Amidst all this excitement and jubilation much regret was felt at the escape of the greater part of the rebels across the river Gúmti. That Outram desired to cross over the river from the northern to the southern bank by the famous Iron Bridge on March 14th, to complete the effect of the capture of the Kaisar Bágh by a crushing rear attack on the rebels in the city, is a matter of history. But this move was not permitted, for General Outram was forbidden to act if he thought that by so doing he would 'lose a single man;' and thus a great chance was thrown away. This lost opportunity, followed by failure a few days later on the part of the cavalry in the pursuit of further bands of the flying enemy, prevented the fall of Lucknow from proving the final and crushing blow to the rebels that it ought to have been.
Instead of securing the virtual pacification of Oudh at one stroke, 'it left the province swarming with armed rebels still capable of resistance;' although after the preparations, delays, and large number of troops employed, every one expected, with some show of reason, the annihilation of the enemy as an armed and organised body. As it turned out, the rebels who escaped on the 14th and again on the 21st of March were the very men who fell back on the forts and strongholds of Oudh and Rohilkhand, there to renew the resistance which had so hopelessly broken down in the capital. The 'saving of life,' however well intended on Sir Colin Campbell's part, did not always fulfil his anticipations, and proved the cause, both now
