The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-05-05

and for the purpose OF reporting upon
the facility and points of approach
Previously to the march of the troops it
had been intlmated to me by Major Mack
eson that the information by spies led to
the belief the enemy would move some
where at day light, either on Jugraon, my
position of Kuddawul, or Loodianah.-
On near approach to his outposts this
rumor was confrmedby aspy who had
just left his camp, saving the Sikh army
was actually in march towards Juraon.-
My advance was steady, my troops well
in hand, and if he had anticipated me on
the jugraon road, could have fallen up
on his centre with advantage.
From the tops Of the houses of the VII
lage of Poorein, | had distant view OF
the enemy. He was in motion, and ap-
peared directly opposite my front on
ridge, of which the village of Aliwal
may be regarded as the centre. His left
appeared still to occupy its ground in the
circular entertainments; his right was
brought forward and occupied the ridge.
| instantly deployed the cavalry into line,
and moved on. As neared the enemy,
! the ground became most favorable for the
troops to manmuvre, being open and
grass land. | ordered the cavalry to take
ground to the right and left by brigades,
! thus displaying the heads of the infantry
columns, and, as they reached the hard
ground, | directed them to deploy into
lime. Brigadier Godby's brigade was in
direct eschellon to the rear of the right,
the Shekawatiee infahry in like manner
to the rear of my left, the cavalry in di-
rectechelon, and well TO the rear of both
danks of the infantry. The artillery
The artillery passed on the right, and
centre, and left.
After deployment | observed the enc
my's left to oathank me, therefore broke
into open columns, and took ground to
my right; when | had gained sufficient
ground, the troops wheeled into line; there
was no dust, the sun shone brightly
The maneuvres were performed with the
celebrity and precision of the most correct
field-day. The glistening of the bayo-
nets and swords of this order of battle
was most imposing, and the line advan-
ced, Scarcely had il moved forward $50
yards, when at 10 o'clock the enemy o.
pened fierce cannonade from his wnole
line. At first his balls fell short, but
quickly reached us. Thus upon him,
and capable of better ascertaining his po-
sition, was compelled TO halt the line,
though under fire, for few momonts, un-
til, ascertained that by brin ging up my
right and carrying the village Of Aliwal,
could with great effect precipitate myself
upon his left and centre. | therefore
quickly brought up Brigadier Godby's
Brigade, and with it and the lst Brigade
under Brigadier Hicks, made rapid and
noble charge, carried the village and two
guns Of large calibre.
The line | ordered TO advance: her Ma
iesty's 3lst Foot and the native regiments
contending for the front, and the battle
became general. The enemy had nu-
merous body of cavalry on the heights,
and l ordered Brigadier Cureton to bring
up the right brigade of cavalry, who, in
the most gallant manner, dashed in among
them, end drove them back upon their in
fantry. Meanwhile, a second gallant
charge to my right was made by the
Light Cavalry and the Body Guard. The !
Shekawatte Brigade was moved well to
the right, in support of Brigade Cureton.
When | observed the enomy's encamp-
ment, and saw il was full of infantry, |
Immediately brought upon it Brigadier
Godby's Brigade, by changing front, and
taking the enemy's infantry IN reverse
They drove them before them, and took
some guns without check.
While these operations were going on
upon the right and the enemy's left flank
was thus driven back, occasionally OBJ
served the brigade under Brigadier Whee-
Ter, an officer in whom have the greatest
confidence, charging and carrying
guns, and every thing beforce, a
gain connecting his line and NOV
ing on in a manner which ably displayed
the GOODNESS of the Brigadier and the gal |
lantry of his irresistible brigadc-her h1a-
jesty's seth Foot, and 4Sth Native Infan-
try, and the Sirmoor Battalion, although
the loss was, | regret to say, severe in
the seth. Upon the left, Brigadier Viii
son, with her Majesty's 53rd and 30th
Native Infantry, eQualled in celebrity and
regularity their comrades on the right, and |
this brigade was opposed to the "Aleen'
troops, called Avitabiles, when the fight
was fercely raging
The enemy, well driven back on his
left and centre, endeavored to hold his !
right to cover the passage Of the river,
and he strongly occupied the village of
Bhoondee. | directed squadron Of the |
10th Lancers, under Major Smith and |
Capt, Pearson, to charge body to the
right of the village, which they did in
the most gallant and determined style,
bearing every thing before them, as