entirely cut off from Calcutta, and was left wholly to its own resources.
Any help that could be spared from the capital was needed for the menaced
garrisons of Allahabad, Benares, and Agra, while it was certain that the
important stations of Cawnpore and Lucknow, in the newly-annexed province
of Oude, would at best be scarcely able to defend themselves, and would in
all probability urgently require assistance. Thus the rebel city of Delhi,
the center and focus of the insurrection, was safe from any possibility of
a British advance from the south. Nor did it look as if the position of
the English was much better in the north. At Sealkote, Lahore, and many
other stations, the Sepoys mutinied, and the Sikh regiments were
disturbed, and semi-mutinous. It was at this all-important moment that the
fidelity of two or three of the great Sikh chieftains saved British India.
Foremost of them was the Rajah of Puttiala, who, when the whole Sikh
nation was wavering as to the course it should take, rode into the nearest
British station with only one retainer, and offered his whole force and
his whole treasury to the British government. A half-dozen other prominent
princes instantly followed the example; and from that moment Northern
India was not only safe, but was able to furnish troops for the siege of
Delhi. The Sikh regiments at once returned to their habitual state of
cheerful obedience, and served with unflinching loyalty and bravery
through the campaign.

Not a moment was lost, as it was all-important to make an appearance
before Delhi, and so, by striking at the heart of the insurrection, to
show the waverers all over India that we had no idea of giving up the
game. The main force was collected at Umballah, under General Anson.
Transport was hastily got together, and in the last week of May this force
moved forward, while a brigade from Meerut advanced to effect a junction
with it. With this latter force were Warrener's irregular horse, which had
returned only the evening before the advance from its successful