Page:The Sikhs (Gordon).djvu/175

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THE FIRST SIKH WAR.
141

covering, and our nights are very cold—a burning camp in our front, our brave fellows lying down under a heavy cannonade, which continued during the whole night—mixed with the wild cry of the Sikhs our English hurrah, the tramp of men, and the groans of the dying. In this state, with a handful of men who had carried the batteries the night before, I remained till morning, taking very short intervals of rest by lying down with various regiments in succession to ascertain their temper and revive their spirits. I found myself again with my old friends of the 29th, 31st, 50th, and 9th (regiments which had served in the Peninsula), all in good heart. My answer to all and every man was that we must fight it out, attack the enemy vigorously at daybreak, beat him, or die honourably in the field. When morning broke we went at it in true English style." Headed by Sir Henry Hardinge and Sir Hugh Gough, the infantry in line, supported by horse artillery, advanced steadily, unchecked by the enemy's