Delhi Campaign

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Summary

Once the news of the mutinies at Meerut and Delhi became known, units were called to Umballa to form a siege army for Delhi. Major General George Anson, Commander-in-Chief in India, died of cholera on 27 May and was succeeded by Major General Henry Barnard. Joined from Meerut by Brigadier Archdale Wilson, Barnard reached Delhi on 8 June where he established a position on a ridge north of the city.

The 3,000 British forces, vastly outnumbered by the rebels, were too weak to storm the city. They fought a series of engagements with the mutineers during June and July. Barnard died of cholera on 5 July and was succeeded by General Thomas Reed who relinquished command to Wilson twelve days later due to ill health.

Brigadier John Nicholson arrived with his movable column on 14 August and on 8 September Sir John Lawrence brought reinforcements with heavy siege artillery. The assault on the city began on 14 September and by 21 September Delhi was recaptured.

External Links

The Delhi Campaign Article by Maj Agha Humayun Amin
1st Bengal European Fusiliers in the Delhi Campaign Google Books
Map of Delhi 1857-58 www.columbia.edu
Siege of Delhi Google Books