Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-14
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now A FORT DITCH WAS PLUNBED.
AN EPISODE IN AN EAST INDIAN CAM
PAIGN.

PAIGN.
During an Indian campaign, about 3
quarter of a century ago, It was necessary
to take very strongly fortified city. The
| name need not be given. Some of the al
lusions in the following story will probab-
| ly enable those conversant with recent
Indian history to identify it.
The city held commanding position
planted on the only knoll of high ground
in the district, it was visible for mile.
around. The massive mud walls Of the
city,-and with the old-fashioned siege
trains they were the hardest to batter
down,-heavily mounted with guns, many
OF which bore the stamp of European
manufacture, frowncd defiance far and
" ide: while high above the rest, and most
defiant Of all, rose the enceinte, the fort
itself Many siege had it withsteod :
and it still boasted of being one of the fas,
decreasing number of ''maiden forts ol
Hindostan.'' The surrounding country
was very arid bordering ON desert, with
scarcely n tree of any growth, beyond
some conspicuous avenues of palms, ex-
otcs here, which former chief had in
troduced. One of the old, broad, classic
rivers of India flowed near, and supplied
the water for the ditch, or moat, with
which the whole city was surrounded.
The besieging camp was, on the whole,
well placed, and had been favored with
more Il an an average of healthiness for.
a. a rule, in India verdure and health ar,
found in inverse proportions. Still. ST.
large q force as was now hurriedly gath
cred together here, though free from any
strong local proyocatves to disease, could
not long show clean bill Of health. The
l. L<<-
droop, Il, they sighed for the more bracing
air OF their native nights. The Hindo-
staues despite all the sanitary precautions
ment, showed signs of failing strength
force were daily giving in increasing sick
the troops-and for other reasons; the
surrounding country was becoming dis
turbed, while the more remote districts,
denuded of troops. who had been all
wanted for the siege, were growing rest
less. The city must fall. England's
honor must be yindicated speedily the
blood Of the two brave young English
men, the representatives of their country,
who had been cruelty done to death beside
its walls, must be avenged without further
delay.
lmpatience had now begun to show it.
self in camp. Weary of the protracted
siege, with its monotonous duties of sys-
tematic investment, the men were eager
for the excitement of the crowning as
sault; and it was generally considered to
be close Mt hand. Spies had reported
that disease and famine were daily claim
ing their victims by hundreds in the city,
that desertions were ofnightly occurrence
They could not hold out much longer:
yet it would be no bloodless achievement.
The enemy knew that they deserved no
mercy. they expected no quarter, and
they mean, to sell their lives dearly. All
this was generally known in camp; and
it only made men the more eager for the
end.
The city walls have been fast crumbling
away under the pounding Of our siege
guns, and would offer no real difficulties.
But then the real work of the day would
begin. However easily they might be
mounted, the fort, which stood out in the
extreme corner, would still remain to be
gained. 1t was the stronghold of the be.
sieged; here they would make their las,
stand. To reach it would be q march oi
death to many. They would have to fight
their way foot by foot: and of all fight.
ing, street lighting in an Indian city is the
most deadly. Every roof. every window,
every loop-hole in the walls, has its match
lock men, where, under cover. they can
pick off their enemy calmly and with un-
erring aim, while the fort guns, which al
ways command the city itself, as precau-
ton against an emeutc, as well as the
glacis against au attack from without,
would sweep down the long narrow
streets, and hundreds of brave fel-
lows fall without being able to strike a
blow in fair fight. This too, was we'll
known in camp; and the general hope
was. that. while feints might be made al
different points on the city walls. the
grand assault would be on the fort itself,
or its water-iace, for the main ditch ran
under its very walls.
While the camp was in this state OF ex-
eitement and impatcnce. and everything
indicated that the assault would be made
within week at farthest, one evening
there was an unusual gathering of officers
in the artillery mess tent. which, as rule,
included those of the engineer corps. who
were too few in number to establish
mess of their own. 1t happened that the
old brigadier. general and the chief engi.
neer were both present. Naturally the
coming assault was the topic OF conver-
sation. On.the faces OF the elder men,
the glow of hope for success, and for hon.
orable mention in general orders, was
perceplibly subdued by the thought Of alb.
sent dear ones, whose future for veal or
woe hung on the result of that assault
while among the youngsters, light-hearted
enthusiasm seemed to hold unbroken
sway.
In the course of the conversation there
passed some remarks. loud enough to
reach the brigadier's ear, about the attack
being made on the fort itself, as the more
brilliant and the less bloody course; and
all the youngsters were in favor OF it. The
brigatier, turning to the chief engineer.
said, as though quite casually, "Well. Col.
l suppose you are prepared. whenever the
order comes ? All the ladders and that sort
OF things ready? BY the way, do you
know the exact depth of the ditch on the
fort faceP" Not exactly" was the reply.
"but fancy, near enough for our pur-
pose" Il wish knew to foot" said
the brigadier. alt might save many
lives" he added gravely. Then, looking
at ba r,o,, b.> had hoo,, tho lf,rfd-