In 1826, when the British army once more appeared before its walls, the army of the Maharajah of Bhurtpore, remembering the successful defence in 1804, felt pretty confident of holding its own against the British. On our side, the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Combermere, a Peninsular veteran, determined to leave nothing to chance.
Two divisions were assembled--one at Agra, under Major-General Jasper Nicolls; the second at Muttra, under Major-General Reynell, C.B.; whilst Lord Combermere assumed the chief command in person. The cavalry division was composed of two brigades, under Colonel Sleigh, of the 11th Hussars, who was given the rank of Brigadier-General.
First Cavalry Brigade--Brigadier Murray (16th Lancers): 16th Lancers, 6th, 8th, and 9th Bengal Cavalry.
Second Cavalry Brigade--Brigadier Childers (11th Hussars): 11th Hussars, 3rd, 4th, and 10th Bengal Cavalry.
FIRST DIVISION: MAJOR-GENERAL T. REYNELL, C.B.
First Brigade--Brigadier M'Combe (14th Foot): 14th Foot (West Yorkshire), 23rd and 63rd Bengal Infantry.
Fourth Brigade--Brigadier Whitehead (4th Bengal Infantry): 32nd, 41st, and 58th Bengal Infantry.
Fifth Brigade--Brigadier Paton, C.B. (18th Bengal Infantry): 6th, 18th, and 60th Bengal Infantry.
SECOND DIVISION: MAJOR-GENERAL JASPER NICOLLS, C.B.
Second Brigade--Brigadier Edwardes (14th Foot): 59th Foot (East Lancashire), 11th and 31st Bengal Native Infantry.
Third Brigade--Brigadier Adams (14th Bengal Native Infantry): 33rd, 36th, and 37th Bengal Native Infantry.
Sixth Brigade--Brigadier Fagan (15th Bengal Native Infantry): 15th, 21st, and 25th Bengal Native Infantry.
The artillery of the force comprised eight horse and twelve field batteries, with a siege-train of 112 pieces, including twelve mortars of 10-inch and fifty-eight of 8-inch calibre. The siege operations were under the directions of a very distinguished Company's officer, Brigadier Anbury, C.B.
On December 9, 1825, the two columns advanced from Muttra and Agra respectively, and on the 28th of the month the first battery opened fire. On January 17 the breaches were reported practicable, and the Commander-in-Chief determined to assault, Major-General Reynell being placed in command of the three storming columns, which were detailed as follows: