fighting; only to find, as already narrated, that the Náná on the previous day had butchered in cold blood all his helpless prisoners. To add to his sorrows the news reached him, on the day he entered Cawnpur, of the death of Sir Henry Lawrence at Lucknow.
By this time, the difficulties that beset Havelock's advance on Lucknow were becoming insuperable. The British ranks had been thinned not only in fight but by sickness; and it was plain that the task assigned to him was one of unforeseen magnitude. The first attempt was a complete failure; but five days afterwards (July 20th), Neill arrived from Allahábád, and Havelock made a fresh endeavour to advance on Lucknow. Crossing the Ganges into Oudh, he successfully encountered the enemy at Unao; but although within thirty-eight miles of his destination, cholera, fatigue, and exposure had made such inroads on his sadly reduced force that he was compelled once more to fall back on Cawnpur. Twice again did the gallant little force advance, but on each occasion had to fall back; and thus terminated Havelock's first campaign for the relief of Lucknow. He had fought five actions against an enemy greatly superior in numbers, only to find that although he could gain victories he could not follow them up.
And now his wearied and exhausted troops enjoyed a month's rest at Cawnpur, full of disappointment at the result; while further preparations were made for the next move in relief of the beleagured garrison of the Lucknow Residency.
