DEFENCE OF DELHI. October, 1804.

This defence of Delhi by Native troops, under British superintendence, presents a striking contrast to that made by them during the Indian Mutiny, against their former instructors in the art of war, and deservedly met with a different result.

As General Lord Lake advanced upon Muttra, Holkar secretly despatched his infantry and artillery for the purpose of surprising Delhi, leaving his cavalry to engage the attention of the British Commander. From its great extent and unprotected state, Holkar expected an easy conquest; his troops arrived before the city on the morning of the 8th. of October. Colonel Ochterlony, the resident, at once made the most judicious preparations for its defence; his garrison amounted to nearly two thousand two hundred men, and consisted entirely of Native troops. Lieutenant-Colonel Burn, as senior officer, commanded, and the resident’s time was fully taken up in preserving peace within the city, with the Mahomedan population of Delhi. Lieutenant Bose, with two hundred of the 14th. native infantry, one hundred and fifty irregulars, and a reserve of fifty men and a six-pounder, made a sortie during the evening of the 10th., and succeeded in storming the enemy’s battery, of which he gained possession, and having spiked the guns, withdrew, with trifling loss. At daybreak on the 14th. of October, under cover of a heavy cannonade, the enemy assaulted the Lahore gate, but were repulsed, leaving the ladders behind, which were drawn up over the walls by the Sepoys. After this defeat Holkar’s troops became dispirited, and before the following morning, his whole force had retired from the place. This successful defence by so small a force, was highly applauded, and it is a circumstance worthy of record, that as the men could not be frequently relieved, the resident caused provisions and sweetmeats, of which the natives are specially partial, to be distributed to them.

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