tion of his guns, which the jungle had hitherto concealed.

It was now evident that the enemy intended to fight, and would probably advance his guns so as to reach the encampment during the night.

I therefore drew up in order of battle; Sir Walter Gilbert's division on the right, flanked by Brigadier Pope's brigade of cavalry, which I strengthened by the 14th Light Dragoons, well aware that the enemy was strong in cavalry upon his left. To this were attached three troops of Horse Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Grant. The heavy guns were in the centre.

Brigadier-General Campbell's division formed the left, flanked by Brigadier White's brigade of Cavalry, and three troops of Horse Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brind.

The field batteries were with the infantry divisions. Thus formed, the troops were ordered to lie down, whilst the heavy guns, under Major Horsford, ably seconded by Brevet-Majors Ludlow and Sir Richmond Shakespear, opened a welldirected and powerful fire upon the enemy's centre, where his guns appeared principally to be placed; and this fire was ably supported on the flanks by the field batteries of the infantry divisions.

After about an hour's fire, that of the enemy appeared to be, if not silenced, sufficiently disabled to justify an advance upon his position and guns.

I then ordered my left division to advance, which had to move over a greater extent of ground, and in front of which the enemy seemed not to have many guns. Soon after, I directed Sir Walter Gilbert to advance, and sent orders to Brigadier Pope to protect the flank and support the movement. Brigadier Penny's brigade was held in reserve, while the Irregular Cavalry, under Brigadier Hearsey, with the 20th Native Infantry,

was ordered to protect the enormous amount of provision and baggage that so hampers the movement of an Indian army.

Some time after the advance, I found that Brigadier Pennycuick's brigade had failed in maintaining the position it had carried, and immediately ordered Brigadier Penny's reserve to its support; but Brigadier-General Campbell, with that steady coolness and military decision for which he is so remarkable, having pushed on his left brigade and formed line to his right, carried every thing before him, and soon overthrew that portion of the enemy which had obtained a temporary advantage over his right brigade.

This last brigade, I am informed, mistook for the signal to move in double time, the action of their brave leaders, Brigadier Pennycuick and Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes (two officers not surpassed for sound judgment and military daring in this or any other army), who waved their swords over their heads as they cheered on their gallant comrades. This unhappy mistake led to the Europeans outstripping the Native corps, which could not keep pace, and arriving completely blown at a belt of thicker jungle, where they got into some confusion, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes, leading the 24th, was killed between the enemy's guns. At this moment a large body of infantry which supported their guns, opened upon them so destructive a fire that the brigade was forced to retire, having lost their gallant and lamented leader, Brigadier Pennycuick, and the three other field. officers of the 24th, and nearly half the regiment, before it gave way; the Native regiment, when it came up, also suffering severely. In justice to this brigade, I must be allowed to state that they behaved heroically, and but for their too hasty, and consequently disorderly advance, would have emulated the conduct of their left brigade, which,

left unsupported for a time, had to charge to their front and right wherever an enemy appeared. The brigade of Horse Artillery on their left, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brind, judiciously and gallantly aiding, maintained an effective fire.

Major-General Sir J. Thackwell, on the extreme left and rear, charged the enemy's cavalry wherever they showed themselves.

The right attack of infantry, under that able officer, Major-General Sir Walter Gilbert, was most praiseworthy and successful. The left brigade, under Brigadier Mountain, advanced under a heavy fire upon the enemy's guns, in a manner that did credit to the Brigadier and his gallant brigade, which came first into action, and suffered severely. The right brigade, under Brigadier Godby, ably supported the advance.

This division nobly maintained the character of the Indian Army, taking and spiking the whole of the enemy's guns in their front, and dispersing the Sikhs wherever they were seen.

The Major General reports most favourably of the fire of his field battery.

The right brigade of cavalry, under Brigadier Pope, was not, I regret to say, so successful. Either by some order, or misapprehension of an order, they got into much confusion, hampered the fine brigade of Horse Artillery, which, while getting into action against a body of the enemy's cavalry that was coming down upon them, had their horses separated from their guns by the false movements of our cavalry, and, notwithstanding the heroic conduct of the gunners, four of those guns were disabled to an extent which rendered their withdrawal at the moment impossible. The moment the artillery was extricated, and the cavalry re-formed, a few rounds put to flight the enemy that had occasioned this confusion.

With this exception, the conduct of the troops generally was most exemplary. Some corps, both European and Native, acted under most trying circumstances, (from the temporary failure in our left centre and right, and the cover which the jungle afforded to the enemy's movements,) and with a gallantry worthy of the highest admiration.

Although the enemy, who defended not only his guns but his position with desperation, was driven in much confusion, and with heavy loss, from every part of it, and the greater part of his field artillery was actually captured, the march of brigades to their flanks to repel parties that had rallied, and the want of numbers and consequent support to our right flank, aided by the cover of the jungle and the close of the day, enabled him, upon our further advance in pursuit, to return and carry off, unobserved, the greater portion of the guns we had thus gallantly carried at the point of the bayonet.

I remained with Brigadier General Campbell's division, which had been reinforced by Brigadier Mountain's brigade, until near 8 o'clock, in order to effect the bringing in of the captured ordnance, and of the wounded, and I hoped to bring in the rest of the guns next morning. But I did not feel justified in remaining longer out. The night was very dark. I knew not how far I had advanced. There were no wells nearer than the line of this village. The troops had been arduously employed all day, and there was every appearance of a wet night; rain did fall before morning.

I should have felt great satisfaction if I were enabled to state that my expectations in regard to the guns had been realized; but although a brigade of cavalry under Brigadier White, with a troop of Horse Artillery, were on the ground soon after

daylight, we found that the enemy, assisted by the neighbouring villagers, had carried off their guns, excepting twelve which we had brought in the night before. Most of the captured waggons I had caused to be blown up before leaving the ground.

The victory was complete as to the total overthrow of the enemy; and his sense of utter discomfiture and defeat, will, I trust, soon be made apparent, unless, indeed, the rumours prevalent this day of his having been joined by Chuttur Sing prove correct.

I am informed that the loss of the Sikhs has been very great, and chiefly amongst their old and tried soldiers. In no action do I remember seeing so many of an enemy's slain upon the same space: Sobraon perhaps only excepted.

I have now, my Lord, stated the general movements of this army, previous to and during the action of Chillianwallah; and as that action was characterized by peculiar features, which rendered it impossible for the Commander-in-Chief to witness all the operations of the force, I shall beg leave to bring prominently to your Lordship's notice the names of the several officers and corps particularly mentioned by the divisional commanders.

I have already stated the obligations I am under to Major General Sir Joseph Thackwell, and Sir Walter Gilbert, and to Brigadier General Campbell, for their most valuable services. I warmly concur with them in the thanks which they have expressed to the several Brigadiers, and officers commanding corps, and to the troops generally.

Sir Joseph Thackwell names, with much satisfaction, Brigadier White's conduct of his brigade, Major Yerbury commanding 3d Light Dragoons, the gallant charge of Captain Unett in command of a squadron of that corps, Major Mackenzie commanding the 8th, and Captain Wheatley command