LUCKNOW 79 



in command of the expeditionary force. Outram 

 was a small, quiet man, whose gentle and polished 

 manner covered one of the strongest characters and 

 most dauntless spirits of the British army. His 

 unselfish nature was shown by the order which, as 

 Havelock's superior officer, he immediately issued 

 to the relieving force, to the effect that he consid- 

 ered " the strenuous and noble exertions which 

 Havelock had already made to save the Lucknow 

 garrison entitled him to the honor of relieving it, 

 and that he had decided to accompany the column 

 in his civil capacity as Chief Commissioner of Oudh, 

 as a private in the volunteers until the Residency 

 was occupied." It was a praiseworthy sacrifice, for 

 it meant giving up not only the great honor of 

 relieving Lucknow, but also the chief share of the 

 treasure which had been gathered in the Residency 

 and which would go as prize money to the relievers. 

 But he carried out his decision, following the col- 

 umn through the hail of lead which it encountered 

 at every step of the last part of the way, carrying 

 only a cane. Unfortunately, as will be seen, he later 

 had occasion to regret his decision, and acknow- 

 ledged that it was a foolish act and that sentiment 

 had obscured duty. 



The Ganges was finally crossed and the head of 

 the column, under Brigadier-General Neill, reached 



