1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 107
2 despatch, intended solely for the Commander-in-
3 chief, used the words “ panic struck” as applicable
4 to this regiment, and attributed the irresolution on The supposed
5 the part of the Native regiments in his division, Native troops.
6 as arising from the example of the 62nd.
7 Whether, as their own brigadier stated, the
8 regiments had received an order from himself to
9 retire from a position which they could not carry
10 without the risk of being annihilated; or whether
11 this check was a necessary consequence of the
12 insurmountable obstacle opposed to them; the loss
13 in men and officers attests, that the efforts of both
14 were great, for we find that this gallant regiment
15 had no fewer than seven officers killed and ten peters
16 wounded; while among the soldiers of a weak 62nd.
17 regiment in numbers, there were 76 killed and 154
18 wounded, a greater number in both grades than
19 fell to the lot of any other European regiment.
20 Both the Governor-general and Commander-in-
21 chief did every thing in their power to reassure
22 the regiment that its’ well-known character for one’ tentie
23 bravery was fully borne out, and itis to be the bravery of
24 lamented that an occurrence should have happened
25 which could ever have rendered it a matter of
26 doubt.*
27 * Since this was written, we have the Duke of Wellington’s remarks on
28 the subject, in his speech in the House of Lords. His Grace continued—
29 “ Thave read with pain of one regiment to which the word ‘ panic’ was
30 applied, and I considered it my duty, in the position in which I am placed,
31 to cxamine particularly into the circumstances. I see in the returns made,
32 it is stated to have Jost five-twelfths of its numbers,-and a vast number of
33 officers ; and I have seen accounts, that in the first quarter of an hour one-