It was arranged that there were to be four assaulting columns and one reserve column.

The first, second and third columns, which were to operate on our left, were under the command of Brigadier-General Nicholson, who personally led No. 1 column.  It consisted of: 

MEN. 
Her Majesty’s 75th Foot 300
1st Bengal Fusiliers 250
2nd Punjab Infantry 450
-----
Total 1,000

and was meant to storm the breach near the Kashmir bastion.

[Note:  I am indebted to the kindness of Mrs. Barter, the widow of my gallant friend and comrade.  General Richard Barter, C.B., who served throughout the Mutiny with the 75th Foot, first as Adjutant and afterwards as Captain, for the above ‘Daily State’ and for the following extract from that officer’s diary: 

’In the evening the order was published for the storming of Delhi a little before daybreak the next morning, September 14, and we each of us looked carefully to the reloading of our pistols, filling of flasks, and getting as good protection as possible for our heads, which would be exposed so much going up the ladders.  I wound two puggris or turbans round my old forage cap, with the last letter from the hills [Mrs. Barter was then at Kasauli, in the Himalayas] in the top, and committed myself to the care of Providence.  There was not much sleep that night in our camp.  I dropped off now and then, but never for long, and whenever I woke I could see that there was a light in more than one of the officers’ tents, and talking was going on in a low tone amongst the men, the snapping of a lock or springing of a ramrod sounding far in the still air, telling of preparation for the coming strife.  A little after midnight we fell in as quietly as possible, and by the light of a lantern the orders for the assault were then read to the men.  They were to the following purport:  Any officer or man who might be wounded was to be left where he fell; no one was to step from the ranks to help him, as there were no men to spare.  If the assault were successful he would be taken away in the doolies, or litters, and carried to the rear, or wherever he could best receive medical assistance.  If we failed, wounded and sound should be prepared to bear the worst.  There was to be no plundering, but all prize taken was to be put into a common stock for fair division after all was over.  No prisoners were to be made, as we had no one to guard them, and care was to be taken that no women or children were injured.  To this the men answered at once, by “No fear, sir.”  The officers now pledged their honours on their swords to abide by these orders, and the men then promised to follow their example.  At this moment, just as the regiment was about to march off, Father Bertrand came up in his vestments, and, addressing the Colonel, begged for permission to bless the regiment, saying:  “We may differ some of us in matters of religion, but the blessing of an old man and a clergyman can do nothing but good.”  The Colonel at once assented, and Father Bertrand, lifting his hands to Heaven, blessed the regiment in a most impressive manner, offering up at the same time a prayer for our success and for mercy on the souls of those soon to die.’]