[Through Three Campaigns by G. A. Henty]@TWC D-Link book
Through Three Campaigns

CHAPTER 7: Tales Of War
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At the same time a large body of horse rode along the hills, threatening the left flank.
"As the swordsmen swept down on the infantry and guns, the Afghan horse came out of two ravines, and charged the Bengal Lancers before they could acquire sufficient speed to meet them fairly.

The Lancers were forced back, disorganizing the 3rd Ghoorkhas, who composed the left battalion of the line.

The colonel of the Ghoorkhas threw his men into company squares, and they stood their ground; but the Lancers could not be rallied until they had swept along almost the whole rear of the infantry.
"In the meantime the swordsmen on foot swept down with fanatical fury, and it became necessary to bring up the whole reserve into the fighting line.

The two batteries of artillery on the right were now firing grape shot, at close range, into the mass of Afghans; but neither this, nor the fire of the infantry supporting them, could check the advance of the enemy.

The batteries, having used up all their case shot, were compelled to retire two hundred yards; and the right of the infantry line was also forced back.
"The situation at this moment was horribly critical: both our flanks were turned, and the troops were a good deal shaken by the suddenness and fierceness of the attack.


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