which had been abandoned on May 11th.
So far it was clear that the rebels were unable to do anything in the
open field, although they might fight bravely under cover. They numbered
about thirty thousand strong; they had a very powerful artillery and
ample stores of ammunition, while there was an abundance of provisions
within the city throughout the siege.

In the middle of August, Brigadier John Nicholson, one of the most
distinguished officers of the time, came up from the Punjab with a
brigade and siege-train. On September 4th a heavy train of artillery was
brought in from Firozpur. The British force on the Ridge now exceeded
eight thousand men. Hitherto the artillery had been too weak to attempt
to breach the city walls; but now fifty-four heavy guns were brought
into position and the siege began in earnest. From September 8th to 12th
four batteries poured in a constant storm of shot and shell; number one
was directed against the Cashmere bastion, number two against the right
flank of the Cashmere bastion, number three against the Water bastion,
and number four against the Cashmere and Water gates and bastions. On
September 13th the breaches were declared to be practicable, and the
following morning was fixed for the final assault upon the doomed city.

At three o'clock in the morning of September 14th three assaulting
columns were formed in the trenches, while a fourth was kept in reserve.
The first column was led by Brigadier Nicholson; the second by Brigadier
Jones; the third by Colonel Campbell; and the fourth, or reserve, by
Brigadier Longfield.

The powder-bags were laid at the Cashmere gate by Lieutenants Home and
Salkeld. The explosion followed, and the third column rushed in, and
pushed toward the Jumna Musjid. Meanwhile the first column under
Nicholson escaladed the breaches near the Cashmere gate, and pushed
along the ramparts toward the Kabul gate, carrying the several bastions
in the way. Here it was met by the second column under Brigadier Jones,
who had escaladed the breach at the Water bastion.

The advancing columns were met by a ceaseless fire from terraced houses,
mosques, and other buildings; and John Nicholson, the hero of the day,
while attempting to storm a narrow street near the Kabul gate, was
struck down by a shot and mortally wounded. Then followed six days of
desperate warfare. No quarter was given to men with arms in their hands;
but women and children were spared, and only a few of