I could have fallen upon his centre with advantage.

"From the tops of the houses of the village of Poorein, I had a
distant view of the enemy. He was in motion, and appeared directly
opposite my front on a ridge, of which the village of Aliwal may be
regarded as the centre. His left appeared still to occupy its
ground in the circular intrenchment; his right was brought forward
and occupied the ridge. I immediately deployed the cavalry into
line, and moved on. As I neared the enemy, the ground became most
favourable for the troops to manoeuvre, being open and hard grass
land. I ordered the cavalry to take ground to the right and left by
brigades, thus displaying the heads of the infantry columns, and
as they reached the hard ground I directed them to deploy into
line. Brigadier Godby's brigade was in direct echelon to the rear
of the right--the Shekawattee infantry in like manner to the rear
of my left. The cavalry in direct echelon on, and well to the rear
of both flanks of the infantry. The artillery massed on the right,
and centre, and left. After deployment, I observed the enemy's left
to outflank me; I therefore broke into open columns and took ground
to my right. When I had gained sufficient ground, the troops
wheeled into line; there was no dust, the sun shone brightly. The
manoeuvres were performed with the celerity and precision of the
most correct field-day. The glistening of the bayonets and swords
of this order of battle was most imposing, and the line advanced.
Scarcely had it moved forward 150 yards, when at 10 o'clock the
enemy opened a fierce cannonade from his whole line. At first his
balls fell short, but quickly reached us. Thus upon him, and
capable of better ascertaining his position, I was compelled to
halt the line, though under fire, for a few moments, until I
ascertained that by bringing up my right and carrying the village
of Aliwal, I could with great effect precipitate myself upon his
left and centre. I therefore quickly brought Brigadier Godby's
brigade, and with it and the 1st brigade under Brigadier Hicks,
made a rapid and noble charge, carried the village, and two guns of
large calibre. The line I ordered to advance--her Majesty's 31st
foot and the native regiments contending for the front, and the
battle became gene