the trial. On the morning of the 28th, when they had advanced a stockade to within musket-shot of the British picquets, Sir Archibald thought it was high time to punish their temerity; and accordingly made a movement in advance, with four companies of Europeans,[1] two field-pieces, and four hundred Sepoys.
Tor nearly two hours Sir Archibald and his column continued to advance through the wood by a winding and very narrow pathway; at every turn of which there was some breastwork or stockade, which were all hastily abandoned. After marching about five miles, our troops emerged from the jungle, and suddenly entered a wide open field, intersected by a morass and rivulet, across which there was a long narrow bridge. Here the enemy, in attempting to make a stand, were scattered by the fire of the two field-pieces, and fled into a more distant jungle. At this juncture a terrible storm came on, the rain fell in torrents, and the field-pieces could be dragged no farther. Leaving the four hundred Sepoys to guard the guns. Sir Archibald pushed on rapidly with the Europeans, traversing another jungle and approaching two villages, which were defended in front by two stockades filled with men, shouting out, "Lagee! Lagee!" ("Come on! come on!")
Without losing a moment. Sir Archibald made a dash at the stockades,[2] and was received by the enemy with a heavy fire, which our troops could scarcely return, from the wet condition of their muskets. The works, however, not being more than eight feet high, our men forcing their way over, brought their bayonets to bear upon a crowded, dense, and confused living mass. The conflict was short but very sanguinary. The works had only two very narrow ways of egress, and the foremost fugitives getting wedged in them, blocked them up, and prevented the flight of the rest. When they could run
