1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 137
2 On the morning of the 28th January the firing
3 of heavy guns was heard in the camp of the army -
4 of the Sutlej, in the direction of Loodianah, and it
5 was immediately surmised that an engagement had
6 taken place between Sir Harry Smith and Runjoor
7 Singh; the former proving victorious, as the firing
8 did not last long. All was suspense, however,
9 during that day and night. Major Laurence and News of the
10 an aide-de-camp rode off to Dhurrumkote, where by sirane’
11 the former received a hurried note, written, we Smiths
12 believe, in pencil, to the Commander-in-chief, an-
13 nouncing that Sir Harry Smith had completely
14 defeated the enemy, and his artillery was, at that
15 moment, “ teaching the Sikhs how. to swim the
16 Sutlej.” On the night of the 28th it was deemed
17 advisable to keep the army in readiness, for it was The army of
18 thought probable, that if Sir Harry Smith should healer din
19 meet with any decided reverse, the Sikhs might of the 26th
20 attack the British camp at Akhberwala. Every
21 one was therefore prepared to turn out at a
22 moment’s notice; but all remained quiet, and at
23 daybreak of the 29th, a royal salute announced to
24 friend and foe that a victory had been gained some- Result of the
25 battle un-
26 where by the British, though it was supposed the knuwn to the
27 Sikh leaders at Sobraon were either unaware of the 3 2™"*™
28 fact, or wished to keep their entrenched troops in
29 ignorance, since they actually imitated our bands in
30 playing the national anthem of “God save the
31 Queen !”
32 It is some time before the particulars of a battle
33 can be ascertained ; and the accounts given by two