Page:Clyde and Strathnairn.djvu/163

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THE SOUTHERN OPERATIONS
151

that a great war or a serious political crisis fails in bringing forward the man of the time, whose genius lacked only the opportunity of development. The campaign in India of 1857-58 was no exception to the rule. Far in advance of any of the other commanders in genius, tact, judgment, energy, and that unflinching determination which has won for England so many victories by sea and land, the character of Sir Hugh Rose, to any one who studies the military history of those times, stands out prominently. If his services have been barely rewarded, they have never been appreciated, because not thoroughly understood in England. In India it is generally believed some official jealousy threw into the shade what was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant achievements that the military history of any country in ancient or modern times has recorded. Important as were the operations under Lord Clyde in Oudh and Rohilkhand, they would have been profitless, so far as putting an end to the war is concerned, had it not been for the vigour, determination, and skill of his lieutenant; and fortunate it was for us that the tremendous task of recovering Central India, from the borders of the Western Presidency up to the Ganges, had been entrusted to a commander of Sir Hugh Rose's stamp. Had it been made over to a less able man, the result would have been the transference of the seat of war from Oudh and Rohilkhand to Central India; where in a most difficult country, surrounded by independent States only half inclined to side with us, the campaign,