The Sun. — London, England, 1849-02-22 00:00:00

TE ridge- S. L. agda• , tiler- nes's -14, et 3hant, court, D- G. idler, Philp, Qt tho Hum upon- 15, at e—T. larch wers, aron- it;ker, Tyne en, at 13nea- 3ourt, I, cot tches- :hant, Ran 6.• :hant, n—J. half -W. 14, Idley, t the spirt v de. and ry►,e. ~ any tho ,any t tho i. 5d., I two, does .n the rgan, .slay, n the Tgan, t and roofs, !sday, f Mr. 111, ee, at spirit uri of ;ham. street, f-past spirit Eligh• th 16, 'ware ;haw. (reign ensed shire, turer Beau- J. T. Elone, ipil jr. E. s hire, Jep avow. Faomi stay - Deal, Tool, treet, Hill, Alen- ;tour, hurst then yang, Is re- ning arbo- ers— d in alter, 3hett, hire, ) rella nap; alien ture• pub- rick- Palen the wo. wen 7, at Scar meet and meet arch 3, to :din- Ole the :tes art' THE i '' - OVER 1.,: ot ri MAI TA INDIA. CAPTURE OF MOT:LT.4N. We have received from Marseilles our advises and Papers from India in anticipation of the overland mail of the 19th of January. The dates thus received are, from Moultan to the 6th, the army of the Punjaub to the stb, Calcutta to the Bth, and Bombay to the 19th of January. We have the satisfaction to announce from these ad vices that the town of Moultan had been captured by our troop,' although the citadel, at one angle of the town, still held out in possession of Moolraj with a consider able portion of his forces. The speedy fall of the citadel, however, seemed certain. It must soon have been made untenable under the close fire of 150 pieces of artillery; or, if this proved ineffectual, it was to have been mined. Operations began on the 9 7th of December. The pro ceedings will occupy no mean place in the history of 'liege operations. The suburbs were carried by the bayonet iu the most dashing manner, and the town cap tured by bombardment, breach, and storm. The actual i 'sue—viz., few killed on our part, great loss to the "env, and complete possession of the town within a Week—speaks for itself as to the real character of th e operations. The tactics of the final assault do not appear to have materially differed from General Whish's first plan, ex cept that the Bombay force took the position previously occunied by Edwardes, Lake, and Corilandt; and on this occasion Edwardes merely manoeuvred with his troops to distract the enemy's attention. The town was surrounded on all sides, and attacked, in the first instance, without regular approaches, while an incessant cannonade of shot, shell, and rockets was kept up to damage the defences, to awe the besieged, and to keep them to their works, and which ultimately enabled the besiegers to select the best ground for breaching, according to established rules. The only disadvantage of such a plan was overcome by the probability—almost amounting to a certainty—that the attacking body could not suffer annoyance from any attempt by the other forces of the enemy to relieve the besieged; while it had every advantage in hardihood and expedition, worthy of the: large force employed, and consistent with the necessity which existed for the speedy reduction of the We shall now proceed to examine the details before a& Shortly after the arrival of the Bombay division, with the siege-traib, noticed in our previous advices, the force began to take up a final position. On the 27th of December the suburbs were attacked at two separate Points, where high mounds in the neighbourhood of massive buildings had hitherto afforded to the Seikhs their best positions for our annoyance. The enemy were Vastly driven in and routed, our troops advancing in 'ine With the bayonet, and under a loss on our part of 'theist 100 killed and wounded. Heavy batteries were then erected at those mounds, which were at about 300 Yards' distance from the walls. The enemy's fire at this t ime is described to have been well and long sustained, but u l t i mately slackened, in consequence o f several ex- Plosions of his service magazines, probably caused by our shells. Daybreak of the 29th opened from the Bri tish lines with a heavy fire of musketry, and the simul taneous discharge of the mortar guns, after which the other heavy artillery and howitzers were pushed to within 80 yards of the walls. The enemy's fire then nearly ceased, while our own continued incessant, and evidently with great effect upon the enemy's works. Our batteries then began to breach. Next day a large magazine exploded in the town under our fire, and a conflagration of grain stacks succeeded. All this, how ever, did not appear to daunt the courage of the Seikhs, Lire of their matchlocks increased and became more Ofective. At length, after an incessant roar of cannon and rattle of musketry for about 50 hours, the close reek was commence d by th a a d va nce of two columns a r eal the Bombay army, while the Bengal ,force moved f orward on the other side. The gate selected for the a ttack of the Bengal force was, on the arrival of that column, found not to have been made practicable, and to resent besides an open drop in front, with strong de flees in th e rear . But meanwhile the Bombay column ad successfully effected its entrance, and the first colours l ' c re planted i n M ou l tan by a S ergea nt-M a jor o f th e C o mpany's Fusileers. This occurred about three o'clock in the afternoon of the 2d of January. The Bengal co lumn. after having been obliged momentarily to retire, quickly followed in the steps of their more fortunate comrades, and the town appears to have been ten minutes afterwards in our possession, although it was trot until near sunset t h at a ll our t ro ops had en tered. C onsiderable bodies of the Seikhs were steh: d i i rt ree t t h i a e dusk emerging upon the plain in then hthe itis said, of Sirdarpore ; but, al did their best to scour the country g throughout cavalryoth night , little could be effected, except in . he capt ure o f small parties, in consequence of thickly i ntersecting nullah s , or watercourses . F our t een guns , with twenty-five elephants, many horses, and a vast ZePPly of grai n , were found i n the town, an d t h e ot h er „opty, in the na t ure of property, i s sa id to b e o f con 72rehle value. A Frenchman, we are told, gave him lan up. What ho had b e en doing is not mentioned. - 'oritig the first n i g ht o f our occupat i on a m i ne was 'Prang by the enemy, but without mischief. The most dashing exploit occurred at day-break of the following morning, the 3d, at the moment that a heavy cannonade opened from the town upon the inner citadel; when Captain Young, in command of three corn • Palliest of her Majesty's 10th Infantry, and at the sug gestion, it is said, of Lieut. Maunsell, of' the Engineers, seeing a favourable moment, dashed at the only gate left in the hands of the enemy—one which led from the barn across the deep moat of the citadel. Powder-bags were attached, while some of the party scrambled aver th e gate with ropes, and in a moment, though Arongly guarded, the gate was captured by a coup de and the enemy disarmed in its narrow passage. ei-'he gallant fellows who were engaged were naturally led in their excitement to explore the ditch surrounding the citadel, now first exposed to view, which appeared at" th e moment un d e f en d e d , b ut t h ey b a d near l y pa id oaerly for their temerity. Some wooden palings have be ent at once withdrawn, a masked gun was run out, an d a charge of grape fired; but which, happily, did el ° harm. The cannonade DON continued from infr), point of the town, and was often aimed, upon the rraation of frequent deserters, at the point where which' 0 . principal magazine aas said to be situated; a course there can be no doubt was wiser than to risk a ,descent into a ditch 24 feet in depth, and upon which it ''as obs erve d t h at t h e muzz l es f rom t h e guns oppos i te mi ght ; be'd e p resse d. A s it was , th e c i ta d e l su b sequen tl y "Pt up a s t ou t fi re o f matc hl oc k s , f rom w hi c h t h e par ts lit the n earest guns h a d t o b e p ro t ec ted by trenches. Es calade 06' course, was talked of. a r The followin g is a list of the killed and wounded at "'Quite /1: • "Killed—M a j or J. Gordon, 60th Rifles; Lieutenant • Y ounghuband, 9th Bombay Native Infantry. I..!ifuzinWt4ll;n m de a d j —Lieutenant-Colonel Nash, 72d Native Major Case, 323 Foot; Lieutenant H. A. tla t Yfair (since dead), 52d Native Infantry ; Lieutenant : 1 1, Bombay Engineers ; Captain Bailey, Bombay Artillery (arm lost) ; Lieutenant Baugh, 9th Bombay Native Infantry ; Lieutenant N. W. Dyett, 3d Bombay 4Naiar..ve Infantry, slightly ; Surgeon J. P. Malcolmson, ue mhaY Native Infantry, slightly ; Second Lieute tilimilletryG, slieLvieeree y • L g a h p t i i e y r, , 3d Company Ist Battalion Bombay Ar• 32d Foot, a ; Lieutenants Brooke and Straubenzee, Infantry ; Lieutenant Tyrwhitt, .51st Native tenant Armstrong and Ensigns Gillon and MaDougal, 72d Native Infantry." • These casualties all occurred on the 27th of Demen t,. No account of those which happened on the 2d January has yet appeared, further than that Captains ,„.. 1 t- W. D. Leith and T 441 W, W. Gray, and E. T and lst Bombay /‘lld Lieutenants E. A. Dansey, of the Fusiliers with about forty men, were wounded, and tboar men ' killed ; Lieutenant Garforth, Bengal Engi arra, severely wounded ; Lieutenant Taylor, of her 7 4 iesty's 32d Foot, wounded, with two men killed and nWO dad: a s we . observe among the wounded the name of Dr. ii...