He was under orders for a theatre of war, and was responsible to his
superiors in London.
'I undertook the full authority for the change which I urged, and I
remarked that unless he accepted my direction, it would most likely be
refused by other officers arriving at Cape Town. He agreed to do as I
wished, on condition that I put my commands in writing, and this I did at
once. The noble fellow arrived in India in the nick of time, as did the
forces which had previously left South Africa. Sir Colin Campbell was
enabled, being so strengthened, to complete his expedition for the relief
of Lucknow.
'I caused a steamer to cruise out from Cape Town, to intercept other
troopships and send them on to China. While I was thus steadily
forwarding relief to India, I learned that Canning, the Governor-General,
was still hopeful of avoiding grave trouble. At that I was anxious lest,
after all, I had misjudged the situation and the demands upon myself to
meet it. Next, I had full tidings from India, and I knew that my efforts,
twice over, would have been useful. India was in the balance.'
Sir George had to keep the peace in turbulent Kaffraria with a mere
remnant of soldiers. The colonists, anxious to assist the relief of
India, took sentry-go at Cape Town in place of the regulars.
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