The Express.
London, England, 1848-12-04 00:00:00

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

Ej the arrival of the overload mall we are Pat It
pomeosion of news to the following dates: Bombay,
Nov. 2; Calcutta, Oct. 21; and Madras, Oot 24.
The mail waa brought from Bombay to Sues by
the steamer Victoria, together with the following
pasemsgers
Mrs Outram, Lag/ Harris, Mrs. Pope, Moe. A. Thomas,
Kn. Helium. Mrs. lialiburtoa and child, Mrs. Brame, Mee.
Itanvay, Mrs. Milky, Captain Tweeddale, Ideal. Calmat
J. Ostrom, C. B.; Buperinteading Surgeon B. William,
Madras army ; Lieut.. C. Halsted and H J. Keeley, ditto ;
It. J. Wallace, Ng., hamster; Liget. J. Breese, her
lesjegity's nod Foot, end Captain A. Hall, 25th Bombay
Na'iv' Intents".
The latest news from Moulton is of the 21st of
Mabee, at which date the army was still
slime 't had bees sifter revises &tea
The Bombay Times gives the following anoint se
the state of matters there:
Our latest dates from Kooken extend to the 20th 016.1115 T,
at which time matters stood touch as formerl with ige Im.
taint ilitfemice, that Sherri 13ineh, with isis tromp, had
left for the Has int country. Our former narrative exlemied
to the lii of October' at which date Oen. Whisk ley err
aseaped four miles from Moulton, entrenched and well Be.
fended by artillery, and in expectation that some Meek
mega be made on them, or threatened at the period of the
Damerah, a week afterwards. Taking up the Mary et the
siege where it broke off, welled that provisions and wary
were getting scares at Muslims, gad that the jealemhe
and mistrust which had from the' hargfasinimetil
betwixt Shire Singh and Maelraj WWI al rr
The great festival of the Dutserah—the seam lbe Wow
81kh ow rages—at length arrived, when an Omsk had been
threatened, and Moolrsj was said to have vowed that he
would bathe in the holy tank of tloorojkoone, es bad been
his wont from his youth upwards. The watering-Sam wee
close to our camp, and under the influence of religious feel-
ing it was hoped the troops would show themselves in the
plain, and give us an opportunity of attacking them. la.
stead of this, the insergeats went out in the opposite
direction and burnt no end of powder for the honour
of the omission, scarcely within hearing of our camp.
Oantra Singh, one of the Sikhs reeogaised se
having attempted to corrupt our eepoys at Lahore
in April, was at this time caught bathing : he wee
captured and sent into camp; where being duly identified,
be was despatched to Lahore to be dealt with by the Herber
wording to his deserts. He had originally belonged to the
42d N. 1., and having taken his discharge was selected for
the service ha undertook at the date just named, from his
familiarity with the habits of oar aspens. On the evening of
the Bib, Lieut. Christ-tiler, of the Indian navy, died of
wounds received by him on the night of the 9th of Sept.,
when so many gallant men went down. Col. Pattoun, wire
fell on the occasion, desired more men immediately; AM
Lieut. Christopher, serving as a volunteer, undertook to
guide two companies of her Majesty's 10th to the scene of
action, the localities about being unknown to them. This
duty performed, while he lingered aear the scene a match-
lock bell sha.tered his ankle bone. Amputation was twice
performed, but he was cut off on the night of the Bth
Oct., much regretted by all who knew him. Treaters
to the amount of 18,00 W. seat from Lahore for the pay of the
traps of Shi re Bingh before his treachery became known,
about this time have fallen into the hands of the insurgents.
On the 9th the Rajah Shere Singh slipped away from the
city, the two preceding days having been occupied in send-
ing off detachments of his troops from the north and north.
east aide of the town—that being the quarter furthest re-
moved fres the position of our army. His purpose a
to hap been to proceed by forced marches lapin his father,
then hampered and shut in by Aboott and Nicolson. Gee.
Which was anxious to have overtaken him had be lingered
on the way ; but his movements were too quick for us ; and
with no more than 900 cavalry at OUT disp oil, and Moolraf
ready to pounce on the rear of the pursuing party had put,
slit been given, it was resolved to leave him alone. In addi-
tion to the quarrel with the Dewan, it is probable
that this canning chief might consider his chances of one
Gess better in the strong mountain country with kis father
--whets a guerilla warfare might for some time be main-
tained, and from which there was hope of escape is
ease of a reverse—than in a walled city aroundwhielleas

