Page:Historyofpersiaf00watsrich.djvu/460

 440 A HISTORY OF PERSIA. two regiments of Indian cavalry vied with each other in gathering laurels on this field. The Poona Horse suc- ceeded in capturing the standard of the Kashgai regiment of Serbaz, and the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry performed a still more brilliant feat of arms. The 2nd Tabreez regiment of Persian infantry was drawn up in the usual Persian loose formation, when it was charged by the British regiment above named. Keferring to this exploit, it was stated afterwards, by General Jacob, who had not been present on the field of Khushab, that " a regular Persian battalion perfectly well drilled, armed, accoutred, &c., after the best European model, composed of splendid men, who stood perfectly firm, bold, and con- fident in their array was ridden over and utterly de- stroyed by Major John Forbes and one troop only of the 3rd regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry." * The Persian regiment was also stated to have been drawn up in a regularly formed square. But such a description of the formation of the Persian regiment in question is likely to mislead the reader, and to induce the erroneous belief that cavalry can break a perfectly-formed square of regular infantry. Had the formation of the regiment which was charged on this occasion by the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry, been such as is understood in England by the term " a perfectly-formed square," Major Forbes, who was the leader of the charge, would never have permitted his men to rush to destruction in attempting what was impossible for them to do. But still, the array of the Persians was from previously published statements regarding it, the author begs to observe that he derived his information from his brother officers who were present on that field, and from officers with whom he served at the close of the Persian expedition on the staff of Sir J. Outrarn.
 * As the account here given of the action at Khushab somewhat differs