Page:Clyde and Strathnairn.djvu/138

 CHAPTER VII

The Southern Operations {continued) to the Recapture of Gwalior

Leaving a small portion of his Second Brigade to garrison Jhánsí, Sir Hugh Rose marched on April 25th, 1858, with his First Brigade for Kálpi, 102 miles to the north-east. He had hardly started when information came that the Sepoy garrison of Kálpi, reinforced by Valaitis under the Rání of Jhánsí, and by Tántia Topi with the Gwalior Contingent, and other rebels, had occupied Kúnch (42 miles from Kálpi and between it and Jhánsí). Kúnch was a difficult place to attack owing to the woods, gardens, and temple enclosures lying round it; and the enemy had strongly fortified the western quarter and the Jhánsí gate.

Acting on his usual principle, that nothing was so likely to disconcert the rebels as turning their flank and threatening their rear, Sir Hugh Rose resolved to mask the fortified front on the Jhánsí road and to attack Kúnch in flank. In accordance with these tactics, as well as to avoid a protracted engagement in the fierce heat of the sun, he made a long night march to the left flank, and shortly