The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-01 00:00:00

which had been detached to Loodianah, and had gained the
victory of Aliwal, rejoined the Commander-in-Chief's camp.
The vertical fire of the heavy ordnance had the effect in-
tended by his Excellency; it shook the enemy's confidence
in works so well and so laboriously constructed, and com-
pelled them to seek shelter in the brokea ground within
their camp.
The British Infantry, formed on the extreme left of the
line, then advanced to the assault, and in spite of every im-
pediment cleared the intrenchments, and entered the enemy's
camp. Her Majesty's 10th, 53d, and 60th Regiments, with
the 33d, 43d, 59th and 63d Native Infantry, moving at a
firm and steady pace, never fired a shot till they had
passed the barriers opposed to them—a forbearance
much to be commended and most worthy of constant
imitation, to which may be attributed the success of
their first effort, and the small loss they sustained.
This attack was crowned with the success it deserved,
and (led by its gallant commander, Major-General Sir R.
Dick) obtained the admiration of the army, which wit-
nessed its disciplined valour; when checked by the for-
midable obstacles and superior numbers to which the attack-
ing division was exposed, the second division, under
Major-General Gilbert, afforded the most opportune as-
sistance by rapidly advancing to the attack of the enemy's
batteries, entering their fortified position, after a severe
struggle, and sweeping through the interior of the camp.
This division inflicted a very severe loss on the retreating
enemy.
The same gallant efforts, attended by the same success,
distinguished the attack on the enemy's left, made by the
Ist division, under the command of Major-General Sir H.
Smith, K.C.8., in which the troops nobly sustained their
former reputation.
These three divisions of infantry concentrated within the
enemy's camp, drove his shattered forces into the river, with
a loss which far exceeded that which the most experienced
officers had ever witnessed.

Thus terminated, in the brief space of two hours, this most
remarkable conflict, in which the military combinations of
the Commander-in-Chief were fully and ably carried into
effect with his Excellency's characteristic energy. The
enemy's select regiments of regular infantry have been dis-
persed, and a large proportion destroyed, with the loss, since
the campaign began, of 220 pieces of artillery, taken in
action.

The same evening six regiments of native infantry crossed
the Sutlej. On the following day the bridge of boats was
nearly completed by that able and indefatigable officer,
Major Abbott, of the Engineers, and the army Is this day en-
camped at Kussoor, 32 miles from Lahore.
The Governor-General again most cordially congratulates
the Commander-in-Chief on the important results obtained
by this memorable achievement. The Governor-General, in
the name of the Government and of the people of India,
offers to his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, to the ge-
neral officers, and all the officers and troops under their com-
mand, his grateful and heartfelt acknowledgments for the
services they have performed.
To commemorate this great victory the Governor-General
will cause a medal to be struck, with " S•braon..!' engraved
upon it, to be presented to the victorious army in the service
of the East India Company, and requests his Excellency the
Commander-in-Chief to forward the lists, usually furnished,
of those engaged.
The Governor-General deeply regrets the loss of the brave
&teem and men who have fallen on this occasion. Major-
General Sir Robert Dick, K.C.8., who led the attack, re-
ceived a mortal wound after he had entered the enemy's in-
trenchments. Thus fell, most gloriously at the moment of
victory, this veteran officer, displaying the same energy and
intrepidity as when, 35 years ago in Spain, he was the dis-
tinguished leader of the 42d Highlanders.
The army has also sustained a heavy loss by the death of
Brigadier Taylor, commanding the 3d brigade of the 2d
division ; a most able officer, and very worthy to have been
at the head of so distinguished a corps as her Majesty's 29th
Regiment, by which he was beloved and respected.
The Company's service has lost an excellent officer in Cap-
tain Fisher, who fell at the head of the brave Sirmoor Regi-
ment, which greatly distinguished itself.
The Governor-General has much satisfaction in again of-
fering to Major-General Sir Harry Smith, K.C.8., com-
manding the Ist division of Infantry, his best thanks for his
gallant services on this occasion by which he has added to
his well-established reputation.
The Governor-General acknowledges the meritorious con-
duct of Brigadier Penny and Brigadier Hicks, commanding
brigades in the Ist division.
Her Majesty's 31st and 50th Regiments greatly distin-
guished themselves, as well as the 42d and 47th Native In-
fantry, and the Nusseeree Battalion.
The Governor-General's thanks are also due to Lieutenant-
Colone Ryan, commanding her Majesty's 50th, who, he re-
grets to hear, has been severely wounded.
To Major-General Gilbert, commanding the 2d division,
the Governor-General is most happy to express his acknow-
ledgments for the judgment, coolness, and intrepidity dis-
played by him on every occasion since the campaign opened,
and on the present the promptitude and energy of his attack
essentially contributed to insure the success of tine day.
The Governor-General trusts that the wound received by
Brigadier M'Laren will not long deprive the service of one
of its best officers.

