Umballah May 1st 1849

  My dear Father.
      It is with much pleasure I now sit down to inform you that I am safe returned to Umballah. After a long and horrifying campaign of 7 months and 3 days under canvas, we crowned a glorious victory at Goozrat on the 21st of February. With trifling loss not exceeding 200 killed, We beat them from their positions in 3.5  hours with our artillery. We made but one charge, that was on his calvalry, they were trying to turn our flank but the 2nd Horse and the 3rd would not stick it. After this we found they were on the retreat, General Sir J.Thackerell ordered all the calvalry and light artillery to push forward, which we did and followed them up until dark, killing thousands and capturing the guns. I leave you to guess. 15 miles was about the distance we followed that night and for that distance the land was strewn with dead Sikhs. We then returned to our Encampment, and reached it at 11 o’clock at night, being 16 hours in the saddle that day. The only time I was ever tired in my life. And what made it worse for me my horse fell going over some broken ground and almost disabled me for that day. But however I was determined to stick to it if possible, to have revenge for Chilliauwallah. And by the almighty we did shoot them out of the trees like rooks, and killed thousands. I consider they beat us at Chilliauwallah if they only knew it. But we told them all about coming on the plain to fight this time. The Charge that my squadron made at Chilliauwallah on the 13th Jan. was a frightful one. It was a dreadful jungle & it was impossible for cavalry to keep together in such a place. The enemy had the advantage of us by their horses being so well trained to the bushes.  My horse got shot through the neck,  and a  bayonet  wound  in  the shoulder.  My squadron  was sent  away to the left, away from the Regt., to support the 5th light native cavalry. Almost as soon as we joined them, the enemy opened a tremendous fire from a 12 Gun Battery. Had our range beautiful, which we were compelled to return or advance, and as it is and always has been proved in fighting with this blood thirsty race, is to close with them. For they have fine artillery and would fight at long balls for ever and a day. The 5th native cavalry and my squadron led by Capt. ‘Umuth’ got the order to charge and in closing with the enemy the 5th threw themselves into confusion. But on dashed the white faces, and it was thought we were all annihilated. But thank God it was not so. For Jack is alive yet. 24 of my poor comrades fell and 35 wounded. After getting through their cavalry, we had the worst to do and that was to get back again. But however, gallant Captain  rallied us together and forward was the word, and cut your way you must,  or be left the wrong side the hedge. This is where we got it, for to our surprise, he got a line of his infantry for us to encounter with. Here my Capt. received his wound, a frightful one, it was across the shoulder. The 5th always bore an excellent name and was always engaged in the Brigade with the 3rd and highly distinguished themselves. But they say it was a mistake in the sound of the trumpet. But I am sorry to say a Regt. Of British cavalry belonging to 2nd Brigade was struck with panic and retired in a dastardly manner, when they received orders to charge. And caused 3 troops of our poor gunners to be nearly all cut up. Their title is the 14th Dragoons or Bristol Butchers, who slew numbers of the unarmed rioters,  but when facing a blood thirsty foe wheeled and was nearly the means of losing us the day, but however we kept our ground. I need not say any more, as I suppose you see a correct account of it in the papers. P.S. The next day being very heavy rain from the –cannonading- which compelled us to postpone our reconnaissance for 3 days, then we advanced over the Battlefield and such a dreadful sight never I think witnessed. The poor fellows half eaten by vultures and all sorts of beasts. The cavalry kept the look out, while the Infantry interned the remains of their poor comrades. Out of thousands that lay low,
I never saw one with a stitch of clothing. I sat on my horse and if I could have counted them, there was thousands of our Army and further on was the Sikh slaughter, which trebled our quantity.  Duty was  dreadful hard,  if ever a night of  duty sleep   accoutred, horse saddled ready for a moments notice.

              Direct Pt. John Worlock
                 H.M.  3rd L. Dra.
               -F- troop
                   Umballah
                            E. Indies
 

1st Enguard  Nov.  22 Ramnagar
2nd      “          Dec.    3 Sirdalpoor
3rd       “          Jan.  13 Chilianwala
4th       “         Feb.    21 Gujrat

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      Skirmishes out of number