Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 41.djvu/26

Nicholson full retreat towards the Ravi river, leaving over three hundred killed and wounded on the field. Nicholson had no cavalry, and was unable to give chase. He therefore withdrew to Gurdaspúr. The rebels reformed on the other side of the river. Nicholson found on the 14th that the mutineers had taken up a position on an island in the Ravi river, and had run up a battery at the water's edge. By the 16th Nicholson had prepared boats in which to cross to the island. He advanced his guns to the river-bank and opened a heavy fire, drawing the attention of the enemy, while he got his infantry across to one extremity of the island, and, placing himself at their head, advanced upon the enemy. The battery was carried and the gunners bayoneted. Soon the mutineers were all either killed or driven into the water.

Nicholson returned to Amritsar with the column, and then went on to Lahore. He arrived at Lahore on 21 July and received orders to march his force on Delhi without delay. On 24 July he rejoined the movable column. The following day he crossed the Bias river, and pushed on rapidly. When the column approached Karnál he posted on ahead, by desire of General Wilson, who was commanding at Delhi, in order that he might consult with him. After examining all the posts and batteries round Delhi he rejoined his column, and marched with it into the camp at Delhi on 14 Aug.

Apprehending that the enemy were manœuvring to get at the British rear, Nicholson was directed to attack them. He marched out in very wet weather; the way was difficult, and he had to cross two swamps and a deep, broad ford over a branch of the Najafgarh. In the afternoon of 25 Aug. he found the enemy in position on his front and left, extending some two miles from the canal to the town of Najafgarh. Nicholson attacked the left centre, forced the position, and swept down the enemy's line of guns towards the bridge, putting the enemy (six thousand strong) to flight, and capturing thirteen guns and the enemy's camp equipage. Congratulations poured in. General Wilson wrote to thank him. Sir John Lawrence telegraphed from Lahore: ‘I wish I had the power of knighting you on the spot. It should be done.’ In further proof of his appreciation of Nicholson's services, the chief commissioner wrote to him on 9 Sept. that he had recommended him for the appointment of commissioner of Leia.

On the morning of 14 Sept. the assault of Delhi took place, and Nicholson was selected to command the main storming party. The breach was carried, and the column, headed by Nicholson, forced its way over the ramparts into the city, and pushed on. The streets were swarming, and the housetops alive with the enemy, and Nicholson's commanding figure at the head of his men offered only too easy a mark. A sepoy, from the window of a house, shot him through the chest. He desired to be laid in the shade, and not to be carried back to camp till Delhi had fallen. It was soon apparent that Delhi would not fall without a prolonged struggle, and Nicholson, who was in great agony, was placed on a litter and carried to a hospital tent. He lingered until 23 Sept. He had not completed his thirty-sixth year. On his death-bed he was indignant at the injustice done to Alexander Taylor the engineer, and said: ‘If I live through this, I will let the world know that Taylor took Delhi.’ His body was buried in the new burial-ground in front of the Kashmir Gate, and near Ludlow Castle. A marble slab, with a suitable inscription, was erected over his grave by his friends. An obelisk to his memory was afterwards erected on the site of the tower which commanded Margalla Pass, where he was wounded.

There was a consensus of opinion as to Nicholson's merits among those best qualified to judge, both soldiers and civilians. Brigadier-general Cotton announced his death in general orders in terms of the warmest eulogy, while Sir Robert Montgomery wrote to Sir Herbert Edwardes on 2 Oct.: ‘Your two best friends have fallen, the two great men, Sir Henry [Lawrence] and Nicholson. … Had Nicholson lived, he would as a commander have risen to the highest post. He had every quality necessary for a successful commander: energy, forethought, decision, good judgment, and courage of the highest order.’ The governor-general in council expressed the sorrow of the government at the loss sustained in the death of this very meritorious officer, whose recent successes had pointed him out as one of the foremost among many whose loss the state had lately had to deplore. The queen commanded it to be announced that if Nicholson had survived he would have been made a K.C.B. The East India Company, in recognition of his services, voted his mother a pension of 500l. a year.

With a tall, commanding figure, a handsome face, and a bold, manly bearing, Nicholson looked every inch a soldier. He had an iron constitution, was fearless in danger, and quick in action. He inspired confidence and won affection, and throughout life was animated by a sincere religious faith.