With this view Windham was ordered to open with every gun within the entrenchment at 9 a.m.; while Greathed, supported by Walpole, threatened the enemy’s centre.  Exactly at the hour named, the roar of Windham’s Artillery was heard, followed a few minutes later by the rattle of Greathed’s musketry along the bank of the canal.  Meanwhile, Adrian Hope’s brigade was drawn up in fighting formation behind the Cavalry stables on our side of the Trunk Road, and Inglis’s brigade behind the racecourse on the other side.  At eleven o’clock the order was given to advance.  The Cavalry and Horse Artillery moved to the left with instructions to cross the canal by a bridge about two miles off, and to be ready to fall upon the enemy as they retreated along the Kalpi road.  Walpole’s brigade, covered by Smith’s Field battery, crossed the canal by a bridge immediately to the left of Generalganj, cleared the canal bank, and, by hugging the wall of the city, effectually prevented reinforcements reaching the enemy’s right.

Peel’s and Longden’s heavy guns, and Bourchier’s and Middleton’s Field batteries, now opened on some brick-kilns and mounds which the enemy were holding in strength on our side of the canal, and against which Adrian Hope’s and Inglis’s brigades advanced in parallel lines, covered by the 4th Punjab Infantry in skirmishing order.

It was a sight to be remembered, that advance, as we watched it from our position on horseback, grouped round the Commander-in-Chief.  Before us stretched a fine open grassy plain; to the right the dark green of the Rifle Brigade battalions revealed where Walpole’s brigade was crossing the canal.  Nearer to us, the 53rd Foot, and the 42nd and 93rd Highlanders in their bonnets and kilts, marched as on parade, although the enemy’s guns played upon them and every now and then a round shot plunged through their ranks or ricocheted over their heads; on they went without apparently being in the least disconcerted, and without the slightest confusion.

As the brick-kilns were neared, the 4th Punjab Infantry, supported by the 53rd Foot, charged the enemy in grand style, and drove them across the canal.  Here there occurred a slight check.  The rebels, having been reinforced, made a stand, and bringing guns to bear upon the bridge within grape range, they must have done us great damage but for the timely arrival of Peel and his sailors with a heavy gun.  This put new life into the attacking party; with a loud cheer they dashed across the bridge, while Peel poured round after round from his 24-pounder on the insurgents with most salutary effect.  The enemy faced about and retired with the utmost celerity, leaving a 9-pounder gun in our possession.

The whole of Hope’s brigade, followed by Inglis’s, now arrived on the scene and proceeded to cross the canal, some by the bridge, while others waded through the water.  Having got to the other side, both brigades re-formed, and moved rapidly along the Kalpi road.  We (the Commander-in-Chief, Hope Grant, and their respective staffs) accompanied this body of troops for about a mile and a half, when the rebels’ camp came in sight.  A few rounds were fired into it, and then it was rushed.