1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 155
2 pieces of cannon, united by a good bridge to a
3 reserve on the opposite bank, on which the enemy
4 had a considerable camp, and some artillery com-
5 manding and flanking the field works on our
6 side.”*
7 Sir Harry Smith's force, after its brilliant feat at
8 Alleewal, had joined head quarters, and the army
9 of the Sutlej was now in numbers and efficiency
10 much more complete than when it engaged the
11 Sikhs at Feerozshuhur. In cavalry it had been
12 greatly strengthened, since Her Majesty’s 9th and The British
13 Leeson’s irregular cavalry had joined; the 43rd
14 and 59th regiments of Native infantry were also
15 added to the list, as well as several companies of
16 foot artillery.
17 It had been intended to drive in the enemy’s
18 picquets in front of Rhodawala, and Little Sobraon,
19 during the -night of the 9th February, but. this
20 could not be accomplished until near daybreak of
21 the 10th. Little Sobrion-was, however, deserted in
22 the night, and found unoccupied in the moming by
23 the Goorkhas, who were sent to clear it of the
24 rmy com-
25 16th lancers, as well as the 3rd light cavalry, and plete.
26 enemy. Both this post, and that in front of The post of
27 Little Sobraon
28 Rhodawala, had, it seems, been only occupied by and another,
29 only oceupied
30 the Sikhs during the day and abandoned at night, by the Sikhs
31 in imitation of the British during their tenure of the
32 former post.
33 The troops were moved out of camp at the ap-
34 * The Commander-in-chief’s despatch.
35 during the
36 day.