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bringing up the guns and their lack of effect |
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The General determined to bring up the guns at once to the support of the infantry. About half past three in the afternoon they were placed in position within the captured portion of the intrenchments, and not more than sixty yards from the works still held by the enemy. At first only one gun could be got to bear, through a gap in the retrenchment wall. Lieutenant Mansel and the non-commissioned officers, Royal Artillery, were completely exposed while laying the gun, but fortunately escaped without injury. The gun escort was a welcome reinforcement to the weakened storming party. |
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After a few rounds of shell and case shot had been fired into the stockade, the 44th, headed by all their officers, and Major Cock, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, dashed out of their cover with a shout. They were received by a well directed fire, and a shower of rocks, stones and spears. In an instant the open space was cleared and the stormers were at the foot of the scarp. Here they found comparative safety, as there was little or no flanking fire, but some casualties occurred from spears hurled into the air and dropping perpendicularly among them. The material obstacles of the high wall and its stockade appeared, however, to be insurmountable; and the retreat being sounded, the men regained their cover with a loss of two or three killed and several wounded. |
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Once , again the guns opened fire; but, although so close, their effect on the revetment of the scarp was nil, while the stockade, when shattered, was rapidly repaired by the Nagas, who appear to have provided materials for the purpose. In a short time Lieutenant Mansel announced that his ammunition was expended. |
