Russell he placed on the left, in front of the Dilkushá, whilst he directed Little, with the cavalry, to occupy a line drawn from the canal on his right to a wall of the Dilkushá park on his left. With him he posted likewise Bourchier's battery. Somewhat later in the day, Russell, under his orders, occupied, with some companies, two villages on the canal covering the left of the advance.
But the rebels had no intention to allow the British general to remain in peaceful occupation of his line of attack. No sooner had they realised the exact nature of his dispositions than they massed their troops towards their centre, with the intention of making a grand assault. Little, noticing the gathering, sent an officer, Grant, to reconnoitre. On receiving Grant's report he despatched to the front the gallant Bourchier, supporting him with his cavalry. It was seen that the rebels had lined the opposite bank of the canal, and had only been prevented from making their forward movement by the timely occupation by Russell of the two villages above referred to. Bourchier's guns quickly sent back their skirmishers, and his fire reaching their supporting masses, these in their turn also fell back A second attempt, made about five o'clock, on the Martinière was baffled by the vigilance of Adrian Hope and the successful practice of Remmington's guns. Here, again, Bourchier's battery and Peel's guns rendered splendid service, literally 'crushing,' by their flank fire, the rebels out of their position.
The troops bivouacked for the night in the places they had gained. The next day, the 15th, was devoted to preparations, though it was not altogether free from desultory skirmishing. In the evening Sir Colin signalled to Outram, by a code previously arranged, that he would advance on the morrow.
Accordingly, early on the morning of the 16th, a