Her Majesty's 29th and Ist European Regiments, and the
26th, 48th, 61st Native Infantry, and the Sirmoor lattalion
have entitled themselves by their gallant conduct to the
thanks of the Government.
To Brigadier Stacy, on whom the command of the 2d divi-
sion devolved, the Governor-General's thanks are especially
due for the able manner in which the attack within the
enemy's camp was directed.
The Governor-General is also glad to have this opportu-
nity of acknowledging the services of Brigadier Wilkinson,
commanding the Gth brigade of the attacking division.
The brigade composed of her Majesty's 9th and 62d Regi-
ments and the 26th Native Infantry, under the command of
Brigadier the Hon. T. Ashburnham, placed in support of the
attacking division, by its firm and judicious advance con-
tributed to the success of the assault.

--
The cavalry under the command of Major-General Sir J.
Thackwell, K.C.8., Brigadiers Cureton, Scott, and Campbell
were well in hand, and ready for any emergency. Her Ma-
Jesty's 3d Light Dragoons, as usual, were in the foremost
ranks, and distinguished themselvesunder their commanding-
officer, Lieut.-Colonel White.
Brigadier Smith, the Commanding Engineer, fully accom-
plished the Commander-in-Chiefs instructions, and to
Captain Baker and Lieut. Becher, of the Engineers, the
Governor-General's acknowledgments are due for leading the
division of attack into the enemy's camp ; these officers well
maintained the reputation of their corps whenever gallantry
or science may be required from its members.

Major Abbott, of the Engineers, exclusive of his exertions
in constructing the bridge of boats, displayed much intelli-
gence in the field. The merits of Major Reilly, commanding
that most useful corps, the Sappers and Miners, are acknow-
ledged. The ability and zeal of Brigadier Irvine, the senior
officer of the engineer corps, are well-known to the Governor-
General, and his forbearance in not assuming the command,
having reached the camp on the preceding evening, is duly
appreciated.
Brigadier Gowan, commanding the Artillery, ably directed
the practice of the heavy artillery on the left, assisted by
Lieutenant-Colonel Biddulph, Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke,
Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, and Captain Pillans.
On the right the howitzer practice was well sustained by
Major Grant.
The troops of Horse Artillery of Lieutenant-Colonel Lane
and Captain Fordyce greatly assisted the attack of our in-
fantry on the left, and whilst the enemy were crossing the
river, the fire of Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander's troop was
most effective.

The troops of Captain Horsford and Captain Swinley also
did good service. _ _

The Governor-General's acknowledgments are due to
Major Grant, Deputy Adjutant-General, and to bis depart-

ment generally, for their ability and intelligence. To the
Quartermaster-General the service is much indebted, to the
judgment and zeal which mark all the proceedings of that
officer, and the Governor-General offers his acknowledg-
ments to him, to the Deputy Quartermaster-General, Lieut.-
Colonel Drummond, and the officers of that department.
To Lieutenant-Colonel Barr, Acting Adjutant-General,
and to Lieutenant-Colonel Gough, Acting Quartermaster-
General (Queen's service), the Governor-General's thanks are
due. He regrets the:temporary deprivation of the services of
these officers by the wounds they have received.
To Lieutenant-Colonel Birch, Judge Advccate-General,
the Governor-General again has to repeat his thanks for his
intelligence and gallantry.
To Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock Persian interpreter, the
Governor-General offers his best thanks.

