The battle of Moodkee, on the 18th of December, was their first battle with the English. This engagement they themselves allowed to be a defeat; but in that of Ferozeshah, three or four days later, they claimed the victory. Indeed many British officers have told me that it was a very desperate affair, and that it was fortunate the Sikhs were ignorant of their own power and resources. If this fact be held in recollection, when the reader comes to the battle of Sobraon, seven weeks later, he will see the necessity for a grand effort on their part; for another defeat or retreat would have been ruin to the Sikh cause. Colonel Campbell's force was, as we have stated, nearly 3,000 strong, but the loss of the English in the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah, amounted to 3,291 men killed and wounded, and 804 horses; so that the arrival of this force would not replace the numbers lost. It was, therefore, necessary to draw troops from other quarters also, and concentrate them at the place of action. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 4: In the Dragoons, one groom is allowed by Government for every two horses, the other being paid by the soldiers themselves.] [Footnote 5: In Bengal Proper, rice. These cakes are made just like those eaten by the men, but thicker and of coarser flour. No bad food on a pinch.] [Footnote 6: Vide Despatches.] [Footnote 7: See Appendix III.] [Footnote 8: See Appendix IV.] [Footnote 9: See Appendix V.] [Footnote 10: See Appendix VI.] [Footnote 11: In 1845, Allard was dead; Ventura, Court and Avitabile were in Europe; Cortland, son of Lieut.-Colonel Cortland, late of H.M. 31st Foot, who had entered the service of the Sikh leader, came over to the British. Colonel Hurbon, a Spanish officer, erected the works at Sobraon; still he was not a regular officer in the pay of the Sikh government, but was employed for the occasion by the troops.] [Footnote 12: See Appendix VII.] [Footnote 13: See Appendix VIII.] CHAPTER III. Nidampore--Christmas-day--Munsorepore--Kotla Mullair--Phurawallee--Bussean--Surrender of Wudnee--Cession of Ferozepore--Bhaga Poorana--False Alarms--Roree Bukkur--Sir John Littler--Sir H.M. Wheeler--Ferozeshah--Aliwal--Sikh Forces--British Forces--Sikh Entrenchment--Returns of Killed and Wounded--Sir H. Hardinge--Battle of Ferozeshah--Sudden Attack by Tej Singh--His Blunder--Appearance of a field of Battle--Fate of the Wounded.