Delhi Campaign

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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.

Related articles

Mutiny at Delhi 11-16 May 1857
Battle of Ghazee-ood-din-Nuggur 30 May
Battle of Hindun River 31 May
Battle of Badli-ki-Serai 8 June
Action at Subzee Mundee 9 June
Capture of Metcalfe House 12 June
Attack on the Idgah Battery 17 June
Action at Ochterlony Garden 19 June
Capture of the Sammy House 23 June
Action at Subzee Mundee 9 July
Action at Subzee Mundee 13 August
Action at Khurkowdah 15 August
Battle of Rohtak 17-18 August
Battle of Nujjuffghur 25 August
Recapture of Delhi 14-20 September

Delhi Army

1st Umballa Brigade
Brig Halifax, 75th Queen's Regiment

2nd Umballa Brigade
Brig Jones, 60th Royal Rifles

Meerut Brigade
Brig A Wilson, Royal Artillery

  • One wing of 60th Royal Rifles
  • Two squadrons of Carabineers
  • One Field Battery
  • One troop of Horse Artillery
  • Native Sappers
  • 120 Siege Artillerymen

Biographies

Entries in the Dictionary of Indian Biography 1906:
Henry Barnard (1799-1857)
James Hope Grant (1808-1875)
William Hodson (1821-1858)
James Neill (1810-1857)
John Nicholson (1821-1857)
Thomas Reed (1796-1883)
Henry Tombs (1824-1874)
Archdale Wilson (1803-1874)

External links

Historical books online