Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/337

Rh The reserve column, meanwhile, led by Longfield, had followed the third column through the Kashmír gate, and cleared the college gardens. One portion of the column had occupied those gardens, the other held the Water bastion, the Kashmir gate, Skinner's house, and another large building.

Thus ended the first day's operations. The result may thus be briefly summarised. The entire space inside the city, from the Water bastion to the Kábul gate, was held by the first, second, third, and fifth columns. The fourth column, outside the city, held the batteries behind Hindu Ráo's house. It was clear, then, that within the city a solid base had been obtained for further development. But the cost had been enormous. In the day's fight the assailants had lost sixty-six officers and 1104 men in killed and wounded. Four out of the five assaulting columns were within the walls, but the position they held was extended, and their right flank was very open to attack. The rebels were still strong in numbers, in guns, and in position. They, too, had had success as well as reverses, and they had no need to abandon hope of ultimate victory.

To the British general the result of the day's work was discouraging. The plan which had been so urgently pressed upon him had failed to secure success; his columns had been stopped and driven back; instead of the whole city, his troops held simply a short line of rampart. Very doubtful as to whether it was not his duty to withdraw to the ridge, he asked Baird-Smith if he thought he could hold what had been taken. The reply of Baird-Smith was decisive: 'We must do so.' Neville Chamberlain also wrote in the same sense to the General. The opinions of these two strong men sufficed to decide Wilson.