the remainder of the 90th Light Infantry, by Olpherts's battery, by the 1st Madras Fusiliers, then Her Majesty's 84th and two companies of the 64th, the Volunteer Cavalry and Irregulars, then half of Maude's battery, in the order named.

Immediately they had crossed the troops were formed into contiguous columns at quarter distance, and the 84th were ordered to lie down as been effected. they were in the line of the enemy's fire. Skir

mishers from the 78th Highlanders were sent
out at once to cover the line. General Neill's
brigade was then ordered to take up a position
on the right of the line and to drive the enemy
from some sand-hills occupied by them about six
hundred yards in advance.
Neill immediately

moved forward his brigade and attacked the enemy.
They made a firm resistance but were driven
from their position. Whilst the infantry fight was
going on Olpherts brought up a half battery in
splendid style and silenced the enemy's guns.
The enemy slowly retired, and the cavalry having
followed them up to observe, the force piled arms
and laid themselves out for breakfast, pending the

arrival of the camp equipage. This did not reach the ground till past 3 o'clock.

Book 1X. Chapter III.

1857. Sept. 20.

The next day was devoted to the crossing of Eyre's heavy guns. They were brought into Passage of camp by noon. The arrangements for the advance the heavy were then complete.

guns.

on Lakhnao.

At half-past 5 o'clock on the morning of the The advance 21st the force started on its arduous task. The second brigade, having Olpherts's battery attached to it, and with the volunteer cavalry on its reverse flank, led; the first brigade, with Maude's battery, followed; then came Eyre's heavy battery, escorted by the 5th Fusiliers, one wing leading, the other covering the rear; last of all, the 12th Irregulars under Captain Johnson. The pickets of the previous night formed the baggage and rear guards.

driven from

On approaching the village of Mangalwár it The enemy became evident that the enemy were massed there Mangalwár. in great strength. Havelock upon this took ground to the left, and deployed into line, having the volunteer cavalry on the extreme left. This manoeuvre had scarcely been accomplished before the enemy's guns, five in number, opened fire. They had playing on the road one heavy gun defended by a breastwork. Our three batteries at once replied, whilst our infantry marched through the swamp to the hard ground from which they could act on the rear of the enemy. Just at this moment the rain came down in torrents. This did not affect our men, but before they could reach the road behind the village the enemy had evacuated it. A rapid pursuit ensued. It was most successful.