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


fantry, and the Srmoor battalion, although the loss
was, regret to say, severe in the 6Oth Upon the
the left, Brigadier Wilson, with her Majesty's 5Srd
and 30th native infantry equaled in CELEBRITY and re-
gade was opposed TO the "Aieen" troops, called
Avtables, when the fight was fiercely raging
The enemy, well driven back on his left centre,
underworld TO hold his right to the passage OF
Bhoondee. directed squadron of the 18th Ian
GERS, under Major Smith and Captain Pearson. to
charge body to the right OF the village, which they
did IN the most gallant and determined style bear.
ing every thing before them, as q squadron under
Captain Bere had previously done, going right
through square OF infantry, wheeling about and re-
entering the square in the most intrepid manner
with the deadly lance. This charge was accom-
~ % The
the field. and seven others were then captured while
the SD regiment carried the village by the bayonet,
and the Goth N. l. wheeled round to the river in q
most spirited manner. Lieut.. Colonel Alexanders
and Captain Turtons troops of horse artillery, under
Major Lawrenson dashed almost among the flying
infantry, committing great havoc, until about 800 or
1000 men rallied under the high bank of Nulah,
the bank. Immediately directed the Both native
infantry to charge them, which they were able to do
upon their lett flank, while in line in rear OF the
village. This corps molly obeyed my orders, and
under the bank, and exposing them once more to the
deadly fire OF guns within 300 yards. The destruc-
ton wasvery great as may be supposed by guns serv-
ed as these were. Her Majesty's 63rd regiment
moved forward in support OF the 3Oth N. l. by the
right Of the village. The battle won; our troops
advancing with the most perfect order to the COM
mon focus, the passage Of the river. The enemy,
completely hemmed in, were flying from our fire,
and preclpitatlng themselves in dlsordered masses
into the ford and boats in the utmost confusion and
conservation. Our S-inch howitzers soon began
to play upon their boats, when the "debris" of the
Sikh army appeared upon the opposite and high
knval
sort Of line was attempted to countenance their
retreat, until all our guns commenced furious can
nonade, when they quickly receded. Nine guns
were on the verge OF the river by the ford. Il APP
pears they had been numbered to the food
These beingoaded were fired ouce upou our advance
Two others were sticking In the river; one of them
was got out. Two were seen to stick in the quick
sands-two were dragged to the opposite bank and
the river, were CALAMITY spiked BY Lieutenant
Holmes, of the 18th Irregular Cavalry, and Gunner
Scott, Of the lst troop End Brigade Horse Artillery,
who rode into the stream, and crossed for the pur-
pose. covered by our guns and Light Infantry.
Thus ended the battle Of Allwal, one Of the most
glorious victories ever achieved in India BY the
united efforts Of her Majesty's and the Honorable
Compan,'s troops, every gun the enemy had fell
one upon us from the opposite bank of the river,
which is high and favorable tor the purpose 81 guns
are now in The ordnance psrk, two sunk in the bed
OF the Suel, and two were spiked on the opposite
x
tured or destroyed. Many jinjalls, which were at
tached to Avitabe's corps, and which aided in the
defence Of the village of Bhooncee, have also been
ssn na w1os Ss IF s l
river; his camp, baggage, stores OF ammunition,
and OF grain; his all, in fact, wrested from him by
the repeated charges OF cavalry and infantry aided
leau, and Of the Shekawattee Brigade, and by the
S-lnch howitzers-our guns being constantly ahead
Of every thing. The determined bravery Of all was
conspicuous as noble. / am unwont to praise
when praise is not merited and here most avow-
troops IN any battle on record ever behaved more
noby-Britsh and Native (no distinction) cavalry
all vieing with her Majesty's 10th Lancers, and
striving head in the repeated charges. Our guns
and gunners officers and men, may be equalled, but
cannot be excelled by any artillery in the world
Throughout the day, no hesitation. bold and in
trepd advance; and thus II is that our loss Is COM
we're. The enemy fought with much resolutioa;
they maintained frequent .encontres with our ca
valry hand to hand In one charge OF infantry upon
her Maesty's 10th Lancers, they threw away their
muskets, and came on with their swords and tar
H. SMITH, X. G. B, Major.General.
Our account of the second battle is contained in
the following despatch from Sir Hugh Cough
To the Governor General OF india, sc.
HEAD QUARTERS, CANT KussooR, Feb. Is.
Right Hon. Sir-This 10 the fourth despatch
which Ihave had the honor of addressing to you
since the opening of the campaign. Thanks to
Almighty God, whose hand desire to acknowledge
in all our the occasion of my writing now
10 to announce fourth and most glorious and deci-
sive victory
NV last communication detailed the movement
OF the Sikhs and our counter-manHuvres since the
great day of Ferozeshah. Defeated on the Upper
Sutej, the enemy continued to occupy his posti on
on the right bank, and formidable IL de pont and
enf m he hnu n in
OF the man body Of our army. But on the 10th in
stan all that he held OF British territory, VIII CHI
comprised in the ground on which one OF his camps
STOOD was stormed from his grasp, and his audacliy
was again slgnally punished by blow, sudden,
heavy, and overwhelming. 1t Is my gratifying duty
to detail the measures which have led to this gorl-
GUS result.
The enemy's works had been repeatedly recon-
noltered during the time Of my head quarters be-
ing fixed at Nihalkee, by myself, by my department
tai staff and my engineer and artillery officers Our
coupled with the reports of spies, con-
WINGED that there had devoved on us the arduous
task OF attacking, in position covered with form-
dabe lntrenchments, otfewer than So 900 men, the
best OF the Khalsa troops, with 10 pieces of cannon
united by good bridge to reserve on the opposite
bank, on which the enemy had considerable camp
and some artillery, commanding and thanking his
field works on our side. Major General Sir Harry
Smiths division having rejolned me on the evening
of the 9th, and part OF my siege train having come
up with me, resolved, on the morning Of the 10th,
to dispose mortars and batterng guns on the al
luvia land within good range OF the enemys works
To enable us 10 90 this, 1t was necessary first TO
drive in the enemy's pickets at the post OF obser-
walton in front Of Koodewalla, and at the little
Sobraon. II was directed that this should be
done during the night OF the ninth, but the execu.
ton OF this part OF the plan was deferred, owing
to misconceptions aud casual circumstances, until
near day-break The delay was OF little importance,
as the event showed that the Sii1hs had followed
our example In occupying the two posts in force by
day only. OF both, therefore, possession taken
without opposition. The batterlns and disposed
field artl lery was then put in post IN an exend
ed senli-cIrcle, embracing withn its fire the works
OF the SIkhs. Ithad been intesded that the can
nonade should have commenced at daybreak; but
heavy mist hung the plain and river that II
became necessary to wait until the rays OF the sun
had penetrated it, and cleared the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, on the margin Of the SutIej on our