Force to move from Sipri to Kotah-ki-Sarai, about seven miles to the east of Gwalior, Sir Hugh Rose, on June 16th, marched with Brigadier Stuart's column and the small force he had brought from Kálpi against the Morár cantonments. These cantonments, which lay about five miles from Gwalior, were reported to be in the enemy's possession.
A close reconnaissance showed that the side of the cantonments fronting his force was occupied by strong bodies of cavalry, and that with them were guns and a considerable number of infantry. Feeling certain that his men would be reinvigorated rather than fatigued by an immediate action, and that the morale of the enemy would be damped by his attacking them unexpectedly after a long night's march, — for he had only reached Bahádurpur at 6 a.m. on June 16th and marched against Morár the same day, — he resolved to strike at once, and placed the troops in order of battle.
The advance, covered by the Haidarábád cavalry, was made in two lines in échelon from the right. The first line, under the General himself, consisted of a field battery and siege guns in the centre, the 86th Regiment on the right, the 25th Bombay Native Infantry on the left, and the 14th Light Dragoons on each flank. The second line, under Brigadier-General Napier, was placed in échelon on his left; the left was 'refused,' as the ravines in this direction were full of ambuscaded troops and such a formation would enable the whole force to wheel rapidly to the left if necessary.
