The Express.
London, England, 1858-01-29 00:00:00

(Stamped id. AdditiomaL) [TWOPENCE.

the offer, sad seemed to mimed the marries as fraught with
too much danger to be amented to, bat he did me the favour
of communicating the offer to Sir James Outrun, became he
considered that my reel deserved to be brought to his mottos.
Sir JIM/ did not micourege me to undertake the journey,
*daring that he thought it so dangerous that he would not
hinvoelf have asked any of to attempt it. I however
spoke so confidently of imager, and treated the dangers so
lightly, that he at last yielded, and did me the honour of
adding that if I sacoesded in reaching the Commander-in-
Chief my knowledge would be a great help to him.
I secretly err/need for a disguise, so that my departure
might not be lowan jo my wife, as she was not well enough
to bear the prospect of an eternal esperallon. When I left
home, about 7 o'clock in the evening, she thought I was roe
on duty for the night to the mines, for I was worldng as an
sadstant field engineer, by order of Sir Jarmo Wpm.
By half-part 7 o'clock my disguise was completed, sad
when I entered the room of Colonel Napier no one in it re-
cognised me. I was dressed as a Balms* or as en Irre-
gular soldier of the city, with sword and shield, native made
shoes, tight trousers, a yellow Bak koortith over a tight
fitting white muslin shirt, a yellow-coloured chists sheet

throw round my shoulders, a craanrooloured turban, end •
whits waistband or kuniurbtmd. Ny face down to the
shoulders, and my hands to the wrists, were coloured with
lamp black, the cork used being dipped in oil to cause the
colour to adhere • little. I could get nothing better. I had
little confidence in the disguise of my features, and I trusted
mare to the dartoesm of the night; but eir Jams Output
kfe MI" seemed sods I, tad, after Wig provided with
• small double-barrelled pistol, and a pair of broad pyjemahs
over the tight drawers, I proceeded with Hunoujee La to
the right bank of the river Goompty, running north of our
entrenchment, accompanied by Captain Herding* of the
Irregular Cavalry.
Here we undreamed and quietly forded the river, whirl wee
only about et feet deep, and about • hundred yards wide at
this point. My courage failed me while in the water, and if
my guide bad been within reach I should perhaps have
pulled him back and abandoned the enterprise. But he
waded quickly through the stream, and reaching the oppo-
site beck went crouching up a ditch for three hundred yards,
to a grove of low trees on the edge of a pond, where we
stopped to dress. While we were here • man came down to
the pond to wash, and went away again without observ-
ing us.
My confidenoe now returned to me, and with my tul.
war resting on my shoulder, we advanced into the huts
in front, where I accosted • matchlockman, who answered
to my remark that the night was cold, "It is very cold,
in tact, it is a cold night." I pared him, adding that It
would be colder by and bye.
" "

After going six or urea hundred yards further, we
reached the iron bridge over the Goompty, where we were
stopped and called over by a native Ater who was seated
in an upper storied house, and semasd to be in command of
a eavali7 picket, whose homes were near the place saddled .
My guide advanced to the light, and I stayed a little back in
the shade. After being told that we bad come from Mun-
dy:et (our old cantonment, and then in the possession of the
I enemy), end that we were going into the city to our homes,
be let us proceed. We continued on along the left bank of
the river to the state bridge, which is about eight or nine
hundred yards from the iron bridge, peeing unnoticed
through a number of Sams end matchlock men, tome of
whom were escorting proms of rank in palankeens preceded
by torches.
Reerceming the ()empty by the stone bridge, we went by
a sentry unobserved, who was closely questioning a dirtily
dneeed salve, and into the Moak, or principal street of the
city of Lookoow, which was not illuminated as much as it
aced to bs previona to the siege, nor wee it so crowded. I
*Med Against several armed men in the street without being
spoken to, cad only met one guard of seven ilepoys, who were
amming themselves with some women of pleasure.
When issuing from the city into the country we were
challenged by a chowkeeder, or watchman, who, without
stopping 911/2 merely sated who we were. The pert of the city
traversed that night by ma seemed to have been deserted by
at haft a third of its inhabitants.

