Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/119

Rh joined him at head-quarters. He saw Colonel Brooke of the Artillery and Captain Baker of the Engineers, who agreed as to the feasibility of an assault after a heavy cannonade. Colonel Benson was sent to report this to the Commander-in-Chief, who entirely concurred in the proposal. The next day Brigadier Smith, of the Engineers, came to the Governor-General and threw doubts on the plan of the attack. He was then sent with Colonel Benson to the Commander-in-Chief, who expressed his regret at the vacillation displayed by the engineer and artillery officers. They were all assembled at head-quarters the next morning, and their opinions were still unfavourable. Sir H. Gough reported this by letter, leaving the decision to the Governor-General. On returning to Firozpur, Sir Henry Hardinge consulted Major Abbott of the Engineers and Major Lawrence the Political Agent, who was also a field-officer of artillery. They both agreed that an attack as proposed was practicable. In his next letter he authorised the Commander-in-Chief to attempt it, concluding with these words: 'If, upon the fullest consideration, the artillery can be brought into play, I recommend you to attack; if it cannot, and you anticipate a heavy loss, I would recommend you not to attempt it.' The next morning the artillery and engineer officers were again assembled; and when the Governor-General's letter containing Major Abbott's opinion was read to them, they changed their views and sanctioned the attack as proposed. The Commander-in-Chief then reported