under cover of the fire of our fieldpieces and
horse-artillery. Stacey's brigade charged' the intrenchments, entered
them, drove the enemy in at the point of the bayonet, fighting
desperately as they receded. This took place within view of a large
portion of the army, and the exultation and assurance of victory which
was consequently excited, materially affected the fortunes of the
day. The whole of this brigade, European and native, behaved with the
greatest intrepidity, "the brave Irish of the 10th," as Major Edwardes
on another occasion described them, were especially distinguished. They
never fired a shot until within the intrenchments; they discharged their
pieces into the breasts of such of their enemies as withstood them, or
in pursuing volleys upon those who retreated within the inner area of
the works. The 53rd regiment also, as in the battle of Aliwal, behaved
with great courage, and showed the highest discipline.

As soon as General Gough perceived the success of Stacey, supported by
Wilkinson, he directed brigadier the Hon. T. Ashburnham to follow the
supports, and Generals Gilbert and Smith's divisions to throw out their
light troops against the enemy's centre and left, and to open a heavy
fire of artillery. The cannonade against the enemy's centre, and more
especially against his left, was delivered with amazing rapidity, at a
close range, and with deadly aim. The Sikhs, at the same time, worked
their very heavy pieces with skill, so that while a fierce bayonet
encounter went on within the trenches on the enemy's extreme right,
one hundred and twenty pieces of cannon sent their messengers of death
across the opposing lines, and rolled their thunders over the valley
and the waters of the Sutlej. The Sikhs began to expect that the British
centre and right would confine the attack to an artillery battle, and
therefore detached their infantry in masses from those points against
Stacey's brigade, which had then fought their way well within the works.
General Gough, thereupon, ordered the centre and left trenches to be
attacked, so that the whole semi-circle of the works was stormed. At the
first onset the Sikhs gave way on every point, but they returned with
desperation to the conflict, especially where there was a chance of
precipitating themselves upon the native regiments. Three British
divisions of infantry fought hand to hand with the enemy; but the
battle seemed doubtful, from the numbers and desperation