Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/616

592 from 5,873 men and 18 guns, to 9,844 men and 26 guns; which force being 250 miles to the rear, was not, however, considered available to repel invasion, but as a support to that in advance of Umballa, At this period the Army of Observation was stationed as follows: – At Ferozepoor, 10,472 men and 24 guns; at Loodiana, 7,235 men and 12 guns; and at Umballa, 12,972 men and 32 guns. This force comprised seven regiments of European infantry, out of the eleven at that time serving within the Bengal presidency. Umballa was the head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief. On the 2nd of December, 1845, Sir Henry Hardinge arrived at that station, and on the 6th moved his camp forward towards Loodiana.

The first acts of aggression on the part of the Sikhs was the carrying off a number of camels from the left bank of the Sutledge to their camp on the right. On the 8th of December, they began to appear in large masses, and their numbers greatly increased the two following days. A few days after they were seen to be busy collecting boats about eight miles from Ferozepoor; and as it was now evident to all that a Punjaub campaign was inevitable, the whole of the ladies in the Governor-General's camp took their departure and returned to Umballa, while orders were issued to troops in all directions to move up with all practicable haste to the frontier. By the 12th about 10,000 Sikhs had crossed the river, with 27 guns, about twelve miles from Ferozepoor; and on the 13th they were seven miles from that station, crossing men and guns by a bridge of boats, with great activity and expedition. The ladies at Ferozepoor were now all sent into the fort for safety, and an immediate attack was expected.

Sir John Littler, who commanded at Ferozepoor, had only 7,000 men to make head against the overwhelming forces of the Sikhs; but he showed a resolute and undaunted front, and boldly led out his little force to give them battle; but this was declined by the Sikh chiefs, who had not completed the passage of their heavy guns