Sir Harry Smith's forces, with the exception of details of native troops, left for the protection of Loodiana, having been recalled to head-quarters, commenced their march on the morning of the 3rd of February, taking the direct road near the banks of the Sutlej.
To Brigadier Wheler was entrusted2 the command of the forces left at Loodiana, (consisting of twelve guns, the 1st Cavalry3, 4th Irregulars, and four regiments4 of Native In[Pg 208]fantry.) These troops were intended to act as a moveable column for the protection of the line of country between Loodiana and Dhurrumkote. Matters were thus placed on a more organized footing; a communication being secured with Loodiana, the fords of the Sutlej watched, and the Sikh predatory bands confined to excursions amongst the villages on their own side of the river, which were by this time pretty nearly exhausted7.
Most of the regiments returning from Aliwal presented a sadly diminished front; and H.M.'s 31st and 50th, the former of which had been present in every action and skirmish hitherto fought with the Sikhs, scarcely covered the ground of one weak battalion8. In the officers' lines, the diminution9 was equally perceptible; and in the reduced mess-tents of each regiment5, wide and melancholy10 intervals12 around the once-crowded tables told but too truly of the fatal precision of the enemy's fire, and of the ready and forward breasts which had been presented to their aim.
Wine had become scarce at every table; but[Pg 209] the absence of this incentive13 to the spirits and conversation of the assemblies did not produce a very depressing effect. The stirring events of the campaign, in which all had been engaged, afforded ample subject for discussion; but the sharp routine of duty, and the daily call to arms at break of day, made early hours universally fashionable and headaches scarce.
The literary characters of the army (not a very numerous class) were perhaps more at a loss than their comrades; for our books had nearly all deserted14 to the enemy on the 21st of January, and a very scanty15 sprinkling were recovered when the Sikh camp was captured on the 28th.
Most of the army were utterly16 at a loss to know what that camp contained; but perhaps the mystery may be solved by the Shekawattee cavalry, or the irregular horse, whose operations were principally confined to that part of the field.
My own share of plunder17 on that occasion amounted to a bottle of London porter, wrapped carefully in a Sikh blanket, and stowed on a[Pg 210] camel's back. A native follower19 was stalking hastily away with this inestimable treasure, when my groom20 overtook the delinquent21, and I scrupled22 not to appropriate the booty to my own use.
I never tasted more refreshing23 beverage24 than that same bottle contained; and I do not remember ever having found a blanket more acceptable than on the night of the 28th of January, 1846.
On the morning of the 6th of February, Sir Harry Smith's column, bringing as trophies25 a portion of the Sikh ordnance26 captured at Aliwal, returned to their former position near Hureeka ford6. On arrival, they were met by the gallant27 commander-in-chief with his staff. Sir Hugh rode along the line, and expressed in the warmest terms his approbation28 of the services rendered by each regiment; and the emotion with which the kind-hearted veteran spoke29, effectually supplied the place of the studied oratory30 in general use for parade purposes.
Our pickets31 were again thrown out on the Sutlej, and resumed nearly the same position[Pg 211] which had been occupied previous to the late operations; and nothing, apparently32, gave evidence of the recent important events, save the diminished strength of the squadrons and companies under arms. The Sikh videttes, at regular intervals, stood, like so many white statues, on their allotted33 posts, and the patrols sauntered hourly along the high banks between the chain of pickets.
During our excursion to Loodiana, the Sikhs had not remained inactive. Their bridge of boats having been completed and strengthened, the enemy had crossed, and thrown up a large, semicircular entrenchment34, embracing the re-entering sinuosity of the river, with a face of about three miles in extent. At first, the Sikhs crossed only in small numbers, sufficient to protect the working-parties in the trenches35; but finding these unmolested, they brought their guns across the Sutlej, and established themselves in full strength in their strange position.
Parties of Goorchera horsemen, fording daily above and below the bridge of boats,[Pg 212] showed us that the transit36 of the river near Sobraon might be accomplished37 with facility by the whole army when it should be deemed requisite38. Formerly39, the Sikhs had been in the habit of crossing a few thousand by day, and retiring again at nightfall; but now that the works had assumed a more permanent appearance, the enemy seemed to have nearly vacated their camp on the right shore, and to have occupied permanently40 the entrenchments with battalions41 of regular infantry42. The cavalry spread themselves along the banks, scouring43 the immediate44 neighbourhood, and watching for any aggressive movement on our part.
A better system also prevailed at the outposts: no firing at each other, or useless waste of human life, took place; and on more than one occasion, Sikh officers visited and returned from the British camp.
