Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/25

Rh count of the battle by an anonymous military critic. In the extract above quoted, Napier had implied that at one moment thoughts of retreat had crossed Beresford's mind. This Hardinge always denied. In his MS. notes on the battle, written in 1830, he maintains that no order to retire was ever given, nor was there any evidence to show that any one had carried or meditated such an order.

In his further strictures, the anonymous critic gives his version of the advance of the Fourth Division under Cole: — 'Captain Hardinge having given his message to General Lumley, proceeded to Sir Lowry Cole's position. What the motives were which influenced him at that moment after the lapse of so many years he may not he able himself to assign; but having been with Sir W. Beresford when he attempted to attack the enemy's left with the Spaniards, and, seeing General Cole's position on the reverse of the ridge and that Hamilton was not there, it is probable that these circumstances had their influence and induced him to propose to Cole to advance his Division and charge the enemy. That excellent officer, not having any orders, was with difficulty persuaded to adopt the course which had been suggested. As Cole came into contact with the French, the other parts of the line charged simultaneously; and victory from that moment was gained.'

Now read Hardinge's own account of the affair, taken from MS. notes written in 1830. In reply to the suggestion that he probably would not be able to