572 
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
length called upon to exercise its most terrific function of improving 
victory. The Sikh line was broken and in flight, and its fragments 
pursued by four steady divisions of infantry. Then from either flank 
the horse, unbroken and in perfect order, swept forward to do the work 
of final retribution. The two columns speedily got into communication. 
Onward they moved in unison, cutting down, dispersing, riding over, 
and trampling the flying or scattered infantry, capturing guns and 
wagons, strewing the path with dead and dying, forward they moved 
in their irresistible course, and converted a beaten army into a shape¬ 
less, hideous mass of helpless fugitives. It was not till half-past four 
that they drew rein and halted, by which time the army of Shere Singh 
was a wreck, deprived of-baggage and standards, its camp given up to 
the spoiler, and 53 pieces of its cannon in the hands of its pursuers. 
.The imposing array of the British took its field in 
a grand and magnificent manner, and the means employed were all 
calculated to produce the desired effect, and did produce it. Above 
all, the arm in which the English host had beyond a dispute, a pre¬ 
ponderating power, the artillery, was well posted, and allowed ample 
time to develop irresistible strength. In fact, by it this battle was won.” 
According to Lord Gough’s despatches 1 2 the enemy opposed us with 
59 pieces of artillery, while the British army mustered 72 field guns, 
10 18-prs. and 8 8-inch howitzers. He thus refers to the conduct 
of the artillery :— 
“I halted the infantry just out of fire and advanced the whole of my 
artilleiy covered by skirmishers. The cannonade now opened on the 
enemy was the most magnificent I have ever witnessed and as terrible 
in its effect. The Sikh guns were served with their accustomed rapidity, 
and the enemy well and resolutely maintained his position; but the 
terrific force of our fire obliged them, after an obstinate resistance, to 
fall back. I then deployed the infantry, and directed a general advance, 
covering the movement by my artillery as before. 
The heavy artillery continued to advance with extraordinary celerity, 
taking up successive forward positions, driving the enemy from those 
he had retired to, whilst the rapid advance and beautiful fire of the 
Horse Artillery and light Field Batteries, which I strengthened by 
bringing to the front the two reserved troops of Horse Artillery under 
Lieut.-Colonel Brind, 3 Brigadier Brooke 3 having the general superin¬ 
tendance of the whole of the Horse Artillery, broke the ranks of the 
enemy at all points. The whole infantry line now rapidly advanced 
and drove the enemy before it; the nullah was cleared, several villages 
stormed, the guns that were in position carried, the camp captured, 
and the enemy routed in every direction.” 
And again when he is recognising the services of individuals, he 
says:—“ To Brigadier-General Tennant, commanding that splendid 
arm, the artillery, to whose irresistible power I am mainly indebted for 
the glorious victory of Goojerat, I am indeed most grateful. Con- 
1 See the despatches given in the “ Narrative of the Second Sikh "War,” by Edward Thackwell. 
2 This was Lieut.-Colonel Frederick Brind, C.B., who was shot by his orderly on the 9th July, 
1857, when Brigadier at Sialkot. 
3 Afterwards Sir G-eorge Brooke, k.C.b., died December, 1882, aged 90. 
