The guns, if not exactly obsolete, were quite unsuited for the work that had to be done, but they were the best procurable.

George Campbell, in his 'Memoirs of my Indian Career,' thus describes the siege-train as he saw it passing through Kurnal: 'I could not help thinking that it looked a very trumpery affair with which to bombard and take a great fortified city;' and he expressed his 'strong belief that Delhi would never be taken by that battery.' Barnard heard that the enemy intended to oppose his march to Delhi, and in order to ascertain their exact position he sent Lieutenant Hodson (who had previously done good service for the Commander-in-Chief by opening communication with Meerut) to reconnoitre the road.

Hodson reported that the rebels were in force at Badli-ki-Serai a little more than halfway between Alipur and Delhi.

Orders were accordingly issued for an advance at midnight on the 7th June.
When it became known that a battle was imminent, there was great enthusiasm amongst the troops, who were burning to avenge the massacres of Meerut and Delhi.

The sick in hospital declared they would remain there no longer, and many, quite unfit to walk, insisted on accompanying the attacking column, imploring their comrades not to mention that they were ill, for fear they should not be allowed to take part in the fight.[4] [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL SIR HARRY TOMBS, V.C., G.C.B.
_From a photograph by Messrs.