-Lalcolmson, with whose public services we happen to be - e - P a t iainted. His life has for many years been daringly Posed in the cause of his profession, and as a geologist, In dia and at Aden, and at length has been risked in noblest exercise of his duty. t a le noticed in our previous' advices that Lord Gough Yi n c l P oyed to the rear of General Thackwell's /t ll 41. By a farther disposition of the forces the m ain t r a t cY at length formed one camp , disposed in p arallel aad t-418 e 1 with the principal artillery on the left front flank, Gough enc amped in the rear. Attoc k still 4 4 out, an d we now hope that it is to be considered as e the Th d e Governor-General's camp was pitched near b . l a of Sobraon. There was a ru mour that Earl cop s e - 1 1 - neje would be compelled shortly to lea ve India in arm quince of ill health. The main body of the Seik .. h ti e j S till continued to occupy their former stro n g p ost Somewhat further removed from the stream, in ' ea i , ut b still flanked and covered by the river and the Ai% ti; said that a, body of some thousand Aff,,,ehans., ter a ,,,,, ar elve guns had gone down to the Jhelum, but had 4 eer - r, to cross to the Seikh camp until they received *hiei tti a, amount of pay and food in advance ; terms a i tata ta '„ 4 , 4 added Shere Singh was himself too much be c i '"eu to be able to accord them. Some other Y of • • oue . similar character, or, perhaps, the identical by it was rumoured, threaten the peace of Sinde detour, `esi th "": Mahomed is at present master of Peshawur, ke n , 9 0 0 troops. We are told that there was a ru- Nnai l 111 high quarters that Dost Mahomed and Chuttur might be allowed to share the mountain out -0 of the Punjaub from the Jhelum te Peshawur. la t er corresp on dent, writing from Bombay on the froze ad ds:—" The mail has been successively detained townie 15th to the 18th and 19th of the month, but ko ti t i, l g has arrived of any additional interest from ten d ' a n• Mining oerations would require a week or Ithe Ye ' You will be glad to hear that Khan Singh, a ern was sent with Agnew and Anderson to be the Go. tre n : b r of Moult an , i n p l ace o f Moolraj, and who soeesia the e of assisted in their murder, was blown up in aete , ?lesion of the ma i n maga zine. The Seikh who th ae , ,le Y Murdered Agnew was cut down when we took S e. The Bomb a y co l umn t h a t did such good ser- Ent'Pe The by Colonel Stalker, and headed by the Ist w e e d }reed well known as the' Bombay Toughs.' were ea itred the breach most gallantly, and in 10 tainutes N ola ;apossession of the town, The Bengal column aegards the' having Pra et i no breach they were intended to assault im kui_ 1, explosion, a cable haw b been retrenched' by the enemy. - Is it was known that the enemy had principal magazine in the Jumma Idusjid THE SUN; LONDON, (mosque), and our_ gunners consequently kept playing at it. The sound is described as having been tremendous, and the appearance of the vast column of run as awful in the extreme." In a second postscript our correspondent adds,— " The deferred mail to which I alluded in my prece ding advice has been further put off from mid-day to three o'clock to. , morrow morning (the 20th), nearly at at which time I address you these lines. By late advices we learn thst Moolraj had prepared to treat, and that Ge neral Wbish had given him only the option of unconditional surrender. The Bombay Government, on the strength of this information, further deferred the mail during the last fourteen hours; but, if any intelligence has been re cuired during the course of to-night as to the submission of Mooll aj, it has not been disclosed. " A council assembled this afternoon, having refer ence, it is understood, to the rumour already noticed, that some body or other of the Affghans might invade Sinde. The Council, I believe, determined that there was nothing to fear in the event of such an occurrence, and, if so, I consider that the honourable body have judged wisely, considering that, were su,di disorganirad invaders to take the step in question, they would to a certainty be cut off. You will not, however, be the less glad to hear that more troops are, it is said, to be sent to Sinde." We take the following summary of the events at Monitan from the Bombay 7 eligraph : " On the 24th orders wore issued to the various troops to take up their position i❑ front of the town, and by the evening of Christmas-day these inst: uctions were obeyed —the Bengalese taking up a position a little in r.•ar of the place they had Lefote occupied, and the Bombay troops occupying the spot previously held by the allied forces under Major Edwardes, Lieutenant Lake, and General Cortlandr. On the arrival of the Bombay co lumn General Whish had requested the opinion of Major Scott of the Engineers as to the best mode of operating against the place, and had been recommended by that officer to attack the north-east angle in regular form. Colonel Cheape, however, of the Bengal Engineers, considered that the suburbs and town should be first gained possession of, and General Whish co ncurring with him in opinion the posts we have indicated were assigned to the troops. The first object being to drive the enemy out of the suburbs, and occupy those localities, in order the more effectually to attack the town, orders were issued on the morning of the 27th of December for the formation of four attacking columns, two to consist of Bengal and two of Bombay regiments. The former were placed respectively under the command of Colonel Franks, of her Majesty's 10th Foot, and Colonel Nash, of the 72d Bengal Native Infantry. Of the latter, one was under Brigadier Dundas, and consisted of 500 of the is Bombay Europeans (Fusiliers), the 4th Rifles, Turnbull's Battery of 9-pounders, and two squadrons of horse. The other was under Brigadier Capon, and was composed of 500 of the 6th Rifles, the whole of the 3d Regiment Native Infantry, one 9 pounder battery (Bailey's), and two squadrons of horse. "The whole," says the Delhi Gazette, whose version we now follow, " were under arms between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning, and moved simultaneously from their respective ground about one o'clock, a wing of the Bth Regiment of Native Infantry, and three companies of her Majesty's 10th Foot, forming a re serve, another wing of the Bth, with the 49th and 51st Regiments of Native Infantry, remaining in the Bengal camp for its protection; similar precautions being no doubt adopted in that of the Bombay army, of which, however, we have no information. The division of Co lonel Franks, consisting of a portion of his two regi ments, the 52d Regiment of Native Infantry, and other troops not specified, was directed to move to the right, and make for the brick-kiln facing the eastern angle of the fort; the second division, under Colonel Nash, con sisting of three companies of her Majesty's 32d Foot, six ditto of the 72d Native Infantry, and four guns of Captain Anderson's troop of Horse Artillery, supported by two 18-pounder howitzers from the Foot Artillery, to march direct on the Avg Mundee facing the Khoonee bastion; the 3d or right Bombay column to advance generally in the same direction, and the 4th to move pte rallel to the 3d, on the suburbs nearly south-west of the town. The whole of the four attacks were quite successful, and especially that directed on the Ava Mundee. One letter mentions that the men of Colonel Franks' division pushed further than was intended, and so suffered a greater loss from the fire of the fort than might otherwise have been sustained, but the advantageous position they secured within the suburbs, and only 250 yards from the fort, where trenches were immediately commenced,_ amply repaid the impetuosity of the troops. The 2d division moved-direct on on the mound (Ave Nlundee), and were met, for half an hour, by a fire from trenches and buildings some 300 or 400 yards to their front, the fort guns at the same time playing over them; but owing to the column being comparatively so close to the walls, and within the range of the guns, these did little or no danger. The fire, however, was becoming disagreeably hot, when the approach of the right Bombay column, threatening to turn the right flank of the enemy, induced him to beat a precipitate retreat, that presently assumed the appearance of a rapid flight, grape from the heavy and horse artillery guns adding wings to their speed. The Ava Mundee was immediately taken possession of by the Bombay troops, who placed some light guns on its summit, end opened at once on the town. The whole of the suburbs to the right and left were speedily occu pied by British riflemen, and supports from camp rapidly moved up, arrangements being at the same time made for placing a heavy battery 9n the spot, which it was understood would be ready by the evening of the 28th, and open its fire on the town wall, the nbjcct in view being to obtain possession of the town as soon as possible, and thence batter the citadel, as well as from the position occupied by Colonel Franks, where a mor tar battery had already opened its fire during the 28th. While the British troops were thus engaged to the south• west, south, north-east, and east of the town and tort, and forces of the allies under Major Edwardes and Lieu tenant Lake moved into position on the west and north west, and opened a fire on the walls of the town with the view more of creating a diversion, we presume, than that of securing a substantial advantage. These troops were, on the evening of the 27th of December, in the same position as that occupied by Raja Shere Singh previous to his treacherous junction with Dewan Moot raj on the 14th of September. The loss on our side is thought not to have been so severe as might have been expected." Having gained the suburbs arrangements were now made for holding the posts which had been taken, and to this end guns were placed in position and reinforce. ments brought up from the rear. At first the British had so few men available to secure the advantages they had attained, that the enemy actually succeeded in driv ing them once out of the grove in front of the Blue Mosque, and even came down upon that edifice itself. During the night the grove was re-occupied, trenches thrown up, and covered communications opened with a chain of posts. The Bombay troops erected a mortar battery, and commenced siege operations, and the Bengal regiments followed their example towards morning. On the 28th the Dewan opened a furious fire on the British batteries, without, however, doing much mischief in re - turn for the damage sustained from the splendid practice of our artillery. Frequently he fired grape, made of stone or " baked mud," and occasionally he discharged a few red hot balls. Sonic large brass or composition shells were also exploded over the heads of our troops. By the 29th the rest of our mortars were got up; our heavy guns were placed in position, and so close had our troops arrived to the city walls that we were breaching them at 80 yards distance. Moolraj's fire slackened, and he appeared badly of for artillerymen. In the evening at dusk the reliefs took place, and at the same time two 24-pounders and two heavy howitzers were, with some difficulty, dragged into battery. The new invention, gun-cotton was used, from the commencement, by the Bombay portion of the beseiging force with much utility and efficiency. Information arrived that the mast awful destruction had been occasioned in the towns by our shell and shot practice, a granary in the tort had also been set fire to and burned, and some small magazines ex ploded. All night our batteries continued to play on the enemy, and