sixty feet wide, and full of water. The ground in front was swampy, and there was no apparent mode of approach but on the bank of the river, where the ground was dry for about 100 yards. Upon this spot the English commenced approaches and batteries; but the design was only to deceive the enemy, and draw off their attention from the point which was seriously menaced. On the 5th of September, while the enemy were amused by a false attack on the bank of the river, the real attack was made at the foot of the hills; and, after an obstinate resistance on the part of the enemy, attended by great slaughter, the English obtained possession of the fort and cannon. It was said that Meer Cossim had sixty thousand men in arms within the intrenchment; while the English force, Europeans and Sepoys, did not exceed three thousand.
The victorious army advanced to Mongheer, which Meer Cossim had made his capital. It was regularly attacked; and, after a practicable breach had been made, capitulated to the English. The news of this reached Meer Cossim at Patna, and inflamed him to such a pitch of fury that he resolved on the perpetration of an act of wholesale slaughter, exceeding in enormity even the atrocities of the Black Hole. This was to put to death his European prisoners, for which purpose he found a fit instrument in a renegade Swiss named Sumroo. The captives were of course unarmed; and, in order that this murder might be accomplished with the greater facility, a previous search was instituted for knives and forks, which were seized and sent away.[1]
The 3rd of October was the day of slaughter. Some of the victims were surrounded and fired upon; others were cut to pieces by the swords of the soldiers employed in the dreadful work. It is said that they made all the resistance in their power by throwing bottles and stones at their murderers.[2] Mr. Ellis was amongst the
