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Rh action in the previous November, had greatly strengthened the line by which Sir Colin had then advanced. They had, too, formed three lines of defence. The first rested on Hazratganj, at the point where the three roads into Lakhnao converge. The right of the second line rested on the little Imámbárah, thence, embracing the mess-house, it joined the river bank near the Motí Mahall. The third covered the Kaisarbágh. These defences were protected by a hundred guns. All the main streets were likewise protected by bastions and barricades, and every building of importance, besides being loopholed, had an outer work protecting the entrance to it.

Whilst thus protecting the city on three sides, the rebels had neglected the northern side. Sir Colin detected this error, and resolved, in his plan of attack, to take full advantage of it.

Whilst, then, he determined to cross the Gúmtí with his main force, and to march by the Hazratganj on the Kaisarbágh, he would employ a strong division, under Outram, to turn those defences. He could not, with the force at his disposal, completely hem in the city, but he hoped that, as he pushed on the main body in the line indicated, Outram would be able to move round the angle on one side, whilst Jang Bahádur and the force at the Álambágh would close up round the corresponding angle on the other.

Having resolved on this plan, he advanced, with his main body, on the Dilkushá park and captured it. Whilst he erected batteries there to keep down the rebels' fire, he continued to bring up his troops. By the 4th he had assembled there the whole of the siege-train, and had the bulk of his force, Franks's division and the Nipálese excepted, thoroughly in hand. That force now occupied a line which touched on the right the Gúmtí, at the village