The THIRD LIGHT DRAGOONS continued their advance on Peshawur, and a squadron of the regiment, under Lieutenant Unett, protected the column of attack under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, of Her Majesty's Ninth Regiment of Foot, which captured the heights on the right entrance to the _Khyber Pass_, on the 5th April, 1842. Major-General Pollock, in his despatch announcing the successful advance of the troops into the Khyber Pass, states: 'there were some of the enemy's horse in the vicinity of Ali Musjid, but I regret they did not wait for Brigadier White (Lieutenant-Colonel of the KING'S OWN) and his brigade to make an example of them.'
The regiment arrived at Jellalabad in April, 1842, where it remained until the 14th August following, when it proceeded to Futteabad, detaching one squadron to Mammoo Khail on the 23rd of that month. The THIRD LIGHT DRAGOONS left Futteabad on the 2nd September, and on arriving at _Jugdulluck_, the summits of the hills, which command the road through the pass, were perceived to be occupied by a considerable number of the enemy, who were assembled in bodies under different chieftains, each having a distinguishing standard; their position was one of singular strength and difficulty of approach. The heights occupied by the Ghilzies formed an amphitheatre, inclining towards the left of the road, on which the troops were halted, while the guns opened; and the enemy were thus enabled, on this point, to fire into the column, a deep ravine preventing the troops coming in contact with them.
The British troops, however, on attacking one of their hill-forts, gave an animated and enthusiastic cheer, which so dismayed the enemy, that they fled down the heights without waiting the collision, and were thus enabled to escape chastisement by the nature of the ground, which was so well calculated to favour their retreat. At this moment, Major Lockwood with the THIRD, KING'S OWN LIGHT DRAGOONS, galloped up, and nearly succeeded in overtaking the enemy's cavalry, who effected their safety by flight.[45]
The loss of the regiment at the storming of the heights of _Jugdulluck_ on the 8th of September, 1842, was limited to two men wounded.
Major-General Pollock, in his despatch, speaks of the conduct of the troops employed in the following terms:--