From Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., to His Excellency General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of India. SIR, Camp, Ferozepore, December 22, 1845. I have the honour to report to your Excellency that, when the army under your command had formed its junction with the forces from Ferozepore, under Major-General Sir John Littler, and was drawn up in order of battle, on the 21st inst., I proceeded with the two left brigades, commanded by Colonels Wallace and McLaren, to attack the enemy's entrenched position at Ferozeshah. 2. The line advanced with great steadiness, notwithstanding the nature of the ground, intersected with jungle. When the troops had cleared these impediments, and had opened out into the plain, they continued to press on, without a check, under a very heavy fire of grape and musketry from the enemy's batteries, and having borne down all opposition, entered the enemy's camp, and captured the guns in their front. 3. This portion of the camp was soon after on fire, compelling the troops to desist from their attack of the remainder, and as it was now dark, the troops formed on the ground, nearly on a line with the burning camp. From that period till the morning, these brave men were exposed to an incessant fire from the enemy's guns, the darkness of the night being illuminated by the explosion of mines, tumbrils, and shells. 4.-I need not dwell on the events of this night, so remarkable in military history, because your Excellency witnessed them, and with me admired the fortitude and resolution of these brave men, ready to encounter any danger, although harassed by fatigue, and suffering from thirst. 5.-I have personally reported to your Excellency my admiration of the conduct of H.M. 80th Regiment, and the 1st European Light Infantry, in obeying with alacrity the order I gave about midnight to stand to their arms and charge a battery, which bore destructively on our ranks. Lieut.-Col. Bunbury, assisted by Lieut.-Col. Wood, my Aide-de-Camp, led the attack, on which occasion the latter officer was wounded. The guns were spiked, the enemy driven away with loss, and this part of our line left undisturbed for the remainder of the night. Their conduct in the preceding part of the action came more immediately under your Excellency's own observation. 6.-Your Excellency, having formed the troops before daylight, led the right of the attack, entrusting the left to me. The whole line instantly advanced, and, animated by your example, carried everything before them; and, having traversed the camp from one extremity to the other, drew up in a perfect line, expressing by loud cheers, as we rode up the line, their conscious pride that every man had done his duty. 7.—I again most cordially congratulate you on the brilliant success of the army under your Excellency's command. 8.—It is now my duty to report to your Excellency, that MajorGeneral Gilbert, commanding a portion of this division of the army, gave me great satisfaction. 9.-Colonel Wallace fell bravely at the head of his troops. 10.-Colonel McLaren led his brigade with his accustomed judgment and resolution. 11.-My own personal Staff having been all disabled, with the exception of one most dear to me, and who still remained by my side, I derived, on the morning of the 22nd, the most valuable aid from Lieutenant-Colonel Birch, Judge-Advocate-General; from Lieutenant-Colonel Parsons; and from your Excellency's intelligent and brave Aide-de-Camp, Captain West. These Officers, riding several paces in front of the line, regulated the advance, animated the men, and prevented any unnecessary firing. 12.—I have great obligations, during the whole of these operations, to Colonel Benson, a Member of the Military Board, and acting as my Aide-de-Camp, who has constantly accompanied me in the field, and in whose cool judgment and experienced ability I place great reliance. 13. My Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, has shown all the qualities which make a good officer. 14.-I beg to bring to your notice my Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant Hillier, who is wounded; and Lieutenant Peel, of the 37th Native Infantry, Acting Aide-de-Camp, who is slightly wounded. Captain Becher, of the Quarter-Master-General's Department attached to my camp, also accompanied me, and I recommend him as a very promising officer. 15.—I also recommend the officers belonging to the Political Agency to these provinces, who acted as my Aides-de-Camp, Captain Abbott and Lieutenant Lake, and are both wounded. Captain Mills, Acting Aide-de-Camp, took the command of a troop of horse artillery, with his usual spirit. 16. It is now with great pain that I have to record the irreparable loss I have sustained, and more especially the East India Company's Service, in the death of Major Broadfoot, of the Madras Army, my Political Agent. He was thrown from his · horse by a shot, and I failed in prevailing upon him to leave the field. He remounted, and shortly afterwards received a mortal wound. He was as brave as he was able in every branch of the Political and Military Service, 17.-Major Somerset, my Military Secretary, much about the same time was shot through the body, conducting himself with the hereditary courage of his race. He was always foremost where difficulties required to be overcome. I deeply regret his loss. 18.—I have also lost a most promising and brave officer by the death of Captain Herries, on the night of the 18th, at Moodkee. 19.-Lieutenant Munro, of the 10th Light Cavalry, my Aidede-Camp, a most amiable and excellent officer, I have also had the misfortune to lose, whilst placed at your Excellency's disposal, in the affair at Moodkee. 20-Captain Hore, Assistant Military Secretary, and a valuable officer, acting as my Aide-de-Camp, was killed about the same time as Major Somerset received his wound. 21.—I have now to request your Excellency's notice to the con |