Memoir of the Services of the Bengal Artillery: From the Formation of the Corps to the Present Time, with Some Account of Its Internal OrganizationBuckle, E. (Edmond)
History
Memoir of the Services of the Bengal Artillery: From the Formation of the Corps to the Present Time, with Some Account of Its Internal Organization
Buckle, E. (Edmond)
India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947; India -- History, Military; India. Army. Bengal Artillery
The night passed wearily away in cold and watching; the enemy,
occasionally firing, allowed our harassed troops little rest. One gun
was particularly troublesome during the greater part of the night, until
the Governor-General ordered its capture by the 80th foot and 1st
Europeans. Other guns were playing during the night with little or no
effect. The uproar in the Sikh position was tremendous; the shouting was
incessant, and the beating of drums, the sounding of bugles, and the
firing of matchlocks and musketry continued, with short intervals, until
daybreak. Frequently their drums beat to arms, and it was supposed that
the enemy were preparing to attack us. Accordingly, a few guns were got
into position and held ready with grape; but nothing came of these
indications.
About midnight the troops, having originally bivouacked as they came
upon the ground, were formed up in order; the guns in front, and the
infantry in two lines in their rear. At length day broke, and the Sikh
position was now comparatively quiet. The uproar had gradually
diminished, and it was generally supposed that the enemy had begun to
abandon their intrenchments. At first a thick mist shrouded all
surrounding objects; but the beams of the rising sun soon dispelled it,
and the three troops of horse-artillery, under Captain Mills, Lieutenant
Mackinnon, and Captain Garbett, pushed forward and again opened on the
Sikh position.
But there was no longer the determined resistance which had marked the
contest of the previous day. It is true that some batteries of heavy
metal replied to our fire for a time, and did some little mischief, a
few of our waggons being blown up; but the enemy’s fire soon grew
feeble. The infantry, who were close in rear of the guns, formed into
line, and with a hearty cheer sprang forward. Soon the intrenchments,
here most insignificant, were gained and passed; and the British line
swept through the camp, meeting with but little opposition. The
horse-artillery, after ceasing their fire, limbered up and accompanied
the infantry line under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Geddes. There was
no check to the progress of our troops. No steady resistance was offered
by the enemy. The village of Ferozeshuhur was carried as the line
advanced. There was a smart skirmishing fire in front, but it was
evident that many of the Sikh battalions had already fled, and that our
advance expedited the retreat of the others. The line having passed the
village of Ferozeshuhur, leaving it to the left, and having reached the
extremity of the enemy’s position, halted. Upwards of seventy of the
Sikh guns, and the whole of their _matériel_ and camp equipage, fell
into our hands. And thus apparently the battle terminated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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