early on the morning of the 30th our great guns opened their fire, but slowly at first, on the bat teries and ramparts of the town and fort. One of the grandest and most awful occurrences of the siege now took place—the blowing up of the principal magazine in the tort of Moultan. The explosion was so terrific—and the general effect, from the fall of rubbish, boughs of trees, &c., so startling—that at first it was thought the place had been visited by an earthquake. For a short time the huge column of dust which was thrown up some 200 yards iu height rendered the fort and sur rounding objects invisible; there was consequently a brief pause in the tiring; but as soon as the smoke and dust cleared away the fire was resumed at hotly as ever. The artilleryman who levelled the snorter that produced the explosion was at once presented by General Whish with three gold mohurs, and an additional sum of five gold mohurs was also given to the company he belonged to. It is said some of Moolraj's family, with many other persons, were hurled into the air at the time the maga zine exploded; also that the Dewan himself received a wound. This last report, however, does not seem to have been true. Our guns were now directed to the sup posed positions of Moolraj's remaining magazines, but without avail, as no further explosions took place. It became evident that great devastation had been caused by our incessant fire; as broken masses of masonry, heaps of brickwork, and crumbling walls could be seen by looking through a telescope, while the principal bas tions appeared riddled by our 241 b. shot. A breach at the " Delhi gate," on the north-east side of the city, had by this time been effected, and on the morning of the 31st, arrangements were made for an attack at this point; these, however, were afterwards countermanded, the breach not being considered prac ticable. Meanwhile great numbers of fugitives made their escape from the city; but the majority of them did so only to fall into the hands of Bhawul Khan's horse men. The firing at the breach from our heavy guns continued; and another breach was reported to have been made at the Bohur-gate. The Moultanees this day made a sortie 1,000 strong by the south-west gate, and attacked the allies. Colonel Sir IL Lawrence and Mr. M‘Mahon (a velunteer) beat them back with great slaughter. About 1, P.M., a large fire was observed in the fort, which the Seikhs seemed unable to extinguish; it continued burning fiercely till the morning of the Ist of January. During the last night of the old year the enemy made strenuous but ineffectual efforts to repair the breach. The 60th Rifles got under cover of the wall, and " knocked over" any one who happened to come in sight. The following extracts from a letter written on New Year's-day gives a good idea of the progress of the siege: "9 A N.—Several beautiful shots have just been fired; the bastions and overhanging buildings are in a crunahline. state. Masses of brickwork and rafters cover the whole surface of the fort. Poor Lieutenant Playfair, of the 52d Nativ a e Infantry, died of his wound last night. " 11 A.M.—Our gre it guns are now playing on the fort wall at the bastion near the tomb of Bahavvul Huk, The attack which was to have taken place on the city has been postponed for some reason. "2 P.M.—No attack to-day; a tremendous fire with shot and live shell has blown a partial breach in the fort walls. The fire in the granaries is still raging, and the blaze very much increased. The beautiful mosques, tombs, and trees, are very much damaged by the enemy's lire; they will furnish memorials of the hot con test for a century at least. " 5 r3l —Oar breach is fast increasing in siza; the very perfection of artillery practice has made short work of the massive rampart; the officers have laboured like horses to accomplish the work in the shortest possible time. I have just heard that the explosion of their ma gazine killed a great number of their troops; no less than 300 were engaged in making cartridges on the roof of it. The reliefs have just taken place, and some more heavy guns are going into battery. To our great surprise the enemy have opened a heavy cannonade on them; we thought that nearly all their guns were si lenced. The garrison have sworn to die at their posts, and up to the present time evince every disposition to do so, end the loss of life on both sides will be great"_ _ A furious cannonade was kept up during the night of the Ist, and on the second the long-expected orders were issued to our troops to mount the breach—Colonel Franks, with 1,000 men, to make an attack on the fort side, cud the Bombay and Ferozepore troops to conduct assault elsewhere. We here transcribe two or three of the accounts which have been received describing the operations in the taking of the town. The following are from a Delhi Gazette extra:— " Ca nap„Aoultan, Jan. 11, 6 P.M. " Herewith are a few hasty lines to tell you that the town of Moultan is in our possession, with six regiments and four guns in occupation. Wheeler's cavalry may be seen scouring the country, cutting down the routed sol diery of Moolraj; ex3ept an occasional shell, all appears perfectly quiet. " The Bengal force engaged consisted of her Majesty's 32d, the 49th, and 72:1 Native Infantry. A stubborn resistance was made at one of the gates (Delhi), and, the breach being found impracticable, the force moved off to the other one, and soon effected an entrance. Our loss, I am told, fis small. Lieutenant Garfortb, Engi neers, is supposed to be mortally wounded, and I hear another officer of the same branch is slightly so; some sharp encounters between the sword and bayonet took place. " 6 P.m.—l have just heard that the loss of her Ma jesty's 32d is two men killed and ten wounded. Lieut. Taylor is the other officer wounded, shot through the arm. Moolrej is firing an occasional random shot, but I do not think he can hurt our troops, sheltered as they are by the streets." _ _ _ Camp, Moultan, Jan. 3. "I send you forthwith a few important addenda to the glorious news of yesterday. It appears that the Bengal column, on reaching the point of attack at the Delhi gate, found it totally impracticable. A drop of several feet would be an insuperable barrier to our advance. Here it was that our principal loss was sustained, and Captain Smyth, commanding the Grenadier Company of her Majesty's 32d, was slightly wounded. The column then had to retire, and follow in the footsteps of the more fortunate Ducks, who by that time had penetrated ,he city. They may, however, thank us for so good an entrance, as I believe our artillery opened it, and theirs acted for us, vice versa. The Adjutant and another officer of the Bombay Fusiliers, I hear, are killed, and another officer severely wounded. That corps first planted its colours on an eminence, and it was done by their brave Sergeant-Major. Hundreds of fugitives might be seen at dusk moving across the plain, which is so much intersected with deep cuts and canals that large bodies of them have escaped in the direction of Sirdarpore; one large body of not less than 1,000 marched off very compactly; they were soon seen, but the cavalry could not get their four guns across a deep canal, and they consequently escaped; several men have been taken prisoners, their arms being all taken from them during their retreat. A French man gave himself up in the afternoon; the fact of itself betrays another direct violation of the treaty. The Jemadar of a Ghoorka battalion has given himself up. That villain Hindoo Singh, who cut down Agnew with his own band, is killed; so is Sham Singh, and many more Sine's too numerous to mention. During the night all our cavalry were scouring the country far and sear, as a report had got abroad of Moolraj having at last bolted; need I tell you that it is not the case?—he is still determined to die in his fortress. This morning ,he plunder is being collected; as yet the live stock only are being brought in-25 elephants and numerous horses, Fee.; 14 guns have been taken, and a vast supply of grain and supplies. It is said that the grain destroyed by the great fire was worth 5 lacs of rupees. This was a serious deduction from our prize property; all the Dewan's valuables, too, must have been destroyed by that explosion. During the night there was one; it is said to have been a mine. From all I can iither of its effect it would appear that some of our Bombay troops have suffered. There are many similar traps laid for us, we may ba sure. the most certain of which is in the fort ; our shells have not yet been able to touch it, though a spy has pointed out the situation of the magazine. At daybreak this morning we re-opened a heavy cannonade, during which Colonel Young, who is down there in command of three companies of her Majesty's 10th Regiment, seeing a favourable moment, dashed at the only gate left in the hands of the enemy (I think it is the Dowlut gate), and took it immediately. The thick smoke of the powder bags employed to burst it open was at first attributed by those in camp to another mine, but I have ascertained the above to have been the cause. " 10 I.m.—Our heavy guns are playing away at in tervals. The Mahajuns have offered 15 lees of rupees to save their property in the city ; but I believe their offer has been rejected. " 1 P.M.-The taking of that Dowlut gato was a very dashing affair ; our men scrambled over with ropes, and charged helter-skelter in the narrow passage at the enemy, many of whom they disarmed. A good view of the ditch was obtained ; it is about twenty,-four feet deep. It is certain Plat e garrison, can depress the muzzles of their guns into it, for on the party at tempting to explore further, some wooden palings were withdrawn, a gun run out, and a charge of grape fired at our men; fortunately no one was hit. Lieutenant Maunsell is the engineer officer who led the party, and by judicious advice induced the coup de main. Some of the prisoners were very communicative, and told us that the Dewan was sitting within all forlorn, and that every hour desertions were taking place. So quiet, indeed, had the fort become, that it was supposed by our men to be evacuated; and the shower of grape alone disabused them." The annexed interesting communication is from our ordinary issue of Tuesday Moulton, Jan. 3, Three P.M. " According to plan and intention the city of Moulton was taken by storm yesterday about half-past three o'clock P.M. Our troops, both Europeans and natives, Bengal and Bombay, behaved most gallantly, carrying everything before them at the point of the bayonet, un der a most galling fire of musketry and cannon from the Seikhs, who had ensconced themselves in the rear of the breaches. Our loss, as far as yet ascertained, is com paratively small—far less than what it was appre hended it would be; that of the enemy is said to be immense, and the streets are reported to be literally choked with the killed; the greater portion of these must have been destroyed by our shell, shrapnel, &c., that were thrown into the city from the commencement of the attack. All last night not a shot was heard, which appeared to uq something very strange, we having become so accustomed to the ring and smell of piwder. Early this morning, however, Moolraj began again from the fort, and of course was replied to by our batteries on the right; ever since firing of all sorts has been inces sant. Moolraj is in the fort, which, though awfully bat tered, still holds out. It was thought it would be es cal Ided to-day, but appearances denote that no such at tempt will be made until some time to-morrow. 