Ochterlony in person led Colonel Miller's brigade through a deep and narrow chasm, and over the brow of a formidable barrier of hills. By seven o'clock on the following morning the heights on the flank of the enemy's position were occupied without resistance. Colonel Dick's brigade, which had been left at the foot of the pass, having moved up in the course of the morning to the outer stockade, found the position evacuated, owing to the success of Ochterlony's movement, and took immediate possession of its triple row of fortifications.
The troops were obliged to bivouac on the bleak mountain-tops for four days, waiting the arrival of their supplies and tents, as no laden animal had been able to accompany them. During the first two days the men suffered extreme privations; but their gallant leader shared in their hardships, having no baggage, and sleeping under cover of a hut, hastily constructed for him with the boughs of green trees, by the men of the 87th.[1] By the 20th of February the supplies and tents were brought up, and roads were prepared for a further advance.
The enemy, vexed and disheartened at this unexpected penetration of their first mountain-barrier, continued to retreat from stockade to stockade, until they reached the town of Muckwanpoor, which stood upon a hill, and was defended both by a fort and a stockade. On the 27th of February the British troops took up a position on a hill within two miles of Muckwanpoor, from which the Goorkhas endeavoured to dislodge them, which attempt brought on a general action.
In their first attack the enemy drove in a weak outpost, killing its commandant, Lieutenant Tyrrell; but a small village on the hill was gallantly defended by Lieutenant Kerr and Ensign Impey. To maintain the position. General Ochterlony threw forward the flank companies of the 87th and the 25th Native Infantry; while, on their side, the Goorkhas poured forth 2,000 men
- ↑ "Memoir of Sir David Ochterlony."
