either flank, and one in
support, to be moved as occasion required. Major-general Sir Harry
Smith's division and our small cavalry force moved in second line,
having a brigade in reserve to cover each wing. I committed the charge
of the left wing to Lieutenant-general Sir Henry Hardinge, while I
personally conducted the right. A very heavy cannonade was opened by
the enemy, who had dispersed over their position upwards of one hundred
guns, more than forty of which were of battering calibre: these kept
up a heavy and well directed fire, which the practice of our far less
numerous artillery, of much lighter metal, checked in some degree, but
could not silence: finally, in the face of a storm of shot and shell,
our infantry advanced, and carried these formidable entrenchments: they
threw themselves upon their guns, and with matchless gallantry wrested
them from the enemy; but when the batteries were partially within our
grasp, our soldiery had to face such a fire of musketry from the Sikh
infantry, arrayed behind their guns, that, in spite of the most heroic
efforts, a portion only of the entrenchment could be carried. Night fell
while the conflict was raging. Although I now brought up Major-general
Sir Harry Smith's division, and he captured and long retained another
part of the position, and her majesty's 3rd light-dragoons charged, and
took some of the most formidable batteries, yet the enemy remained in
possession of a considerable portion of the great quadrangle, whilst
our troops, mingled with theirs, kept possession of the remainder, and
finally bivouacked upon it, exhausted by their gallant efforts, greatly
reduced in numbers, and suffering extremely from thirst, yet animated by
an indomitable spirit. In this state of things the long night wore away.
Near the middle of it, one of their heavy guns was advanced, and
played with deadly effect upon our troops. Lieutenant-general Sir
Henry Hardinge immediately formed her majesty's 80th foot, and the 1st
European light-infantry. They were led to the attack by their commanding
officers, and animated in their exertions by Lieutenant-colonel Wood,
who was wounded in the outset. The 80th captured the gun; and the enemy,
dismayed by this countercheck, did not venture to press on further.
During the whole night, however, they continued to harass our troops by
fire of artillery, wherever moonlight discovered our position. But with
daylight of the 22nd came retribution. Our infan