des made a retrograde movement, so as to place himself opposite the
Bhawulpore encampment. The enemy advanced to within four miles of
that position. In the course of the night, the raw levies of Edwardes
contrived to cross the river in a very irregular manner, and within
dangerous proximity to the enemy's patrols, but were unmolested. On the
18th, early in the morning, the lieutenant crossed with the remainder
of his little army, except the horses and artillery, which remained
with Courtlandt on the opposite side, for a more slow and safe transport
across the river. Scarcely had the lieutenant gained the opposite bank
than he was attacked by the Sikh army, which had been moving up from
Bugurrarah while he was gaining the passage. This was a terrible
engagement. The sun had hardly risen upon river, and swamp, and
undulating plains, when the Mooltanee forces fell upon the motley crowd
of the British levies, and in such superior numbers that victory seemed
certain. For nine hours the English lieutenant resisted the onslaught,
and by his valour, activity, presence of mind, and moral influence, kept
his undisciplined forces in firm front to the foe. At last Courtlandt's
guns were brought over, and made the contest somewhat equal; later
in the day, two regular regiments belonging to the colonel's division
arrived, with six guns, and the enemy panic-struck fled, leaving a
large, proportion of their troops upon the field, slain, wounded, and
prisoners, with six guns, and their entire baggage and munitions of
war. The conduct of Edwardes throughout the day was splendid, and laid a
deeper foundation for his military reputation.

Moolraj retreated to Mooltan, followed by the British, and the Khan of
Bhawulpore, who had rendered hitherto but little assistance, and whose
movements led to the suspicion that he had more sympathy with Moolraj
than he dared to avow.

On the 28th of June, a Sikh brigade under the command of
Sheik-Emaum-ood-deen, which had been dispatched by the government of
Lahore, arrived to reinforce the English. The whole army appeared before
Mooltan, consisting of eighteen thousand men, comprising the levies of
Edwardes, the division of Courtlandt, that of the Khan of Bhawulpore,
and the newly arrived brigade of the sheik.

Moolraj collected his army between the city and the invaders, and
intrenched himself in a strong position, near the village of Sadoosan.
Edwardes attacked the camp with one portion of his force