overwhelming army wee preparing toassemble. The i
Sikh troops at Buono° having at this time murdered their
Wirer% and taken their departure fee the Haserek men.
try, the occasion was seised apes by the despoading se a
proof of the perfect organisation of the Sikh econspirsey,
and the skill at once and boldness of Asir measures. '
Meeirej, it was said, would cutlass to maintain Mout.
tan with a force of from 10,000 to 12,000, u long as It
was possible, with a view of occupying about an equal
number of troops in the siege ; whilst Share Singh
moving on Lahore with 6,000 or 6,000 011114 would there
be joined by ell the Sikhs in the citi, and Chuttur
Singh with the Jamoo and Bunnoo deserters, in ell about
16,000, pressing on the capital as speeally as possible while
the British garrison was at its weakest. So far are these
dismal anticipations from being borne out by facts, that there
seems every remain to believe the Sikhs are satisfied of the
desperateness of their condition. Geolaub Singh he pro-
claimed his determination to do all in his power to put down
rebellion ; and there hes been no disturbance or rising la
their favour in any quarter of the country. The people
everywhere and the Mehontedan troops are well aff. cud,
sad all we have to deal with, at the highest computation, is
some 30,000 of the old army of &inject S sigh, scattered
about, without canteen or purpose, without any common ob
jest or common feeling, save hatred of the order of things by
whisk their power has become extinguished. On the 14th a
strong detachment of troops. consisting of Anderson's horse
artillery, two guns from M'Kensie's troop, a wing each of
H.M 's 10th and 32nd Foot, the Bth and 49th N. 1., a
squadron of the 7th, and the whole of the 11th Irregular
Horse, with 40 pioneers, proceeded as an escort to enable the
chief engineer to take the bearings of a bestirs% on the north-
west side of the fort, which he had not before had the means
of examining. The neon required to be made thus strong
from the remoteneu of the point to be examined. They
left camp at three in the morning, and reached their destine
Bon without interruption, having made a detour of nearly
nine miles. The duty on which they had pro.
corded having been performed, they returned to
camp in safety two hours before noon. On their way back
Moolrej's cavalry were seen hovering on their flank •; our
horse artillery and cavalry were ordered to charge, but
the enemy uere o nimble, and escaped them. Oo
the 18th the camp was surprised by the restoration of some
prisoners formerly taken from us. They stated that the two
Europeans in the fort had got leave to quit ; but both were
wounded, and one was unable, the other unwilling, to
move. The troop' were now directed to be restored to fail
rations—having before been reduced in apprehension of
scarcity. The weather had of late undergone a mat agree.
able change—the nights having become so cool that cloth
clothes wire in demand. D,sertions to Edwardes's camp
hail become not unfrequent--eighty Achilles one day joined
him ; and shortly afterwards 600 Blahs from Bucnoo, who
bed remained faithful when the rear had gone over to the
enemy. While in this state of comparative iaactivity, the be-
siegers became aware ottani vast preparations making for their
succour.
The Gentleman's Gazette, in an extra, gives the
following letter, being one day later from the camp at
Moultan, namely, Oct. 21 :
I write to tell you that an attempt was made this morning
to shoot Gen. Whisk as he was taking his morning ride in
front of our picquets with some of his staff and the usual
small retort of irregular cavalry. Fortunately for him, and
our fame, the bullet whizzed harmlessly over without touch-
ing any one. The marauders were five in number, two of
whom were captured by the gallantry of the Duffease, whe
received a severe sword cut in the thigh. One of the pro.
sonars will probably die of his wounds, which are plentiful.
I hear that grain is dearer in Moults& by one seer. Capt.
McGregor, of H.M's. 10th, who was so severely wounded in
the head, has left on medical certificate for Ferosepore, in
company of the detachment Bth N.I , commanded by Capt.
Price. The overland 'sprees reached us this morning, and
created mach pleasurable surprise et Bdwardee's good
fortune.
The troops which are to reinforce and act in con-
junction with the besiegers are thus described :
The army at Bores of 8,000 men is commanded by General
Auchmuty, and will be completed by the Ist, and ready for
march by the 16th November. If required at Moultan they
would proceed by the line of the Induce Bahawaloore,
their stores bring transported by boats on the river. They
weld in this case roach their destination early in December.
Beim this, however, it is expected Moultan will have fallen,
and in this can a part of these wilt probably for a time be
employed in the Lower Punjaub. The supreme go-
vernment have directed an army of 30,000 to be
menabled an the Salle' : this includes the force
already before Moultan, at Ferosepons, and on 111-
frontier—but excludes that at Lahore, amounting to be-
twixt 8,000 and 10,000 men. The commander in-chief will
take command. The infantry divisions ere to be commanded
by Majors-General Whisk, Gilbert, end Theckw. 11, the
cavalry by Brigadier-General Canton, and the matey by
Brigadier General Tennant. Of this force, 7,000 are new b**
fore Moulton, and this will be raised to 10,000 when the re-
iskercemeats now under orders (excepting those from Bom-
bay) have joked. At Feronepere it is said some 20,000 will
assemble—aceompenied by Draft 100,000 amp-followers.
Oa the 18th, Brigadier BeUM received orders to
premed tram Firemen to Meehan with two native
regiments, three companies of artillery, end details of
corm already with General Whish. He marched on the
19t . but was on the 21st recalled—the advanced guards of
Cnuttar SinA's force having shown themselves at Wiss•
aserabad, about 70 mike from Lahore, and about 230 from

