1857 Sir Colin's wise decision--Robert Napier -- Impressions on visiting the Residency--Henry Lawrence -- Lawrence as Statesman and Ruler -- Lawrence's friendliness for Natives--A hazardous duty The night of the 17th passed off quietly.

Before daybreak the next morning the troops were under arms.

Thousands of the enemy had collected in the Kaisarbagh, and for the protection of the mess-house, the Tara Koti, about 200 yards to the south-west, was seized and held, as from this position a flanking fire could be brought to bear upon any enemy advancing from the Kaisarbagh.
The most difficult part of Sir Colin's task had yet to be accomplished--the bringing away of the women and children, and the sick and wounded, from the Residency--and the question of how this could best be done was one which caused the Commander-in-Chief much anxious thought.

Many, amongst whom were Outram and Hope Grant, pressed him to attack the Kaisarbagh and capture the city in the first instance; but 45 officers and 496 men out of our small force had been killed or wounded; Sir Colin, therefore, decided that it would be to the last degree imprudent to attempt such an undertaking with his reduced numbers, and became more than ever determined to confine his operations to the relief of the garrison.
That the Chief was right there can be no room for doubt.

This force was barely strong enough for the service it had to perform.