which was but slightly garrisoned, and was threatened by a
large body of the enemy. Jugraon is distant from Loodiana about
twenty-five miles, and the road (if road it can be called) is over
a heavy and sandy soil. The troops were formed, and commenced
their march about one o’clock on the morning of the 21st; about
eleven A.M. the enemy was observed to be drawn up, parallel with
the British line of march, in a strong position at _Buddiwal_, his
front covered by a ridge of low sand-hills, bristling with forty
pieces of artillery, which were so placed that it was necessary,
in order to gain Loodiana, either to risk a battle to dislodge him
from a strong position,--which, with troops fatigued by a long
march, under a burning sun, and greatly inferior in numbers, would
have been a hazardous proceeding,--or to march along the entire
front of his position under a galling fire.
Major-General Sir Henry Smith, having a just confidence in the
steadiness of his troops, chose the latter. The infantry, formed in
open column of companies right in front (the grenadier company of
the THIRTY-FIRST leading), and ready at any moment to form line,
preceded by the artillery, and covered by the cavalry, marched at a
distance of five hundred yards, along the front of this formidable
line, receiving the fire of each battery as it bore upon them. The
regiment formed line on the grenadier company.
On this occasion, and under the fire of forty guns, the
THIRTY-FIRST received an order from Sir Henry Smith to change front
to the rear on the centre, a movement which was rendered necessary
by the manœuvres of the enemy, who had thrown forward his right in
such a manner as to get into the rear of the British; this movement
could not be attempted without the most perfect steadiness on the
part of the men, and it was performed in such a manner as to call
forth the praises of the Major-General. This was the first time
this manœuvre was ever done under fire of the enemy; after which,
the retirement of corps in line, covered by the sixteenth lancers,
to relieve Loodiana (the object being to relieve that place), was
beautifully executed.
The Sikh position being passed, and the enemy declining to follow,
by three o’clock in the afternoon the troops arrived at Loodiana,
thus effecting Sir Henry Smith’s object. In this affair the
THIRTY-FIRST lost 21 men killed and wounded; and 19 men, who had,
from the length and severity of the march, been unable to keep up
with the column, were taken prisoners. The greatest part of the
baggage belonging to the division was taken by the enemy.
On the 22nd and 23rd the troops were permitted to rest themselves
after their late fatigues, and on the 24th the enemy retired to
_Aliwal_, a village on the Sutlej. The British force moved to the
ground lately occupied by them at Buddiwal, where it was reinforced
by the second brigade of Sir Henry Smith’s division, consisting of
Her Majesty’s fiftieth foot, and forty-eighth Native infantry,
from head-quarters, with some cavalry and infantry from Loodiana.
On the 28th of January at daylight, Major-General Sir Henry Smith
marched with his whole force to attack the enemy under Sirdar
Runjoor Singh and the Rajah of Ladwa in their camps at Aliwal,
but found him, on approaching it, drawn up in line of battle,
with his left resting on the village. From information afterwards
received, it appeared that the Sikhs were about to march upon
Jugraon that very morning, for the purpose of getting between Sir
Henry Smith’s force and the heavy guns coming up from Delhi under
a very slender escort. The march having been previously conducted
in column of brigades at deploying distance, each brigade deployed
on its leading company, and thus formed one long line. The troops
advanced on the enemy, distant about one mile and a half, and
about ten A.M. the action was commenced by a heavy cannonade from
the Sikh artillery, which was principally directed on the British
centre. The village of _Aliwal_ was filled with infantry, supported
by cavalry in the rear, and further defended by two guns on its
left, immediately opposite that part of the line occupied by the
THIRTY-FIRST regiment. The village was carried, and the two guns
were captured.
The line, being somewhat disordered in carrying the village, was
quickly re-formed, and advanced in excellent order, carrying
everything before it. The attack of the enemy by the left wing
was equally successful. The line advanced, and made a steady and
successful charge; the enemy, being everywhere beaten, gave way,
and fled towards the river in the utmost confusion, leaving his
camp and fifty-two pieces of artillery, as trophies in the hands
of the victors. A standard was captured here by the THIRTY-FIRST
regiment; also a gurry, or gong.[32]
The advance of the British force in order of battle is thus
described by Major-General Sir Henry Smith in his despatch
containing an account of the action:--
“As I neared the enemy, the ground became most favourable for
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.
