India, would have compromised the safety of Cawnpur, and have exposed the extensive line of operations conducted by the Commander-in-Chief to an attack in flank.
For the protection of Kálpi the rebels had constructed elaborate defence works on the main road from Kúnch. Finding it impossible to bring an adequate force against these defences, Sir Hugh Rose determined to break off to the right and to join hands with Brigadier (now Sir George) Maxwell's small force, which had been sent by the Commander-in-Chief to the left bank of the river to co-operate with him. To mislead the enemy, and mask this movement, he directed his Second Brigade to follow up the high road to Kálpi, although its movements were unfortunately paralysed by sickness. Notwithstanding these difficulties, two pontoon rafts, brought with great trouble from Poona, were thrown over the Jumna, and the actual junction with Sir Colin Campbell's army was effected on May 15, 1858. The next few days were spent in skirmishes with the enemy and in preparing for the attack on Kálpi.
By this time sickness had made fearful inroads on the strength of Sir Hugh Rose's column. The superintending surgeon, Dr. Arnott, reported in an official letter that the greater part of the force, officers as well as men, from the General and his staff downwards, were ill from sunstroke; and he declared that if the operations were to be protracted for more than a few days, the entire column would be absolutely
