Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/625

Rh Sobraon, resolved to make another effort to maintain their position on the left bank of the Sutledge; and, taking advantage of the paucity of our troops at Loodiana, had also effected a passage for a force of about 10,000 men of all arms in the neighbourhood of that town.

Meanwhile, Sir Harry Smith had been detached to reduce Dhurmkote, and keep open the communication for supplies and ammunition from our rear. Dhurmkote was evacuated at his approach: but in marching from Jugraon to Loodiana he lost a good deal of his baggage, and sustained some heavy fusilades, which he did not wait to return. Having relieved Loodiana, and being reinforced by the Commander-in-Chief, on the 26th of January, 1846, with cavalry and guns, he marched against the Sirdar Runjoor Singh, who had strongly intrenched himself at Aliwal, near Loodiana, having 15,000 men and 56 guns. Sir Harry Smith gallantly attacked him on the 28th with not more than 10,000 men in all. The right of the Sikh force rested on Bundree, and their left on Aliwal: they had advanced a short distance from their intrenched camp and cannonaded the British for half-an-hour, till our brave fellows stormed the village of Aliwal, the key of their position, when the holders of the post speedily gave way before the determined charge of the British brigades.

"The enemy," says Sir Harry Smith, "fought with much resolution, and maintained frequent rencounters, with our cavalry hand to hand. In one charge of infantry upon her Majesty's 16th Lancers they threw away their muskets, and came on with their swords and targets against the lance." But their brave resistance proved unavailing. They made several ineffectual attempts to rally, but at length were driven across the Sutledge with immense loss, and in the utmost confusion and terror. The whole artillery of the enemy was either captured or destroyed, 52 guns remaining in the hands of the victors. The whole of the Sikh camp, baggage, stores of ammuni-