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 the swords
of this order of battle was most imposing, and the line advanced.
Scarcely had it moved forward 150 paces, 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 on his left and centre; I therefore quickly brought up
Brigadier Godby’s brigade, and, with it and the first 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 THIRTY-FIRST regiment and the Native
regiments contending for the front, the battle became general.
* * * 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. * * *
“Thus ended the _Battle of Aliwal_, one of the most glorious
victories ever achieved in India. By the united efforts of Her
Majesty’s and the Honorable Company’s troops, every gun the enemy
had, fell into our hands: fifty-two guns are now in the Ordnance,
two sunk in the bed of the Sutlej, and two spiked on the opposite
bank, making a total of fifty-six pieces of cannon captured or
destroyed!
“Having thus done justice, and justice alone, to the gallant
troops his Excellency trusted to my command, I would gladly,
if the limits of a despatch permitted me, do that justice to
individuals all deserve. This cannot be; therefore I must confine
myself to mention those officers whose continued services,
experience, and standing placed them in conspicuous commands.”
After lauding the gallant service performed by the artillery, Sir
Henry Smith proceeds to state in his official despatch:--
“To Brigadiers MacDowell and Stedman, commanding their gallant,
brigades of cavalry, the fortune of the day is greatly indebted,
and to all commanding officers of cavalry and infantry my warmest
thanks are due; to Major Smyth, commanding the sixteenth lancers;
to Lieut.-Colonel Spence, commanding Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST
foot; to Lieut.-Colonel Ryan, K.H., commanding Her Majesty’s
fiftieth regiment; and to Lieut.-Colonel Phillips, commanding Her
Majesty’s fifty-third foot.
“His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief having witnessed the
glorious services of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST and fiftieth
regiments, I have only to report upon Her Majesty’s fifty-third,
a young regiment, but veterans in daring gallantry and regularity.
“To Captain Lugard (THIRTY-FIRST regiment) the
Assistant-Adjutant-General of this force, I am deeply indebted,
and the service still more so; a more cool, intrepid, and
trustworthy officer cannot be brought forward.
“The brigadiers all speak in high terms of their majors of
brigade, Captain O’Hanlan, of the second brigade, and Captain
Garvock, of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST foot, of the first
brigade.”
The loss of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment in this conflict was
fortunately small: one officer, Lieut. Atty, slightly wounded, and
fifteen men killed and wounded. The troops bivouacked for the night
near the field of battle. The army remained at Aliwal five days,
during which the following General Order was received from General
Sir Hugh Gough, the Commander-in-Chief:--
“GENERAL ORDERS TO THE ARMY OF THE SUTLEJ.
“Head-Quarters, Camp, Nihalkee,
“29th January, 1846.
“A glorious victory, with the capture of all the enemy’s guns,
having been achieved by the force under Major-General Sir Henry
Smith, K.C.B., the whole line will parade at eight o’clock
this morning for the inspection of the Right Honorable the
Governor-General and his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, and
a royal salute will be fired from the eighteen-pounder battery,
and three cheers will be given by the line after the salute, in
celebration of this triumphant event.”
The following extract is taken from the General Orders issued by
the Governor-General, dated “Camp, Ferozepore, 2nd of February,
1846:”--
“Great praise is due to Brigadier Hicks, who, with Her Majesty’s
THIRTY-FIRST regiment, the twenty-fourth and forty-seventh Native
infantry, stormed the village of _Aliwal_, drove the enemy from
it, and seized the guns by which it was defended.”
Extract of the despatch of the Governor-General of India to the
Secret Committee, dated “Camp, Kanha Kutchwa, 19th of February,
1846:”--
“The immediate result of the victory of Aliwal was the evacuation
by the Sikh garrisons of all the forts hitherto occupied by
detachments of Lahore soldiers on this side of the river Sutlej,
and the submission of the whole of the territory on the left
bank of that river to the British government.
