Hodson's Horse, who were nearest to them, at once made a brilliant charge, scattering them in all directions.
A short pause was made while the fort was dismantled, and then the column proceeded without further interruption to the Alumbagh.
There was some disappointment at its appearance.

Instead of finding, as they had expected, a palace, there was nothing but a large garden enclosed by a lofty wall, and having a small mosque at one end.

It had evidently been a place of retirement when the Kings of Oude desired to get away from the bustle and ceremony of the great town.
The Commander in Chief was thoroughly acquainted with the situation in the city, by information that he had received from a civilian named Kavanagh; who had at immense risk made his way out from the Residency, and was able to furnish plans of all the principal buildings and the route which, in the opinion of Brigadier General Inglis, was the most favourable for the attack.
In the evening the reinforcements arrived, bringing up the total force to 5,000.

When the orders were issued, the officers of the -- --th found to their intense satisfaction that, as Captain Mallett had thought likely, the 75th was selected to remain in charge of the baggage at the Alumbagh.
The force moved off, early on the morning of the 14th, but, after marching a short distance along the direct road followed by Havelock, struck off to the right, and, keeping well away from the city, came down upon the summer palace of the Kings of Oude, called the Dilkoosha.

It stood on an eminence commanding a view of the whole of the eastern suburbs of the town, and was surrounded by a large park.
As soon as the head of the column approached this, a heavy musketry fire broke out, and it was at once evident that their movements had been watched and the object of their march divined.