The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1846-03-27

3 "a
To resist their attack, and to cover tb
formation Of the infantry, advanced th
cavalry under Brigadiers White, Gougl
and Mactier, rapidly to the front, in col
umns Of squdrons, and troops Of horse ar
tillery, under Brigadier Brooks, who tool
up forward position, having the cavalry
then ON the fsnks.
The country Is dead fiat, covered a
intervals with low, but, in some places
thick jhow jungle and dotted with sandy
hiIlocks. The enemy screened their in,
fantry and artillery behind this Jungle
and such updnlations as the ground afford.
ed; and, whilst our twelve battalions for
med from echelon Of brig AIDES into the line
opened a very severe canonade upon ouI
advancing troops, which was vigorously
replied to by the battery of horse artille,
~ under Brigadier Brooks, which was
soon joined by the two light field batte-
ries.
The rapid and well directed fire of our
| o'''iS'y "PPSoiVu oopb W tuut VI
the enemy; and, as il was necessary to
complete our infantry dispositions without
advancing the artillery too near the jun
gle, directed the cavalry under Briga-
dier White and Cough to make flank
movement on the enemies left, with view
of threa tening and lurning that flank, ii
possible. With praise worthy gaIlantry,
the I'd Light Dragons, with the I'd brig
ade Of cavalry, consisting Of the body
guard and 9Th Light Cavalry, with a por
,ion Of the 4rh Lancers, turned the left
Of the Sikh army, and, sweeping along
the whole rear Of its infantry and guns
silenced for time the latter, and put
their numerous cavalry to fight. While
this movement was taking place on the
enemys left, / directed the remain
der of the 4th Lancers, the 9Th Irregular
cavalry, uuder Biigadlcr Macter, with
light field battery, to threaten their right.
This man oeuvering was also successful
Had not the infantry and guns of the en-.
emy been screened by the Jungle, these
brilliant charges Of the cavalry would
have been productive Of greater effect.
When tie infantry advanced to the at
lack, Brig adler Brooks rapitly pushed on
ls horse artillery close to the Jungle, and |
the canona4e was resumed on both sides. |
The Infantry under Major Generals Sir
Harry Smith, Gilbert, and Sir John Nc.
kaskill, attacked in echelon Of lines the
nncmy's infantry, almost invisible amongst
wood and the approaching darkness of
night. The opposition OF the enemy vas
such as might have been expected from
troops who had every thing at stake and
who had long vaunted Of being irresisi Bile.
Their ample and extended line, from their
great superiority Of numbers, far oul flank
ed ours; but this was counteraoted by the
flank movements of our cavelry.
The attack of the infantry now COM
Inenced; aud the roll OF fire from this pow
erfnl arm soon convinced the Sikh army
that they had met with a foe they little
expected; aud their whole force was
from position after position with gre IT
slaughter, and the loss Of II pieces of artil-
lery, some Of them Of heavy caibre; our
infantry, using that never failing weapon,
the bayonet, whenever the enemy stood |
Night only saved them from worse dsas.
ter, for this stout conflict was maintained |
during an hour and half Of din starlight,
amidst cloud o dust from the sandy plain.
which yet more obseured every object.
regret TO say, this gallant and success.
ful attack vas attended with con siderable
loss; the force biyouacked upon the field |
for some hours, and only returned to its
encamPment after ascerlaining that il had
no enemy before il, and that mig h, prevent.
ed the possibility ola regular advance in
pursuit.
A second battle was fought at Ferozes-
hah three days after the above. The official
Report says:
On the morning Of the Dist the offensive
bauched four miles on the road to Ferozes
Lah, where il was known that the enemy,
posted in great force aud with most
artillery, had remained since
The action Of the 18th. necessarily EN-
ployed 10 entrenching his position. In-
stead of advancing 10 the direct attack of
heir formidable works, our forces ma.
neuvered 10 their right; the second and
ourlh divisions Of infantry, in front, sup
ported by the first division and cavalry in
econd line, coatinued to defle for some
line out OF cannon shot between the
'ikhs aud Ferozepore.-The des red eff.
ect was not delayed, cloud of dust was
cen on our left, and according to the in
tructions sent him on the proceeding even.
ng, Maj. General Sir John Littler, with
lis division, avsiling himself Of the offered