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CHAPTER XIV.

INDIA.-Retreat of the Sikhs across the Sutlej-Proclamation by the Governor-General-The Sikhs again cross the Sutlej-Manœuvres of the Troops under the command of Sir Harry Smith-Battle of Aliwal-General order issued by Sir Henry Hardinge-Fortified entrenchments of the Sikhs at Sobraon - Attack by the British Forces, and battle of Sobraon-Decisive victory gained over the Sikhs-Our Troops cross the Sutlej, and advance towards Lahore - Proclamation issued by the Governor-General at Kussoor-Proceedings of the Lahore Durbar-Interview between Sir Henry Hardinge and the Sirdars deputed from the Durbar-Terms of Peace agreed uponMeeting between the Maharajah and Sir Henry Hardinge at Lulleeana-The British Troops arrive at the Capital-Occupation of the Citadel-General Order issued by Sir Henry HardingeTreaty of Peace between the British and Lahore Governments, signed on the 8th of March-Independent Sovereignty created for Rajah Gholab Singh-Separate Treaty with him —Terms of Occupation of Lahore by British Troops-Reflections on the close of the Campaign-Refusal of Sheik Enam-ood deen to acknowledge the supremacy of Rajah Gholab Singh - Movements in consequence, and intervention of a British Force-Disclosures made by Enam-ood-deen-Deposition and expulsion of Rajah Gholab Singh from the Punjaub-Application from the Lahore Durbar for British protection-Articles of Agree

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conquest of Hindostan, without another struggle for victory. On our part it was necessary to reduce to unqualified submission a power which had dared, without the shadow of a pretext, to invade our territories, and to take such measures as would effectually prevent the recurrence of such an outrage for the future. It consists neither with the dignity of the British name, nor the safety of our dominion in India, to be content with repelling an unprovoked attack ; we must make the aggressor feel [2 A 2]

the full weight of our power, and convince the restless and turbulent neighbours on our frontiers that, by making war upon the territories which are under the government or protection of the British nation, they rush upon their own destruc

tion.

On the last day of the closing year, the Governor-General issued the following proclamation from Ferozepore; the object of which was to recall from the Punjaub those natives of Hindostan, who had, during the continuance of amicable regulations between that country and British India, engaged in service under the Lahore Go

vernment.

"Foreign Department, Ferozepore, Dec. 31, 1845.

"The Lahore Government has, without provocation, or any declaration of hostilities, and notwithstanding the existence of a treaty of amity and alliance, made war upon the British Government. A large Sikh army has invaded the British territories, which has been repulsed and driven across the Sutlej with the loss of ninety-one pieces of their artillery, now in our possession. It becomes necessary, therefore, for the British Government to take measures for punishing this unprovoked aggression, and for preventing in future similar acts of treachery by the Government and army of the Punjaub. The British Government considers it right now to call upon all natives and inhabitants of Hindostan who have taken service under the Lahore Government, to quit that service, and place themselves under the orders of the Governor-General of India. As long as relations of amity existed between the two states, there was no objection to the natives of the one territory

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taking service with the Government of the other; but now that the Lahore state has become the avowed enemy of the Government of Hindostan, it is incumbent on all natives of Hindostan whose homes and families are under British protection, to quit the service of the common enemy, and join that of the Government of their country. All persons of the above description are, therefore, hereby called upon to repair to the British side of the Sutlej, and to report themselves to the British authorities; their interests will in all cases be respected; they will, if fit for the military service, be taken into that of the British Government, with all the advantages of pay and allowances enjoyed by British soldiers.

"All natives of Hindostan who, after the promulgation of this proclamation, continue in the service of the enemy, will be considered to have forfeited all claim to British protection, and will be treated as traitors to their country and enemies of the British Government.

"By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India."

