. It was a day for valour to aid men; life, hope,
honour to both armies depended upon the deeds to be that day enacted
upon the grassy slopes of Aliwal.

The superiority of the enemy in numbers enabled him, by his left, to
outflank the British; Sir Harry Smith, accordingly, ordered the troops
to break into open columns and take ground to the right. The British
line had advanced one hundred and fifty yards; it was now ten o'clock,
and suddenly from the whole of the Khalsa position a fierce cannonade
was opened. At first the balls fell short, but as the British advanced,
the enemy's shot told fearfully upon their ranks. Still, under this
heavy fire, the line was halted, that the general might execute a
manoeuvre which appeared to open a prospect of more speedy victory. The
village of Aliwal was discovered to be the key of the position, and the
British general, by moving his right successfully upon it, could with
great advantage operate against the left and centre of the enemy's line.
This the English commander executed in the most brilliant manner: the
first brigade of his own division, under Brigadier Hicks, immediately
supported by Brigadier Godby's brigade, which had constituted the
garrison of Loodiana, gallantly stormed the village of Aliwal, and
from this new vantage-ground opened a deadly fire upon the right of the
enemy's left, and his left centre. Sir Harry then ordered his whole
line to advance, which was gallantly achieved, the 31st (or Young Buffs)
European regiment distinguishing itself, although the native regiments
showed a noble emulation to be first in front. The cavalry on the
enemy's left were now in a position to act effectively against the
British, but the brigade of cavalry on our right flank, commanded by the
skilful and clashing Brigadier Cureton, charged them, sabring numbers,
and driving the rest pell-mell upon their infantry, whom they threw
into confusion. Another body of British cavalry, consisting of the
light-horse and the body-guard, made a second charge equally brilliant.
The intrenchments of the enemy, filled with infantry, were now brought
into view; but General Smith ordered Godby's brigade to change front
and take them _en revers_; this manouvre increased the confusion of the
enemy, whose infantry gave way, leaving several guns in the hands of the
victorious brigade. These movements on the enemy's left were decisive
of the action, but the British behaved equally well on other portions o