1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 139
2 was driven by repeated charges of cavalry and
3 infantry headlong back over the river.”* This
4 gives a general idea of the success on the part of
5 the British.
6 Sir Harry Smith marched from Buddeewal, early
7 on the morning of the 28th January, towards the
8 enemy, who appeared in sight after the British had
9 traversed about eight miles of the country. The
10 right of the Sikh force rested on Rhoomaree, and
11 their left on Walleepore, and they advanced some pisposition of
12 distance from their entrenched camp &nd cannona- ‘"* *"
13 ded the British for half an hour, until the latter
14 stormed the village of Alleewal, the key of their
15 position. The whole of the British line then ad-
16 vanced, charged, and took the Sikh guns, on which
17 the Sikhs fled towards the river. It was at first
18 computed that at least half their force was des-
19 troyed, but later accounts stated that the number of
20 killed was comparatively small. On making en-
21 quiries of officers engaged at Alleewal, they all
22 declared that the affair at Buddeewal was the only
23 harassing one. Her Majesty's 16th lancers charged Galant charge
24 of cavalry
25 in gallant style, but the Sikhs lied down on the rardered less
26 y effectual by
27 ground, and the lances could not reach them, seiesiy iyi
28 while they cither fired their muskets or cut with down.
29 their swords. This regiment had upwards of one pee tne
30 hundred men killed and wounded, but the total Joss British.
31 of the British force did not exceed 400. When the Horee arti!
32 cavalry first charged the mass of Sikh infantry, it break the Sikh
33 was too dense and compact to be broken; the work res
34 @ Op Marre Smith's desratch.