1 122 SECOND EXPEDITION AGAINST KASHMEER. A. D. 1819.
2 at Subathoo, marched immediately to the point threat-
3 ened, and was joined there by a detachment from
4 Loodeeana, ordered ontby the Resident at Dehlee. This
5 promptitude alarmed the Sikh ruler, and Desa Singh
6 was ordered, not only to recall his detachment, but to
7 wait upon Captain Ross, and offer every explanation
8 and apology in his power.
9 Nothing material occurred in the early part of this year,
10 but the season was occupied in preparation for a second
11 expedition against Kashmeer. To this Runjeet Singh
12 was encouraged, partly by his recent success against
13 Mooltan, which had given him confidence in his troops,
14 and had added largely to their reputation, but mainly by
15 the state of the Afghan power, and the knowledge, that
16 MoiiummudUzeem Khan had carried with him the most
17 efficient of the troops in the valley, to forward his other
18 designs, and was far absent, and in no condition to render
19 assistance to the Governor he had left behind him. Misur
20 Dewan Chund, the conqueror of Mooltan, was selected
21 by Runjeet Singh to command the present expedition,
22 the Sikh ruler being influenced, partly by his bodily infir-
23 mities, partly by a superstitious notion, that fortune and
24 fate were against his personal success in the valley, but
25 mainly perhaps by the knowledge, that the more impor-
26 tant task of expediting supplies, and supporting the
27 armies operating in advance, could best be performed
28 by himself, to determine to remain within his own frontier,
29 and in the plains of the Punjab.
30 lu the month of April, the Sikh army was marched
31 towards the frontier, and a select and strong division
32 was formed there under the Misur's command to lead the
33 J*?