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88th Regiment of Foot

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On the morning of November 28th the pickets of the 88th were relieved by the 34th, and the regiment was ordered to the house occupied by Major-General Windham, where they were engaged throwing up earthworks until the afternoon. Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell then received orders to advance the whole detachment and cover the flank of the position. The Rangers remained doing that until evening when they were recalled to Windham's Head-quarters. Tantia Topee set fire to part of the town during the night; burning a quantity of stores belonging to the British army, including clothing provided for the relieved garrison of [[Lucknow]]. There was some sharp fighting on the 28th, which prevented the enemy from reaching Windham's entrenchment and the Ganges bridge. Brigadier Carthew however could not with the inadequate force at his disposal make serious impression on the rebels. Colonel Malleson in his history comments on Windham's measures in these words: "A real general," he says, "having in reserve a fine British regiment, such as was the 88th, would have at once hurried to the scene of action." The strength of The Connaught Rangers however, it should be said, after the previous fighting could hardly have much exceeded 300 men. That evening, the 28th, Sir Colin Campbell with his staff, riding in advance of his troops, crossed the still intact bridge of boats into [[Cawnpore]]. He promptly took stock of the situation and prepared measures to retrieve the misfortunes of General Windham. Sir Colin had successfully on the 25th brought away the [[Lucknow]] garrison and the women and children. On the 29th and following days the regiment furnished pickets and working parties. Vernor states that during this period the rebels managed to get field-pieces on to the top of some houses and "killed and wounded a few of our men," also that they were dislodged or silenced by a party of thirty good shots. On December 30th Colonel G.V. Maxwell arrived with the two companies from Futtipore and resumed command. He had now six companies (the Grenadiers, Nos. 2, 4, 5, 7, and the Light Company, and also a part of No. 6). Sir Colin meanwhile, in order to disencumber himself of his long train of sick, wounded and non-combatants, spent several days in bringing them across the Ganges and despatching them towards Calcutta. He attacked and defeated the rebels on December 6th, but the 88th was not engaged. Nos. 3 and 8 Companies, under Major Maynard and Captain Priestley, reached the camp of the 88th on December 17th. They had come by rail from Calcutta to Ranigunj, by rail again for 40 miles from Allahabad, and by bullock dak the rest of the way. En route, at one place they occupied and burned a rebel village. The remaining detachment, under Major Bourke, also arrived during the month.
Sir Colin Campbell, with his main force, left [[Cawnpore]] for the final relief of [[Lucknow]] on December 24th. After his departure three companies of The Connaught Rangers, a company of Royal Engineers, and half a battery of Artillery were sent on the 27th to [[Bithur|Bithoor ]] to search for treasure in the ruined palace of [[Nana Sahib ]] and watch the neighbouring ford of the Ganges. A good deal of treasure was found in a well near the palace. The detachment remained at Bithoor for nearly two months.
'''1858'''

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