He was warned that time was an object, and that the 23rd May was the date on which his troops would probably be required to start.

All details were carefully considered.

The first difficulty to be overcome was the want of carriage.

No organized system of transport--one of the most essential requirements of an efficient army--existed, and, owing to the restlessness and uncertainty which prevailed throughout the country, the civil authorities were unable to collect carts and camels with the usual rapidity.[8] That afternoon General Anson received a letter from Sir John Lawrence urging the importance of an immediate advance on Delhi, and giving an outline of the measures he proposed to adopt in the Punjab.

He asked the Commander-in-Chief to give a general sanction to the arrangements, and concluded with these words: "I consider this to be the greatest crisis which has ever occurred in India.