CAPTURE OF DEIG. 23rd. December, 1804.

When the troops of Holkar fled before the British in the action of the 13th. of November, the guns of the garrison of Deig, which belonged to the Rajar of Bhurtpore, were opened upon the pursuers, and the fugitives were sheltered within the fort. Accordingly an order was issued for the annexation of all his strongholds and territories, to the dominions of the Company; and the army encamped within ten miles of the strong fortress of Deig, on the 3rd. of December. The siege commenced on the 14th. of that month. A fortification had been erected by the foe on an eminence named Shah Bourj, or King’s redoubt, which commanded the town and forts; and the besieged had also entrenched themselves in its front, throwing up batteries in the best situations. The possession of this eminence being deemed essential, at half-past eleven o’clock in the night of the 23rd. of December, the flank companies of His Majesty’s 22nd. and 76th. Foot, and those of the 1st. European regiment, and the first battalion of the 8th. Native Infantry, were ordered to storm it. In an hour the gallantry of this heroic party had surmounted every obstacle, and completely succeeded in the enterprise. The two other columns were equally fortunate, notwithstanding that the enemy’s gunners offered a strenuous resistance; fighting desperately with their tulwars, and being mostly bayoneted at their posts. About half-past twelve the moon arose, and enabled the assailants to secure the guns they had so nobly captured. An attempt was now organized for the assault of the citadel, but during the night of the 24th. it was evacuated; and on Christmas morning the British flag was hoisted on the fortress. Considering the nature of the operations the loss was small. One hundred guns, sixteen of which were brass, became the trophies of the victors. The flank companies of the 22nd., and 76th. Foot, represented the King’s troops on this service.

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