Sir James Outram. It had
suffered severely in the gallant exploit. Of 2600 who had left
Cawnpore, nearly one-third had been either killed or wounded in forcing
their way through the city, so that nothing could be done for the relief
of the place. The united body was therefore as closely besieged as
before.

We must now describe more particularly how this gallant exploit had been
accomplished.

On the return of General Havelock from Persia, he was appointed to the
command of a movable column, consisting of 1964 men. He immediately
commenced his march on Cawnpore, hoping to relieve the prisoners there
confined by the miscreant Nana Sahib. Having been joined by Major
Renard with 800 men, a victory was obtained, on the 12th July, over a
large body of the rebels near Futtehpore.

Twice on the 15th he engaged the rebels, at Aeng, and the bridge of
Pandoo Nudder. On the 16th he drove Nana Sahib from a strong position
at Ahirwa.

The next day, the fatal 17th, the wretch butchered the women and
children left in his power, blew up the magazine at Cawnpore, and
retreated to Bithpor. Here he was unable to make a stand, and once more
made a hasty retreat. General Havelock, on this, leaving General Neill
at Cawnpore, pushed on for Lucknow. He again encountered the mutineers
near Uano on the 29th July, when the 78th Highlanders, the 1st
Fusiliers, and the 64th Regiment were chiefly engaged. The same corps
next captured Busherut Gunge, a walled town with wet ditches. Three
times the same place was attacked and taken while General Havelock was
waiting at Cawnpore for reinforcements. On the 16th September, Sir
James Outram arrived. Though superior officer, he refused to supersede
Major-General Havelock, but accompanied the force as Chief-Commissioner
of Oude. The relieving force, now amounting to about 2500 men and 17
guns, crossed the Ganges, and, on the 21st September, attacked the
rebels at Munghowar, who fled, four guns being captured, two of which
were taken in a cavalry charge led by Sir James Outram. On the 23rd,
they arrived before the Alumbagh, an isolated building, a country palace
situated in a large walled park to the south-east of the city of
Lucknow, and about three miles from the Residency. From this place the
enemy were driven, four guns were taken, and it was occupied by the
relieving army. As the British troops were wearied with their long
march in pelting rain, the assault was deferred till the 25