For several days I had been trying unsuccessfully to get hold of some Natives upon whom I could rely to bring me trustworthy information as to the enemy’s movements.  It is always of the utmost importance that a Quartermaster-General on service should have the help of such men, and I was now more than ever in need of reliable intelligence.  In this emergency I applied to Captain Bruce, the officer in charge of the Intelligence Department which had been established at Cawnpore for the purpose of tracing the whereabouts of those rebels who had taken a prominent part in the atrocities.  I was at once supplied with a first-rate man, Unjur Tiwari by name,[4] who from that moment until I left India for England in April, 1858, rendered me most valuable service.  He was a Brahmin by caste, and belonged to the 1st Native Infantry.  In a few words I explained what I required of him, and he started at once for Bithur, promising to meet me the next day on the line of march.

[Illustration:  PLAN OF CAWNPORE. 1857.]

Early on the afternoon of the 8th we marched out of Cawnpore, and at sunset Unjur Tiwari, true to his promise, made his appearance at the point where the road turns off to Bithur.  He told me that the Nana had slept at that place the night before, but hearing of our approach, had decamped with all his guns and most of his followers, and was now at a ferry some miles up the river, trying to get across and make his way to Oudh.  We had come thirteen miles, and had as many more to go before we could get to the ferry, and as there was nothing to be gained by arriving there in the dark, a halt was ordered for rest and refreshment.  At midnight we started again, and reached Sheorajpur (three miles from the ferry) at daybreak.  Here we left our impedimenta, and proceeded by a cross-country road.  Presently a couple of mounted men belonging to the enemy, not perceiving who we were, galloped straight into the escort.  On discovering their mistake, they turned and tried to escape, but in vain; one was killed, the other captured, and from him we learnt that the rebels were only a short distance ahead.  We pushed on, and soon came in sight of them and of the river; crowds were collected on the banks, and boats were being hurriedly laden, some of the guns having already been placed on board.  Our troops were ordered to advance, but the ground along the river bank was treacherous and very heavy.  Notwithstanding, the Artillery managed to struggle through, and when the batteries had got to within 1,000 yards of the ferry, the enemy appeared suddenly to discover our presence, and opened upon us with their Artillery.  Our batteries galloped on, and got considerably nearer before they returned the fire; after a few rounds the rebels broke and fled.  The ground was so unfavourable for pursuit, being full of holes and quicksands, that nearly all escaped, except a few cut up by the Cavalry.  Fifteen guns were captured, with one single casualty on our side—­the General himself—­who was hit on the foot by a spent grape-shot, without, happily, being much hurt.