In the memorable afternoon of March 2nd, 1858, the Brigade, under the command of Brigadier Rowcroft, set forward to capture the fort of Belwa by coup de main; and when we were once fairly on the line of march, the distance to that stronghold seemed as short as the hour in which it was accomplished.
Preparatory to the assault, the disposition of the force was made in a few minutes; and where the ground displayed any advantages for artillery, it was at once occupied. The infantry were drawn up in line, with their flanks covered by the cavalry; while at some distance in front of the village a strong body of Marines and Sikhs, partially protected by a tope from the fire of the rebel batteries, guarded the main road, and at the same time distracted the attention of the besieged.
The enemy during the day had not been idle; for since our reconnaissance in the morning, and anticipating an attack in consequence, he had strengthened himself by calling in to his aid other rebel troops from Oudh. Besides, as indications to the ranges of his guns, he had attached huge bundles of brambles to long bamboos and stuck them into the ground here, there, and everywhere, in front of the cannonading distance of his bastions.
By this time the fortifications were thronged with defenders, who began to pour forth a heavy though an ineffectual fire on our line; and this thundering cannonade was the signal for our guns and shell-rockets to open. Still, though shell and round-shot in rapid