Mealiest. T asp. were immediately ordered by Sir F
Curie to pressed spirt his k, and Rafud's edema was
msaxtermaaded. Oar for.., if good haste were madeoreold
be up with him the 30th, eves if he remained beyond the
Chsemah ; and, Kit be true that his um Sher, Shish was at
this date at 30 lanes from Moulton, there is no
post
Amos ef a sootiest bolas Armed betwixt them over
on
Wend et 200 miles, with estilkory to treaspet, la to.
dap' lime. thou* they am mentell to be 'Aim fa eniatert.
Glosoleab Siagh has sent 5,000 ma, and., CoL Btriabeek
Ito MA him on kis Sank. Metter of the 21st from Lifson
states that Mooksj had written to 8k F. Currie atilt'', that
be bad toted an doss oo histnothois hem the Disbar, sod
bed always been ondyto earremilleg, provided hie HA was
moored Thh rune holism UMW 1100110.
At Llano, emitter' spree, mondwoo windy foist. A
detachments sent out from Lahore, eenehling
of the lod irregular co 011, o'
filetnaers horse, a party . owl
two foss, together with the Nth N. 1., wand the Ranee
ea the Ost. They win is winds of Uojun Singh, a
noted freebooter, wed hod 111011111111 W Idmeelf Inside the fort
of Neidreowilla, mid bode Mean to the Denim. The
Wibunntes= renamed to Wren ea the 11th, having been
nen is a fart bagging to this rebel,
sad swan to Lall Slosh, lA* had also fraternised
with Chuttur 13140, about two mambo emu the Beer
in the direction of Umritair. Far the redaction of thou.
Brigadier Wheeler, with a fens esaelitiog of the 81st
foot, 7th cavalry, ted include, bone, led troop let brigade
hone, and 441 sompany Bth bentalloa toot artillery, with
No. 19 light field battery, and the 3rd N. 1., erased that
river ou the 12th. The following morning they ruched the
foe, of Raogroupd. sod for tear hours,eontinued to better
the wars with their artillery. The fire was' vas rated
to As evening, sad the following morning (14th) it was dis-
covered that the enemy had evacuated it under cover of the
darkness of the night. It was fitted to be a mud fort of
oonsiderable strength, surrounded by a ditch. &consider-
able (identity of grain wan discovered in it, bat neither puts
nor ammunition any kind. Oar Iwo was en man of the
2nd irregular bores btu ed, and a few wounded. The town,
which lay a short distance in front of the fort, was In the
possession of the Ocide Corps when the brigade reached.
Little change has taken plus in the state of the Hasareb
country. Chatter Singh continues in the field with about
10,000 men, hut his movements teem crippled, interrupted,
and contracted, by the measures adopted against him, lie
has neither managed to endow the troops at Peshawar from
their allegiance, nor ventured to besiege, attack, or march in
the direction of Lahore. The Sikh troops, numbering
6,000, sent about ten weeks since to settle see mat
ten in Benno*, hearing of the success of Moolraj, and
detection from us of Chuttur Singh, and impressed in all
Ukelihcod with the conviction that their day of ven-
geance was at hand, rose against the loyal portion of
their officers murdered Colonel Holmes and Futteh
Khan Tunes, and prepared to join Chuttur Singh, now in
possession et the whole of the Bari Doab—the great seat el
Sikh authority. It has been already stated-that fibers
Singh, on the 9th October, quitted Mooltan with the view,es
was believed, of Joining the Ilaxareh insurrats. Our
latest accounts give us reason to believe that he will halt and
fortify himself at the strong position of Pied Dadun Khan,
and there await an attack from us. Five thousand of the
troops of Goolaub Singh had, as we have stated, been de-
spatched by his highnt se, under Col. Steinbach, to attack
Chuttur Strigh in flank, while a brigade from Lahore or the
Jullundhar would assail him in front. The Resident had all
along been most anxious that 6,000 troops from the latter place
should move at once iota the dirurbed districts, but was op-
posed by the commander-in-chief, who wished to have an
army in the field before a second division of operations
should be attempted. By our latest ieteUitence, Chuttur
Muth had moved southward—Ms advanced guard having,
about the 19th, 'poured as near Lahore as Voss-embed,
on the Chensub—ome twenty miles off. On the 21st, an
express reached Ferozepore calling for reinforcements, and it
was believed that the most of the cavalry and horse artillery
already across the river would proceed at onre to the point
threatened. Brigadier Eels ford's troops, which had started
for Muslim, two days before, were ordered to be recalled,
and Col. Oodby's brie-ads, consisting of the 2nd Europeans
and 68th and 70th N.I. were to cram on the 23rd and push
on with all conveni ;peed.
At Peshawar the troops continue faithful, and the
trumpery outburstings of robber chiefs, who up and down
over the country were taking advantage of the trabled state
of things, were rapidly being put down. The troops every-
where continued in excellent health, and the best spirits.—
The Sesestris brototht news of the 29th from Kurraches, at
which date everything continued tranquil.—Tee Governor-
General was expected at Allahabad about the 2nd Nov. (to-
day).—A violent hurricane, a which one ship was lost, and
flu or six more damaged, swept the upper portion of the
Bay of Bengal, and the lower country on the Our.,
betwixt the 14th and 18th, and reached Bombay on the
19th, but =Waned little damage.—The cold season was
setting in.—A scarcity of food, in consequence of deficiency
et rain, was apprehended in Malwa and along oar earth. west
frontier.

