152 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
artificial means of defence at the Bhooteas' disposal made the general view 
quite encouraging to those who liked a hard day’s work. 
On the 28th February, General Tytler arriving in camp, we found that 
we were to await the arrival of the 19th Native Infantry (500 strong), and 
200 of the 18th Regiment Native Infantry, and that then we were to 
try our fortune on the Pass in front, at strengthening which, the enemy 
worked unremittingly; as we could plainly see the whole ground in front 
of the works had been cleared of all upright trees, and those which had been 
felled were placed as abattis to retard our advance. 
The high stockade on the summit of the hill was the most imposing, its 
height was 16 feet, the lower 8J or 9 feet was backed by 4 feet of 
stone, and flank defence was given by four verandah-like galleries above. A 
fort similar to this was in course of construction at the top of the 
gorge. Below this, on the road in the gorge itself, was another stockade. 
On our left of the top fort, and on the ridge immediately above the landslip, 
was another work, the ground between these two being apparently even, and 
free from jungle or shrubs; they were about 500 yards apart, the landslip 
stockade being but little below the level of the top fort, and, therefore, 
when once in our hands, a fine position for our guns to be placed in should 
the Top Fort have to be breached. 
Tassagong, itself a village, lay below all these works, and had three 
distinct lines of defence, one above the other; all, however, were commanded 
completely by the Top Fort. Lower down again there was a clearing 
in the trees, and smoke rising as if another work was there also; while 
down low, close to the river, we knew there were two more breastworks 
which would fire upon an advancing party going up the river bed. In the 
dry bed of the river, built of stones, were several breastworks on both sides 
of the two bridges which crossed the river here, and the destruction of 
which, by the Bhooteas, would considerably retard our advance, as the river 
was waist deep and very swift, and only fordable at a few places. 
On the 2nd March the enemy turned out in considerable numbers, carrying 
flags of all colours, and marched from the upper works to Tassagong, round 
and round which they paraded, firing and shouting. A temple has also been 
built in front of the Top Fort, and this many of the Bhooteas passed in 
single file, receiving something, what, I do not know, from some officiating 
priest or officer, but which, we subsequently heard, was to render them 
bullet proof. 
While waiting for the reinforcements I tried my luck at fishing, and the 
first day was successful in getting two fish, one of 8| lbs., the other 6| lbs.; 
they gave me good play, the tackle being light, they were both taken on 
the spoon. 
On the 14th March, the enemy had completed the new fort in the gorge, 
and as if aware that we intended to attack soon, burned down all the dry 
grass and shrubs round the works, and appeared to be rather more numerous 
than usual. 
The same day, the reinforcements for which General Tytler had been 
waiting, arrived at a point a few miles from our camp, and from where they 
would diverge when ascending the watercourse, which led them to the attack 
of the enemy's right flank. This column consisted of the 19th Native 
Infantry and detachments of the 18th, with two Armstrong guns and two 
