Rifle Brigade.—No. 1 company in action in the clearing to the east of the path (with the Right Column). No. 3 company leaving Egginassie to support the 42nd. The remainder in action around Egginassie.
Right Column.
Naval Brigade engaged in the clearing east of the main path. (Lieut. Knox’s rockets playing into a hollow to the north-east.)
Wood’s Regiment in action round Egginassie.
Left Column.
Russell’s Regiment has taken the heights west of Egginassie.
Col. M’Leod, with the Naval Brigade, is cutting his way to try and connect with the Centre Column.
Rifle Brigade Companies.
1. Nicholl; 2. Sotheby; 3. Somerset; 4. Dugdale; 5. Lascelles; 6. Cope; 7. Slade (Scott); 8. Cary.
Soon afterwards Sir Archibald Alison, who was in the front with the 42nd, asked for ‘a support of half a Battalion of Rifles.’ The half-Battalion being, as we have seen, ‘otherwise engaged,’ Captain Somerset’s company was sent forward by the road or path to him. Starting at the double, this company advanced to the swamp about half a mile in front, where Sir Archibald had fought his way with the 42nd. Here Somerset found Sir Archibald Alison, with the detachment of the 23rd Fusiliers, awaiting his arrival. The company was posted here to keep up communication with the rear, and to advance when required. Sir Archibald crossed the marsh with the Fusiliers, and advanced towards Amoaful. Somerset’s company remained in this position till nearly the close of the day, keeping communication with the Fusiliers, who were some hundred yards to their north, and furnishing occasional escorts to staff officers passing along the path. Somerset’s men were exposed to the fire of Ashantees, who, creeping up to the edge of the bush, discharged their pieces at them. By this fire Lieutenant Smyth was wounded in the thigh, and two other Riflemen were hit. But the Riflemen soon silenced this annoying fire; Sergeant Bills especially making good use of his rifle.