1 TO THE PRESENT TIME, 57
2 never-failing weapon, the bayonet, whenever the
3 enemy stood. Night only saved them from worse
4 disaster, for this stout conflict was maintained
5 during an hour and a half of dim starlight, amidst
6 a cloud of dust from the sandy plain, which yet
7 more obscured every object.”
8 The loss in this conflict was very severe. It .
9 consisted of 13 officers, 2 native officers, 15 ser-
10 jeants or havildars, 1 trumpeter, 176 rank and
11 file, 5 syces and grasscutters, 3 syce drivers, 210
12 horses, killed; 39 officers, 9 native officers, 42
13 serjeants or havildars, t trumpeter, 545 rank and
14 file, 12 lascars, 2 syce drivers, 7 syces, 92 horses,
15 wounded.
16 Amongst the European officers slain was the
17 renowned Major-General Sir Robert Sale, who
18 had previously achieved distinction in Affghanis-
19 tan, Burmah, and many other scenes of Indian
20 warfare.
21 Of the actions which took place on the 21st
22 and 22nd December, the following account is
23 given by the Commander-in-Chief :-—
24 “On the morning of the 21st, the offensive was
25 resumed; our columns of all arms debouched
26 four miles on the road to Ferozeshah, where it
27 was known that the enemy, posted in great force
28 and with a most formidable artillery, had re-
29 mained since the action of the 18th, incessantly
30 employed in entrenching his position. Instead