"حياة ومراسلات اللواء السير جون مالكوم، قائد فرسان وسام الطُهر، المبعوث السابق إلى بلاد فارس وحاكم بومباي؛ من رسائل ومذكرات غير منشورة. في مجلّدين. المجلد II." [‎٢‎٩‎١] (٦٥٤/٣٠٨)

COMMENCEMENT OF THE SIEGE.
291
is dreadful," wrote Malcolm, " among these rocks, but all
are in great spirits, and those who have read Addison's
Campaign do not complain of that even-
No clime's unlovely tliat contains a foe."
"This would be famous," he said, in another letter,
" but for the excessive heat and the cholera. The
latter, though not virulent, lurks in camp in a very dis
agreeable way My opinion is, that there are not
materials in Asseerghur for a long siege. I think, also,
the place is decidedly assailable at one or more points,
but considering it in a political view, as the last point
of opposition, and the chosen place of refuge of our
last enemy, I conceive that we cannot have too much
means collected." He had been, for several days pre
ceding the final suspension of negotiations, reconnoitring
the surrounding country,* and gaining from every avail
able source the most minute local information that was
likely to be of service to him in the inevitable operations
of the siege. And having mapped out the plan, which
seemed to promise the best results, he had ridden over
to Doveton's camp to submit to him his views regarding
the best means of opening the attack, and taking counsel
with him regarding the subsequent operations.
On the 18th of March operations commenced. Doveton
commanded on one side of the fort: Malcolm on the other.
Malcolm's force consisted of two battalions of Madras
Sepoys, a regiment (grenadiers) and a battalion of Bom
bay Sepoys, a regiment of Madras Cavalry, some details
of European horse artillery, and a camel howitzer bat
tery, f The pettah was carried at the outset with little
* As early as the 7th of March he of the points on this quarter as I can
had written to General Doveton: " The be until T am in the works." _
result of my reconnoissance of this "f They were afterwards joined by
morniug, combined with what I saw two battalions of Bengal Sepoys and
before, makes me as completely master some heavy guns from Saugur.
u 2