encamped on the frontier, and at four o'clock on the morning of the 29th entered the Mahratta territory. No time was lost in moving to the attack of Perrou's force, which occupied a strong position near Coel, a town in the Dooab, a short distance from the fortress of Aleeghur. Lord Lake immediately led his troops to the attack, when the army of Perrou, deemed so efficient and well equipped, retreated, after a short random fusilade, with such rapidity that the English could not overtake them.
The English took possession of the town of Coel, and made preparations for attacking Aleeghur, the main depôt of the enemy, a very strong place, surrounded with a good glascis, and a broad, deep ditch always filled with water. After weighing the comparative advantages of seeking the reduction of the place by a regular siege or by an immediate assault, the latter course was resolved on. The 4th of September was fixed for the attack. The force destined for it was composed of four companies of his Majesty's 76th regiment, and detachments from two regiments of native infantry: it was led by Colonel Monson, an officer of distinguished bravery.
During the preceding night two batteries, of four eighteen-pounders each, had been erected, to cover the approach of the storming-party, which left the camp at three o'clock in the morning, and advanced in a curved direction towards the gateway. On arriving within four hundred yards of it, they halted till break of day. While thus waiting, an officer who had been reconnoitring reported that sixty or seventy of the enemy were seated round a fire, smoking in front of the gateway. A British party was immediately detached, in the hope of taking them by surprise, and to endeavour, amidst the contusion which it was expected would ensue, to enter the fort with them and secure the gate till the main body should arrive. The latter object was not attained; for the surprise was so complete, and the ardour of the British party so great, that all opportunity of retreat for
