[Footnote 2:  Tyrrell Ross was well known as a skilful surgeon, and much esteemed as a staunch friend.  He had just returned from England, and had that very morning been placed in medical charge of the Cavalry Brigade.  When the order to mount was given, Ross asked the General where he wished him to be, pointing out that he would not be of much use in the rear if there were a pursuit across country.  Hope Grant replied:  ’Quite so; I have heard that you are a good rider and can use your sword.  Ride on my left, and help to look after my third squadron.’  This Ross did as well as any Cavalry officer could have done.]

[Footnote 3:  For these two acts I was awarded the Victoria Cross.]

[Footnote 4:  Younghusband met with an extraordinary accident during the fight at Agra.  While pursuing one of the Gwalior rebels, he fell with his horse into a disused well, fifty feet deep, and was followed by two of his men, also mounted.  Ropes were brought, and the bodies were hauled up, when, to the astonishment of everyone, Younghusband was found to be alive, and, beyond being badly bruised, uninjured.  He had fallen to the bottom in a sitting position, his back resting against the side of the well, and his legs stretched out in front of him, while his horse fell standing and across him.  He was thus protected from the weight of the other two horses and their riders, who were all killed.]

[Footnote 5:  Now Major-General H.L.  Bruce, C.B.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXIX. 1858

Mianganj—­Curious effect of a mirage—­The Dilkusha revisited —­Passage of the Gumti—­Capture of the Chakar Kothi —­Capture of the iron bridge—­Hodson mortally wounded —­Outram’s soldierly instinct—­A lost opportunity—­Sam Browne —­Start for England—­Death of Sir William Peel

Our prolonged stay at Fatehgarh was not altogether without advantage.  Such a large force being concentrated in the neighbourhood secured the safety of the Doab for the time being, and as Fatehgarh was equally conveniently situated for an advance, either into Rohilkand or upon Lucknow, the rebels were kept in a state of uncertainty as to the direction of our next move.

At length it was decided that Lucknow was to be our first objective, and Sir Colin at once communicated with Outram and Napier as to the best means of conducting the siege.  Then, leaving Hope Grant to take the division across the Ganges, the Chief went to Allahabad, the temporary Head-Quarters of the supreme Government, to discuss the situation with the Governor-General.

We marched through Cawnpore, and on the 8th February reached Unao, where we found encamped the 7th Hussars, a troop of Royal Horse Artillery, the 38th Foot and the 79th Highlanders.

Sir Colin on his return from Allahabad on the 10th issued a General Order detailing the regiments, staff, and Commanders who were to take part in the ’Siege of Lucknow.’[1] Hope Grant, who had been made a Major-General for the ‘Relief of Lucknow,’ was appointed to the command of the Cavalry division, and I remained with him as D.A.Q.M.G.