Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/409

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Of Seaton, of Penny, and of Coke.
373

gates of Duáb against an enemy issuing from either of the menaced provinces. Whilst he was keeping that door closed, Penny, with another column, was moving down from Bulandshahr. Penny met Sir Colin at Fathgarh, on 24th April, then crossed the Ganges and marched on Usehat. Finding that place deserted, and being told that his march to Budáun would not be opposed, Penny started on a night march for that place. But the rebels lay in ambush for him and surprised him, and although his column defeated them, he was slain. Colonel Jones of the Carabineers succeeded him, and under his orders the column marched to join Sir Colin at Míránpur Katrá on the 3d of May.

Whilst these columns, united under Sir Colin, should invade Rohilkhand from its eastern side, it had been arranged that a brigade, under Colonel Coke, should enter it from Rúrkí. Coke had arrived at Rúrkí the 22d of February, but so disorganised was the country that April was approaching before he could complete his commissariat arrangements. When he was ready, Sir Colin made the command a divisional one, and sent Colonel John Jones to lead it. The change, however, did not affect the order of the proceedings, for the good understanding between Coke and his superior in rank remained perfect to the end.

The division crossed the Ganges at Hardwár on the 17th of April, defeated the rebels at Bhogníwálá (17th), and at Naghíná (21st), and reached the vicinity of Murádábád on the 26th of April. Entering that place, Coke was able to seize the persons of several notorious rebels, and then pushed on to take part in the operations which Sir Colin was directing against Baréli.

Sir Colin, joined on the 27th of April by Walpole, had entered Sháhjahánpur the 30th. He had hoped to find