The Governor-General desires to record his obligations to
Count Ravensburgh and to the officers of his Royal High-
ness's staff, Count Oriola and Count Greuben. This gallant
and amiable Prince, with his brave associates of the Prussian
army, has shared all the dangers, and secured for himself the
respect and admiration of the British army; and the Go-
vernor- General begs to convey to his Royal Highness and his
staff his cordial thanks for the ready offers of their services
on the field of battle. _ _

_
The Governor-General has now to acknowledge the ser-
vices rendered by the officers attached to his own staff.
He renews to lieutenant-Colonel Benson, of the Military
Board, his strong sense of the important services rendered by
that officer during the whole of this campaign, whose general
information in military details and cool judgment in action
deserve this acknowledgment.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, the Governor-General's military
secretary, displayed on the 10th inst. the same intelligence
and gallantry as on former occasions.
Major Lawrence, the Governor• General's Political Agent,'
has throughout these operations afforded most useful assist-
ance by his ability, zeal, and activity in the field, as well as
on every other occasion.
Captain Mills, Assistant Political Agent and Honorary
Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General, has shown the most
unwearied devotion to the services as well in the field as in
the exercise of his personal influence in the protected Seikh
states.

The Governor-General's thanks are also due to Captain
Cunningham, of the Engineers, Assistant Political Agent.
The Governor-General's Aides-de-Camp, Captain Grant,
Lord Arthur Hay, Captain Peel, and Captain Hardinge, by
their gallantry and intelligence rendered themselves most
useful.

In the operations:of this campaign, in which officers of the
civil service have accompanied the camp and participated in
the risks incidental to active warfare, the Governor-General's
thanks are due for their readiness in encountering these
risks and their endurance of privations. The Governor-
General acknowledges the able assistance he had at all times
received from the Political• Secretary, P. Currie, Esq. His
acknowledgments are also due to his private secretary, C.
Ilardinge, Esq., and to the Assistant Political Agent, R.
Cust, Esq.
Lieutenant-Colonel Parsons, Deputy Commissary-General,
has succeeded in keeping the army well supplied, and the Go-
vernor-General is much satisfied with his exertions and
those of the officers under his command. The army took
the field under circumstances of great difficulty, and by stre-
nuous exertions and good arrangements on the part of the
Lieutenant-Colonel, the army has now a large 'upply in re-
serve, a result very creditable to the chief of the f:%ommis-
sariat Department. The manner in which Captain Johnson
has conducted the Commissiariat duties entrusted to him
has also met with the Governor-General's approbation.
To Dr. Macleod, Superintending-Surgeon, and to Dr. Gra-
ham, as well as to the officers of the Medical Department
generally, the Governor-General oftlrs his acknowledgments.
His thanks are duo to Dr. Walker, Surgeon to the Go
vernor• General, whose ability is only to be equalled by his
zeal and humanity.
A salute of twelve guns will be fired in celebration of the
victory of Sobraon at all the usual stations of the army.
By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India,
F. CURRIE, Secretary to the Government of India,
with the Governor• General.

THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEFS
DISPATCHES.

Head-Quarters, Army of the Sutlej,
Camp Kussoor, Feb. 13.
TO THE RIGHT HON. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

OF INDIA, &c.