1,100 fighting men of all denominations compose the total force which it is conjectured Moolraj has in the fort. None of his guns have, it seems, fallen into our hands, these being all in the fort. Small arms, however, of every description have been seized. Loot was abundant yesterday ; horses, mules, and other cattle being the principal sort of plunder. This, however, has been put a stop to, by the General, who has directed the imprisonment of any one seen pillaging. I have heard that certain Sowcars of the city came in a body to our officers, and offered three lees of rupees if we would prevent the spoliation of their property. This, of course would, under any circum stances, be guarded against. Eleven elephants were brought into camp last night from Moolraj's stables ; one of them is that which lie took from General Whish's camp some time ago. The general rumour in camp is, that after leaving a portion of the Bombay troops at Moultan, when it is taken in Coto, the remainder will ac company the Bengal colamn to Lahore, for service in the field, under Lord Gough. The siege•train will be returned to Sukkur. Elephants have gone to bring it into camp from the battery ; the town having been taken, it is no longer required there. I have not yet had time to learn what officer led the storming parties ; but this I am certain of, that the Europeans led the van; they were foremost everywhere." We subjoin the following. from the Delhi Gazette : MO ULTAN. " CAMP BEFORE MOULTAN, JAN. 4, 1849.—Nothing of much importance has occur re d during the past 24 hour:. Major Wheeler, with two squadrons of the 7th Irregular Cavalry, is on duty in the city, exercising his vocation of prize agent; it is said that upwards of 20 lees' worth are already forthcoming, and every hour is adding to the amount. At some gates (especially at the Khoonee Boorj) a strict surveillance is exercised, but at others the watch must be rather lax, for I see Europeans and Sepoys bringing in horses, cattle, property, &c., and offering them for sale. There is a large open space near the Dowlut Gate full of horses and mules, and there is also a solitary elephant; but the halls are flying so thickly that it is not safe to attempt abstracting them. A European who had dared the heavy fire, and seized two of the best horses, lost them both on his return, the same oannon-shot knocked them both over! It is at present rather dangerous to look at the fort; no sooner are our heads visible than a dozen balls are fired at them. Wo have thrown up a trench and breastwork near the Dowlut Gate, so that the approach is rendered tole rably safe. Spies are about in all directions; one or more Fakeers have been seized at each of the out posts, and one of them was ro unfortunate as to be shot while endeavouring to sneak upon the guard at the above gate during the night. It was a very bold stroke 1 , that seizure of the gate. When we consider that there were but three companies of Europeans—that it was strongly guarded and stoutly fortified—and that not a man was wounded in capturing it—we may juitly say it was a most gallant little affair. During the night an occasional shell was thrown from the batteries of both divisions, and this morning a heavy cannonade has been kept up to the present hour (11 a.m.). After so much labour and ammunition have been expended on the fort walls opposite the blue mosque battery, I fear we shall have to endure the disappointment of finding we cannot obtain ingress by that way --such is the tenacity of the THURSDAY EVENING„ stiff mud bank or wall behind the pucka work; the shot and shell throw up clouds of dust, but have otherwise very little effect, barring the disfigure ment of the works. I think it will be found that a large mice will be our dernier resort. Were my p;)::r opinion of any avail, it would be given in favour of this radical mode of procedure; not the least of its eff,!cts would be the shaking from their founda tions—if not to say the destruction—of all the temporary screens, blinds, and stockades, which present themselves in such grim array on a close inspection; besides, the crumbling state of the works (induced by that enormous explosion of the magazine) would further advantage the overthrow, and assist our ingress—nous verrons. Last night an intimation reached us that 500 mercenaries (Rohillas) wished to come in and lay down their arms; precautions were taken in the event of treachery being intended; however, our friends were never seen, which seems rather suspicious. " Twelve, P.m.-0 u r batteries have been rather quiet of late: an occasional shell is bestowed in exchange fur the Dawan's round shot. • Three, P.m.—l have just been round the city. The carnage, and other dreadful sights, are beyond all de seripfion. To-morrow I will do my best to give you a siight inking of the bloody scene. The utmost vigilance appears now to be exercised regarding the prize pro perty. A!1 camp followers passing to and fro are searched. Yesterday a min was shot while endeavour iwr to make off with his boo.y. A rifleman was also shot by a woman.—Yours." " I that mortar batteries are being erected. When in full play the fort will be untenable for 24 hours." THE PUNJAUB. The letter of our Lahore correspondent will, on peru sal, afford a considerable amount of information regard ing the doings of Chuttur Singh, of Dost Mahomed, and also of Raja Shore Singh —and that information may be depended on. It is certain that the latter chief has him self moved (on the night of the 29th December) some three miles further up the river towards Russool, but also that the greater part of his men are, or rather were, at the date of our last advices (Jan. 4), still encamped at Moong, under Soorut Singh, Majtetea, and that none had uplo that time crossed the river. It will be seen by our Lahore letter, also, that Attock was safe up to the 28th December, and that Captain Abbot had received a further supply of money from Ghoolab Singh. We have at length, by means of u map prepared more than ten years ago by M. Court, and which we propose reprinting for circula tion amongst our friends, ascertained that Hillah and Phalia are not the same places, the former being on the direct road from Ramnuggur to Jellapoor, the latter con siderably to the right. We are pretty' certain that this map, which embraces all the country between the Chenab and the Khyber Pass, will, when published, leave little to be wished for in the geography of that part of the Punjaub; we only regret we did not see it before. It will be ready in about twelve days, time being required to do it something like justice. From letters variously dated from the Ist to the 4th of January, we learn that on the evening of the 2d, Ram Singh, whom we take, from the way in which he is mentioned, to be the com mander of the Bunnoo troops, had, with twenty or twenty-five suwars, surrendered to Major Mackeson, and that the party of Horse Artillery and Cavalry who had been detached to Kaderabad on the Chenab (not Anida dabad, which is, we now see, on the right of the Jhelum) was expected in camp on the evening of the 4th (a correspondent under the head of " Local Intel ligence," says it had actually arrived). It appears that the information on which the authorities relied, when Brigadier White was detached on Dec. 31st, was incorrect, and that, so far from Narrain Singh having been enabled to effect his escape from Chunout, he had fallen into the hands of Sheikh Emam-ood-been, who was conveying him a prisoner to Lahore. Such, at least, is the nature of the intelligence received at Fero zepore on the sth instant ; and though it may require confirmation, we have more than one reason for believ ing it will turn out to be correct. It appears that the 9th Irregular Cavalry also accompanied Brigadier White. The news of Generel Whish's first successful approach to Moultan (27th December) reached tht head-quarters camp by express on the night of the Ist of January, and a royal salute having been fired that same morning, ushering in the new 3 oar, the enemy took it for granted that the powder had been ex pended in honour of that success. The Seikhs them selves are said to be very quiet : the various parties of cavalry sent to proteet camels at graze, or to patrol, from either camp, have an occasional meeting. It is stated in ono of our letters that General Thackwell's force had lost a considerable number of camels since they have been encamped at Heylah. The fact is, we presume, that the jungle has been so thoroughly ex hausted in the vicinity of the camp, by the thousands of animals belonging to them, that they have now to be driven a considerable distance. The stupid camel-men "will manage to take them to the front, and -as Go vernment pay sOrs. for each camel lost, they care very little what becomes of them." We should be induced to believe that some of these said " stupid drivers, whose homes are known to be beyond the Jhelum, drive off their camels to some place of safety, and then return to claim the sOrs. on the plea of their having been captured by the enemy. There is no doubt that the force is to wait the fall of Moultan, and the approach of General Whish with his division, before operations will be resumed on the Jhelum. It was currently stated, and we believe cor rectly, that both the camp of the Commander-in-Chief, and that of Sir Joseph Thackwell, would move on the 6th or 7th to a fine plain, in the right.rear of the present ground, the head-quarters of the joint force being posted at Peeareeawallab, distant about two or three miles from Janoo-ka-Chuk. In the Eileen time sky rases and cricket continued the order of the day. The former recommenced on the Ist of January, his Excel lency the Commander-in-Chief being present on the occasion, and promising, wo are told, to give a cup to be run for. " Mr. M—, of Jullundhur celebrity, showed to great advantage on the back of the ' Marchioness,' an old mare of note." Some of the Seikhs having, on the afternoon of the 4th, brought some guns to the edge of the jungle, Brigadier Goldby was sent out, and returned at a late hour a'ler doing nothing.