1 HISTORY. OF THE SIKHS. 125
2 above the hip, whereas the Sikh infantry lay down,
3 and their shot passed over the heads of their oppo-
4 nents excepting when it came in contact with a
5 mounted officer or his horse.
6 But though the European infantry thus escaped Unfortunate
7 the musket shot of the Sikhs, it must not be con- oe mus~
8 cealed that they suffered from that of the Native
9 infantry in the rear, when endeavouring to thread
10 their way through the entrenchment. This un-
11 fortunate occurrence could hardly have been
12 prevented, unless the sipahees had fired their
13 muskets in the air. A Native soldier with a loaded
14 musket fires to his front; and as, unluckily in many
15 instances, the Native infantry got in the rear of the
16 European soldiers, the effect may be imagined.
17 The young officer* who carried one of the colours
18 of the Ist European light infantry, was thus riddled 4 striking in-
19 by a volley of musketry from the rear, just at the "°° ete
20 moment when he was congratulating himself on
21 having escaped unscathed into the entrenchment.
22 As we have remarked in a former place, it would pea a,
23 have been more eligible to form the whole of the
24 European infantry in one line, and keep the Native
25 in reserve.
26 Several mounted officers were killed at Feeroz-
27 shuhur; among the rest the gallant Major Somer- Death of Ma-
28 set, Military Secretary to the Governor-general. Se
29 When the army was drawn up in line to prepare
30 for the engagement, this officer wag conspicuous,
31 * Ensien Moxon