Right Hon. Sir,—This is the fourthdispatch which I have
bad the honour of addressing to you since the opening of the
campaign. Thanks to Almighty God, whose hand desire
to acknowledge in all our successes, the occasion of my
writing now is to announce a fourth and most glorious and
decisive victory I
My last communication detailed the movements of the
Seikhs and our counter-manoeuvres since the great day of
Ferozeshah. Defeated on the Upper Sutlej, the enemy con-
tinued to occupy his position on the right bank, and for-
midable tete de pont and entrenchments on the left bank of
the river in front of the main body of our army. But on the
10th instant, all that he held-of British territory, which was
comprised in the ground on which one of his camps stood,
was stormed from his grasp, and his audacity was again sig-
nally punished by a blow, sudden, heavy, and overwhelming.
It is my gratifying duty to detail the measures which have
led to this glorious result.
The enemy's works had been repeatedly reconnoitred dur-
ing the time of my head-quarters being fixed at Nihalkee,
by myself, by my departmental stall; and my engineer and
artillery officers. Our observations, coupled with the re-
ports of spies, convinced us that there had devolved on us
the arduous task• of attacking, in a position covered with
formidable intrenchments, not fewer than 30,000 men, the
best of the Khalsa troops, with 70 pieces of cannon, united
by a good bridge to a reserve on the opposite bank, on
which the enemy had a considerable camp and sonic ar-
tillery, commanding and flanking his field works on our
side. Major-General Sir Harry Smith's division having
rejoined me on the evening of the Bth, and part of my
siege train having come up with me, I resolved, on the
morning of the 10th, to dispose our mortars and battering
guns on the alluvial land within good range of the enemy's
works. To enable us to do this, it was necessary first to
drive in the enemy's pickets at the post of observation
in front of Koodeewalla, and at the little Sobraon. It
was directed that this should be done during the night of the
9th, but the execution of this part of the plan was deferred
owing to misconceptions and casual circumstances until near
daybreak. The delay was of little importance, as the event
showed that the Seikhs had followed our example in oc•
cupying the two posts in force by day only. Of both, there-
fore, possession was taken without opposition. The batter-
ing and disposed field artillery was then put in position in an
extended semicircle, embracing within its fire the works of
the Seikhs. It had been intended that the cannonade should
have commenced at daybreak ; but so heavy a mist hung
over the plain and river, that it became necessary to wait
until the rays of the sun had penetrated it and cleared the
atmosphere. Meanwhile, on the margin of the Sutlej on our
left, two brigades of Major-General Sir R. Dick's division, under
his personal command, stood ready to commence the assault
against the enemy's extreme right. His 7th brigaadde,leidn
n
which was the 10th Foot, reinforced by the 53d Foot, ,
by Brigadier Stacey, was to head the attack, !upp.oerrt eldvr
200 yards distance by the-6th brigade under Brigadier
Brigadier the
kinson. In reserve was the sth brigade under
e
intrenched village of Kodeewalla, leaving, ifa
At or-General Gil-
a°
bt traacokn, its Majo-
r jgoht
Hon. T. Ashbarnham, which was to movf fnorewcea:sadrfyro,ma trhe
giment for its defence. In the centre,
o
resting on, and in • the village of the
Bert's division was deployed for support
formed near the village of
General Sir Harry Smith's pprrtttleorS
, threatened, by feigned attacks, the
Cureton's
Guttah, with its right th'rsowymasup towards the Sutlej. Bri-
gadierford at Hurreeke, and the enemy's horse under Raja Lall
iiiingh • Misr on the opposite bank. Brigadier Campbell,

Z

)

