The Press.
London, England, 1858-01-30 00:00:00

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THE PRESS, JANUARY 30, 1858.

from your Excellency for several days from Lucknow, in
answer to my letters to the chief of the staff, I was obliged
to act for myself.
- - -

Evidently anticipating that the enemy would advance
in detail, and not en masse, he remarks :
I therefore resolved to encamp my force on the canal,
ready to strike at any portion of the advancing enemy that
came within my reach, keeping at the same time my com-
munications safe with Cawnpore.
The battle of the 26th followed, as we described it
in our last issue, without much loss to ourselves, and
with the complete defeat of the rebels. General
Windham, however, at the close appears to have
discovered his mistake, and to have ascertained
beyond a doubt that the rebels were at hand in
force : _ _

Observing, from a height on the other side of the
that the enemy's main body was at hand, and that
the one just defeated was their leading division, I at once
decided on retiring to protect Cawnpore, my intrench-
silents, sod the bridge over the Ganges. We accordingly
fell back, followed, however, by the enemy up to the bridge
over the canal.

The next morning the rebels commenced their
attack "with an overwhelming force of artillery,"
and a serious attack "on front and right flank."
The troops held their ground for five hours, but
finding that the rebels had "penetrated the town,"
General Windham directed the whole force " to fall
back before dark," and following out his instruction,
" strictly adhered to the defensive." The loss of the
baggage is thus explained :

Owing to the flight of the camp followers at the com-
mencement of the action, notwithstanding the long time
we held the ground, 1 regret to state, that in making this
retrograde movement I was unable to carry off all my
camp equipage and some of the baggage. Had not an
error occurred in the conveyance of an order issued by me,
I am of opinion that 1 could have held my ground at all
events until dark.

The fighting of the 28th was " very severe," and on
the evening of that day Sir Colin Campbell arrived
and assumed the command.

The despatch of Sir Colin Campbell of the 10th of
December concisely details his operations of the 6th,
which led to the complete defeat of the rebels from
their position before Cawnpore, and the capture of
most of their guns. Sir Cohn gives the highest
praise to Brigadier Grant and all the officers engaged,
and pays a special compliment to the naval
brigade :

I must here draw attention to the manner in which the
heavy 24-pounder guns were impelled and managed by
Captain Peel and his gallant sailors.
Through the extraordinary energy and good will with
which the latter have worked, their guns have been con-
stantly in advance throughout our late operations, from the
relief of Lucknow till now, as if they were li,ht field-pieces ;
and the service rendered by them in clearing our front has
been incalculable. On one occasion there was the sight
beheld of 24-pounder guns advancing with the first line of
skirmishers.

The following appointment was made yesterday
afternoon at the Admiralty :—Aemiral Sir E. Tucker,
K.C.8., to the vacant Good-service Pension.

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

LORD PALMERSTON has issued the following circular
to the usual supporters of the Government in the
House of Commons :

Downing-street, Jan. 26, 1818.
Sir,—As matters of considerable importance will come
under discussion in the House of Commons when Paths-
ment meets again on the 4th of nett month, I shall feel
greatly obliged by your early attendance in the house.—l
have the honour to be, sir, yours faithfully,
PALMERSTON.