1 202 DIARIES OF CAPTAIN J. ABBOTT, 18485.
2 to-morrow. I have despatched my diary of the 6th as usual, which treats
3 of matter that appears to me of much importance. A note to Mr. Cocks
4 accompanies and a note to Mr. Inglis is sent as usual through the
5 Dewan Adjoodhia Pershaud. The Pukli Brigade is in the same state of
6 excitement, talking confidently of an immediate march to Mooltan. I
7 trust precautions have been taken against the consequences of either
8 Raja Sher Singh or Sirdar Jhundur Singh declaring fcr Moolraj,
9 as their example would be followed by the whole Sikh army, who are
10 far from giving up the cause of the Dewan, which, so far as I can judge,
11 seems to have become national. I have the best possible reason to
12 think Sirdar Chuttur Singh’s health as good as it has ever been for
13 some years past, and that his wish to leave Huzara has no reference
14 whatever to the state of his health. I yesterday wrote begging him to
15 remain.
16 J. ABBOTT, Captain,
17 Assistant Resident.
18 I hope that as a soldier I may be permitted to observe that any
19 operations against the fort of Mooltan upon a scale insufficient to insure
20 success, even supposing a large part of the Sikh army to march to its
21 relief, are likely to be attended with disaster. The fort is no contemptible
22 place and requires a very powerful siege train as well as a considerable
23 body of staunch and disciplined troops for its investment.
24 J. ABBOTT.
25 No. 62.—Diary of Captain James Abbott, Assistant Resi-
26 dent, on deputation to Huzara, for the 7th and 8th
27 July 1848.
28 ath July 1848 — Hueara, Sherwaun.—With reference to the contents
29 of my diary of the 6th I am happy to find that Captain Edwardes has
30 ordered back Sirdar Jhundur Singh’s Brigade to Leiah to the manifest
31 mortification of that Chief and the probable disarrangement of the
32 immediate plans of the conspirators. I cannot but think that an interval
33 between the Sirdar’s Brigade and Captain Edwardes’ force is whole-
34 some,