The enemy displayed a part of his force on the 4th of March, and on the following day opened a cannonade upon the troops moving towards _Bangalore_, whilst his horse attempted to attack the stores and baggage, but without success. About sunset on the 5th of March, the army encamped within shot of the fort of Bangalore, and shifted its ground on the day following. The pettah (the suburbs of the town) was then attacked by the thirty-sixth and seventy-sixth regiments, with some battalions of sepoys, and carried, after a very resolute resistance on the part of the defenders.
From this period to the 14th of March, nothing material occurred, but every preparation for the approaching siege was carried on with diligence and activity. On the 15th, the batteries being completed, opened a fire upon Bangalore; and on the 17th the lines were cannonaded by the enemy, while at night the camp was much disturbed by his rockets.
Forage became very scarce, and none could be procured beyond the advanced piquets. The siege, however, proceeded, and the enemy continued to harass the British until the 21st March, when the breach being considered practicable, an attack was ordered.
The storming party consisted of the grenadiers of the thirty-sixth, fifty-second, SEVENTY-FIRST, seventy-second, seventy-fourth, and seventy-sixth regiments, followed by their respective light companies, and led by Lieutenant James Duncan of the SEVENTY-FIRST, and Lieutenant John Evans of the fifty-second, with a forlorn hope of thirty chosen men; the whole supported by the battalion companies of the thirty-sixth, seventy-second, and seventy-sixth, with some battalions of Bengal sepoys. The corps of attack were commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell of the seventy-fourth; the flankers immediately by Major Skelly; Major-General Medows was present on the occasion.
The grenadier company of the SEVENTY-FIRST was commanded by Captain the Honorable John Lindsay, who, upon entering the breach, directed his men to throw away their priming, and trust entirely to their bayonets. The light company was commanded by Captain James Robertson, son of the celebrated historian.
With the aid of scaling ladders, and after encountering very formidable obstacles, _Bangalore_ was carried. From the 6th of March to the conquest of Bangalore, the SEVENTY-FIRST had six privates killed, and fourteen wounded.