Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/607

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.
583

charged them on their left flank, crossing the nullah with such determined valour that the Sindeans gave way before them, and were pursued for several miles with great slaughter.

"While this was passing on the right," says Sir Charles Napier, "her Majesty's 22nd regiment, gallantly led by Major Poole, who commanded the brigade, and Captain Greorge, who commanded the corps, attacked the nullah on the left with great gallantry, and, I regret to add, with considerable loss. This brave battalion marched up to the nullah under a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a shot till within forty paces of the intrenchment, and then stormed it like British soldiers. The intrepid Lieutenant Coote first mounted the rampart, seized one of the enemy's standards, and was severely wounded while waving it, and cheering on his men. Meanwhile the Poonah horse, under Captain Tait, and the 9th Cavalry, under Major Storey, turned the enemy's right flank, pursuing and cutting down the fugitives for several miles. Her Majesty's 22nd regiment was well supported by the batteries commanded by Captains Willoughby and Hutt, which crossed their fire with that of Major Leslie. Then came the second brigade, under command of Major Woodburn, bearing down into action with excellent coolness. It consisted of the 25th, 21st, and 12th regiments, under the command of Captains Jackson, Stevens, and Fisher, respectively. These regiments were strongly sustained by the fire of Captain Whitley's battery, on the right of which were the 8th and 1st regiments, under Majors Brown and Clibborne; these two corps advanced with the regularity of a review up to the intrenchments, their commanders, with considerable exertion, stopping their fire, on seeing that a portion of the Sinde horse and 3rd Cavalry, in charging the enemy, had got in front of the brigade. The battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and her Majesty's 22nd regiment."

The loss sustained by the British in the battle of