artillery, whilst a fire
was opened from our centre by such of our heavy guns as remained
effective, aided by a flight of rockets. A masked battery played
with great effect upon this point, dismounting our pieces, and
blowing up our tumbrils. At this moment Lieutenant-General Sir
Henry Hardinge placed himself at the head of the left, whilst I
rode at the head of the right wing.

"Our line advanced, and, unchecked by the enemy's fire, drove them
rapidly out of the village of Ferozeshah and their encampment;
then, changing front to its left, on its centre, our force
continued to sweep the camp, bearing down all opposition, and
dislodged the enemy from their whole position. The line then
halted, as if on a day of manoeuvre, receiving its two leaders,
as they rode along its front, with a gratifying cheer, and
displaying the captured standards of the Khalsa army. We had taken
upwards of seventy-three pieces of cannon, and were masters of the
whole field.

"The force assumed a position on the ground which it had won; but
even here its labours were not to cease. In the course of two
hours, Sirdar Tej Singh, who had commanded in the last great
battle, brought up from the vicinity of Ferozopore fresh battalions
and a large field of artillery, supported by 30,000 Ghorepurras,
hitherto encamped near the river. He drove in our cavalry parties,
and made strenuous efforts to regain the position at Ferozeshah:
this attempt was defeated; but its failure had scarcely become
manifest, when the Sirdar renewed the contest with more troops and
a large artillery. He commenced by a combination against our left
flank, and when this was frustrated, made such a demonstration
against the captured village as compelled us to change our whole
front to the right. His guns during this manoeuvre maintained an
incessant fire, whilst, our artillery ammunition being completely
expended in those protracted combats, we were unable to answer him
with a single shot.

"I now directed our almost exhausted cavalry to threaten both
flanks at once, preparing the infantry to advance in support, which
apparently caused him suddenly to cease his fire, and abandon the
field.

* * * * *

"The loss of this army has been heavy; how could a hope be