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144
CLYDE AND STRATHNAIRN

Patrols of cavalry were at the same time sent to search the hills on the left and rear.

As the troops advanced, the enemy in the ravines were forced to show themselves by Brigadier-General Napier, and a sharp action took place between them and the 71st Highlanders, who behaved admirably, routing the enemy with great slaughter. In Sir Hugh Rose's own words, 'the commander of the second line merited my warmest thanks for his skilful management of it.' On this occasion, Lieutenant Neave, of the 71st Highlanders, who led a charge against the enemy and fell mortally wounded, particularly distinguished himself; and a sergeant and private of the regiment obtained the Victoria Cross for personal bravery. The success was completed by an admirable pursuit of the rebels by a wing of the 14th Light Dragoons.

The capture of the Morár cantonments had good results. It was the first defeat which the combined forces of the Kálpi and Gwalior rebels had sustained; and it enabled Sir Hugh Rose to at once open up communications with Brigadier Smith at Kotah-ki-Sarai, seven miles to the east, and to reconnoitre Gwalior from that side.

In the meantime, Brigadier Smith had a sharp encounter with the enemy and was able partially to occupy the heights to the east of Gwalior, in spite of determined opposition. In resisting a gallant charge of a squadron of the 8th Hussars under Captain Heneage, — when the Hussars passed right through