Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-04-24

f.
thus displaying the heads OF the infantry CO.
lumns; and as they reached the hard ground,
directed them 10 dep'oy into line. Brgadler
Godby's Brigade was in direct echellon 10 The
rear OF the right; the Shekawaltee infantry in
like manner to the rear OF my left; The cavalry
in direct echelon on, and well to The rear OF both
fauks OF the infantry The artillery massed on
the right, and centre, and len. Acknowledgement,
| observed the enemy's |rit 10 oulfank me:
therefore broke into open columns, aud took
ground TO my right; when had gained sufficient
ground, The troops wheeled into line: there was
no dust-the sun shone brightly. The maLou-
vres were performed with The celeriiy and preci-
sion OF The most correct fieIdd day. The gisten-
ing OF The baycnets and swords OF this order OF
hallle was most imposing; and the line advanced.
Scarcely had It moved forward $50 yards, when
al len o'clock, The enemy opened fierce cannon
ade from his whole line. At first his balls fell
shorl, bull quickly reached u.s. Thus upon him,
and capable cl better asceItaining his position,
was compelled to halt the line, though under fire,
for a few moments, unii | ascerajned that by
bringing up my right and carrying The village oil
Aiwal could with great eiec, precipitate N.Y.
self upon his left and centre. therefore quickly
brought up Brsader Gcdby's brigade; and with
i. The first brigade, under Bfeader Hicks, made
a rapid aud noble charge, carried The village and
Two guns OF large calibre. The line ordered e
advance; her Majestys Thiny.li.st Foot and The
Native regiments contending Tor The front; and
the battle became general The enemy bad 4
numerous body OF cavalry on The heights 10 his
left; al ordered Brgadisr Curelon 10 bring up
the right brigade Of cavalry; who, in The most
gallant manner, dashed in among them, and drove
tem back upon their infantry. Meanwhile, a
second gallant charge 10 my right was made by
The Light Cavalry and the Body Quad. The
Sheka wattee brigade was moved well 10 the right,
in support OF Brigadier Cureton. When OBJ
served the enemy's encampmeni, and saw II was
iull OF infanll;. ! Immediately brought upon II
Brisadier Godby's brigade, by changing font
and taking The enemy's infantry en- reUsrse. They
drove Them before them, ard took some guns
without check
"While these operations were going on upon
The right and The enemy's LEI! flank was thus dri-
ven back, occasionally observed The brigade
under BrisadeT Wheeler, an officer 10 whom
have the creates, confidence, charging and carry
ing guns and every thing before it, again connect
ing his line and moving on in manner whicn
ably displayed The GOODNESS oil the briS2dier arc
he saan!ry OF his irresistible brisaGe-her Ma
jesty's Fitielh Foot, the Foity-eis hih Native In
lantry, and he Sirmoor Battalion; although The
loss was, Iregre 10 say, severe in The Fitlielh.-
jesly's Fiily-lhird and Thiriielh Native Infantry
equaed in celerily and regularity their comrade.
on the right; and this brigade was opposed 10 The
Areen troops, called Avilabiie's, when The hsh
was fercey raging.
1.-THE enemy we'll driven back on his et and
centre, endeavoltd 10 hold his right 10 cover the
passage Of the river; and he strongly occupied
The village OF Bhoonce. ] directed squadron
OF The Sixteenth LanceIs, under Major Smith
and Captain Pearson, 10 charge body 10 III.
right OF the village, which they did in the mos!
gallant and determined style, bearing everything
before Them as squadron under Captain Bere
had previously done; going RICH tthrough square
OF infantry, wheeling about and re-enierilg The
square in the mos, intrepid manner with The
deadly lance. This charge was accompanied by
the Third Light Cavalry under Major Angelo,
and as CALAMITY sustained. The largest gun
upon the field and seven others were then cap
luTed; while The Fiiiy-third Regiment carried The
village by the bayonet, and the Thlrlelh Native
Infantry wheeled round 10 the rear in most spi-
red manner. Lieut.. Col Alexanter's and Capt.
