Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 49.djvu/244

 They stood for a time, when a shout and forward movement of the whole British line caused them to waver and run. The victory was won. Rose followed them up so closely that a number were cut off from Kálpi. The fire from Maxwell's batteries rendered the place so insecure to the beaten rebels who gained it that they evacuated it during the night. The rest of the rebel force, pursued by the horse artillery and cavalry, lost their formation and dispersed. This fight was won under very trying circumstances, by a force exhausted by hard marching, weakened by sickness, in a burning sun, with a suffocating hot wind, over an enemy not only ten times as numerous, but who attacked with a resolution and knowledge of tactics not hitherto displayed. Kálpi was occupied the following day. The Duke of Cambridge, in an autograph letter, congratulated Rose, and announced the intention of the queen to confer upon him the honour of G.C.B.

The capture of Kálpi completed the programme agreed upon, and Rose obtained leave of absence, on a medical certificate, for a much-needed rest, when the attack upon Sindia on 1 June, the defection of his troops, and the consequent occupation of Gwáliár by Tántia Topi and the rání of Jánsi altered the position of affairs. The news reached Rose on 4 June, after he had resigned his command. Brigadier-general Robert Cornelis (afterwards Lord) Napier [q. v.] had been appointed to succeed him. Napier was not on the spot, and immediate action was necessary. Rose thereupon at once resumed the command which he had resigned, a breach of rules for which he was reprimanded by Sir Colin Campbell. Leaving a garrison at Kálpi, Rose started on 6 June with a small force to overtake Stuart's column, which he had sent in the direction of Gwálíar in pursuit of the rebels from Kálpi. He overtook Stuart at Indúrki on 12 June. Pushing on, he reached Bahádurpúr, five miles to the east of the Morár cantonments, at six A.M. on 16 June. Here he was joined by Napier, who took command of the second brigade, the larger part of which had been left at Kálpi. In the meantime Rose had sent Major Orr to Paniar to cut off the retreat of the rebels to the south, Brigadier-general Smith, with his brigade from Chandairi to Kotah-ki-Serai, about five miles to the south-east of Gwáliár, and Colonel Riddell and his column to escort a large supply of siege guns by the Ágra and Gwáliár road.

On his arrival at Morár, Rose lost no time in reconnoitring the position of the enemy, and determined to attack without delay. Placing his cavalry and guns on the flanks and the infantry in the centre, Rose himself led the first line, while the second line, under Napier, formed in échelon on his left; the left ‘refused,’ as the ravines were full of ambuscaded rebels. But the latter were skilfully dislodged by Napier after a sharp action. Rose turned the enemy's left, and the victory was completed by a successful pursuit of the rebels by a wing of the 14th light dragoons under Captain Thompson.

Rose had now gained an important strategical position, where he could establish his hospital and park in the cantonments, with a small force to protect them, while he himself joined in the investment of Gwáliár. He was also able to open communication with Brigadier-general Smith at Kotah-ki-Serai. On 18 June Rose was reinforced by the arrival of his Kálpi garrison, and, leaving Napier at Morár with such troops as he could spare, he joined Smith in the afternoon with the rest of his force. The distance was long, the heat terrible, and the march most harassing. Rose bivouacked for the night between the river Morár and Smith's position.

On the morning of the 19th, finding his position too cramped, and observing that the enemy were making preparations to attack him, Rose resolved to become the assailant. He sent Brigadier-general Stuart with the 86th regiment, and the 10th Bombay native infantry in support, to crown the heights beyond the canal, to the left of the Gwáliár Rock, and to attack the left flank of the rebels. This was gallantly done. The rebels were driven back, a battery of three nine-pounders on the ridge captured, and the rebels pursued. The 95th regiment, advancing, turned the captured guns on the enemy in the plains below. The 10th Bombay native infantry cleared the neighbouring height, and captured two brass field-pieces and three mortars. Rose ordered a general advance, and the capture of the Lashkar, or new city, followed. Brigadier-general Smith meanwhile had taken the garden palace of Phúl Bágh, and followed up the retreating enemy. Rose slept in Sindia's palace on the night of 19 June, having lost only eighty-seven men killed and wounded in retaking Gwáliár, the formidable fortress excepted.

Directions were sent to Napier to pursue the rebels as far and as closely as possible. On the morning of 20 June Rose moved, with Brigadier-general Stuart's brigade, to the left of the Gwáliár Rock, to turn it where it was not precipitous, and commenced to ascend, when Lieutenant Rose, of the 25th Bombay native infantry, discovered a gateway, and