by the
field-batteries, advanced to their support, and, scarcely two miles off,
confronted the enemy, nearly forty thousand strong, with forty guns,
preparing for action. To resist the attack, and to cover the formation
of the infantry, the cavalry, dashing rapidly to the front in columns of
squadrons, occupied the plain, and were speedily followed by the troops
of horse artillery, who took up their position with the cavalry on their
flanks.

"The country," writes the Commander-in-Chief, "is a dead flat,
covered at short intervals with a low, but in some places thick
jhow jungle, and dotted with sandy hillocks. The enemy screened
their infantry and cavalry behind this jungle, and such undulations
as the ground afforded; and, whilst our twelve battalions formed
from echelon of brigade into line, opened a very severe cannonade
upon our advancing troops, which was vigorously replied to by the
battery of horse artillery under Brigadier Brooke, which was soon
joined by the two light field-batteries. The rapid and
well-directed fire of our artillery appeared soon to paralyse that
of the enemy; and as it was necessary to complete our infantry
dispositions without advancing the artillery too near to the
jungle, I directed the cavalry under Brigadiers White and Gough to
make a flank movement on the enemy's left, with a view of
threatening and turning that flank, if possible. With praiseworthy
gallantry, the 3d light dragoons, with the 2d brigade of cavalry,
consisting of the body-guard and 5th light cavalry, with a portion
of the 4th lancers, turned the left of the Sikh army, and, sweeping
along the whole rear of its infantry and guns, silenced for a time
the latter, and put their numerous cavalry to flight. Whilst this
movement was taking place on the enemy's left, I directed the
remainder of the 4th lancers, the 9th irregular cavalry under
Brigadier Mactier, with a light field-battery, to threaten their
right. This manoeuvre was also successful. Had not the infantry
and guns of the enemy been screened by the jungle, these brilliant
charges of the cavalry would have been productive of greater
effect.

"When the infantry advanced to the attack, Brigadier Brooke rapidly
pushed on his horse artillery close to the jungle, and the
cannonade was resumed on both sides. The infantry, un