Lieutenant John Gordon of the Dundurcus family, massacred at Patna

16
the subadar and 35 Sepoys with the colours got to-
us. About 8 o'clock we were surrounded by Shim-
roo with three battalions of Sepoys, eight pieces
of cannon, and a body of about 10,000 horse and
foot, Nideram Included. Two of Shimroo's batta-
lions had European arms, and one country match-
locks. On their approach, orders were sent for
the 200 Sepoys (that had been left to guard the
boats) to join us. We got the howitt landed and
prepared to receive them". They came within 800
yards, and began to cannonade us. There was a
nulla about 50 yards in our front, but little water
in it, and a small bank in the front of our line,
behind which we were drawn up. The enemy did
not seem much inclinable to attack us, but kept
up a brisk fire from their artillery and jinjalls.
About 10 o'clock it was determined that we should
attack them, and Mr Ellis, being much fatigued
and somewhat out of order, came down to the
boats and ordered some liquor to be sent up to
the men. A little after this, Captain Carstairs was
mortally wounded [in the thigh] with a jinjall
ball, and the command devolved on Captain Tabby.
Our people were not allowed to fire on account of
the great scarcity of ammunition, and the enemy
began to come near and nearer, but very slowly.
"At three in the afternoon a company of their
Sepoys came down to the banks of the nulla, and
lay behind them and kept a warm fire of musketry
on us. They all after this moved down by degrees
and tried to stop the cannon and fire, and then
moved again. Our troops were much fatigued for
want of provisions, etc., and being exposed to a
warm fire all day. About half an hour after sun-
set the firing increased, and they began to ply us
with musketry, crossed the nulla, and attacked us
on all sides. About eight at night the Europeans
broke and fled ; the Sepoys stood their ground,
keeping a warm fire upon the enemy till all their
ammunition was expended, when they likewise
gave way. Lieutenants Pickering and Crofts, both
of the Sepoys, were killed, and the rest of the
gentlemen that were in the field were taken.
The boats where Mr Ellis was, finding the fire
cease, some of the officers that could swim
crossed the branch of the river (for the boats lay
on an island), opposite to where the action was,
pushed off and got into the river. Messrs Ellis,
Howitt, and Smith, with Captain Jouker, thought
proper to write to Nideram to send some of his
people to conduct them to Patna to Mindialy
Cawn, and it was likewise determined that Mr