1 Character of
2 the army of
3 the Suilej,
4 174 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
5 many of the officers had but just joined, and had
6 never heard a shot fired, nor seen the face of an
7 enemy; but one and all behaved like true soldiers, ”
8 and vied with veterans in undaunted courage and
9 gallant bearing.
10 We have been rather particular regarding the
11 Ist European light infantry, as many Queen’s
12 officers of high rank often exhibit but a very im-
13 perfect notion of the Honourable Company’s Euro-
14 pean regiments. On one occasion a general officer
15 in Her Majesty’s service, actually asked “ How
16 many havildars there were in the Ist European
17 light infantry, and if there were any Native offi-
18 cers?” Even the highest authority in India had
19 some misgivings about the European light infantry,
20 as to their equipment and fighting qualities ; both of
21 which he had an opportunity of witnessing on the
22 march to Feerozshuhur, and during the eventful
23 night of the 2ist of December. To*sum up in one
24 word, every European officer who composed the
25 army of the Sutlej, from tae Commander-in-chief
26 down to the youngest ensign, merited high enco-
27 miums. <A braver spirit never pervaded an army.
28 The battle of Sobraon may be justly termed the
29 Waterloo” of India; it was the last, and one of
30 the hardest contested; like that great and ever
31 memorable , engagement, it completely broke the
32 power of the foe.
33 Let us now turn to the Sikhs, who confident in
34 their security amidst their triple walls and ditches,
35 began the battle of the 10th with great spirit. The