and Firozpur itself might have been cut off[1]. On the 15th the main body of the army was disencumbered of its baggage, while their commissariat-elephants brought up the stores and the footsore men of the two regiments who had come from the Hills.
It has been necessary to enter into the above details because Sir Henry Hardinge felt very strongly on the question which had been raised. The result showed his foresight. In the three subsequent actions not a man could have been spared; in the last, every available soldier was utilised. His case was proved and his defence is complete.
It may be well to insert here the latest intelligence from the Lahore Darbár, which was received daily by Major Broadfoot, who had now joined the camp of the Governor-General: — 'Tej Singh, on the Rání's urging him to move forward, said they had none of their old leaders left. They knew that certain death was before them, and refused to march. Ghuláb Singh, on the other hand, was ready to treat, saying that he would carry out whatever orders might be given by the British Government. Bhai Rám Singh was also deputed by him to negotiate with the British.' So that up to the last there was positive doubt as to the intentions of the Darbár.
- ↑ In this step the Governor-General acted on his own responsibility. The Commander-in-Chief had protested against the evacuation of Ludhiána on the score of its exposure to hostile attacks. But the Governor-General saw the absolute necessity of placing 5000 men in advance of Ambála, and the result more than justified the risk he had incurred.
