fugitives; but the gate was shut, and the bridge drawn up, otherwise that night might have put an end to the war. This party proceeded along the glacis through an extensive bazaar, destroying numbers of the enemy, and dispersing several bodies of horse; they then took post, part at a bridge over a canal running nearly across the island, and part at a redoubt commanding the southern ford.
The second body crossed by the same ford which their companions had passed a few minutes before. Their passage was considerably impeded by the rush of the enemy towards the island, but no attempt was made at resistance. On reaching the opposite bank they turned to the left, and advanced for about a mile to the western gate of the pettah. It was shut, but was soon forced open; the troops stationed for its defence having, on the first alarm, rushed out to man the lines and batteries on the river. The firing from these lines and batteries informed the British party that the right of the enemy's camp had been penetrated, and it was concluded that the assailants were probably attempting to force their passage into the island. But the enemy were too much confounded even to maintain what was still in their possession. The lines and batteries, which were all open to the rear, were abandoned, and those by whom they should have been defended dispersed in confusion.
The second subdivision of the central column passed to the left as intended, for the purpose of breaking the right wing of the enemy's army. On approaching the Sultan's redoubt its progress was opposed by a large body of horse. These were received by a volley, delivered with great steadiness and precision; and when the smoke cleared away, the horse were seen at a distance scattered over the field. The Sultan's redoubt was found abandoned; and this being occupied by a party detached for the purpose, the remainder moved on to co-operate with the column under Colonel Maxwell.
The rear division of the central column, which was
