1 166 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
2 diers of our own nation, and armed with the short
3 weapon of their mountains, were a terror to the
4 Sikhs throughout this great combat.”*
5 Seventy guns were supposed to be in the Sikh
6 entrenchment at Sobraon, and of these, sixty-seven
7 Sinaone were captured, with upwards of 200 camel swivels,
8 (zambouruks), as well as numerous standards.
9 Before noon this great battle was over, having
10 lasted, without intermission, from day-break. It
11 might be well termed a glorious fight, and com-
12 plete in its results. The battles of Moodkee,
13 Feerozshuhur, and Allcewal, though great ones,
14 were less decisive; they had, indeed, weakened
15 the power of the Sikhs, but that of Sobraon had
16 The victory completely broken it. Such a victory, however,
17 a complete
18 and glorious could not be achieved without an immense sacri-
19 one. . .
20 fice, and probably there is no action on record,
21 Great loss of where so many officers were killed and wounded,
22 Raiser as that which occurred on the 10th February.
23 ientey partie Witness the loss of killed and wounded in Her
24 Majesty's 20th, Majesty’s 29th, and the Honourable Company's
25 Ae Honeae Ist European light infantry : the list of the former
26 able Com-
27 pany's tse EXhibits, 13 officers, 8 serjeants, and 167 rank and
28 European |
29 inmers”'e fle; and that of the latter, 12 officers, 12 ser-
30 * The Commander-in-chief’s despatch.
31 + These indomitable little men are armed with a formidable and deadly
32 weapon named a kookree, sharp and narrow at the point, suddenly increas-
33 ing in breadth, and thus presenting a great surface of cutting edge, which
34 is rendered still more effectual by its bent shape and short edge. The
35 Goorkhas generally drive the keokree into the abdomen, or belly, of their
36 opponents, and thus rip them up wiih great dexterity and expedition. —
37 Author.