Page:Historical Record of the Fifty-Sixth, Or the West Essex Regiment of Foot.djvu/42

32 sally port, and fled; a few men remaining to keep up an occasional fire, and these retired before daylight; when the fort was occupied by the British troops.

This place having been accounted by the natives of the Kattawar as impregnable, its early reduction, with the cool and steady valour by which it was carried, filled with astonishment and admiration the several vakeels of the different chieftains, who were in attendance on Lieut.-Colonel Walker, and afforded them proof of the irresistible effects of British discipline, skill, and prowess. This afterwards operated beneficially in producing the organization of so rude and uncivilized a tract of country, as the greater part of the peninsula of Guzerat then was.

In the general orders issued on this occasion, it was stated:—“To Captain D. Daly, the officers and men of the Regiment, the commanding officer returns his particular acknowledgments; they have nobly supported the reputation of the senior battalion, in all the characteristics of good soldiers.” … “The commanding officer cannot omit the expression of his warmest acknowledgments to Captain Arnot, of the  Regiment, for his exertions at the erection of the batteries, and for his conduct at the storm; and it would be injustice to withhold his thanks to Lieutenant Newman, for his spirited support of Captain McKenzie in the advanced party.”

The casualties, amounting to eighty-two killed and wounded, prove the arduous nature of the enterprise; and of this number the Regiment had six rank and file killed; Captain Arnot, and twelve rank and file wounded. In December the troops were ordered to return to their former stations, and the detachment of the rejoined the head-quarters of the second battalion at Barachie.

Meanwhile the party of the first battalion at the