six by natives. The howitzer was on a limber drawn by an elephant driven by a native.
After marching three miles along the metalled road the force reached the bridge spanning the rivulet Kukrail. Here Sir Henry halted his men, whilst he rode to the front to reconnoitre. Reining in his horse on the summit of a rising ground, he gazed long and anxiously in the direction of Chinhat. Not a movement was to be seen. Nor when he turned his glass in other directions did he meet with better fortune. There was no enemy. He sent back, then, his assistant Adjutant-General to order the column to retrace its steps. The column had begun to act on the order when suddenly there was descried in the distance a mass of men moving forwards. Instantly revoking his first order, Sir Henry sent fresh instructions that the column should advance. It advanced accordingly, and after proceding a mile and a half plainly saw the rebels drawn up at a distance of about 1200 yards, their right covered by a small hamlet, their left by a village and tank, whilst their centre rested, uncovered, on the road. Just as the English sighted them the rebels opened fire.
Sir Henry at once deployed his men, and bidding them lie down, returned the fire. The cannonade lasted more than an hour, when suddenly it ceased on both sides. Shortly after the rebels were descried, in two masses, advancing against both flanks of the English. The ground lent itself to such a movement, made by vastly superior numbers. For, parallel to the line formed by the men of the 32d, was the village of Ishmáilganj, and into it the rebels were now pouring. The seizure of this village by one-half of the rebel force was a very masterly manœuvre, for it enabled the rebels to pour a concentrated flanking fire on the English line, whilst the other wing was threatened from the opposite side. Conspicuous success
