220 MAJOR W. HODSON. 



Another of Hodson's earliest officers, Captain 

 George AVarcl of the 8th Bengal Cavalry, had served 

 and fought throughout the two campaigns against 

 the Sikhs. Lieutenant D. W. Wise of the 4th 

 Bengal Lancers had also served throughout the 

 fierce campaign along the Satlaj. 



On the evening of July 3 Hodson informed his 

 chief that a large body of rebels had marched past 

 our right flank along the road to Alipur. At 2.30 

 A.M. of the 4th a force of all arms, led by the 

 gallant Major Coke, marched out from camp to 

 intercept them on their return to Delhi. While 

 Lieutenant Eoberts ^ felt for the enemy along the 

 main road, Hodson led his Guides along the right 

 bank of the canal. As soon as our guns had driven 

 the enemy from their positions, the cavalry of the 

 Guides, says Sir Henry Barnard, "followed them 

 with the greatest spirit, and succeeded in cutting 

 up some more " of their number. Twice again 

 during that day the rebels came down upon our 

 wearied troops, who had to fight over ground which 

 the recent rain had turned into a mere swamp. 

 "Both men and horses," writes Hodson, "were 

 terribly knocked up towards the end of the day, 

 and could hardly crawl back to camp ; and no 

 wonder. I was mercifully preserved, though I am 

 sorry to say my gallant Feroza was badly wounded 

 twice with sabre-cuts, and part of his bridle cut 

 through, and a piece of my glove shaved off ; so it 

 was rather close work. My men, who were the 

 most engaged of all, escaped with the loss of one 

 killed and six wounded, and six horses put hors- 

 de-comhat." 



1 Now Field-Marshal Lord Eoberts, V.C, G.C.B., &c. 



