CHAPTER IV

CAPTURE OF THE CITY

_September 7 to 14_

Strength of our force--General Wilson's order--Volunteers for artillery called for--All our batteries open fire--Number of casualties during bombardment--Frequent sorties--Death of Captain Fagan, Bengal Artillery--Breaches examined--Orders for the assault--Details of columns--The assault--Blowing in of Kashmir Gate--Details of the operations--Cowardly tactics of the enemy--Gallant conduct of Private Moylan, 61st Regiment--Gallant conduct of Surgeon Reade, 61st Regiment--Doing of Nos. 1 and 2 columns--Nicholson mortally wounded--No. 4 column attacks Kishenganj--Conduct of the Kashmir troops--They lose their guns--Their search for them--Failure of the attack on Kishenganj--Intention of the enemy--Work of the Cavalry Brigade--Support by the Guides infantry--Casualties on September 14--Bravery of the native troops--Temptations to drink--All liquor destroyed--We construct more batteries--Reported intentions of the General--These overruled--The enemy attacks our advanced posts--We storm the magazine--Further advance of Nos. 1 and 2 Columns--The 61st move to the church--Colonel Skinner--State of the church--Unsuccessful attack on the Burn bastion--Eclipse of the sun--The Burn bastion captured--The enemy begin to retire--Capture of the Lahore Gate and Garstin bastion--The Palace and Selimgarh taken--The Jama Masjid taken--The 61st move to Ali Khan's house--Casualties--Reflections