to be almost impregnable. It was defended by a
triple line of walls and fortifications, so that an enemy entering
it would have to advance by a devious route from one gate to
another, exposed all the time to a terrible artillery fire. It was
almost surrounded by a swamp, and the only approach was along a
narrow strip of firm ground, leading to the gate.

Early on the morning of the 29th, the British troops advanced to
attack Perron's force; but it at once drew off, although the
infantry were supported by twenty thousand horse. Believing that
Alighur was impregnable, Perron left a strong force there under one
of his officers, named Pedron, and marched with his army towards
Agra.

On the 4th of September a storming party, commanded by Colonel
Monson, left the British camp; and was accompanied by two
batteries, each consisting of four eighteen-pounders. A portion of
the defenders was posted on the strip of dry ground, outside the
gate, where a battery with three guns had been mounted. Before
daybreak, Colonel Monson moved forward, with two companies of the
76th Regiment. The enemy took the alarm before he reached their
battery, and fled towards the gate, without waiting to discharge
their guns.

Monson pressed after them, in the hope of being able to enter
before the gate was shut; but he was too late. The entrance was
raked by the guns on the walls, which opened with a destructive
fire of grape. Ladders were applied to the walls, but these were
manned by so strong a body of pikemen that it was found impossible
to gain a footing. So bold were the defenders that, as the soldiers
fell back, they ran down the ladders and pursued them hotly; but
were soon beaten off.

A six pounder was brought up to burst open the gate, but its fire
did but little damage; and a twelve pounder was then employed. The
gates yielded, and the storming party rushed in. But during the
twenty minutes that had elapsed, between the guns opening fire and
the time at which the gate yielded, the troops had been exposed to
a terrible fire, both of grape and musketry. Colonel Monson was
wounded, and the loss was heavy.

The second gate was forced with comparatively little difficulty,
although a terrible fire of artillery and musketry was kept up,
from the walls on either side of the road, and from the bastion
commanding it. The assailants pressed so hotly, upon the defenders
of the second gate, that they gained the third before the enemy had
time t