try formed in line,
supported on both flanks by horse-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
movement 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 clay 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
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
Sing, who had commanded in the last great battle, brought up from the
vicinity of Ferozepore 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 manouvre maintained an incessant
fire; whilst, our artillery ammunition being completely expended in these
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 to abandon the field." This
victory, by which the enemy was driven to the banks of the Sutlej,
was not achieved without heavy loss; and among the slain were Major
Broadfoot, political agent in the north-western provinces, Colonels
Wallace and Taylor, and Major Fitzroy Somerset,