The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-22

gade Of howzers formed from the light field Bate
riss and troops of horse artillery, shortly after day
break. But II was half past six before the whole Of
our artillery lire was developed Il most spirit
ed and well directed. cannot speak In terms too
high OF the judicious disposition Of the guns their
admirable pra:tce, or the activity with which the
cannonade was sustained; but Notwithstanding the
howtzers,' and the admirable way in which they
were served and aided by drocket battery, II would
have been visionary TO expect that they could, with
IN any limited time, silence the fire OF 20 pieces
behind well constructed batteries OF earth, plank,
and fascnes, or dslodge troops covered either by
redoubts or epaulements, or within treble line OF
trenches. The effect of the cannonade was, as has
since been proved by an inspection OF the camp,
evident that the issue of this struggle must be
brought to the arbitrament Of musketry and the
bayonet.
At 9 clock, Brigadier stacey's brigade, support
ed on either flank by Captains Horsford's and For
dyce's batteries and Lieutenant Colonel Lanes
troop of horse artillery, msved to the attack in ad
mlrable order. The infantry and guns aided each
other co-reatively. Tne former marched steadily
on in line, which they halted only to correct when
necessary. The latter took up successive positions
at the gallop, until at length they were within 900
yards Of the heavy batteries of the Skhs but, not
wiihstanding the regularity, and ooolness, and sci.
entiic manner OF this assault, which Brigader Viii.
kinson well supported, hot was the fire OF cannon
and musketry, and zumboorucks kept up by the
Khalsa troops, that II seemed tor some moments
impossible that the entrenchments could be won un
derH; but soon persevering gallantry triumphed,
and the whole army had the satisfaction to see the
gallant Brigader Staceys soldiers driving the Slkhs
in confusion before them within the area OF the en-
camprnent. The 10Th foot, under Lieutenant Colo
mel Franks, now tor the rst time brought into seri-
GUS contact with the enemy, greatly distinguished
themselves This regiment never fired shot till it
got within the works If the enemy. The onset Of
her Majestys SD foot was as gallant and effective
ho and Matt Inf hvtua daA 4,
them, emulated both in cool determination.
At the moment Of this first success, directed
Brlgadier the Hon. T. Ashburnham's brigade to
move on in support. and Maior-General Gilbert's
and Sir Harry Smiths divisions to throw out their
light troops to threaten their works, aided by artil
lery As these attacks Of the centre and right CON-
menced, toe fire OF our heavy guns had first to be
directed to the right and then gradually to cease;
bat at time the thunder of full 40 pieces Of ord
nance reverberated IN this mighty combat through
the valley of the Suej and il soon seen that
the weight OF the whole force within the Sikh camp
was likely to be thrown upon the two brlgades that
had passed its trenches, 1t became necessary to
vert into close and serious attacks the demonstra-
tl0ns with sklrmlshers and artillery of the centre
and right; and the battle ragged with inconceivabe
fury from right to lett The Slkhs. even when at
Particular points their entertainments were master.
ed with the bayonet, strove to regain them by the
iercest conflict, sword in hand Nor was it until
the cavalry Of the left, under MajorGenera Sir Jo-
seph blackwell, had moved forward and ridden
by our saPpers In single file, and reformed they
passed them; and the 3rd dragons, whom no OBJ
stacle usually held formidable by horse, appears to
check, had on this day, as at Ferozeshah, galloped
over and cut down the obstinate defenders Of bate
ries and feld-works, and until the full weight Of
three visions Of infantry, with every field artillery
gnn which could be sent their aid, had been cast
into the scale, that victory finally declared in favor
OF the British The fire OF the Sikhs first sacken.
ed then nearly ceased, and the victors then press
ing them on every side, precipited them in masses
over their bridge and into the Sutlej, which sud
den rise of seven inches had rendered hardly forda
Bile. 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 attempting the perllons passage Their
awful slaughter, confusion, and dlsmay were such
as would have excited compassion in the hearts Of
their generous copquerors, If the khalsa troops had
not, In the early part Of the action, sued their gal
antry by slaughterlng and barbarously mangling
every wounded soldier whom, in the vicissitudes
OF attack, the fortune Of war left at their mercy
must pause in this narrative especially to notice
cur two battalions Of Ghoorkhas, the Sirmoor and
Nusseree, met the Slkhs wherever they were OPP
posed to them. Soldiers OF small stature, but in
domitable spirit, they Wed ardent courage in the
armed with the short weapon Of their mountains,
were terror to the Sikhs throughout this great
combat. H. COUCH, General.
CLOSE OF THE Waffle London Gazette Err
traodimary, of the LIST April, contains the following
important extract Of despatch from the Governor
General, in addition to the foregoing:
The Secret Committee of the East India Compa-
ny has this day received from the Governor General
OF India despatch, from which the following is an
extract
The Governor General of Isdia to the Secret Com
mitfee.
CAMP, KAMA CucHwA, Feb l9, 1886
The immediate reault nj the victory of AiIWal was
the evacuation by the Sikh garrisons of al the
the forts hitherto occupied by attachments of La
hore soldiers this side Of the river Sutle and the
OF the whole of the territory on the left
Of that river to the Brtish government.
The Sikh army remained in It's entrenched posi-
ton; and, though the hrst intelligence of the VIC
toryof Aliwal, and at the sight Of the numerous
battle. field to the bridge OF boats at Sobraon, they
seemed much shaken and disheartened, and though
many were reported to have left them and gone 10
their homes, yet, after few days, the Sikh troops
seemed as confident as ever of being able to defy us
in their entrenched position, and to prevent our pas
sage OF the river.
The Commander-in, Chief was not in a state to
take advantage of the enemy's defeat at Aiwa, by
an attack on his entrenched position at Sobraon,
until the troops under Major General Sir II. Smith
should have rejoined his Excellencys camp, and the
siege train and ammunition should have arrived
from Delhi. The first portion Of the siege train,
with the reserve ammunition for 100 field guns, |
reached the Commander in Chief g camp the 7th
and 9th inst On the latter day, the bngades which
had been detached from the main army for the ope
rations in the neighborAood of Loodanah, rejoned
the Commander in Chief. Within 48 hours from |
that time the enemy's entrench. ID camp carried
by storm, his army almost annIhilated 81 guns cap
ured, and during the night of The 10th, on which
this glorious victory was achieved, the advanced
brgades Of the British army thrown across the
Sutej. Early on the 18th our bridge was compile |
ted, and on the 18th the commander in Chief, with |
he whole force, excepting the heavy tran'an the |
DIVISION left to collect and bring in the wounded to
Ferozepore, with the captured guns, was encamped |
n the Panjaub, at Kussoor, l6 miles from the bank |
Lahore.
For the details Of these important and decisive
operations must refer you to the enclosures of this
despatch.
| cannot, however, refrain from expressing