We mentioned in our last volume that the territory subject to the Sikhs was not confined to the right bank of the Sutlej, but that they recruited their forces from amongst the inhabitants of the left or British side of that river, who cultivated large jaghire estates belonging on that side to the Sikhs. After their army had retreated across the Sutlej, it began to be distressed from want of supplies, and its leaders accordingly resolved to draw them, if possible, from the Sikh territories on the left bank. In the early part of January in the present year, Sirdar

Runjoor Singh Majeethea, at the head of a large body of troops, crossed over from Philour, and took up a position at Baran Hara, between what are called the old and the new courses of the Sutlej, where he threatened the city of Loodiana, and seemed likely to interrupt the line of our communications. Loodiana was at that time occupied by three battalions of Native Infantry, under the command of Brigadier Godby, and other reinforcements were marching up to his support. MajorGeneral Sir Harry Smith had been sent a few days previously with a single brigade of his division, and a light field battery against the town and fort of Dhurrumkote, which were filled with grain for the use of the enemy, and garrisoned by a small body of mercenary auxiliaries. We had just effected the reduction of the place, when, in consequence of the movements of Sirdar Runjoor Singh, he was ordered immediately to advance with his brigade at Dhurrumhote, by Jugraon, towards Loodiana, and his second brigade, under the command of Brigadier Wheeler, moved on to support him. The manœuvres that now took place are so succinctly and clearly detailed in a despatch from the Commander-in-Chief to the Governor-General, dated Feb. 1, 1846, that we prefer giving an account of them in his own words.

"The Major-General, breaking down from Jugraon, moved towards Loodiana, when the Sirdar, relying on the vast superiority of his forces, assumed the initiative, and endeavoured to intercept his progress by marching in a line parallel to him, and opening upon his troops a furious cannonade. The MajorGeneral continued coolly to manœuvre, and when the Sikh Sirdar,

bending round one wing of his army, enveloped his flank, he extricated himself by retiring with the steadiness of a field-day by échellon of battalions, and effected his communication with Loodiana, but not without severe loss.

"Reinforced by Brigadier Godby, he felt himself to be strong; but his manoeuvres had thrown him out of communication with Brigadier Wheeler, and a portion of his baggage had fallen into the hands of the enemy. The Sikh Sirdar took up an entrenched position at Budhowal, supporting himself on its fort, but, threatened on either flank by General Smith and Brigadier Wheeler, finally decamped, and moved down to the Sutlej. The British troops made good their junction, and occupied the abandoned position of Budhowal; the Shekawattee Brigade, and Her Majesty's 53rd Regiment also added to the strength of the Major-General, and he prepared to attack the Sikh Sirdar on his new ground. But on the 26th Runjoor Singh was reinforced from the right bank with 4000 regular troops, twelve pieces of artillery, and a large force of cavalry.

"Emboldened by this accession of strength, he ventured on the measure of advancing towards Jugraon, apparently with the view of intercepting our communications by that route.

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It was then that Sir Harry Smith determined to attack the enemy, and on the morning of the 28th of January moved forward against them, they being distant about six miles. When the British troops came in sight of the Sikhs, the latter were drawn up along a ridge close to the village of Aliwal (or Ulleewul), their left line resting upon their entrenched camp, and

their right occupying the ridge, The following is Sir Harry Smith's account of what followed:

"I immediately deployed the cavalry into line, and moved on. As I neared the enemy, the ground became most favourable for the troops to manœuvre, being open and hard grass land; I ordered the cavalry to take ground to the right and left by brigades, thus displaying the heads of the infantry columns, and as they reached the high ground I directed them to deploy into line. Brigadier Godby's brigade was in direct échellon to the rear of the right, the Shekawattee infantry in like manner to the rear of my left; the cavalry in direct échellon on, and well to the rear of, both flanks of the infantry. The artillery massed on the right and centre, and left. After deployment I observed the enemy's left to outflank me, I therefore broke into open columns and took ground to my right; when I had gained sufficient ground, the troops wheeled into line; there was no dust, the sun shone brightly. These manœuvres were performed with the celerity and precision of the most correct field-day. The glistening of the bayonets and swords of this order of battle was most imposing, and the line advanced. Scarcely had it moved forward 150 yards, when at ten o'clock the enemy opened a fierce cannonade from his whole line. At first his balls fell short, but quickly reached us. Thus upon him, and capable of better ascertaining his position, I was compelled to halt the line, though under fire, for a few moments, until I ascertained that by bringing up my right, and carrying the village of Aliwal, I could with great effect precipitate myself upon his left and centre. I

