Page:The Sikhs (Gordon).djvu/173

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THE FIRST SIKH WAR.
139

the position upwards of 100 guns, more than 40 of which were of battering calibre. These kept up a heavy and well-directed fire, which the practice from our far less numerous artillery of much lighter metal checked in some degree but could not silence; finally in the face of a storm of shot and shell our infantry advanced and carried these formidable intrenchments: they threw themselves upon the guns with matchless gallantry, and wrested them from the enemy; but when the batteries were partially within our grasp our soldiery had to face such a fire of musketry from the Sikh infantry arrayed behind their guns, that in spite of the most heroic efforts a portion only of the intrenchments could be carried. Night fell while the conflict was everywhere raging." The British attack on the left was repulsed, but a firm foothold was secured in the centre and right, despite fierce hand-to-hand fighting, when again and again the Sikh batteries were charged and the gunners bayoneted. The reserve division was brought up. "The