As the Infantry were about to advance, Nicholson thus addressed them:  ’Men of the 61st, remember what Sir Colin Campbell said at Chilianwala, and you have heard that he said the same to his gallant Highland Brigade at the Alma.  I have the same request to make of you and the men of the 1st Bengal Fusiliers.  Hold your fire until within twenty or thirty yards, then fire and charge, and the serai is yours.’  Our brave soldiers followed these directions to the letter, and, under cover of Artillery fire, carried the serai.  Front was then changed to the left as had been arranged, and the line swept along the enemy’s defences, the rebels flying before them over the bridge.  They confessed to a loss of more than 800 men, and they left in our hands thirteen field-pieces and a large quantity of ammunition, besides all their camp equipage, stores, camels, and horses.  Our casualties were 2 officers and 23 men killed, and 3 officers and 68 men wounded—­two of the officers mortally, the third dangerously.

The enemy in the city, imagining from the size of the force sent with Nicholson that we could not have many troops left in camp, attacked us in great strength on the following morning (26th), but were beaten off with a loss on our side of only 8 killed and 13 wounded.

[Footnote 1:  According to the religion of Islam, Ishmail, not Isaac, was to have been offered up by Abraham.]

[Footnote 2:  Forrest’s ‘The Indian Mutiny.’]

[Footnote 3:  Since writing the above it has been brought to my notice that the promptitude with which the troops were diverted to India was due in a great measure to the foresight of Sir George Grey, the Governor of the Cape, who, on hearing of the serious state of affairs in India, immediately ordered all transports which touched at the Cape on their way to take part in the China Expeditionary Force, to proceed directly to Calcutta instead of to Singapore.  He also despatched as many of the Cape garrison as he could spare, with stores, etc., to India.  It is right, therefore, that he should share with Lord Elgin the credit of having so quickly grasped the magnitude of the crisis through which India was passing.]

[Footnote 4:  Owing to Brigadier-General Chamberlain having been placed hors de combat by the severe wound he received the previous day, Norman was carrying on the duties of Adjutant-General.]

[Footnote 5:  There were besides in camp at this time 1,535 sick and wounded, notwithstanding that several hundred men had been sent away.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER XVII. 1857

Wilson’s difficulties—­Nicholson’s resolve —­Arrangements for the assault—­Construction of breaching batteries —­Nicholson expresses his satisfaction—­Orders for the assault issued —­Composition of the attacking columns