bayonet, and the 30th N.I. wheeled round to the rear in a most
spirited manner. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander's and Captain
Turton's troops of horse artillery, under Major Lawrenson, dashed
almost among the flying infantry, committing great havoc, until
about eight hundred or one thousand men rallied under the high bank
of a nullah, and opened a heavy but ineffectual fire from below the
bank. I immediately directed the 30th native infantry to charge
them, which they were able to do upon their left flank, while in a
line in rear of the village. This native corps nobly obeyed my
orders, and rushed among the Avitabile troops, driving them from
under the bank, and exposing them once more to the deadly fire of
twelve guns within 300 yards. The destruction was very great, as
may be supposed from guns served as these were. Her Majesty's 53d
regiment moved forward in support of the 30th N.I., by the right of
the village. 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. To 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 Lieutenant
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.

"Thus ended the battle of Aliwal, one of the most glorious
victories ever achieved in India. By the united efforts of her
Majesty's a