340 



CHAPTER XXI. 



CONCLUSION. 



On the very next day, the 13th, Sir Colin Campbell, 

 writing to the bereaved widow, gave frank expres- 

 sion to the sorrow felt throughout his army at her 

 husband's death : " It is with a sentiment of pro- 

 found regret that I am compelled to address you, 

 for the purpose of communicating the sad news 

 that your gallant and distinguished husband, Major 

 Hodson, received a mortal wound from a bullet 

 on the 11th instant. He unfortunately accompanied 

 his friend Brigadier Napier, commanding Engineers, 

 in the successful attack on the Begam's palace. 

 The whole army, which admired his talents, his 

 bravery, and his military skill, deplores his loss, 

 and symjDathises with you in your irreparable be- 

 reavement. I attended your husband's funeral 

 yesterday evening in order to show what respect 

 I could to the memory of one of the most brilliant 

 officers under my commaud." 



"Amidst universal sorrow and regret," wrote 

 Napier himself to Mrs Hodson, " he was laid in 

 his grave near the Martiniere. I am going to 

 enclose it with a masonry wall and build a tomb 

 over it immediately. I grieve deeply now that 



