Henry's mounted infantrymen supported by the horse-guns of J battery and the guns of Tucker's division began the action.

So hot was the answer, both from cannon and from rifle, that it seemed for a time as if a real battle were at last about to take place.

The Guards' Brigade, Stephenson's Brigade, and Maxwell's Brigade streamed up and waited until Hamilton, who was on the enemy's right flank, should be able to make his presence felt.

The heavy guns had also arrived, and a huge cloud of debris rising from the Pretorian forts told the accuracy of their fire.
But either the burghers were half-hearted or there was no real intention to make a stand.

About half-past two their fire slackened and Pole-Carew was directed to push on.