The column under Major Richards displayed a better spirit, and met with better fortune. They carried the position which they had been despatched to occupy, and maintained it against repeated and vigorous assaults of the enemy, who, after Major Ludlow's defeat, were enabled to turn their whole force against them. They, however, nobly maintained their post through the whole day, until ordered to return to camp, which was not till the whole of their ammunition was expended, and they were compelled to employ stones in their defence. The retreat was far more disastrous than the conflict, and was effected under cover of a very gallant charge made by Lieutenant Thackeray, with the light company of the 2nd battalion 26th Native Infantry, in which that officer and nearly his whole company fell; the sacrifice of these brave men probably saving the entire detachment from destruction.
During these operations, the division under Colonel Ochterlony had penetrated the hills in the direction of Nalagurh, within a few days after General Gillespie had entered the Dhoon. Nalagurh surrendered on the 5th of November, 1814; and the capture of Taragurh, another fort in the neighbourhood, followed. At the former place a depôt was established, which thus afforded the means of an undisturbed communication with the plains. Colonel Ochterlony then advanced upon the enemy, and from the heights of Golah gained a full view of his stockade.
Ummeer Sing had concentrated his force on the heights of Ramgurh, to the number of three thousand, in a position of extraordinary strength. His right was covered and commanded by the fort of Ramgurh, and his left by a high and nearly inaccessible hill, called Kote, on which a strong party was posted. On a first view, the left stockade appeared to Colonel Ochterlony to be assailable; but better information induced him to hesitate, and the reports of the country people led him to believe that the hills were more accessible in the rear of the enemy. The
