Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/528

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504
OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.

judged necessary to chastise this conduct; and in November, 1839, General Willshire marched against his capital, before which he arrived on the 12th, and found it defended by three heights, each covered with infantry, and guarded by a parapet wall. As nothing decisive could be effected till these troops were driven from that position, General Willshire immediately determined on storming them. Three columns of attack were accordingly formed, commanded respectively by Major Carruthers, of her Majesty's 2nd; Lieutenant-Colonel Croker, of her Majesty's 17th; and Major Wilson, of the 31st Bengal Light Infantry; the whole under the command of Brigadier Baumgardt. A hill was allotted to each column; and the artillery, under Brigadier Stevenson, having opened fire on the enemy, the troops moved forward under its cover, and commenced ascending; but, before they reached the summits, the enemy had yielded to the fire of the artillery, and fled.

Hopes were now entertained of reaching a gate in the fortress before it was closed on the fugitives, and a rush was made for the purpose, but our gallant fellows were too late. By some well-directed discharges of heavy shot, however, one of the gates was nearly demolished, when four companies of her Majesty's 17th, under Major Pennycuick, who were in advance, instantly rushed in; they were closely followed by the storming columns, the whole entering under a heavy fire from the works and the interior, the enemy making a most obstinate resistance, and disputing every inch of ground.

A company of her Majesty's 17th regiment was now detached, with a body of native infantry, to secure the heights near which the southern angle of the fortress is situated, and intercept the escape of the garrison from that side. These heights were rapidly carried, and the united detachment then rushed on to the gate of the citadel, driving before them a party of the enemy, who succeeded in closing the gate, but had not time to secure it; it was, therefore, speedily burst open, and a second