—Aid. JULLUNDHUR DOAB. We have intelligence from beyond the Beeas that Rum Singh, who had, after his defeat at Deenanuggur proceeded to join Raja Shere Singh, had been furnished by him with the means of returning a third time to disturb the Rechna Doab. On the Ist instant Lieutenant Hodson sent intimation to Brigadier General Wheeler, then en camped at Deenanuggur, of Rom Singh's approach, and accordingly that persevering marauder crossed the Ravee and entered on our territories on the 2d, encamp ing near Shahpoor with about 1,000 followers, whose numbers were immediately magnified into 3,000 or 4,000. We have hopes that General Wheeler may may have been en :bled to cut off his retreat, and if successful in this manoeuvre, Ram Singh will not trouble us again.— Ibid. The following short summary from the Bombay Times conveys the main features of this importantietelligence:— " Moulton has at length been captured, after one of the most obstinate and gallant defences on the part of the enemy ever recorded iu our annals. The city, after having been battered and bombarded by nearly a hun dred end fifty pieces of ordnance for a week, was taken on the 2d. The fort was expected to be stormed on the 7th instant. The Bombay troops joined General Whish on the 21st of December. The besieging army now amounted to 15,000 British troops, the allies amount ing to about 17,000; or 32,000 in all. The artillery amounted to about 150 pieces of ordnance, of which nearly one-half was of the largest calibre. On Christauis-day, and the day following, the force changed ground; on the 27th, the troops advanced in four co lumns the attack, and, clearing the suburbs and drive. ing in the enemy on all sides, established themselves within five hundred yards of the walls. Batteries were now constructed in every direction, and on the morning of the 28th a terrific cannonade and bombardment cotn menced. On the 29th, the heavy guns were battering within eighty yards-of the ramparts. On the morning of the 30th the principal magazine in the fort blew up with a terrific explosion—nearly 800,000 lbs. of powder are reported to have been stored in it —blowing a vast. column of dust a thousand feet up into the air. The destruction it caused all round must have been tremendous. A mighty couflsgration, supposed to be that of the principal stores, was BOW spreading in the town. 50,0001 worth of grain were afterwards fctuid to have been , destroyed. The enemy's artillery slackened their fire, but still continued unsilenced. On the two next days the cannonade continued; shells were thrown sometimes every minute, s ometimes at int erva l s of ten min u t es , an d fearful salvos were from time to time discharged from the heavy batteries. A furious cannonade having b een k e pt upall the previous ni g ht, on the morning of the 2d a colunia of Bengal troops, com manded by Colonel Franks, copsisting of her Majesty's 32d and the 49th and 72d Native Infantry, pushed for ward to a breach near the Delbi Gate. Here they found the enemy determined to oppose them to the last. The breach besides proved impracticable, so the troops re tired, and moved round to the opposite side of the town, where the entrance of the Bombay column had already been effected. The breach stormed by them had been much more complete than the other, and the enemy defending it were driven off at the bayonets' point. The Fusiliers entered first, and speedily placed their standard within the walls of the town. The Bengal column followed them, and the city of Moultan, which was captured about 3 P.M., was before sunset filled with British troops. The fire from the fort, which bad for a time slackened, was meanwhile renewed. In the course of the night a mine was sprung on us, which occasioned some mischief. Moolraj seemed determined to Main tain himself to the last, and showed no sign of fear amidst all his reverses. On the morning of the 3d the cannonade was again resumed by us, and th e D ow l ut Gate, th e last hold of the enemy, destroyed. Large quan tities of pillage were being collected, and the bankers were said to have offered 30,0004 if we would leave their establishments alone. POSTSCRIPT. Thursday, Jan. 18, 1849. • Our paper has been kept open till the latest hour (noon) to admit of the latest news from Moultan being sent home by to-day's steamer. This morning's post has added nothing to the intelligence above given. From the Calcutta papers of the 9th we extract es follows:—•. BENGAL. We learn that the officiating superintend en t o f po lice h as j ust succeeded i n ma k ing a seizure, which from its nature is at the present moment a matter of some in terest. From information that had been received by him, he proceeded up the river and overtook two native boats bound for some place beyond Lucknow, ostensibly laden with grain, under which, however, were found concealed eight pieces of artillery. These were captured and brought down by Mr. M'Canp, who has also since taken live other pieces that were intended to follow to the same destination. They are, therefore, at present in the hands of tho police, quite safe and warranted not FEBRUARY 22, 1849: to go off, 13 guns of different calibre and in good condi tion, which it may reasonably be presumed were intended to Le used against Lord Gough and his army.—Star, Jan. 9. THE GEORGE AnmsToNG.—The particulars of the loss of this vessel by tire have reached Calcutta. She had set sail on the morning of Friday last, at nine o'clock. Oa her progress down the river, off the Fort Gloster 11ills, she slipped from her anchor and ran ashore. The fire was caused by a spontaneous combustion of a quan tity of jute which formed part of her cargo. One hun dred bags of sugar was all that could be saved of the whole of the cargo, which fortunately does not appear to hare been very valuable. The spare sails, the chro nometers, and the ship's boats, with some stores, were saved also, and sent up to town in boats by the captain. The crew, which consisted of English seamen, instead of lending their assistance to savo as much as possible from the fire, were in a state of helpless intoxication, having gained access to the liquor cask o❑ board, and indulged themselves._ There were also 200 bags of salt petre in the vessel's bottom, and fears were entertained that they would explode. To prevent this the bottom of the ship was scuttled.— Hur4ai u, Jan. 9. MOULTAN-DETAILS. The intelligence from Moultan contsined in our last extended to the 18th December, at which date a portion of the detachment under Major Hallett, consisting of the 3(1 Native Infantry and Turnbull's battery, had gone down to the banks of the Raves to escort the Bombay siege guns into camp. The train, consisting of thirty pieces of ordnance of the larsest size, had been sent from Sukkur up the river in boats, and landed within seven males of General Wbish's camp. A part of the column under Colonel Dundas bad crossed the Sutlej, fifty miles from Moultan on the 15th ; the rest followed without delay, and the whole joined head-quarters on the 21st. The Bengal troops were not slow in examining the condition and appointments of their newly-ar rived companions in arms, nor stinted in their acknowledgments of the admiration excited by them. On Christmas morning the right brigade of the Bengal cavalry and horse artillery moved to their new position at Seetul-ke-Maree, the remainder of the column followed a few hours afterwards. The new camp was fully occupied by sunset—the sappers and park in the centre, the infantry on either side, the cavalry and bore artillery on the extreme right. The order taken by the Bombay was similar to that of the Bengal column, the cavalry covering their left. The two were placed in line on the 26th. Edwardes's troops moved some way backwards to form a depot. They ultimately took up the ground formerly occupied by Shore Singh and his men just before their departure. The enemy were seen to watch our movements carefully, and from the clouds of dust observed to rise they were supposed to be moving in force in the vicinity of their outworks. The Bengal troops took up nearly the same line of ground that they had occupied on the occasion of the former attack; the Bombay column held the position formerly maintained byjEdwardes, Lake, and Cortlandt. On the morning of the 27th orders were issued for th formation of four co lumns of attack. The whole were under arms by eleven a.m. ' and moved out about one P.N. A wing of the Bth, with the 49th and 51st, were left to protect the Bengal camp; the other wing of the Bth, and three companies of her Majesty's 10th Foot, formed the reserve. The attack was opened by Edwardes and his levies, who at tacked the bridge at Sheesh Mehul, with a view of dis tracting the attention of the enemy. The first division, under Colonel Young, consisted of a portion of her Ma jesty's 10th and the 52d Native Infantry. They moved to the right, making for the brick-kiln facing the eastern angle of the fort; this they captured with but little re sistance. Colonel Nash's column (the 2d) consisted of three companies of her Majesty's 32d Foot, six of the 72d Native Infantry, with four horse artillery guns and two 18-pounder howitzers. ;They moved straight to the attack of the suburbs on the right of the Mursdee Ava mound, facing the Khoonie bastion of the fort. The 60th Rifles having taken the mound, the column pushed on through the suburbs, when Captain King, of the 32d, with his company, succeeded in getting within a hundred yards of the Delhi-gate, which post he held. The Bombay column (3d), immediately under Colonel Dundas, consisted of five companies of the Fusiliers and four of the 4th Native Rifles, with Bailey's battery ; while the left division, under Colonel Capon, consisted of five companies of the 60th Rifles, five of the 3d Na tive Infantry, with Turnbull's battery. The whole force pushed on at once. The column under Colonel Young formed