Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/371

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OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.
347

once to the lines of Arumbooly, which they reached on the 3rd of February. These lines were of great natural and artificial strength; but, after a réconnoissance, it was determined to storm them. On the evening of the 9th, the storming-party, under Major Welsh, left the British encampment; and after encountering all the difficulties presented by thick jungles, abrupt ascents, rocky fissures, and deep ravines, arrived at the foot of the walls on the summit of the hill, which they immediately surprised and carried, driving the enemy down the precipice before them. The batteries in their possession were then turned against the main lines of the enemy's defences, which were stormed at daybreak by Major Welsh, and also carried in spite of a determined resistance. The enemy then precipitately fled, and at an early hour of the day the British flag was flying on every part of the Arumbooly lines.

Colonel St. Leger pursued his success. A large body of the enemy having taken post in the villages of Colar and Nagrecoil, the task of dislodging them was intrusted to a detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Macleod, of the King's service. The position which the enemy had chosen was strong and advantageous; being protected in front by a river, and a battery commanding the only point by which an assailant could approach, while the rear was covered by thick, impassable woods. These advantages, however, were unavailing: the lines were attacked and carried after a sharp action, and the enemy forced to retreat in great confusion; the Dewan himself, who had taken refuge there, being amongst the first to fly from the dreaded proximity of the British troops. The forts of Woodagherry and Papanaveram (the latter one of the strongest places in Travancore) surrendered without firing a shot.

The fatal blow thus struck at the power of the Dewan was aided by the western division of the Anglo-Indian Army. On the 20th of February, a detachment from this force assailed and most gallantly carried some bat-