“The Sikh army remained in its intrenched position; and though,
on the first intelligence of the victory of Aliwal, and at the
sight of the numerous bodies which floated from the neighbourhood
of that battle-field to the bridge of boats at Sobraon, the Sikhs
seemed much shaken and disheartened,--yet after a few days, the
Sikh troops seemed to be as confident as ever of being able to
defy us in their intrenched position, and to prevent our passage
of the river.
“The Commander-in-Chief was not in a state to take advantage of
the enemy’s defeat at _Aliwal_, by an attack on his intrenched
position at _Sobraon_, until the troops under Major-General
Sir Henry Smith should have rejoined his Excellency’s camp,
and the siege-train and ammunition should have arrived from
Delhi. The first portion of the siege-train, with the reserved
ammunition for 100 guns, reached the Commander-in-Chief’s camp
on the 7th and 8th of February. On the latter day the brigades,
which had been detached from the main army, rejoined the
Commander-in-Chief.”
Notwithstanding the signal defeat in the battles of _Moodkee_,
_Ferozeshah_, and _Aliwal_, and the loss of 143 pieces of artillery
captured by the British in these actions, the enemy determined to
persevere in his rash project of invading the British dominions.
For this purpose he made extraordinary efforts; he had collected
all his available troops, and assembled a large army on the left
bank of the Sutlej, near the village of _Sobraon_. Here the Sikhs
formed an intrenched camp, defended by 30,000 men with 70 pieces
of artillery; this camp was supported by a large reserve on the
opposite side of the river, the communication being preserved by a
bridge of boats.
The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under its distinguished and experienced
leader, Major-General Sir Henry Smith, rejoined the head-quarter
camp on the 8th of February, just in time for the crowning and
decisive victory of _Sobraon_. The arrival of Sir Henry Smith’s
force enabled the Commander-in-Chief to carry his plan of attacking
the enemy into execution. Two days were allowed, that this division
should rest after its fatigues.
The entrenched camp of the Sikhs was in a position judiciously
chosen in a bend of the river, about five or six miles from
the British camp. The defences of the enemy were constructed
scientifically by European engineers.
On the morning of the 10th of February, some hours before daylight,
the several divisions were silently formed in column of attack.
Major-General Sir Henry Smith’s division was on the extreme right;
it was formed into two lines; the first line consisted of the
first brigade, to which the THIRTY-FIRST regiment belonged, under
Lieut.-Colonel Spence: this line was supported by the second
brigade at a short distance in the rear. When the day dawned, the
first brigade found itself about three-quarters of a mile in front
of the enemy’s works. The cannonading, which commenced a little
after daylight, continued with little interruption, until about
nine A.M. A stray shot was now and then sent at the regiment, but
did no damage, when orders were given to the infantry to advance to
the attack. The men, who had been lying down, instantly jumped up,
formed line, and advanced.
The ground immediately in front of the enemy’s works was very
irregular, which made it difficult for the men to keep their
places. The enemy’s fire, which commenced at a distance of two
or three hundred yards, grew gradually more and more heavy; and
firing, as the Sikhs did, from behind lofty entrenchments at the
assaulting party, who offered a fair mark as they scrambled up the
ramparts, they shot down a number of the British troops, while the
survivors, after in vain attempting to reach the top, the loose
nature of the soil rendering the footing extremely insecure, were
compelled to fall back on the advancing second brigade, who saw
with indignation that the enemy were hacking the wounded.
The line was quickly re-formed and advanced a second time; the
same determined resistance was again made: but the men, burning to
revenge their comrades, would not be deterred. Here Lieut. Tritton,
bearing the Queen’s colour, was shot through the head; and Ensign
Jones,[33] who carried the regimental colour, was, nearly at the
same time, mortally wounded; the regimental colour, falling to
the ground, was seized by Serjeant Bernard M‘Cabe, who, rushing
forward, crossed the ditch and planted it on the ramparts. The men
cheering, scrambled into the works as best they could, and drove
the enemy, who were beaten at all points, before them into the
river, Lieut. Noel gallantly carrying the Queen’s colour in front
of the regiment, the staff of which was shivered in his hand.
