Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/511

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OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.
487

stockade was only captured by attacking it in reverse, as well as in flank. Next day, as the troops continued to advance, a flag of truce appeared, bearing a proposal from the Rajah for a suspension of arms; but the Colonel persisted in marching through the ghaut, which he did without opposition, and in the afternoon arrived at Hugul, with the loss of twelve killed and thirty-six wounded.

At the same time Colonel Waugh from the north advanced upon a fortified position named Buck, seated on the brow of a steep ascent, and accessible only by a narrow defile through a dense jungle. The assailing-party was divided into two, who were each to make a détour and take the stockade in flank; but being misled by native guides, they both met in front of that barrier. With characteristic valour, however, they rushed forward to the attack; but the place was so strong and so vigorously defended that all their efforts were vain, and their ranks were thinned by a most destructive fire. On encountering this resistance, the commander directed Lieutenant-Colonel Mill to send part of his force to support the storming-party, and that officer instantly led them on himself, being followed by the whole detachment. An impetuous assault was then commenced against the stockade; but being in a great measure built of stone it baffled every attempt, while a most murderous fire issued from it against the assailants. Mill was shot dead on the spot, and several, while vainly attempting to rescue his body, fell around him. Major Bird then determined to withdraw the party, and, with little additional loss, he brought it under cover. In this most unfortunate affair about forty-eight were killed, including three officers, and 118 wounded.

A third column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, advanced from Mangalore upon a position named Bullary Pett; and this officer learning that there was a strong stockade five miles in front of him, sent Captain Noble with a detachment to reconnoitre it. The latter made his way through a narrow and winding path, till he