and was intended for the storming of the breach near the Water bastion.
No. 3 column, under Colonel Campbell, of Her Majesty's 52nd Light Infantry, consisted of:
| MEN. | |
|
Her Majesty's 52nd Light Infantry Kumaon Battalion 1st Punjab Infantry |
200 250 500 —– |
| Total | 950 |
and was told off to enter the Kashmir gate after it had been blown in.
No. 4 column was to operate on our right. It was commanded by Major Reid, of the Sirmur battalion, and was composed of that regiment, the Guides Infantry, and such men from the piquets (European and Native) as could be spared. Its strength was 860 men, besides 1,200 of the Kashmir Contingent, and its orders were to attack the suburbs of Kisenganj and Paharipur, and support the main attack by effecting an entrance at the Kabul gate..
The Reserve column, under Brigadier Longfield, Her Majesty's 8th Foot, was told to await the result of the attack, and afford assistance wherever required. It consisted of:.
| MEN. | |
|
Her Majesty's 61st Foot 4th Punjab Infantry Wing Baluch battalion |
250 450 300 ——– |
| Total | 1,000 |
with 300 of the Jhind Contingent..
There were besides 200 of the 60th Rifles, who were to cover the advance of Nicholson's columns, and join the reserve as soon as the assaults had been carried out..
In order to provide these five columns, in all hardly 5,000 strong, the services of every man who could bear arms had to be put into requisition. Piquets were weakened to a dangerous extent, and many of the sick and wounded who ought to have been in hospital were utilized for the protection of the camp..