Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/436

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The Pacification of Oudh.

began by attacking Sandélá. They were held in check by Dawson until, first, Major Maynard, then Brigadier Barker, arrived and inflicted upon them a crushing defeat. In the same month Eveleigh defeated them at Míánganj, and Seaton near Sháhjahánpur, whilst the Rájá of Powain repulsed an attack made upon his fortified town. Sir Colin Campbell, now become Lord Clyde, then resolved to clear the entire province of rebels by acting by columns in all its districts simultaneously. Whilst one column, drawn from Rohilkhand, should clear the north-west of Oudh, and, sweeping all before it, should establish itself at Sítápur, four columns should clear the Baiswárá country, another column should guard the Duáb, another the Kánhpur road, whilst smaller columns, radiating from Lakhnao, Nuwábganj, Daryábád, and Faizábád should clear the districts around them.

This plan was acted upon with complete success. On the 3d of November, Wetherall, marching to join Hope Grant, stormed Rámpur Kasiá. Hope Grant, joining him there, moved against Améthí on one side, whilst Lord Clyde attacked it on another. The place surrendered on the 8th. The strong fort of Shankarpur was evacuated by Béní Mádhu, a noted rebel, on the night of the 10th, and occupied the next day. Eveleigh, following Béní Mádhu, caught him two days later at Dundiá Khérá, and defeated him, taking three of his guns. On the 24th that rebel was again encountered, this time by Lord Clyde, and completely defeated. In the meanwhile the strong places in Eastern Oudh had fallen in succession, and by the end of November that part of the province was completely subdued. Nor had the columns sweeping the north-western districts been less successful. Troup had cleared the ground as far as Sítápur; Gordon, Carmichael, and Horsford had done the same in the districts south of the