, bkilla MAW NOWA Mitt*eeekel6
_s,,,kes,s,
moral t.fllberee rlgM and TtreiersGeneetti gls airs,. pia*
left, protected both. Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell,
under whom was Brigadier Scott, held in reserve on our left,
ready to act as circumstances might demand, the rest of the
cavalry.
Our battery of 9-pounders, enlarged into twelves, opened
near the little Sobraon with a brigade of howitzers formed
..... from the light field batteries and troops of horse artillery,
shortly after daybreak. But it was half-past six before the
whole of our artillery fire was developed. It was most
spirited and well directed. I cannot speak in terms too high
of the judicious disposition of the' guns, their admirable
practice, or the activity with which the cannonade was sus-
..e, tained ; but, notwithstanding the formidable calibre of our
iron guns, mortar-, and howitzers, and the admirable way in
which they were served, and aided by a rocket battery, it
would have been visionary to expect that they could, within
any limited time, silence the fire of seventy pieces behind,well
constructed batteries of earth, plank, and fascines, or dislodge
troops covered either by redoubts or epaulernents, or within
a treble line of trenches. The effect of the cannonade was,
as has since been proved by an inspection of the camp, most
severely felt by the enemy; but it soon became evident that
the issue of this struggle must be brought to the arbitrement ,
of musketry and thavonet.
At nine o'clock Brigadier Stacey's brigade, supported on
either flank by Capfainis Horsford's and Fordyce's batteries
and Lieutenant-Colonel Line's troop of Horse Artillery,
dmoved jo the attack in admirable order. The infantry and
uns aided each other co-relativelv. The former marched
'Steadily on in line, which they hafted only to correct when
11
necessary. The latter took up successive positions at the
gallop, until at length they were within 300 yards of the
heavy batteries of the Seikhs; but, notwithstanding the regu-
larity, and coolness, and scientific character of this assault,
which Brigadiemtrhul'aiVitkileikttri3;ereamnned well supported,
mssubopompooerrutmeekdos kept,mseontah np:
hot was
th
that the
impossiblec
Khalsa
of
chments could be won under it ; but soon per-
severing gallantry triumphed, and the whole army had the
r aiishac ea ni
ni rtorn troops,e,n
satisfaction to see the gallant Brigadier Stacey's soldiers
driving the Seikhs in confusion before them within the area
of their encampment. The 10th Foot, under Lieutenant-
Colonel Franks, now for the first time brought into serious
contact with the enemy, greatly distinguished themselves.
This regiment never fired a shot till it got within the
works of the enemy. The onset of her Majesty's 53d Foot
was as gallant and effective. The 43d and 59th Native
Infantry brigaded with them, and emulated both in cool
determination.
At the moment of this first success, I directed Brigadier
the Hon. T. Ashburnham's brigade to move on in support,
and Major-General Gilbert's and Sir Harry Smith's divisions
to throw out their light troops to threaten their works aided
by artillery. As these attacks of the centre and right com-
menced, the fire of our heavy guns had first to be directed
to the right, and then gradually cease, but at one time the,
thunder of full 120 pieces of ordnance reverberated in thjg _AIL.'"
mighty combat through the valley of the Sutlej, and as it
was soon seen that the weight of the whole force within the
Seikh camp was likely to be thrown upon the two brigades
that had passed its trenches, it became necessary to convert
into close and serious attacks the demonstrations with skir-
mishers and artillery of the centre and right; and the battle
raged with inconceivable fury from right to left. The Seikhe,
even when at particular points their intrenchments were
mastered with the bayonet, strove to regain them by the
fiercest conflict sword in hand. Nor was it until the cavalry
of the left under Major-Gineral Sir Joseph Thackwell, had
moved. forward and ridden through the openings of the in-
trenchments made by our sappers, in single file, and re-formed
as they passed them, and the 3d Dragoons, whom no obstacle
usually held formidable by horse appears to check, had on,
thiso b
s t
idnaayt
e,
dasefeantdFeersroozfeshbaalitiergiesalloapnedd ofiveelrd-awnodrkcsu,t
adnodwnunthl
the full weight of three divisions of infantry, mini every
field artillery gun which could be sent to their aid, had
been cast into the scale, that victory finally declared for
the British. The fire of thei Seikhs first slackened and then.
nearly ceased, and the victors then pressing them on every
side, precipitated them in numbers over their bridge and
into the Sutlej, which a sudden rise of seven inches had
rendered hardly fordable. In their efforts to reach the right
bank, through the deepened water, they suffered from our
horse artillery a terrible carnage. Hundreds fell under this
cannonade; hundreds upon hundreds were drowned in at-
tempting the perilous passage. Their awful slaughter, con-
fusion, and dismay were such as would have excited com-
passion in the hearts of their generous conquerors, if the
Khalsa troops had not, in the earlypare of the action, sullied
their gallantry by slaughtering and barbarously mangling
every wounded soldier whom, in the vicissitudes of attack,
the fortune of war left at their mercy. I must pause in this
narrative especially to notice the determined hardihood and
bravery with which our two battalions of Ghoorkbas, the
Sirmoor and Nusseree, met the Seikhs wherever they were
opposed to them. Soldiers of small stature, but indomitable
spirit, they vied in ardent courage •in the charge with the
grenadiers of our own nation, and armed with the short
weapon of their mountains, were a terror to the Seikhs
throughout this great combat.
Sixty-seven pieces of cannon,upwards of 200 camel swivels
(zumboorucks), numerous standards, and vast munitions of
war, captured by our troops, are the pledges and trophies of
our victory. The battle was over by eleven in the morning,
and in the forenoon I caused our engineers to burn a part and
to sink a part of the vaunted bridge of the Khalsa army,
across which they had boastfully come once more to defy us,
and to threaten India with ruin and devastation.