line under a building and some huge mounds of earth near the Eedgah beyond Rain Teerut, and then advanced steadily under a somewhat heavy cannonade from the fort. Various straggling posts having been forced, they soon reached some large, unfinished trenches, the occupants of which took to, their heels. They then swept past the mounds on which were some newly-constructed batteries, but no guns, and so on to the splendid mausoleum of Dewan Sawun Mull, the late ruler and father of Moolraj. This post, which might easily have been maintained against large odds, had seen left undefended, and a party of our troops took pos session of it without resistance, and were left in charge. The blue mosque was next taken possession of; it was found full of old men, mostly faqueers, and of women. They were permitted to remain unharmed in the asylum they had chosen. Some armed men, who were seen making their escape from the shops and houses adjoining, were pursued as far as safety allowed—some of the more impetuous following them to the edge of the glacis. The funs were now brought up, and a selection made of the posts which bad been taken. A clump of trees was for a time occupied by 30 or 40 men only, and the enemy observing this made a dash at it and for a time were sue sessful; they then pushed on, and endeavoured to close with our troops, when they were driven off by a bayonet charge, and the garden re-occu pied The Bombay troops experienced but little resistance until they approached some enclosures, where a sharp fire assailed them and some casualties occurred. Some of the Fusiliers engaged hand to hand with the enemy, and the sword-cuts with which the dead and wounded were gashed showed how close and severe had been the encounter. They speedily got a battery into play, while the infantry pushed on and captured the enclosures, taking possession of a garden which was well defended. The right meanwhile made their way towards the mound of Mundee Ave, 600 yards , rota the city, which they captured. The whole of the columns were equally successful, and as evening closed in we had everywhere approached close to the walls of the town. Batteries were now commenced—one on the right within four hundred yards of the fort walls, another on the Mundee Ave mound, a third close to the post occupied by Captain King, of the 32d, and a fourth on the extreme left, about 100 yards from a large bastion in the city wall. The following were the casualties up to the evening of the 20th:—Killed—Major John Gor don, 60th rifles; Lieut. Younghusband, 9th Bombay Na tive Infantry. Wounded—Lieut.-Colonel Nash, 72d Native Infantry; Major Case, 32d Foot; Lieut. H. A. Playfair (since dead), 52d Native Infantry; Lieut. Hill, Bombay Engineers; Capt. - Bailey, Bombay Artillery (arm lost); Lieut. Baugh, 9th Bombay Native Infantry; Lieut. N. W. Dyett, 3d Bombay Native Infantry, .lightly; Ensign Napier, 3d I )mbay Native Infantry; Lieuts. Brooke, 60th Rifles, and Straubenzee, 32d Foot; Lieut. Tyrwhitt, 51st Native Infantry; Lieut. Armstrong and Ensigns Gillon and Macdougal, 72d Native Infan try. Her Majesty's 10th had three men killed and five or six wounded. The 52d Native Infantry two or three killed and 17 wounded. The artillery at Ram Teerut had one killed and seven wounded out of 12 men. The 4th Rifles had five killed and 18 missing, of whom 13 were supposed killed, and the remaining five were known to have been taken prisoners. The Fusiliers had six killed and twenty wounded. The casualties in the 3d Bombay Native Infantry are said to have been twenty; in the 9th and 19th Native Infantry two each. The troops bivouacked in the posts they had taken pos session of, and were relieved next morning. The Bengal an.l Bombay mortar batteries were both at work by dawn. These and a few other batteries continued to play on the town throughout the whole of the 28th. The riflemen held the suburbs everywhere, and the day was chiefly spent in relieving and re-posting troops, and making arrangements for the attack of next day. To wards evening the vertical fire became tremendous. During the night of the 28th we commenced shelling the city and fort from the mound and extreme right battery, firing a shell every ten minutes. On the 29th the 18- pounders opened on the Delhi-gate, and next morning the heavy guns were actually breaching within 80 yards of the wall. A plan, combining the recommendations of Colonel Cheape and Major Scott appeared to have been adopted; the town, according to the suggestion of the former, was attacked, and its walls breached, but with. out any view to its being stormed. The attention of Moolraj was desired to be distracted, and his guns to be turned in this direction, until we should be enabled to establish a heavy battery under the walls of the fort, which would, it was expected, be in full operation before he could move his artillery. The injury inflicted on the enemy must have been severe; repeatedly was the town seen to be on fire, and the masses of dust raised by the shells showed how fatal our mortar practice must have proved. Still the defence was most gallantly maintained; the guns of the insurgents were most admirably directed; their fire continued unslackened. After four hours' firing from the whole of the four batteries, a tremendous explosion occurred in the fort early its the forenoon, which must have spread devastation on every side. The grand magazine was supposed to have blown up; clouds of dust and smoke rose above a thousand feet into the air. and resembled the discharge of heavy ordnance close by. Sir Henry Lawrence reached the camp on the 28th, and the same day visited the different posts round the fort and town, in company with General Whish and Major Edwardes. During the whole of the 30th and 31st the fire continued incessant, the batteries of the Bengal co lumn on the one side answering those of the Bombay troops on the other. The walls were now tottering everywhere, but still no signs of a breach such as could be attempted with hope of success. Moolraj's guns slackened their fire for a little from time to time, but continued to be worked with wonderful activity and per severance. The fire was, however, not very destructive. On the 31st December, the enemy, still undaunted, made a sortie from the city on the allied troops under Ed wardes•' they were met by a detachment headed by Colonel Sir H. Lawrence, and Mr. M'Mahon, a volun teer, and driven back with heavy loss. About noon a tremendous conflagration burst out in the fort; it continued to rage all day with unabated fury, and when night set in it lighted up the firmament and landscape around. It proved to be the principal store of the be sieged; 50,000/. of grain were afterwards understood to have been destroyed, while vast quantities of 011 and other combustibles added fury to the flame s. The be siegerslightof the no he now carriedlg citadel; o tdel theirna;ye murderous the urd garrisonerouswo etor kb od ol y the their sufferings of pusillanimityufferingsan ddis oster: fear. bol dly;The i c2dshvzy an showed no symptom d t horse a artillery the llyeag•reersesn; sgt e n n u e t m to-scour and intercepth e environs, th e to prevent leaders who were reported The tooxerbteiondsesirootus the making their e artillery continued uninterrupted throughout the day. The most experienced officers admitted that nothing could surpass in perfotion the Fact* of both armies. Shells were in the course of the night thrown in throes and fours at a titre; the arectacle presented wns indescribably awful. An attack had been resolved upon for New Ycer's-day, but though the breaches were fest widening as the day advanced, none were considered practieeble when night set in. An at tack was, however, ordered to be made next morning, and a furious cannonade 1143 maintained throughout the night. Early on the morning of the 2d, accordingly, the Bengal column. consisting of her Majesty's 32d, and the 49th and 72d Native Infantry, advanced on the breach near the Delhi aslate, the Bombay troops pushing on for a part where the wall had been knocked down on the oppo site side. The former body on approaching experienced a fierce and determined resistance, and found the entrance impracticable, a large mass of wall remaining undo stroyed. They retraced their steps accordingly, and made their way as speedily as possible to the other side of the town, in hopes of gaining admission: here they found that the Bombay column had been able to enter. They, too, had for a time been stoutly withstood, when they forced their way at the bayonet's point—the Fusiliers first planting tl.eir colours within the city. On this oe • easion the fole.ving officers were wounded :—General Staff—Captain 'l'. Tapp severely; 6001 Ritles—Major M. G. Dennis; Ist Fusiliers—Captain li. %V. D. Leith, severely; Lieutenants E. Dansey, W. Gray, severely, E. A. Law, severely, and %V. M. Mules; 3d Bombay. Native Infantry—Ensign Shaw; 4th Bombay Rifles —Lieutenant 'l'. S. Warden, severely; 19th Bom bay Native Infantry— Ensign Gordon ; Lieutenant Garforth, Bengal Eter ' ineers; and Lieut e n a nt Ta ) lor, her Majesty's ned Foot. A single gate, and a part of the city, still remained in the hands of the enemy. During the night a mine was sprung on us, from which the Bombay troops suffered severely. Next morning the cannonade was renewed against the fort. At daybreak on the 3,1, Colonel Young, with three companies of her Majesty's 10th, made a dash at the Dowlut•gose. The men scrambled over by the help of ropes, and charged the enemy in the narrow streets and lanes. Their success was complete. The total number of fighting men now believed to be in the fort was considerably under 2 000. The spoil from the town and neighbourhood now began to be collected—anything like pillage was strictly pro bibited. Some native bankers had offered 30,0001. fur the protection of their property. Some elephants, and a large number of baggage-cattle were brought in. A Frenchman who had been in the insurgent service sur rendered himself, and various other prisoners were vo luntarily placing themselves in our hands. Many fugi tives had escaped, the country being so intersected by canals as to prevent pursuit. One body of about 1,000 strong had marched off in order. Our news extends to the evening of the 4th: before the steamer leaves we snail most likely hear of the capture of the fort, and be in possession of much more full particulars than those we are now able to give. We mentioned in our issue of the 17th of De cember that Narain Singh had on the let left Moultan aids a force