The court-martial assembled to try Dr. Monet,
surgeon in her Majesty's 15th Dragoons, charged with
having made erasures in certain documents with the in-
tention by so doing of conveying a wrong impression
of facts to certain parties, has found him guilty, and
sentenced him to be dismissed her Majesty's service.
The Commander-in-Chief, remarking on this finding,

sire that—
The exigencies of the public service rendering it most in-
eonvenient to rearsemlrle the court-martial fur revision, be

feels that he would not be instilled ir confirming the ien-
tune. But t►e continuance of Surgeon Monet with the
15th HYPOS being likely to be detrimental to discipline, the
Commander-in• Chief is 0,1444 to direct that Surgeon Meant
shad ceue to do duty with that regiment front the doe el
receipt of this order at Bangalore ; and the proceeding a
the court martial will be transmitted to England kg lissi
consideration and orders of bee Majesty. With reference a
the foregoing remarks, Surgeon Monet has leave of absences
to proceed to England, where be will report himself on
arrival to the Adjutant-General and Military Secretary,
Horse Chards.

The news from Calcutta is not important. The
Governor-Oeneral held a farewell levee on the
9th of October, and, together with the Countess
ailhousie, left the presidency on the next day
for the upper provinces. Sir Herbert Maddock
is appointed deputy-governor of Bengal and
president of the Courcil of India during Lord
Dalhousie's absence. R. epecting the affairs of
the Union Bank, an important step bad been taken,
by the introduction of a measure into the Council
of India with a view of legalising the scheme
for liquidating its liabilities by an income-tax on
shareholders. The draft act was published in the
government Gazette of the 18th November, and was
appointed to be reconsidered on the 14th December.
The assessment lately agreed upon by the share-
holders is the basis of the act ; and those who pay up
the amounts at which they have been seemed are to
be held exempt from further liab:lity or molestation ;
while shareholders who decline to pay are liable to
be separately sued for their debts, and gain no
advantage front the fact of their brother shareholders
having paid their assessments and obtained their dis-
charge. The Engliehman seems to think that even
this will not secure lull immunity to those for whose
protection it is designed, but that, in terms of the ori-
ginal bank act, one partner who may have been
selected as a victim by a creditor may in turn sue the
other partners to the hill amount of their liabilities.