1 The Com-
2 mander-in-
3 300 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
4 on this trying occasion, where he appears to have
5 displayed a moderation and forbearance for which
6 in some quarters he has not obtained credit.
7 In the discussions which have taken place in the
8 chief prepared Parliament of Great Britain, regarding the splendid
9 for the inva-
10 sion.
11 results of the campaign, all mention of the policy
12 of the Governor-general is carefully avoided ; but
13 * had it been discussed, the measures adopted by the
14 The energy,
15 zeal, and
16 courage of the
17 Governor-
18 general when
19 the crisis did
20 happen.
21 Rapidity of
22 the move-
23 ments of the
24 troops.
25 Commander-in-chief would have shown at once
26 that he was prepared for the coming invasion, and
27 had taken steps to meet it.
28 The wish not to be the aggressor, and to avoid all
29 appearance of hostilities, coupled with the impres-
30 sion on the mind of the Governor-general, led him,
31 no doubt, to delay the active measures suggested
32 by the Commander-in-chief; but when the crisis
33 did arrive, and the Sikhs actually crossed the
34 boundary, then the zeal, talent, and energy of the
35 Governor-general were such as to excite universal
36 admiration. ‘The rapidity in the movements of the
37 troops was such as must have elicited the approba-
38 tion both of Sir H. Hardinge and the Commander-
39 in-chief; and there is not, perhaps, on record, a
40 more marked instance of zeal, determination, and
41 courage on the part of troops, than was exhibited
42 by those composing the Sirhind division whén called
43 on to move. Longer marches may have been exe~
44 cuted, (without adducing that of Cesar, of a hundred
45 miles), but the daily forced marches of the troops
46 from Umballah and the hills, from the time of leay-
47 ing their cantonments, until their arrival at Mood-