Cawnpore – Mutiny Reflections

It is not known what exactly Sir Colin Campbell said to Windham when he met him at the entrenchment that night. Witnesses say it was not a pleasant interview; after all, Windham had very nearly lost Cawnpore. Had the worst come to pass, Campbell would have been stuck across the river with a very long train of civilians in tow, unable to retreat and with only a limited possibility of defending himself on an open plain. It would prove to him that men with no experience of Indian warfare had indeed no business being left in command. Windham would continue to fight under Sir Colin Campbell, but the responsibility of Cawnpore would be given over to Brigadier John Inglis.
Inglis had seen just about all he wanted to of India, but a man of duty to the last, he would not disobey orders. Cawnpore was his to run and to garrison; however, his wife and their three children were not allowed to remain. Unlike Harriet Tytler at Delhi, there would be no ladies in Cawnpore. Sir Colin Campbell insisted the only way he could fight a war for his government was if he was allowed to do it his way, and that meant all impedimenta, including the wounded, would have to leave. Unhindered, he would then be at liberty to fix Windham’s mess and plan his next steps.