We have to deplore a loss severe in itself, but certainly not
heavy when weighed in the balance against the obstacle
overcome and the advantages obtained. I have especially to
lament the fall of Major-General Sir Robert Dick, K.C.8.,
a gallant veteran of the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns.
He survived only till evening the dangerous grape-shot
wound which he received close to the enemy's intrench-
meats whilst personally animating, by his dauntless example,
the soldiers of her Majesty's 80th Regiment in their career of
noble daring. Major-General Gilbert, to whose gallantry
and unceasing exertions I have been so deeply indebted, and
whose services have been so eminent throughout this eventful
campaign, and Brigadier Stacey, the leader of the brigade,
most hotly and successfully engaged, both received contu-
sions. They were such as would have caused many men to
retire from the field, but they did not interrupt for a
moment the efforts of these heroic officers. Brigadier
M'Laren, so distinguished in the campaigns in Aff-
gaanistan, at Maharajpore, and now again in our
conflicts with the Seikhs, has been badly wounded by
a ball in the knee. Brigadier Taylor, (C. 8.), one of the
most gallant and intelligent officers of the army, to whom
I have felt deeply indebted on many occasions, fell in this
fight at the head of his brigade, in close encounter with
the enemy, and covered with honourable wounds. Brigadier
Penny, of the Nusseree Battalion, commanding. the 2d
brigade, has been wounded, but not, I trust, severely. I
am deprived for the present of the valuable services of
Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Gough, C. 8., Acting Quarter-
Master General of her Majesty's troops, whose aid I have so
highly prized in all my campaigns in. China and India. He
has received a wound from a grape shot, which is severe,
but I hope not dangerous. Lieutenant-Colonel Barr, Act-
ing Adjutant-General of her Majesty's forces, whose superior
merit as a staff officer I have before recorded, has suffered
a compound fractare in the left arm by a ball. It is feared
that amputation may become necessary. Lieutenant-
Colonels Ryan and Petit, of the 50th Foet, were both badly
wounded with that-gallant regiment. Captain John Fisher,
Commandant of the Sirmoor battalion, fell at the head of his
valiant little corps, respected and lamented by the whole
ar
I have now to make the attempt, difficult, nay impracti-
cable though I deem it, of expressing in adequate terms
my sense of obligation to those who especially aided me by
their talents and self-devotion in the hard-fought field of
Sobraon.
First, Right Hon. Sir, you must permit me to speak of
yourself. Before the action, I had the satisfaction of sub-
mitting to you my plan of attack, and I cannot describe
the support which I derived from the circumstances of its
having in all its details met your approbation.• When a
soldier of such sound judgment and matured experience as
your Excellency assured me that my projected operation
deserved success, I could not permit myself to doubt that,
with the blessing of Divine Providence, the victory would
be ours. Nor did your assistance stop here ; though suf-
fering severely from the effects of a fall, and unable to mount
on horseback without assistance, your uncontrollable de-
sire to see this army once more triumphant, carried you
into the is fittest of the fire, filling all who witnessed your ex-
posure to such Peril at once with admiration of the in-
trepidity that prossapted it, and anxiety for your personal
safety, involving so deeply in itself the interests and happi-
ness of British India. I must acknowledge also my obligation
to you for having, whilst I was busied with another portion
of our operations, superintended all the arrangements that
related to laying our bridge across the Sutlej near Feroze-
pore. Our prompt appearance on this bank of the river
after victory, and advance to this place, which has enabled
us to surprise its fort and encamp without opposition in one
