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80 render ineffective more men than even the fire of the enemy. Until the place falls I cannot give you any assistance in troops. I am told the 71st Highlanders are on their way from Bombay by bullock train to Mhow. If they should be required to march through Central India after arrival at Mhow they will lose many men. The mutineers at Kálpi are threatening to cross the Jumna into this Doáb the moment I advance towards Lucknow. I cannot afford to leave the force that would be sufficient for the protection of the Doáb, and it must therefore take its chance, as well as Cawnpur, which may be again occupied by the enemy, until I have disposed of Lucknow.'

Lucknow was at length captured in March, 1858. Early in the month the Commander-in-Chief with a force amounting in the aggregate to some 31,000 men and 180 guns moved on the Dilkúsha, which he occupied with but slight opposition. The task of operating separately from the left or northern bank of the Gúmti had been confided to Outram, who crossed the river and took up a position three miles to the north of the city. Under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, Outram was to take the rebel position in reverse, enfilading it with a heavy fire from the left bank of the river, while Sir Colin Campbell was to move directly on the city. On March 11th our Nepálese ally, Jang Bahádur, after long delays, joined the British force with about 9000 men and 24 guns. On the same day the Begam's Palace was captured with but slight loss to the besieging force,