Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/639

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OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.
615

ment which was effected in good order, and with determined bravery.

In the meantime, Brigadier Godby, with Major-General Sir Walter Gilbert as a leader, who was on the extreme right of the infantry line, moved forward, and, after marching through dense jungle for some minutes, came upon the enemy's infantry: the brigade opened their fire, but the enemy were in such numbers that they easily outflanked them. Two companies of the 2nd European regiment were wheeled up, showed front, and the whole charged, but had not gone far when they found they were surrounded. They immediately faced right about, kept up some file firing, and charged rear-rank in front. At this juncture Dawes' battery came to the rescue; and having beaten off the enemy, their guns were taken.

While the infantry were thus highly distinguishing themselves, and earning imperishable laurels, the cavalry on the extreme left, under Brigadier White, had made a dashing charge, and contributed much to the defeat of the enemy; while the cavalry on the extreme right were directed to charge a body of the enemy's cavalry, variously estimated at from 1,000 to 5,000. From some unexplained causes, however, this brigade, in spite of the energetic efforts of their officers, retreated from the field, closely followed by the Sikh cavalry. Unfortunately the men did not retreat directly to the position from whence they had advanced, but, obliquing, came in front of the guns, some of which were unlimbered, and galloped through them, the Sikhs mixed up with them, or close behind, so that our men could not fire without slaying our own cavalry. The consequence was that many of the gunners were cut down at their guns, and six of the pieces fell into the enemy's hands, two of which were afterwards recovered. A fire of grape was, however, poured in upon the advancing Sikhs, and they turned and fled.

Finally, the enemy was everywhere driven from his