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this division in the special duty assigned to it of holding the plain of Alumbagh.'

'Our original force was therefore in reality considerably less than 4,000 of all ranks. Of these the forts of Alumbagh and Jellalabad absorbed about 600 men, brigade and camp duties 450 more, and thus, after deducting sick and wounded, there remained of all arms and ranks (European and Native) little more than 2,000 available for action during the absence of the convoys (averaging 450 men) which we had fortnightly to send to Cawnpore. These were on the road for about two-thirds of each month, and of their departure and return the enemy were of course as well informed as ourselves.

'The military topography of the locality, and our grazing exigencies, rendered it impossible to reduce the circumference of our camp and its outworks to less than 10 miles

and 1,200 yards. And on our small force there devolved the duty not only of defending this large and incompact position against a foe who conld have brought large bodies of troops to bear against us simultaneously at several distant points, but of supplying foraging parties, and of being prepared to move out beyond our limits to meet the enemy, whenever, by his attempts to cut off our communications, to menace Bunnee or Cawnpore, or by other hostile demonstrations, he might render such an operation necessary.'

While cheerfully undertaking the military duty imposed upon him, Sir James Outram did not altogether approve of his position. His objections were, however, based solely on the assumption that it had been decided upon to defer the capture of Lakhnau, contrary to his expressed views, until next cold season. If it were so and all the information he had received led him to suppose it-he considered it his duty -not as a General of Division, but as Chief Commissioner of Oudh, to recommend a withdrawal of his force to some point near Kánhpur, such as Mangalwar. He judged that the political effect would be more satisfactory, while military risks and difficulties would be reduced to a minimum. He gave full reasons for his conviction that, until Lakhnau had been reduced, it would be unwise to attempt to move troops about in Oudh for the re-establishment of our government or the collection of revenue. To do so would be unfair to those

1 'MEMORANDUM,

'Length of Lines from Picquet to Picquet, enclosing the Position defended by

W. R. MOORSOM, Lieutenant, Deputy Quartermaster-General.'

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FORCE AT THE 'ALAM-BÁGH.

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who might welcome us, and dangerous for our detachments. 'Meanwhile,' he argued, it is immaterial what particular spot in Oude is held as a proof that we have not deserted it, so long as a footing is retained in the province: for no civil government can be exercised so long as we are not in possession of the capital itself.' To continue to hold a position in the immediate neighbourhood of Lakhnau would render necessary the employment of a much larger body of troops, to maintain their post and keep up their communications with Cawnpore; and also, remaining in the vicinity of the city, without making any effort to take it, would be a declaration of weakness which, under the present circumstances, is in every way to be deprecated.' But he took care to wind up by begging his Lordship distinctly to understand that he only advocates the withdrawal of this force from its present position, in the event of the reconquest of the capital and of Oude during the present season being definitively abandoned. If, on the other hand, it be contemplated to undertake these operations, he is of opinion that political considerations imperatively demand that our present position be maintained at any cost.' It was maintained, but at little cost, and right glad was the General when it was at length. intimated to him that Lakhnau was, after all, to be disposed of at once, as he was fully convinced it easily might be.

The Division was composed of the remnants of Havelock's noble force; the regiments Outram had brought up with him from Allahabad; and what the siege of Dehli had left of the gallant 75th. Weak in numbers were these battalions, but every man of them was a veteran to be relied upon. One, the 78th, had learned to love James Outram-no other word would express the truth-in Persia. The military train, as worthy comrades of the volunteer cavalry, and some good Madras troops, must not be forgotten in making up the total. Sir James had lost Colonel Napier, called away on other duty,

but Colonel Berkeley proved an excellent Chief of the Staff. Colonels Hamilton and Stisted well led his two infantry brigades; while Vincent Eyre handled the cavalry and artillery to perfection, seconded by one whose dash had become proverbial even among Horse Artillerymen-Major William Olpherts. The result bore testimony to the efficiency of the Engineer department under Captain Hutchinson. His right hand in administrative matters continued to be Mr. (now Sir George) Couper, who had filled the office of secretary to the Oudh Commission ever since the annexation. This very able member of the Bengal Civil Service had earned not only a C.B.ship, but much needed furlough to Europe by his devoted service throughout the siege, when he had acted as A.D.C. in addition to other duties. But he remained to help his old chief at the 'Alam-bágh. A still older friend, Dr. Ogilvie, also resolved to share Sir James's toils, although much shattered in health by garrison trials.

Matters soon settled down into the routine of a watchful camp life; and for some time the enemy gave little trouble, not yet having recovered from the pounding the Commanderin-Chief had so liberally administered. The protection of salient points was attended to. Efforts were made to attract supplies, but without success, in spite of offers of most liberal payments. So efficient, indeed, had been the blockade since September, that Sir James spoke of it to the GovernorGeneral as perhaps the most remarkable circumstance that has hitherto occurred in the course of the rebellion.' villages within reach were deserted, and the peasantry seemed forcibly prevented from communicating with his officers. It became evident that supplies must be obtained from Kánhpur, and to furnish adequate escorts for the fortnightly convoys, in addition to the permanent post at Banni, was a serious drain upon the 'Alam-bágh Division.

The

Sir Colin Campbell hoped that the defeat of the Gwáliar

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contingent at Kánhpur would have such an effect in Oudh as to make a favourable opportunity for improving communication with the 'Alam-bágh and settling the adjacent country. His Chief of the Staff, accordingly, directed Sir James Outram, on December 7, to detach for that purpose, under his best officer, 400 European and 200 Madras infantry, Olpherts' battery, half his cavalry, and all his camels. To this large demand upon his resources he felt bound to demur, and respectfully, but very strongly, represented his view of the case, and that reinforcement, rather than diminution, of his numbers was called for. In the memorandum by General Mansfield, to which he felt compelled to take serious exception, it was moreover suggested that if a battery threatened him, it should be destroyed before it became the source of annoyance. and that on the occasion of a force going out, the front of his camp should be contracted. To this he replied: "It would be entirely out of my power to destroy the batteries alluded to that is to say, I could not take the guns, for my spies inform me that the horses are always kept harnessed in readiness for immediate flight. All that I could do, therefore, would be to destroy the work itself, which would involve loss of men to no purpose, from the enemy's musketry in the neighbouring cover, as the insurgents have unlimited command of labour, and in the course of a very few days would erect another battery in the same, or in an adjacent position. Neither could I contract my front in proportion to the diminution of my force. I cannot retire from either flank position without abandoning strong posts which the enemy would immediately occupy, and thus acquire the power of doing us much mischief; nor could they be dislodged without more loss than I should care to have to report for your Excellency's information.'

The convoy arrangements appear, after this, to have been left to Sir James's discretion. He calculated the strength of the