who commanded the Lancers, was, however, killed, and two other
officers wounded. Several other brilliant charges were made, and the
plain was kept clear of the enemy.

Our position, however, although actually victorious in the field, was
getting more and more serious. The city was now in open revolt. Large
numbers of natives continued to arrive and reinforce the enemy; and it
was rapidly becoming clear that the British force, although strong
enough to hold the Sherpur cantonments or the Bala Hissar, would not be
able to maintain itself in both. Upon the next day, the 15th, desperate
fighting again took place. General Baker, with 1200 bayonets and 8
guns, left the cantonments to make another attempt to clear the hills,
and in this he succeeded, but only after the greatest efforts. Several
officers were killed or wounded, but the enemy were driven from their
first position. Just as they had done this, a body of from 15,000 to
20,000 of the enemy marched out upon the plain, and made towards the
position captured by General Baker.

Steadily they advanced, and the shells which our mountain guns sent
among them, and the volleys poured down from the hills, did not suffice
to cause the slightest faltering in their advance. Steadily they came
forward, and desperate fighting took place. A position held by the 5th
Punjaub Infantry was carried by their attack; two guns were lost; but
the rest of the positions were held. There were now 40,000 men, at
least, gathered round the British forces, and General Macpherson was
ordered to fall back to Sherpur with all his force. General Baker was
to hold the village he had occupied since the morning, until all the
troops from the heights were within the walls. The movement was well
carried out, and although some loss took place as the troops fell back,
by nightfall all the British forces were gathered in the cantonments of
Sherpur.

For some days fighting was suspended, the Afghans being busy in
plundering the Hindoo portions of the city, and in preparing for an
attack. The British forces in Sherpur were now fairly besieged, and it
was considered certain that nothing could be done until the arrival of
troops from Jugdulluck and Gundamuck, down in the Jellalabad Valley.

Unfortunately the position had been considered as so secure from attack,
that no steps had been taken to demolish the old forts and villages
standing round Sherpur, and these were now occupied by the enemy, wh