Many of these guns have long Persian inscriptions,* and very old dates, some are highly ornamented. The carriages are closely assimilating to those in use with the Bengal artillery, the whole well fitted for post guns. The metal is much heavier than those of a similar calibre in use with the Bengal artillery.

Two more guns were discovered at Sooltan Khan Wallah, of which no return has yet been received.

• (Signed)

G. BROOKE, Brigadier, &c. &c.

*The inscriptions on these guns, like that on the celebrated pocket-pistol at Dover, were much given to boasting.

FORCES ON THE SUTLEJ.

133

CHAPTER VI.

ASSEMBLAGE OF THE BRITISH FORCES ON THE SUTLEJ
-SIKHS THREATEN TO RECROSS-SIR HARRY SMITH
DETACHED TOWARDS LOODIANA
BUDDEWAL.

SKIRMISH

NEAR

DURING the first week in January, the reserve force, under Sir John Grey, joined the main column of the army, and took post near the river, along which pickets were thrown out by the divisions nearest the enemy's position, to watch their proceedings on the opposite bank.

Nearly every soldier in the north-western provinces was at, or approaching, the headquarter camp, which extended over no incon

134

BANKS OF THE SUTLEJ.

siderable portion of ground. Large supplies had been laid in for the army at Ferozepore and from the country bordering on Bussean. The British generals now became masters of their own time for the planning and prosecution of further operations.

On the opposite bank of the Sutlej, the Sikh camp, with its hives of parti-coloured canvas, speckled the country as far as the eye could reach, and appeared to shelter a mighty host, notwithstanding their recent losses. Nearly opposite the village of Sobraon the tents appeared more closely packed together, about a mile distant from the river, and thence the banks sloped gradually towards the water; but, about three miles higher up, and immediately above the fords of Hureeka, the banks rise precipitously, on the right shore, to a height of about forty or fifty feet, and overlook the British side of the river where the slope is very gradual and nearly uniform.

The country on the left bank is mostly bare, except near the river and close above Hureeka, where some thick reeds and underwood served