Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/346

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322
OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.

attack that of the enemy now stationed at Deeg, a strong fort belonging to the Rajah of Bhurtpore, who, on seeing the scale of fortune turn against the English, had embraced the opposite interest.

On the 12th of November General Frazer arrived at Goburdun, where from the heights the enemy were visible, encamped between a deep tank and an extensive morass – their right covered by a fortified village, and their left extending to the fort of Deeg. No time was lost in preparing to attack them; and at three o'clock on the morning of the 13th four battalions of Sepoys and two European regiments marched for that purpose. A détour of considerable extent was necessary to avoid the morass, but at daybreak the British column arrived at the fortified village situate on a hill which covered the enemy's right. The troops immediately deployed; his Majesty's 76th regiment and two of the native battalions forming a first line, and the remainder of the troops a second. The 76th led the way, with its wonted alacrity and determination, by taking possession of the village, which was no sooner accomplished than, running down the hill, they charged and carried the first range of the enemy's guns under a tremendous shower of round, grape, and chain shot. The second line had now reached the village, and, on discovering the 76th tar in advance surrounded by the enemy, rapidly pushed forward to their support, the Company's first European regiment being foremost, and the Sepoy battalions following.

When the first range of guns had been carried, the victors were opposed by a most destructive fire from the second range; and General Frazer losing a leg by a cannon-shot, the command devolved upon Colonel Monson. Nothing daunted by the fall of their commander, the British troops advanced, captured the second range of guns, and then continued to charge battery after battery for a space of two miles, when, being close under the walls of Deeg, they were fired upon from the fort. While thus pursuing their successes, the first range of