DEFEAT OF TÁNTIA TOPI
113
ham, whom he left to hold Cawnpur, had encountered Tántia Topi, at the head of a powerful and well-equipped army, and had been driven back on his entrenchments. Cawnpur was in the hands of the enemy. The Gwalior army of 25,000 men, flushed with success, and arrayed in a strong position, awaited the English General's attack. Sir Colin's victory of the 8th of December avenged the fortunes of his lieutenant, and shattered the rebel forces beyond recovery. Thus, in the closing weeks of 1857, a third great step towards re-establishment of British ascendancy had been achieved.