of some 2,000 men and two guns, and taken the route to the Salt Range by the river. He was at first supposed to have been desired to move on Jhung to raise supplies and make preparations for the retire ment of Moolraj and the garrison, expected to attempt to escape when they felt themselves pressed. In our last it was stated that Jacob's Horse had on the 18th been sent out to prevent their return with stores to Moulton; Emaum-ood-Deen, who had been sent out to watch his movements, having foiled him in his pur poses. Conjecture on all points proved at fault : Mool raj and the garrison had determined to fight it out to the last ; and Narain Singh and his troops having no stomach for the fight, which could not but end in the overthrow and destruction of the insurgents, chose to withdraw while retirement was in their power. Emaum ood-Deen was successful in driving the Seiks from the neighbourhood of Jhung, and compelling them to take the direction of Shere Singh's camp. The Commander in-Chief having heard of their upward march, on the 31st of December, dispatched a detachment to intercept him. It consisted of her Majesty's 9th Lancers, the sth and Bth Light Cavalry, with two troops of Horse Artil• !cry (Duncan's and Fordyce's)—the whole commanded by Brigadier White. The force had not been able to learn anything of the object of their search, and returned to camp on the evening of the 4th of January. Narain Singh had before made overtures of service to General Whish on terms we did not at the time care to accept of, and he is said to have made proposals to Lord Gough, which are not likely to be closed with—the Seikhs having, most probably, determined to be guided by circumstances. He would most probably hear of the fall of Moultan by the time our troops gut near him, and finding that no better could be done, he may, very probably, ofliz to join us as an ally instead of meeting us as an enemy. It must, at the same time, be remembered, that it h as o f late but rarely happened that conjecture in reference to Seikh purposes has been verified by fact. If Narain Singh is really anxious to join the insurgents in the field, it will be very difficult indeed in such a country for any force of ours, however strong or well ccmmanded, to prevent him, when it is so easy to pass to the right or left of us. Our latest letter from Lord Gough's camp mentions the prevalence of a rumour that he had been seized by Emautn-ood-Men, and was a prisoner, in his hands. INVASION OF SINDE BY THE AFFGHANS. (From the Bombay Telegraph and Courier Extra.) " Telegraph and Courier Office, Bombay, Jan. 19. " information has been received of the advance against the Sinde frontier of 12,000 Afghans, with 14 gulls, under Dost Mahutned's nephew and one of the Can dahar chiefs. They are said to have traversed the Khajuek Pass, and to be now marching on Shirkarpore. We know not how they will get through the 80/an, which at this time of the year is covered with snow. An extra council sits to-day, doubtless to consider the ne cessity of fresh reinforcements being sent to Sinde." CHINA. The following letter is from a correspondent at Hong Kong, dated the 3011 of December:— " The Ptninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Achilles arrived on the 211 instant, with the mail of the 24th of Octobtr; she left Singapore on the 11 th and brought on up%ardg of 1,700 chests of opium. The late detention of the steamers, and delay in arriving at the proper time, has been brought to the notice of the Ad miral; the evil appears to be in allowing the agents to overload the vesbels. " There is nothing very remarkable to report this month. The question of opening the city gates at Can ton seems to draw the attention of the Chinese authori ties. The forts have been put in a state of preparation, and constant practising of the guns is observed. This alone causes alarm amongst the Chinese; at the same time a feeling prevails that no hostile measures will be adopted to enforce the convention of Sir John Davis. All remains quiet in Canton. " The subject of retrenchment and how to meet the expenses of this colony, is under discussion, as the Home Government have not allowed sufficient funds to meet them. Some of the public works have been stopped, and it is understood that his Excellency the Governor con templates immediate reduction in some of the depart ments. The subject is an important one where the community is small and the resources of the new colony limited. As the British Government and the East India Company derive so large a revenue from the China trade, it does not appear a liberal or a wise policy to dis tress the colony. _ " In trade there have been considerable transactions during the month, but at low prices, and the principal articles of import have sustained a further depression since last month. Money is not so abundant, which may be attributed to the approach of the Chinese new year on the 24th proximo. The total export of tea to date exceeds that of last year at the same period, the excess being iu greon, whilst of black there is a decrease. The total export of silk falls short nearly one-half of that yf last year at the same time. "We ha v ve lately had several arrivals of South Sea whalers to refit at this port, and we understand it is the intention of th© American whalers to come iu future here, as they can refit at this place o❑ more moderate terms. " Her Majesty's steamer Fury entered our harbour on the 14th inst., towing her Majesty's ship Hastings, 74, the flag-ship; and his Excellency Rear-Admiral Sir F. A. Collier arrived in the mail steamer on the 23d inst., and hoisted his flag on board of her. " The Hon. East India Company's steamer Phlegethon remains at Canton, and the Pluto at Whatnpoa. " Her Majesty's brig Childers sailed on the 21st inst. for Bombay to refit. _ _ "Accounts reached us on the 6th inst. that her Majesty's ship Scout had touched a rock in the Min River on the 27th of November, and immediately fell over into deep water; no lives were lost, but nothing was saved from the vessel. Her Majesty's steamer Medea, Capt. Mason, which left this on the Ist inst. for the northern ports, heard of the occurrence at Amoy, and proceeded with her Majesty's brig Columbine to the assistance of the Scout; and advices from the Min of the 11th inst. men tion that the vessel was likely tube got up. " The United States ship Plymouth, with his Excel lency the Commissioner, J. P. Davis, and Feeble cor vette, arrived in our harbour on the 4th inst,, and pro ceeded on the sth to Manilla. Ills Excellency, we learn, with the Commodore in the United States ship Ply mouth, returned to M acao on t h e 27th i ns t. Tho French corvette Bayonnaise h as a l so re t ur ned to Macao - road s during the month. " Our latest dates from Shanghai are of the 20th, and Woosung the 21st i ns t. H e r Majesty's steamer Medea, ously looked carrying the mail of September, w for. A large amount of business had an b e en done during the month, but at lower rates for tic drawn to the lower imports. Tea had ad vanced 1 to 2 feels, and attenaltisoo advanced; fine was not was a qualities of silk, which had also of silk was small in first to be procured. The stock hands, and the late purchases were in coutse of ship ment. Our latest dates are —from Loudon the 24 th of October, from Calcutta the 13th of November, from Bombay the 18th of November, from Madras the 15th of November, from Singapore the 11th inst., from Ma nilla the 18th inst., and lrom Sydney the 17th of Nov." COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. THE BOMBAY MARKET. (From the 3d to the 17th of January inclusive.) Telegraph and Courier-office, Bombay, Jan. 17. There has been no falling off in business during the past two weeks. Sales have been made freely in imports to arrive at remunerating rates. In the export mark e t th ere has been more than usual acti vity, owing to the receipt of better accounts of the English market for cotton by the last overland mail. THE MONEY MARKET has beeen in a quiescent state during the past fortnight. here as in England the same plethora of the precious metal s exists with littl e or no employment for capital. Within the last day or two, h owever, th e re has been a little more de mand for money, but the rate of interest remains the same. Government Securities have been very steady during the past two weeks. New Fives are quoted at 98, 1 t to 99, but shore it not much d o i ng i n t h e Fi ve p er cents. iccat hays been sold at 102 1 / 2 t. and 103 r., and some Four per Cent: Company's at 82 1 Ar. The following may be considered the quotations of • the day:— Sieca 5 per cent. 1031 Company's rupees per cent. do. 4 do. 85E d o. do. Co's. 5 do. 99 do. do. do. 4 do. 821 do. do. Transfer Loan rs. 1064 nominal. Bank Shares—The market for these has been quiet 'for come little time, and we have to note a decline in Orientali, which are now procurable at 13 to 14 per cent. .discount. In Commercial Bank shares we hear of transactions having had effect at 10 per cent discount with the dividend. The directors of this bank have declared a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, which is to be paid to the proprietors on and after to-day. The net profit of the bank for the half-year, ending the 30th of December last appears to have been 61,751 r. sa. 5p., and it has been necessary to take out from the reserve fund a sum of 76,972 r. 9a. 3p. in order to make up the half-yearly dividend. By this means, and by a sum of 60,000 r. having been written off in part of Messrs. Gibson, Reid, Davidson, and Co.'s debt, the reserved fund is now reduced in amount to 63,202 r. 15a. 6p. EXCHANGE On London considerable transactions have been (fleeted, and a further rise has taken place, the Oriental Bank having curve into the market as sellers et ls. lOid. six months' sight, and Is. l Uud. three months' sight, at which, and Is. 103 d. for document bills, the bulk of the transactions for this mail have had etlect. We understand that the Bank is desirous of doing away with six months' sight bills altogether, and introducing three months' sight bills instead, at a reduction in the rate as compared with six months' sight bills, of a farthing or one per cent. This scheme has, we hear, met with the ap proval of many of the merchants. On Calcutta the rates still keep up; 17.0 days' sight bills having been sold at 1001 to and sight at 1011. -On Madras the rate is the same, and last quotation 99} 30 days sight, and on China 206 to 207 per 100 dolls., at which rate considerable amounts offer. Freights have improved a little to all ports since our last, the good advices received from home counterbalancing th• discouraging accounts of cotton from China. There are several vessels loading for London and Liverpool, 3/. 