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530 On the 10th the Affghans, with large bodies of cavalry, occupied the surrounding hills, and took possession of several forts. One of these, called Rika Bashee, somewhat commanded the cantonment, and interrupted the supply of provisions, which had now become extremely scarce. A force was therefore ordered to storm it, consisting of her Majesty's 44th regiment, the 37th Native Infantry, with some artillery and native troops. Captain Bellew undertook to blow open the main gate, but missed it, from accident or error, and blew open instead the wicket at the side, which admitted only two or three at once. The first who entered suffered severely; but when a few had forced their way in, the garrison in a panic evacuated the post. Meantime a body of Affghan cavalry charging suddenly round an angle of the fort, spread a panic among the troops before the gate, who, deserted by their usual courage, precipitately fled. Shelton, however, whose gallantry in the field was always conspicuous, twice rallied them, and at last carried the fort, which the enemy had re-occupied. Unhappily, during their temporary possession, they had killed almost all the little party who first entered. Lieutenant Bird, with two Sepoys of the 37th, found shelter in a stable, which they barricaded. One of the Sepoys was killed, but Bird and the other defended themselves for a considerable period, maintaining a fire which knocked down all who ventured to approach their retreat, with a precision proportioned to the closeness of the combat. In this way more than thirty of the enemy met their death; and when the fort was gained the gallant pair were found by their companions unharmed, their stock of ammunition being reduced to five cartridges.

The loss of the British on this occasion was very heavy, amounting to two hundred killed and wounded; but our object was gained, four other forts being evacuated on the fall of Rika Bashee, and a supply of grain procured. On the 13th the enemy, occupying in force the adjacent heights, fired with some effect into the cantonment; when