The attack having been everywhere successful, the slaughter
of the Sikhs, as they crossed the river, was tremendous. Many
casualties, however, in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment occurred within
the enemy’s works. Lieutenant Timbrell was dangerously wounded by
a grape-shot, which broke both his thighs, and Lieutenant Elmslie
was also severely wounded by a musket-ball. Captain Garvock, Major
of Brigade, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Bolton, were both severely
wounded outside the works, where Lieutenants Gabbett and Law were
also wounded. Thirty-five rank and file were killed, and 102
wounded.
Two stands of colours were captured by the regiment, making four
stands altogether.
The first brigade, on this glorious occasion, was commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Spence, whose horse was shot during the advance,
and the sword in his hand bent nearly double by a grape-shot.
Captain White, the senior Captain, being left sick at Loodiana,
from the effects of the sun on service, Captain Longworth commanded
the regiment during the action. He was promoted for his gallant
conduct to be major in the army; his horse was killed under him.
Captains Garvock and Lugard were also promoted to be majors in the
army on the same occasion.
The following account of the action is given in Captain Longworth’s
despatch, dated 11th of February, 1846:--
“Camp, Attia, 11th February, 1846.
“SIR,
“I have the honor to state for the information of the Brigadier,
that H. M.’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under my command, marched
from Camp Tulwondee yesterday morning at four A.M., in
quarter-distance column, right in front, being the leading
regiment of the first brigade, first division. We advanced in
this order till within about two miles of the enemy’s position,
and then halted, formed line, and waited till daybreak, when
we advanced some distance and halted till sunrise, and again
advancing halted with our right resting on the Sutlej within
range of the enemy’s guns; here we remained about two hours, when
we were ordered to advance. This was no sooner discovered by the
enemy than they opened upon us a most tremendous fire of round
shot from the whole of the guns upon the left flank of their
intrenched camp; shell, grape, canister, and a very heavy fire of
musketry were showered upon us as we neared the fortifications:
but in spite of this, I am proud to say, the regiment advanced
steadily and in the best order till within thirty paces of the
intrenched camp, when a most destructive fire from overpowering
numbers forced us to retire to a short distance, for the purpose
of re-forming, as we left a full third of the regiment upon the
ground; and I feel convinced that had the regiment remained for
five minutes longer in its exposed situation it must have been
annihilated, as our fire was totally ineffectual against the
enemy’s strongly fortified position, which completely protected
them, until by a desperate charge, in conjunction with H. M.’s
Fiftieth Regiment, we succeeded in penetrating the extremity of
their works extending to the river, and thereby were enabled to
bring our fire to bear upon their gunners, who with the most
desperate courage turned their guns upon the portion of their
own camp in our possession, and fought till bayoneted where they
stood. Their infantry in masses now retiring, we followed them
up, and, in concert with the other branches of the army, shot and
bayoneted them into the river, where immense numbers were brought
down by our fire. Shortly after the battle was over the regiment
was ordered into camp.
“I beg to bring to your notice the gallant conduct of Serjeant
M‘Cabe of the light company, who planted the regimental colour on
the highest point of the enemy’s fortifications, and maintained
his position under a most tremendous fire, the colour being
completely riddled by the enemy’s shot;--he did this after the
officer carrying the colour was shot.[34] I beg further to
bring to your notice Private Williams of No. 7 company, and
Private Biffin of the light company, who each took a colour from
the enemy, one of which is supposed to have belonged to their
artillery. I have much pleasure in expressing my high approbation
of both officers and men under my command for their gallant
conduct throughout the day. I regret to add that Lieutenant Law,
my second in command, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Bolton, were
both severely wounded.
“List of Officers who were present at the Battle of _Sobraon_.
Lieut.-Colonel Spence.
Captain Garvock.
” Longworth.
” Lugard.
Lieutenant Atty.
” Law.
” Robertson.
” Bolton (_Adjutant_).
” Elmslie.
” Gabbett.
” Timbrell.
