y, to move, with one brigade of his
division, and a light field-battery. In the mean time, the
Commander-in-Chief received information that the Sirdar Runjoor Singh,
crossing from Philour at the head of a numerous force of all arms, had
established himself between the old and new sources of the Sutlej, and
threatened the rich and populous city of Loodianah. Sir Harry Smith was
accordingly directed to advance by Jugraon towards Loodianah, with the
brigade which had accompanied him to Dhurrumkote, while his second
brigade, under Brigadier Wheeler, moved on to support him. "Then
commenced," we learn from the Commander-in-Chief, "a series of very
delicate combinations."

"The Major-General, breaking up from Jugraon, moved towards
Loodianah; when the Sirdar, relying on the vast superiority of his
forces; assumed the initiative, and endeavoured to intercept his
progress, by marching in a line parallel to him, and opening upon
his troops a furious cannonade. The Major-General continued coolly
to manoeuvre; and when the Sikh Sirdar, bending round one wing
of his army, enveloped his flank, he extricated himself, by
retiring, with the steadiness of a field-day, by echelon of
battalions, and effected his communication with Loodianah, but not
without severe loss.

"Reinforced by Brigadier Godby, he felt himself to be strong; but
his manoeuvres had thrown him out of communication with Brigadier
Wheeler, and a portion of his baggage had fallen into the hands of
the enemy. The Sikh Sirdar took up an intrenched position at
Budhowal, supporting himself on its fort; but, threatened on either
flank by General Smith and Brigadier Wheeler, finally decamped, and
moved down to the Sutlej. The British troops made good their
junction, and occupied the abandoned position of Budhowal; the
Shekawattee brigade and her Majesty's 53d regiment, also added to
the strength of the Major-General, and he prepared to attack the
Sikh Sirdar on his new ground. But, on the 26th, Runjoor Singh was
reinforced from the right bank with four thousand regular troops,
twelve pieces of artillery, and a large force of cavalry.

"Emboldened by this accession of strength, he ventured on the
measure of advancing towards Jugraon, apparently with the view of
intercepting our communications by that route."[18]

The audacity of the Sikhs was do