Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/359

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Plan of Sir Colin Campbell.
327

Sir Colin Campbell had, on his arrival, despatched Adrian Hope of the 93d, with a large convoy of provisions, to the Álambágh. The sick and wounded he had despatched in carts to Kánhpur. On the 10th he halted to confer with Kavanagh, and to complete his arrangements. On the 11th his engineer park arrived, and he issued orders for an advance the following day. At sunrise on the 12th the troops marched. Sir Colin's plan, based mainly on that which Outram had sent him, was to move on the Álambágh, to store there all the impedimenta; then, drawing to himself the detachments still in the rear, to make, with a wide sweep, a flank march to the right on the Dilkushá park and the Martinière; then to force the canal close to its junction with the Gúmtí; then, covered by that river, to advance on the Sikandarábágh. This point once secured, he would detach a portion of the force to seize the barracks to the north of Hazratganj, and plant there batteries to play on the Kaisarbágh. During that time he would move, with the main body, on the Sháh Najaf and Motí Mahall, and forcing these, would effect a junction with Outram. That officer would support this operation by opening a heavy fire on all the intermediate positions held by the rebels. Forcing these, he would then move out, with all his sick and wounded, women and children, and effect a junction with Sir Colin.

The first day's march had the object of placing the force solidly in communication with the Álambágh the garrison of which, still commanded by the gallant McIntyre, had been gradually increased to 930 Englishmen, a few Sikhs, and eight guns. This having been effected at the cost of one or two successful skirmishes with the rebels, Sir Colin proceeded to arrange for his decisive advance on the morrow. First, he despatched Hope to seize the fort of Jalálábád, to the right rear of the Álambágh. He then