” Noel.
” Paul.
” Hutton.
” Tritton.
Ensign Jones.
Quarter-Master Benison.”
On the 14th of February, 1846, the Governor-General published a
General Order, dated from his camp at Kussoor, from which the
following extracts are taken:--
“The Governor-General, having received from his Excellency the
Commander-in-Chief the despatch annexed, announces to the army
and to the people of India, for the fourth time during this
campaign, a most important and memorable victory obtained by the
army of the Sutlej over the Sikh forces at _Sobraon_, on the 10th
instant.
“On that day the enemy’s strongly intrenched camp, defended by
35,000 men and 67 pieces of artillery, exclusive of heavy guns on
the opposite bank of the river, was stormed by the British Army
under the immediate command of His Excellency Sir Hugh Gough,
and in two hours the Sikh forces were driven into the river with
immense loss, 67 guns being captured by the victors.
“The Governor-General most cordially congratulates the
Commander-in-Chief and the British Army on this exploit, one of
the most daring ever achieved, by which in open day a triple line
of breastworks, flanked by formidable redoubts, bristling with
artillery, manned by thirty-two regular regiments of infantry,
was assaulted, and carried by the forces under His Excellency’s
command.
“This important operation was most judiciously preceded by
a cannonade from the heavy howitzers and mortars, which had
arrived from Delhi on the 8th of February, the same day on which
the forces under Major-General Sir Henry Smith, which had been
detached to Loodiana, and had gained the victory of Aliwal,
rejoined the Commander-in-Chief’s camp.
“The British infantry, formed on the extreme left of the line,
then advanced to the assault, and, in spite of every impediment,
cleared the intrenchments and entered the enemy’s camp. Her
Majesty’s tenth, fifty-third, and eightieth regiments, moving at
a firm and steady pace, never fired a shot until they had passed
the barriers opposed to them, a forbearance much to be commended,
and most worthy of constant imitation, to which may be attributed
the success of their first effort, and the small loss they
sustained. The attack was crowned with the success it deserved!
“The same gallant efforts, attended by the same success,
distinguished the attack on the enemy’s left, made by the
first division, under the command of Major-General Sir Henry
Smith, K.C.B., in which the troops nobly sustained their former
reputation.
“These three divisions of infantry, concentrated within the
enemy’s camp, drove the shattered forces into the river, with a
loss which far exceeded that which the most experienced officers
had ever witnessed.
“Thus terminated, in the brief space of two hours, this most
remarkable conflict, in which the military combinations of the
Commander-in-Chief were fully and ably carried into effect with
His Excellency’s characteristic energy; the enemy’s select
regiments of regular infantry have been dispersed, and a large
portion destroyed, with the loss, since the campaign began, of
220 pieces of artillery taken in action. * * *
“The Governor-General, in the name of the Government and
of the people of India, offers to His Excellency the
Commander-in-Chief,--to the General Officers, and all the
Officers and Troops under their command, his grateful and
heartfelt acknowledgments for the services they have performed.
* * *
“The Governor-General acknowledges the meritorious conduct of
Brigadier Penny, and Lieut.-Colonel Spence,[35] commanding
brigades in the first division.
“Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST and fiftieth regiments greatly
distinguished themselves, as well as the forty-second and
forty-seventh native infantry, and the Nusseeree battalion.”
The despatch of the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Hugh Gough, to
the Governor-General, dated Camp, Kussoor, 13th of February, 1846,
giving a detailed account of the battle of Sobraon, contained the
following expressions of approbation and thanks:--
“I have now to make the attempt,--difficult, nay impracticable,
though I deem it,--of expressing in adequate terms my sense of
obligation to those who especially aided me by their talents and
self-devotion in the hard-fought field of _Sobraon_.
“The major-generals of the divisions engaged deserve far more
commendation than I am able, within the limits of a despatch, to
bestow. * * *
“Brigadier Penny and Lieut.-Colonel Spence commanded the two
brigades of Major-General Sir Henry Smith’s division, and
overcame at their head the most formidable opposition. I beg to
bring both in the most earnest manner to your notice. * * *