They were again much
disappointed at being left behind when Sir Colin Campbell advanced
to the relief of Havelock and the garrison, but did more than their
share of fighting in the desperate struggle when the mutineers of
the Gwallior contingent attacked the force at Cawnpore during the
absence of the relieving column. Here they were almost annihilated
in a desperate charge which saved the 64th from being cut to pieces
at the most critical moment of the fight.
Wilson came out of the struggle with the loss of his left arm, and
two or three serious wounds. He had been cut off, and surrounded,
and was falling from his horse when Bathurst cut his way to his
rescue, and, lifting him into his saddle before him, succeeded after
desperate fighting in carrying him off, himself receiving several
wounds, none of which, however, were severe. The action had been
noticed, and Bathurst's name was sent in for the Victoria Cross. As
the troop had dwindled to a dozen sabers, he applied to Sir Colin
Campbell, whose column had arrived in time to save the force at
Cawnpore and to defeat the enemy, to be attached to a regiment as
a volunteer. The General, however, at once offered him a post as
an extra aide de camp to himself, as his perfect knowledge of the
language would render him of great use; and he gladly accepted the
offer.
With the column returning from Lucknow was the Doctor.
"By the way, Bathurst," he said on the evening of his return, "I
met an old acquaintance in Lucknow; you would never guess who it
was--Forster.
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