scrambling up, and the colours of the 12th regiment of Bengal Native Infantry were planted on the top of the bastion. But the ascent was so difficult that sufficient numbers could not be got up to support each other, and render effectual the advantage that had been gained. Those who reached the summit, small as was their number, were ready to persist in the endeavour to maintain it at any hazard; but Colonel Don, aware of the hopelessness of their exertions, recalled the whole party. Soon after the assault, the enemy sprang several mines in the breach and counterscarp; but there being no assailants near these points, the explosions were harmless. The loss of the British army on this disastrous day amounted to eight hundred and ninety-four, killed and wounded.
On the morrow the Commander-in-Chief appeared on parade, and addressed, in appropriate terms, the troops whose unhappy defection on the preceding day had brought dishonour on the service to which they belonged. The effect was, that on those who chose to volunteer for another assault being required to step out, the whole answered to the call!
The assault, it was determined, should take place on that day, and about four o'clock the troops moved to the attack. The party, which was commanded by Colonel Monson, advanced with perfect regularity to the bastion, on which the colours of the 12th Native Infantry had been planted on the previous day. A vast gap had been made in the lower part of it, which afforded shelter to those who could avail themselves of its protection; but, as before, there were no means of getting the men from this point to the summit in sufficient numbers. All that could be done, however, was resorted to; and enough was achieved to redeem the honour of those who, on the previous day, had shrunk from the dangers which are but the ordinary incidents of a soldier's life. Several of the soldiers drove their bayonets into the wall, so as to form a series of steps by which they hoped to reach the top; but in the attempt to ascend, they were knocked down
