1 62 FROM THE DEATH OF NOO NEHAL SINGH
2 object of checking the advance of the Sikhs had
3 been accomplished. It was now intended that
4 further operations should be suspended until
5 large reinforcements could be received from the
6 military stations in Upper India, wherewith to
7 enter the Punjaub, and effectually chastise the
8 aggression of the Sikhs.
9 An attempt by the enemy to cut off the com-
10 munication between Loodianah and Ferozepore
11 rendered it, however, necessary to dispatch Sir
12 Harry Smith with a division of artillery, cavalry,
13 and infantry, to relieve the garrison at the former
14 place. This he accomplished, after a series of
15 skilful manoeuvres, forming a junction with the
16 Loodianah troops under Brigadier Godby, and
17 giving the Sikhs battle at the village of Aliwal.
18 In this action, the enemy, though far outnumber-
19 ing our force, were most completely defeated
20 and driven across the Sutlege with immense
21 loss. Sir Harry Smith’s despatch gives a dis-
22 tinct and animated account of this signal victory
23 over the Sikhs, describing with graphic force the
24 cool intrepidity and perfect discipline of the
25 British and native troops, and the able general-
26 ship of their gallant Commander. So vivid a
27 description of such a brilliant exploit merits a
28 more permanent record than the columns of a
29 newspaper,