therefore quickly brought up Brigadier Godby's brigade, and, with it and the 1st Brigade under Brigadier Hicks, made a rapid and noble charge, carried the village and two guns of large calibre. The line I ordered to advance, Her Majesty's 31st Foot and the native regiments contending for the front; and the battle became general. The enemy had a numerous body of cavalry on the heights to his left, and I ordered Brigadier Cureton to bring up the right brigade of cavalry, who, in the most gallant manner, dashed in among them, and drove them back upon their infantry. Meanwhile second gallant charge to my right was made by the light cavalry and the body guard. The Shekawattee brigade was moved well to the right, in support of Brigadier Cureton. When I observed the enemy's encampment, and saw it was full of infantry, I immediately brought upon it Brigadier Godby's brigade, by changing front, and taking the enemy's infantry en reverse.' They drove them before them, and took some guns without a check.”

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In the meantime the brigade, under the command of Brigadier Wheeler, and also that under Brigadier Wilson, had in the most gallant manner advanced with great rapidity, and carried the guns of the enemy, and driven back the troops opposed to them. In order to cover their retreat to the river and passage across it, the Sikhs had strongly occupied the village of Bhoondee, and a squadron of the 16th Lancers was ordered to charge a body of the enemy drawn up on the right of that village. They were accompanied by the 3rd Light Cavalry, and the Sikhs were driven before them; at the

same time the 53rd, Her Majesty's Regiment, advanced and carried the village of Bhoondee at the point of the bayonet, while the 30th Native Infantry wheeled round to attack the enemy in the rear. About 800 or 1000 men rallied in their flight under a high bank, and opened a heavy but ineffectual fire upon our troops. The 30th Native Infantry were ordered to charge them, which they immediately did, and drove them from the bank, exposing them, as they fled, to the deadly fire of twelve guns served by our artillery, within the distance of 300 yards. The 53rd Regiment now moved forward to support the 30th Native Infantry, and the scene that followed is vividly described by Sir Harry Smith in his despatch :

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"The battle was won, our troops advancing with the most perfect order to the common focus, the passage of the river. The enemy completely hemmed in were flying from our fire, and precipitating themselves in disordered masses into the ford and boats, in the utmost confusion and consternation. Our eight-inch howitzers soon began to play upon their boats, when the debris' of the Sikh army appeared upon the opposite and high bank of the river, flying in every direction, although a sort of line was attempted to countenance their retreat, until all our guns commenced a furious cannonade, when they quickly receded. Nine guns were on the verge of the river by the ford. It appears as if they had been unlimbered to cover the ford. These, being loaded, were fired once upon our advance. Two others were sticking in the river, one of them we got out; two were seen to sink in the quicksands, two were dragged to the opposite

bank and abandoned. These, and the one in the middle of the river, were gallantly spiked by Lieut. Holmes, of the 11th Irregular Cavalry, and Gunner Scott, of the 1st troop 2nd Brigade Horse Artillery, who rode into the stream and crossed for the purpose, covered by our guns and Light Infantry.'

In a general order issued after the battle, Sir Henry Hardinge thus describes it:

"In this decisive and glorious action, the enemy's infantry were dislodged from every position and village they attempted to hold, by rapid charges at the point of the bayonet. Their horsemen were driven from every part of the field by repeated charges, in which the superior valour of the European and Native cavalry was most conspicuous; and the artillery, moving with its accustomed celerity, was always well to the front, directing its fire with precision and effect. The result of these noble efforts of the three arms of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, in which the valour and discipline of the troops were happily combined with the skill of the commander, has been the signal defeat of the enemy; who was driven across the river with great loss, his camp being captured, and fifty-two pieces of artillery remaining in the hands of the victors. These trophies, in addition to those taken at Ferozeshah and Moodkee, complete the number of 143 pieces of artillery taken in the field from the enemy since the British army moved from its cantonments to repel a most unprovoked aggression on its territories."

Thus ended the battle of Aliwal, one of the most brilliant actions that has ever been fought in India,

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