taken off their clothes, nor unsaddled the horses of the cavalry and artillery pickets. To this constant strain was added exposure under a burning sun, and there were several fatal cases of sunstroke. But the discipline and spirit of the troops enabled them to overcome difficulties and opposition of every kind, and finally to take by storm the strongest fortress in Central India, with a loss to the rebels of some 5000 killed alone. The casualties in the Central India Field Force in the operations before Jhánsí and the fight at the Betwá were 36 officers and 307 men killed and wounded, besides those who died of sunstroke and fatigue. The victors treated the enemy's women and children with humanity. 'Neither the desperate resistance of the rebels nor the recollection of the revolting and wholesale murders perpetrated the preceding year at that place,' said Sir Hugh Rose, 'could make them forget that, in an English soldier's eyes, the women and children are always spared. So far from hurting, the troops were seen sharing their rations with them.'
The satisfaction of the authorities at the fall of this city fortress was of course great. The Duke of Cambridge wrote to Sir Hugh Rose: 'This operation is highly satisfactory, and it only proves how much can be done with a small force, such as the one under your command, if it is but ably handled. I had always the greatest confidence in your talent and judgment.'
Sir Colin Campbell also congratulated the General
