1 54 FROM THE DEATH OF NOO NEHAL SINGH
2 consisting of her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons,
3 the body guard, 4th and 5th Light Cavalry, and
4 9th Irregular Cavalry, took up their encamping
5 ground in front of Moodkee.
6 “The troops were in a state of great exhaus-
7 tion, principally from the want of water, which
8 was not procurable on the road, when, about
9 three Pp. m., information was received that the
10 Sikh army was advancing; and the troops had
11 scarcely time to get under arms, and move to
12 their positions, when the fact was ascertained.
13 “I immediately pushed forward the horse
14 artillery and cavalry, directing the infantry, ac-
15 companied by the field batteries, to move forward
16 in support. We had not proceeded beyond two
17 miles when we found the enemy in position.
18 They were said to consist of from 15,000 to
19 20,000 infantry, about the same force of cavalry,
20 and 40 guns. They evidently had either just
21 taken up this position, or were advancing in order
22 of battle against us.
23 “ To resist their attack, and to cover the forma-
24 tion of the infantry, I advanced the cavalry un-
25 der Brigadiers White, Gough, and Mactier,
26 rapidly to the front, in columns of squadrons,
27 and occupied the plain. They were speedily
28 followed by the five troops of horse artillery,
29 under Brigadier Brooke, who took up a forward
30 position, having the cavalry then on his flanks,