TuItuns troops oil horse artillery, under MAJOR
Lawrenson, dashed almost among he flying in
fanny, committing great havoc; until about SEQ
or | .O0C men rallied under the high bank Of d
nulIah, and opened heavy but Intellectual FIRE
from below the bank. | Immediately directed
The Thilleth Nalive Infantry 10 charge Them.
which they were able TO do upon their lett flank.
while in line in rear VI the village. This Ma
tive corps EobIy cbeyed my orders, and rushed
among the Avi,abiie troops, driving them from
under the bank, and exposing them once more 10
The deadly fire Of twelve guns within thee hun
cred Yards The destruction was very great, as
may be supposed, by guns served as these were
Her Majesivs Filty-lhrd Regiment moved for.
ward in support Of the Thirieth Native Infantry
hy The right Of the village. The battle was Won;
orr troops advanced with the most r,Iirc, order
10 the common locus, the passage Of Ihe river
The enemy, completely hemmcd IN, were flying
from our fire, and precipaing themselves IN
disorder ed masses into TIC iord and boats, IN the
riGost confusion and CONSERVATION.
"uur eishl-nch howiIzcIs soon began % play
upon their boats, when The Gehris OF The Sikh ar
nv appeared upon the opposite and high bank o.
The river, flying in every direction although
sort OF line was attempted 10 coantenance theiI
rel,eat, uni, all our guns commenced furious
cannonade, when they quickly receded. Nine
guns were on The verge OF the river 10y The lord.
Ii appears as if they had been unlimbered 10 Co.
yer The trId. These being loaded were fired once
uncn our advance Two oiher, were sticking in
the river one Of them we got oat. Two were
seen 10 sink in the Guicksands; two were drag
ge,I 10 the opposite bank and abandoned. These
and the one in the middle Of the river were gal
Iantly spiked By Lieutenant Holmes, of the Elc-
yen.h Irregular Cavalry, and Gunner Scott, Of
the Isl troop Second Brigade Horse Artillery,
who rode into the stream, and crossed Tor the
purpose, covered by our guns and light infantry.
"rhus ended the battle OF Aliwal, one of The
most glorious victories ever achieved in India.
b. the nniled efforts Of Her Majesfy's and the
Honorable Company's troops, every gun Inc enc
nv had fell into our hands; as | liter from his
never opening one upon us from the opposite
bank oil The river, which is high ard favorable
tor The purpose Fifiy.tTo guns are how IN The
ordnance park two sunk in the bed OF The Su!lej,
and lwo were spiked on The opposite bank; ma
king total Of hiy.six pieces OF cannon caplur-
ed or destroyed. 1t is stated in foot note,
eleven guns since asceriained 10 be sunk liz The
river; total 67."l Many jipjals, which we're ar.
ched 10 Avi'abile's corps, and which aided in
the defence OF The village Of Bhoondee, have also
been taken. The whole army Of the encuiy has
been driven headiong over the difficult fcri Of a
broad river; his camp baggage, stores OF ammu-
milton and of grain-his all, in tact--wrested
from him by the repeated charges Of cavalry
ard infantry, aided by The guns Of Alexan.
der Turton, Lane Mill, Boileau, and Of he
Shekawattee Brigade, and by the eight inch
howi;zers-our guns literally being constantly
ahead Of everything. The determined bravery
of all was as conspicuous as noble. am I'M
wont TO praise when praise is no! mcred, and !
here most avowedly express my firm opinion and
conviction, that no troops in any battle on record
ever behaved more molly British and Naive
(no distincion) cavalry all vieing vi Der Ma
jesly's Sixteenth LaneeIs, and striving 10 head in
The repeated charges Our guns and gnnne:s, Of
fcers and men, may be equalied, hut cannot Re
eYceIled, by any artillery in The world. Through
ou the day, no hesitation, bold and intrepid ad.
vance. And thus il is that our less is compare
lively small, though deeply regret 10 say severe.
The enemy Tough, with much resolution; they
maintained frequent rencoD'Ies with cur cavalry
hand 10 hand. In one charge of infantry upon
her Majesty's Sixteenth Lancers, they threw away
their muskeis, and came on with their swords
and targets aeainslihe lance"
THE Major Generals record OF The individu-
ais who rendered conspicuous service during the
eveplful DAY is very copious. il embraces Off
GERS Of all ranks aud arms. The surgical and
commissarial arrangements are well spoken Of.
The exploits Of The various regiments, European
and Native. meet with hearty acknowlcdgm
Jafic