10s. to 3/. 12s. 6d. One full cargo has been engaged for Hull at 41. For Clyde 41. are asked. Our current rate for China is 15r. to 15 1 / 2 r. per candy, and for vessels to sail with the mew cotton in all March, 16r. is freely offered. Three or four ships in the early part of the month accepted 15r., to load in the latter end of February. Tonnage is abundant. To Calcutta there is nothing doing. Quotations are, for London, 31. 10s. to Si. 12s. 6d. Liverpool, 31. 10s. to S.I. 12s. 6d. Hull, 41. China, 15r. to 15%r. Calcutta, 20r. per rass salt. Sundries, 3 1 / .jr. to 4r. per candy. Mauritius, 4 1 ,6 r. to sr. per candy. Cotton Piece Goods—ln this branch of our import trade we have had considerable activity. Manchester piece goods have been disposed of to a very large extent to arrive, and, if we except domestics, at an advance on farmer rates. Domestics have not been in so much inquiry, owing to the disturbed state of our relations with the north-west frontier. Grey shirtings have been sold at good prices, 50 inches be ing the only description which seem to be neglected. The stock in first hands, of gray madapollams, is now com pletely exhausted. For 31 inches to 34 inches 24 yards, of low quality, there is a great demand. Bleached shirtings secure first-rate paying prices, 56 to 60 reed fetching 6r. The same remark is applicable to low qualities bleached ma dapollams and jacconets. Prints are scarce, and we hear that large orders have been sent home on native account by the present mail. Cotton Yarns—The former prices of yarns have not been sustained, and it is difficult to effect sales at our quotations. There has been a good demand for orange. We understand that 20,0001 b. of Turkey red fetched from 15 to 16 annu per lb. at public auction. Metals—This market has been in a very active state during the past fortnight for metals. Advanced prices have been readily given. The market is very bare of all descrip. tions, and we have heard of sales having keen effected to arrive at our quotations. Beer—We hear of a sale of 162 hogsheads of Allsopp at 55 rupees, and 25 hogsheads of Bass at 50 rupees per hogs head. The market is dull. Cotton—The new crop of cotton is most favourably reported on, supplies of which will begin to arrive early in March. The market has been rather active, and, owing to the some what favourable advic es o f the English markets for the staple received by the last mail, an advance of from 2r. to 3r. has been given. Local stocks are large, and consist almost of inferior qualities. The exports to Great Britain and China in 1848 have been 163,900 bales and 179,579 bales respec tively, against 221,420 bales and 161,190 bales in 1847. Opium purchases have been made to the extent of about 500 chests; but within the last fortnight about 800 have changed hands to complete contracts entered into some time ago. The natives are large shippers themselves, and holders are not disposed to sell at ruling rates, say 1,275. Higher prices are anticipated, in consequence of a reported failure of the crop in Malwa. Should such be the case with the pro sent small stock, we may see prices very high. EXCHANGE. B. d. On London at six months' ... 1 10 per rape.. Do. at three months' sight ... 1 9i do. Do. at one month's sight 1 9i do. Do. at ono day's sight ... .. 1 9 do. On Scotland at one day's sight ... On Ireland a t one d ay ' s sight ... On Circular Credits negotiable through- 1 9 out Europe COMMISSION. Charged on the purchase or sale of Go vernment Notes, Shares, or Public Commissions, or other Securities ... i per cent. CALCUTTA. (From the Englishman Weekly Price Current.) J.tx UARY 8. The Bombay Express, with London dated to the 24th of November, arrived yesterday morning. The commercial news which it brings is not very satisfactory, although poli tical aflairs on the continent bad assumed a more pacific appearance. The depressing influence of the discouraging news received per Haddingtou upon our export market has continued since the date of our last report, and, excepting in indigo, but little increased activity has been manifested in our outward trade. The dem.md for indigo has continued good, and the public sales, comprising 5,504 chests, went off freely, but at uneven rates, middling and consuming ranging about' srs. per maund above previous value, and other qualities a t prices slightly i n fa vour o f buyers. ugar has been neglected, but latterly a decline of 4 to 6 annas has attracted the atten tion of shippers, and the market has consequently assumed a steadier aspect. Saltpetre has commanded an increased in quiry at lull previous rates. A speculative demand, caused by the fall in freights, has arisen for rice, chiefly on the part of natives. Raw silk has been in good request, induced by the good advices of the article from home by the last mail , . and for some parcels higher rates have been paid than our present quotations. Corahs have been comparatively disre garded, and have consequently fallen in value. Shell lac and lac dye are not in demand. Jute continues to be freely shipped. The import market has maintained the position it held. and active demand, at full prices, has continued to prevail for the principal fabrics of Manchester manufacture. Stocks of these have been much reduced, and imports have greatly fallen off. Mule twist has also been actively inquired for, at a slight advance in value. The stock of twist is very low, being estimated at only 1,145 bales in first hands, and 2,050 in those of other parties. Scotch goods are moving off, but have experienced no improvement in value. Metals are dull. There is but little doing in copper, notwithstanding this lightness of stocks. Spelter is inactive at 7 6 per maund. Iron is in better inquiry, but with no improvement in price, excepting for hoops, which are higher, and quoted at 5 a par maund. Bar is selling more freely, but at a declining value. Our quotations for this description is 2 9. There is nothing doing in lead, which is quoted at 7 8 per maund. The money market continues w5ll supplied, and loans are readily procurable on fair 'securities at easy rates. The branch banks obtain profitable employment for their capitil on safe securities, and at rates of interest varying froin 8 to 10 per cent. The Bank of Bengal has declared a dividend for the past six months at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum on the capital stock of 4,000 per share, which is equivalent to about 4-3 per cent. on the current value of 5,7b0r5., or of 3-11 per cent. on 6,500r5., a rate at, or above, which a good many of the present shareholders invested in the bank. Go vernment securities continue at our former quotations of 1 4 to 1 8 discount on New Fives; 4 4 to 4 8 on ekes ditto ; 18 to 18 8 Company's Fours; 19 to 19 8 sicca ditto. Exchange is quoted at Is. lOid. t o Is. 100. for six m o nth s ' sight bills, and more business is doing with the export warehouse, the advances from which have reached 1,540,000r5., with appli cations in hand for a considerable amount. Frieghts fell from our last quotations to 41. for saltpetre. 4/. ss. sugar, and 41. 102. rice to London ; but lately, owing to the few arrivals of shipping, and an increased inquiry for tonnage for rice, rates have again a rising tendency. Oar latest quotations are 41. saltpetre, 4/. ss. to 4/. 7s. 6d, sugar. 41. 12s. 6d. rice, jute 41. to 41. ss. The rates of freight 10 Liverpool are much on a par with those to London. CANTON MARKET. We have nothing very favourableHON HUNG -KONG, iri . :1 2 ; (1 11 11 : There has been a general heaviness in the traded w i h A l " i ; month, owing to the decline in the value of goods, not likely to improve till after the China nejye proximo ; and, as is generally the case the abort Chinese, that money becomes more valuable amongst nuai account ,. being the period of settling a r ,ha t t he t 2 hu th , low rates. during the month, but again little Cotton—Prices rallied a be 6.9; Bengal from late arrivals. s l : is been a fair amount of business doing, b u t at to Bengal and Madras, Ts. S receded, vir e quote and Bombs}, stocks T a re 6 o 2 n kinds, 70,500 bales ► +► gatnst 91,000 bales to 8.2 ; stock of all kin last year. dolls. to 2 dolls. lower. Our quotations are C N ot o to s n i Z rn 4, to 224 dolls. ; Nos. 28-32, 27 dolls. .7..5110.5.a15:42,2g,a....fin5dt0115. to 29 dolls. Stock, 5,052 wkoia ; 5,067 whole and 2,378 kalf bale* Ist-aou-s L a2t Long dells.e, g 6aBr ! t a t t s have i declined materially. Gray quoted 2 dolls. to 2 dolls. 45c.; white 2 dolls. 20c. to 2 dolls. 65c. Woollens—Sp. stripes, 1 doll, to 1 doll. ISc., and little doing; long ells, assorted, 7 dolls. 70c. to 7 dolls. Klc.; scar let, 9 dolls. to 9 dolls. 20c.; camlets (English), 20 dolls. to 22 dolls.; Dutch, 22 dolls. to 25 dolls. Iron is maintained at last quotations—bar, 3 dolls. 300. to 3 dolls. 45c.; hoop and nail rod, 4 dolls. 70c. to 5 dolls. Steel advanced to 5 dolls. 71c. to 6 dolls. Lead, 7 dolls. to 7 dolls. 20e. Tin plates, 11 dolls. Cochineal, 150 dolls. to 180 dolls. Turkey opium, 370 dolls. nominal. Tea—Thera has been a good inquiry for black teas; the business done in green has been principally on American ac. count. The export of silk amounts to 8,656 bales, against 15,202 bales last year. Exchange on England—For first-rate bills, 4s. to is. ld. ; some transactions in bills with shipping documents, at 4s. lid. Treasure shipments aro still going forward round the Cape for London. Exchange on India—Company's accepted paper, 213ra. to 214 rs. per 100 dolls. Freights continue at 31. 103. Our advices from Shanhai are to the 20th inst., which report a good account of business both in imports and ex ports. The sales of lopg cloths during the month are estimated at 90,000 pieces —greys quoted 2 dolls. 40 c. to 2 dolls. 60c. ; whites, 2 dolls, GO c . t o 2 d u ll s. 8 0c. Silk—There has be en a good deal of seaway, and prices generally are firmer. The quotations Sri and 2 tsatlee, 390 dolls. t o 400 d o ll s . ; N o . 2. dolls l .to 360 dolls; No. 3, good, 310; inferior, 270 doll s. to '290 dolls.; common taysam, 225 dolls. to 235. dolls. ; :fair to good, 210 dolls. to 270 dolls; fine not in the market. Tea—Good and fair congous have advanced 1 to 2 taels. Green teas without change. Exchange—Bill3 under AllleiClll •MA ti, 4a. sd. to 4s. 55./2(1.. Maw=