Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/236

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212
OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.

vour to impede its march. Many rockets were thrown, but they had little effect beyond that of announcing to the enemy the approach of the British column. The leading division, on being discovered, pushed briskly forward, reached the hedge, and entered the enemy's lines about a quarter of an hour after their approach became known.

When the rocketing commenced, the left column was ascending the Carighant hill, an eminence on the right of the enemy's camp, near the termination of the bound-hedge. The hill is steep, and of great height; it commands one of the fords and the eastern part of the island, and protected the right wing of the Sultan's camp. This post was justly regarded as of great importance, and proportionate care had been taken to strengthen it. It was defended by a double breastwork in front of a stone redoubt, but the work was not entirely completed; a considerable body of infantry, but without artillery, was stationed in it. The Carighant hill terminates the range over which Colonel Maxwell had chased a corps of the enemy at the battle in the month of May preceding. The same officer now commanded the column directed to this point, and the works were scaled by the flank companies of the 72nd, the regiment by which the hill was stormed on the former occasion.

The right column, under General Meadows, was to attack the left of the enemy's position. From some mistake, it was led to a more distant point than was intended, and was consequently later in reaching the hedge than the central column; but about half-past eleven this column also entered the inclosure, and proceeded to attack a redoubt within the enemy's lines, though not included in the course of operations contemplated by Lord Cornwallis, and which, after a severe conflict, was carried. It was intended that the right column should advance to meet the central column, and then await further orders. General Meadows, accordingly, having left a sufficient force for the defence of