Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/86

 CHAPTER VII

Múdkí and Firosháh

On December 12th, 1845, the Governor-General, who was two marches ahead of the Commander-in-Chief, received trustworthy intelligence that the Sikh army had crossed the Sutlej. He immediately issued a proclamation, declaring the Cis-Sutlej States to be annexed to the British territories, and calling upon the chiefs of those States for co-operation and fidelity. He then met the Commander-in-Chief, when orders were at once issued for a forced march to Esru, the object being to reach Basián before any Sikh force could destroy the stores which had been accumulated there. The Ludhiána force, 5000 strong, was in advance, while Sir J. Littler moved out of Firozpur with two brigades, to engage a considerable force of Sikhs who were threatening the town and who retired immediately. Lál Singh then advanced with the main body of the Sikh army to Firozsháh, where he entrenched himself. Afterwards, thinking possibly that the British advanced guard was only the Ludhiána force, he moved on the 18th to Múdkí, where was fought the opening battle of the campaign.

No one who has not witnessed a night march with