dispatch,
to ionfvtahleoasbtrloenagsseissttapnooseit.ions in the country, is the result of this
commendation The Major-Gteinmenr Major-Generals
mo f divisionsith engagedwithin the limits o deservef
ato bestow. Major-General Sir Robert Dick, as I have already
related, has fallen on a field of renown worthy of his military
career and services, and the affectionate regret of his country
wilt follow him to a soldier's grave.
In his attack on the enemy's left Major-General Sir Harry
Smith displayed the same valour and judgment which gave
him the victory of Aliwal. A more arduous task has seldom,
if ever, been assigned to a division. Never has an attempt
been more gloriouslycarried through.
I want words to express my gratitude to Major-General
Gilbert. Not only have Ito record that in this great fight
all was achieved by him which, as Commander-in-Chief, I
could desire to have executed; not only on this day was his
division enabled by his skill and courageous example to
triumph over obstacles from which a less ardent spirit would
have recoiled as insurmountable, but since the hour in which
our leading columns moved out of Umballah I have found in
the Major-General an officer who has not merely carried out
all my orders to the letter, but whose zeal and tact have
enabled him in a hundred instances to perform valuable ser-
vices in exact anticipation of my wishes. I beg explicitly to
recommend him to your Excellency's especial notice as a
divisional commander of the highest merit.
Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell has established a
claim on this day to the rare commendation of having
achieved much with a cavalry force, where the duty to be
done consisted entirely of an attack on field works usually
supposed to be the particular province of infantry and artil-
lery. His vigilance and activity throughout our operations,
and the superior manner in which our out-post duties have
been carried on under his superintendence, demand my
warmest acknowledgments.
Brigadier Stacey (C. 8.), I mast commend to your special
protection and favour. On him devolved the arduous duty
of leading the first column to the attack, turning the enemy's
right, encountering his fire, before his numbers had been
thinned, or his spirit broken, and, to use a phrase which a
soldier like your Excellency will comprehend, taking off
the rough edge of the Seikhs in the fight. How ably, how
gallantly,
Stacey
endeavoured to relate. I feel certain that Brigadier'
ir Excel-
gallantly, how successfully this was done, I have before
and his noble troops will hold their due p 3
reward.
in consequence of the only regi-
Brigadierlency's estimation, and that his merits- place
meetno with fit
Orchard (C B.),
•
• Stacey's brigade, attachedhimself to it,
being with Brigadier
ries, and success
ment under his command, that was engaged in the action,
and shared all its dangers,. glo
I beg as warmly and sincerely to praise the manner in
hwamorkms.anceuvred with great
which Brigadier Wilkinson supported Brigadier Stacey, and
to the two last-mentioned
brigades.followed
rßrigadiercoolness:ld ai
en ds r
Tltseahuayecdlciiienrs:stno
h.
at enemyTeshr.eaAlrs elaisMajesty's
srut
neys
's 29th, fell nobly, as has
already been told, in the discharge of his duty.is
He him-
self beyond the reach of earthly praise; but it is my earnest
desire that his memory may be honoured in his fall ; and
that his regiment, the army with which he served, and his
country, may know that no officer held a higher place in my
poor estimation, for gallantry or skill, than Brigadier C. C.
Taylor.

rigadier M'Laren (C. 8.), in whom I have ever confided
as one of the ablest of the senior officers of this force, sus-
tained in this day, as I have before intimated, his already
enviable reputation; I trust he may not long be kept by his
wound out of the sphere of active exertion which is his na-
tural element. 4

Brigadiersl'enny and Hicks commanded the two brigades
of Major-General; Sir Harry Smith's diyisitm, and overcame