of the enemy.
A manoeuvre was now executed which was generally regarded as novel, but
which, on a small scale, British cavalry accomplished also in America.
The sappers and miners of the left attack broke passages through the
intrenchments, through which the cavalry of Sir Joseph Thackwell rode,
in single file, forming as they passed through, and then charging
within the area of the defences, cut down the Sikh gunners and infantry
mercilessly. The 3rd Dragoons, with less assistance from the sappers,
and making many "break-neck leaps," sprang within, the defences,
and used their swords with the skill for which that gallant corp had
obtained so high and so well-deserved a reputation. The conduct of that
intrepid regiment surpassed, if that were possible, its own glory at
Moodkee and Ferozashooshah. Light field-pieces were brought in through
every opening, and were worked in murderous proximity to the enemy.
Infantry, cavalry, and artillery were now within the works, which were
no longer tenable, and the Khalsa soldiery fled precipitately to the
bridge, pursued with a carnage similar to that at Aliwal. Here, however,
the bridge befriended the fugitives, but an artillery and musketry fire
was directed upon it, making havoc in the confused and dense masses--men
whose hurried flight impeded their progress, and increased the
slaughter. As they gained the bridge their pursuers were at hand,
precipitating them over it into the Sutlej. Another column of fugitives
attempted to ford the river, but the waters were high, and swept them
from their feet. The horse artillery galloped into the river, and
discharged showers of grape upon the unresisting masses who struggled
through its dark waters. Little quarter was given, for, true to Eastern
usage, those who now were fugitives and cried for mercy, murdered the
prisoners whom in the early part of the action they had captured. Their
conduct resembled that of another Asiatic nation which calls itself
European, years afterwards, on the slopes of Alma, and on the plateau of
Sebastopol. To the circumstance of the Khalsa soldiery refusing to give
quarter the unsparing vengeance of our troops was to be attributed; and
it must also be admitted that when the Sepoy soldiery are thoroughly
excited, they display a ferocity which none who are only acquainted with
their ordinary conduct and character would ever suppose possible. The
battle was over by eleven o'clock. History furnishes few instances of