for an hour and a half, had only eight men wounded. One of the gun-vessels received a shot between wind and water, but fortunately reached the shore before she filled. On the 28th, “the working parties continued making approaches towards the place; and the steam-vessel and some light boats, pushing up the river after the enemy’s war boats, succeeded in capturing nine of them: their crews, when likely to be run down by the steam-boat, jumping into the river, effected their escape.” On the 29th, 30th, and 31st, the British “continued constructing batteries, and landing heavy ordnance; the enemy on their part remaining very quiet, and busily employed in strengthening their works[1].”
On the completion of the breaching batteries, one, mounting four brass 12-pounders, was manned by the royal navy, and placed under the command of Lieutenant Smith. On the morning of the 1st April, the mortars and rockets began the work of destruction; and continued firing, at intervals, during the day and succeeding night. On the 2nd, at daylight, the breaching batteries opened, and almost immediately afterwards, two Lascars, who had been taken prisoners, came running out, and informed the besiegers, that Maha Bandoola had been killed the day before by a rocket; and that no entreaty of the other chiefs could prevail upon the garrison to remain, the whole having fled or dispersed, during the preceding night. The British line was, in consequence, immediately under arms, and the place taken possession of: 28 pieces of brass ordnance, 110 iron guns, one carronade, and 209 jingals, were found mounted on the works; a considerable quantity of gunpowder, sulphur, saltpetre, shot, musket-balls, and pig-lead, and a depôt of grain sufficient for the consumption of the whole combined force for many months, likewise fell into the hands of the conquerors, whose total loss during the siege was 14 killed and missing, and 69 wounded. After detailing his operations against Donoobew, Sir Archibald Campbell says:
- ↑ Snodgrass, 172.