The redoubtable45 Ghoolab Singh had arrived in Lahore from his mountain principality of Jamoo, and the Sikh soldiery gained much confidence from this supposed acquisition of strength, which they hourly expected to rein[Pg 213]force their camp. It was reported that Ghoolab Singh had brought with him his whole army, amounting to thirty pieces of artillery46, and upwards47 of thirty thousand men; but this account afterwards proved to be incorrect; his forces did not exceed, in all, ten thousand troops.
However, Ghoolab and his army seemed to have taken root at Lahore; and no entreaties48 of his countrymen prevailed with that cunning chief to commit himself by joining the Khalsa army in front of Sobraon. Nor is it matter of surprise, that so cunning a diplomatist as the aforesaid rajah proved himself, should have wished to see the result of the struggle which was now impending49, before he openly joined an army which had already experienced three defeats. The chances of a British alliance were too favourable50 a reserve to be sacrificed, so long as a double game could be played with any chance of success.
On the 8th of February, a portion of the long-desired siege train, consisting of twelve ten-inch howitzers, and a large quantity of[Pg 214] ammunition51, arrived in camp, after a laborious52 march from Delhi, with an escort of one regiment of native cavalry and small details of native infantry; and Sir Hugh Gough at length found himself prepared with materials for recommencing active operations when such should be deemed advisable.
The main body of the British army was now encamped in line nearly parallel with the Sutlej, and about three miles distant from the bridge of boats at Sobraon. One brigade of infantry occupied the fortified53 post at Rhodawallah, on the left, whence a good view was obtained of the Sikh camp and proceedings54. The enemy's advanced posts were thrown forward into a small fortified position, within musket-shot of Rhodawallah, and a chain of pickets environed the whole front of his works.
Sir Harry Smith's division, at an interval11 of about three miles on the extreme right of the army, continued to watch the fords of Hureeka. Sir John Grey's division, consisting entirely55 of native troops, were with the Governor-general at Ferozepore, about sixteen miles distant;[Pg 215] and the engineers were busily occupied in preparing, on the river near that town, a pontoon train, by which it had been resolved that the British army should cross when the position at Sobraon had been stormed, and the theatre of war transferred to the Sikh territories in the Punjaub.
We were, of course, all aware that the day of action could not be far distant, as the long-expected siege-train had now poured the greater part of its materials for destruction into camp; but the precise time of operations had not as yet been announced.
On the evening of the 9th of February, as I rode along the river, in company with some brother-officers, we perceived that the enemy had just brought six guns into a village on the high bank above Hureeka. These were probably planted to defend the ford, in case the British cavalry should attempt to cross the river at the same time that the entrenchments were attacked.
About sunset, we observed the enemy's patrols taking their usual excursion along the[Pg 216] banks; and so proud were the troops in the village of the new playthings which they had got, that they could not resist the temptation of showing us they were all kept in good order, by firing two or three rounds from each gun.
European nations are not much in the habit of wasting ammunition in that playful manner, and when a battery opens, it generally means something; but this is by no means the case amongst the Asiatics. The Sikhs especially delight in noise, and neglect no opportunity of indulging the propensity56. Indeed, it was a matter of surprise to us, how they could ever rest with such a perpetual clatter57 of cannon58 and musketry going on in their camp.
With the above-named exception, the Sikh pickets did not appear more on the alert than usual; nor were they strengthened at any point; so that there is no reason to suppose the enemy anticipated the attack which was to ensue in a few hours.
That night, when assembled in our mess-tent, we indulged in a discussion as to the[Pg 217] means available for repelling59 the Sikhs from the insolent60 position they had assumed on our territories; but many were of opinion that the day of aggression61 was yet far distant; and some thought—nay, decided—that Sir Henry Hardinge would not feel himself prepared to cross the Sutlej before the ensuing autumn. The argument, when at its height, was interrupted by the hasty arrival of a staff-officer, with orders for the brigadier. Those orders were for the preparation of the mighty62 machinery63 which was to be brought into operation ere the morning sun had lit the rival camps, and which was destined64 to hurl65 the boasting invaders66 from the segment of land they occupied, headlong into the pitiless waters of the Sutlej.
A few weeks ago, the eve of a battle, suddenly announced, would have sent half the party at table to make their wills, or to prepare for the coming event as well as a few hours' notice would permit; but now, most of these preparations had already been made;—(and as few were sanguine67 enough to suppose they could last much longer, as fully18 half their com[Pg 218]rades had been killed or crippled, and the enemy appeared fresher than ever,)—the approaching struggle excited perhaps a trifle more of interest than would have been bestowed68 on a hurdle-race or steeple-chase, to come off next morning.
