१८५७ का स्वातन्त्र्य समर (वीर विनायक दामोदर सावरकर - अंग्रेजों द्वारा छपने से पूर्व प्रतिबन्धित महाग्रन्थ)

THE CONFLAGRATION
from house to house? Barnard himself was most diffi-
dent of the issues. After all this discussion, the war
council agreed—simply to disagree ! And thus, even like
the night-dream of the 12th of June, passed away this
day-dream of the 15th of June, leaving “the straight
assault” and “the bold rush” still in their theoretical
existence and excellence. This council of war again sat,
on the 16th of June ; but that ended in a worse division of
opinion and diffidence of mind. For, as the English com-
mander was planning the bold and straight assault on the
city of Delhi, there, on the other side, into the city of Delhi
were pouring fast new hearts, new treasuries, and new
energy. And the Revolutionaries, leaving the defensive
policy which they had up to this time observed, began to
assume the offensive as well, made frequent sorties, and
attacked the British army from different sides and with
varying success.
The regiments that had risen all over India had been, all
the while, pouring into Delhi with their treasuries, arms,
and ammunition and left no anxiety in the Revolutionary
camp as to the provisions of war or to the number of
Sepoys. And so, it was quite natural that the Revolution-
ary army should assume the aggressive and pin the Eng-
lish army to its place by not allowing it to move onwards
even by a single step. After making a bold attack, after a
slight or even a bloody skirmish or encounter, without them-
selves suffering any heavy losses, the Indian army would
retire into the city. By this harassing policy, the Revolu-
tionary army kept the English in constant check and pre-
vented them from assuming the offensive. On the 12th
of June, they issued out of the city and, concealing them-
selves in trees and low grounds, advanced as far as within
fifty yards of the English front and attacked them before
they were aware of their presence. The English lost many
artillerymen and Knox himself was killed by a Sepoy who
deliberately aimed at and shot him. Simultaneously with
this, another division of the Sepoys attacked the English
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