Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/619

Rh Gilbert, and Sir John McCaskill, attacked en échélon of lines the enemy's infantry, almost invisible amongst wood and the approaching darkness of night. The opposition was such as might have been expected from troops who had everything at stake, and who had long vaunted of being irresistible. Their ample and extended line, from their great superiority of numbers, far outflanked ours; but this was counteracted by the flank movements of our cavalry. The attack of the infantry now commenced, and the roll of fire from this powerful arm soon convinced the Sikh army that they had met with a foe they little expected; and their whole force was driven from position after position with great slaughter, and the loss of seventeen pieces of artillery, some of them of heavy calibre; our infantry using that never-failing weapon, the bayonet, whenever the enemy stood. Night only saved them from worse disaster, for this stout conflict was maintained during an hour and a half of dim starlight, amidst a cloud of dust from the sandy plain, which yet more obscured every object."

The loss of the British was heavy. Sixteen officers were killed, and 200 men; 48 officers wounded, and 609 men, of whom 153 died subsequently of their wounds, or were disabled. Amongst those who fell was the hero of Jellalabad, Sir Robert Sale; his left thigh was shattered by grape-shot, and the wound proved mortal. The loss of the Sikhs in killed and wounded was very severe. Lal Singh, the commander, was among the wounded, and narrowly escaped being taken prisoner. The Sikhs fled rapidly to their camp at Ferozeshuhr, and the British troops returned to theirs at Moodkee about midnight.

On the 19th of December, two heavy guns reached Moodkee, escorted by her Majesty's 29th, the 1st European Light Infantry, and two regiments of native infantry, the 11th and 41st. Every possible care had been taken of these troops in their rapid advance, by the Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief. Elephants were despatched to Churrak, seven-and-twenty miles from Moodkee,