We were ordered to be under arms and moving about two hours before daybreak; and therefore an early retreat was advisable, in order to be in proper condition for the labours which the coming day threatened to entail69 on some, and to terminate for ever with others.
However lightly the subject may be treated, with lively companions and flashing lights around you, yet, when the scene is changed to the dusky canvas walls of a solitary70 tent, and the subsiding71 hubbub72 of the camp leaves one to court sleep or reflection, I confess, for my own part, that the eve of a battle has never been the calmest of my nightly rests. The probability that ere to-morrow's sun has set we may be one of that loathsome73 class for whom the "hiatus maxime deflendus"—"to be filled up by spade and mattock"—is await[Pg 219]ing, usually causes a retrospect74 which, unless with a man possessing the philosophy or vanity of a Cicero,[49] must be somewhat perplexing. When the deeds of a life are hurriedly compressed into a few hours' consideration, I have always found the dark side inevitably75 gaining the ascendance, and no effort of will would cause the imaginary sphere to revolve76 and present a luminous77 surface to view. That austere78 judge, whom the ancients described as inflicting79 punishment on the hapless shades who, though guiltless of heinous80 crimes, had yet neglected numerous opportunities of benefiting mankind, appeared to me to discharge his duty so rationally, that I could not impugn81 the decision.
Although our actions may be matter of very light reflection whilst time floats gaily82 onwards, yet a life of uselessness does not afford a very satisfactory retrospect, especially when it appears likely to come to an abrupt83 conclusion.[Pg 220] Seeking earnestly for some familiar spirit to avert84 the unpromising theme, the demon85 Ambition rises, and points, with beckoning86 gestures, to worldly distinctions, success, and military renown87. The fascinating vision then appears entitled to be treated with some respect, and away flies Mammon with his unresisting victim. Cruel seducer88! As in the case of a rustic89 caught by the recruiting serjeant with a bunch of coloured ribbons and an Eldorado in the distance, sad experience alone unmasks the sombre reality, and the disappointed aspirant90 to a shadow, finds that rank and honours are reserved for the soldier's declining years; but youth and glory are rarely companions. [50] Perhaps it may be good policy to keep the phantom91 hovering92 in sight, when possession destroys the mistaken pursuit, or at all events, discovers its true value. Notwithstanding these trite93 complaints, the subordinate regimental ranks have ever proved[Pg 221] faithful to their duty, and the English soldier has continued "to conquer under the cold shade of aristocracy."[51]
In the midst of reflections of this useless nature, I was roused by the mild voice of a native attendant whispering, as softly as if he feared the enemy might overhear him, that the camp was stirring, and that the appointed hour had arrived. To my surprise, I found that the hands of my watch confirmed the Hindoo's assertion; and my night of intended repose94 had slipped away in a less profitable employment.
Hastily buckling95 on my equipments, and having seen that my saddle was equally prepared for the emergencies of the day, I rode on to where the dark array of troops were gathering96 on their alarm posts in the dim star-light. Each brigadier had received, overnight, his instructions for the position to be occupied on this momentous97 occasion; and the movement of the forces was conducted with that[Pg 222] silence and regularity98 which complete discipline, and an intimate knowledge amongst those in command of their respective duties in the field, can always ensure. Each word of command, though softly uttered, was effectually obeyed, and the column proceeded to take up their position on the extensive curve assumed by the investing army.
The atmosphere, laden99 with heavy vapours, spread a darkening veil between the rival hosts, and thousands of eyes watched earnestly for the rising of the curtain and the beginning of the tragedy.
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1
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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incentive
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| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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delinquent
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| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
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scrupled
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| v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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pickets
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| 罢工纠察员( picket的名词复数 ) | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entrenchment
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| n.壕沟，防御设施 | |
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trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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transit
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| n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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scouring
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| 擦[洗]净，冲刷，洗涤 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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51
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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52
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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57
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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aggression
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| n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entail
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| vt.使承担，使成为必要，需要 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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subsiding
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的现在分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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retrospect
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| n.回顾，追溯；v.回顾，回想，追溯 | |
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inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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revolve
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| vi.(使)旋转；循环出现 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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heinous
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| adj.可憎的，十恶不赦的 | |
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impugn
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| v.指责，对…表示怀疑 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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86
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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seducer
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| n.诱惑者,骗子,玩弄女性的人 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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aspirant
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| n.热望者；adj.渴望的 | |
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phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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trite
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| adj.陈腐的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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buckling
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| 扣住 | |
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96
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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