I was in peat obits when we reached the green tleida,
into which I had not been fir eve mentha. Everything
around us smelt sweet, and a carrot I took from the road-ride
was the most &Won I had ever tested. I gave vent to
my feelings in a conversation with Kunoujee Lall, who
joined in my admiration of the province of Chide, and
lamentation that it was now in the hands of wretches whose
misgovernment and rapacity were ruining It.
A further walk of a few miles was accomplished in high
spirit'. But there was trouble before es. We had taken
the wrong road, and win now quite out of our way in the
Dilkoonah Park, which was occupied by the enemy. I
went within twenty yards of two guns to me what strength
they were, and returned to the guide, who wee in great slum
and begged I would not distrust him because of the mistake,
as it war caned by his anxiety to take me away
from the pickets of the enemy. I bade him not
to be frightened of me, for I was not annoyed, as such
accidents were not unfrequent even when there was no
danger to be avoided. It was now about midnight. We en-
deavoured to persuade a cultivator, who was watching his
crop, to show us the way for a short diernaos, but he urged
old age sad laminae', and another whom I peremptorily told
to ems with us ran off screaming, and alarmed the whole
village. We neat walked quickly away into the mud, run-
ning under the Charbegh, in which I fell several time, owing
to my sheen being wet and slippery and my feet aces. Th.
ahoy were lard and tight, and bad rubbed the akin off my
Me and cut Into the flesh above the heels.
In two hours more we were again on tke right direction,
two women in a village we pared having kindly helped us
to find it. About two o'clock we reached an advanced

picket of Sepoya who told us the way, alter asking where
we had come from and whither we were going. I thought

It refer to go up to the picket then to try to pees then
observed.

Karam* Lall now begged I would not press him to take
me into Alumbagh as he did not know the way in, and the
many were strongly posted around the place. I was tired,
and in pain from the shoes, and would therefore have pre-
ferred going into Alumbagh, but u the guide feared attempt-
1121r it, I desired him to go on to the camp of the Commander-
in-Chief, which he said was near Bonnie (a village 18 miles
from Luclmow) upon the Caw:more road. The moon had
rims by this time, and we could see wail ahead.
By 8 e'elock we arrived at a grove of =ego tress, situ-
ated on e plain, in which a man was eingbig at the top of
his voice. I thought he was a villager, but he got
alarmed on hearing us approach, and 'stubbed us, too, by
calling out a guard of twenty-five &goys, ell of whom
asked questions. Kunoujee Lai here lost heart for the
first time, and threw away the letter entrusted to him
he Sir Colin CampbelL I kept mine ode in my turban.
We satisfied the guard that we were poor men travelling
to Baron* a village two mike this side of the Wars
camp, t inform a irked of the death of hls brother by •
I shot from the British mitrimehment at Lucknow, and they
told tea the rood. They appeared to be greatly relieved
dleeeverfag that It was not their terrible foe, who was
only a fry elfin it Mums of them. We went in the
directioa heliested by them, and alter walking for half an
hour we get late a JUNI or swamp, which are numerous
and brie in Buda. We had to wads through it for two
hours rep to our waist, is tester, and through weeds, for
before we fogad oat that we were in a jheel we had gone
too kr to muds. I was nearly exhausted on etting out of
the wetly, having mode great exertions to force oar way
titre* the weeds, sad M prevent the colour bang wished
et my face. It wee wady gone from my hands.
- -

-- .
I sow rested for 15 minim, deopie the remeseiresese of
the guide, sad went forma* grin betimes two *masts of
the menu who had no mirk. throws oat. It was sear four
o'elori la the missing whoa I stoma at the mom ot a tope
or grow of trees to shop for as boar, saki. Esseefes Lell
InklOOOli I would sot do, hwt I thought be wrested
the olowww, mid, lytas Sews, I told his M see if time
woo ow/ woe is the ism who would toll blot vise we
this MIL
WO had sot some far when I heard the English draw
" who 00111111 there" with a native accent We had reward
a British cavalry outpost ; my eyes SW with joyful tan,
end I stook the Sikh °Moor she charge of the pkisot
bona* by Unload. The old imildisr wee me *owl se
wed( whoa he bunt fres vberoma led woo, mg be was
good ossorb to mot two of big sera to woad me to the
camp alibi' edvessevireerd. As cam of boy 11frfestre Slit
Lasers, who was visiting his picas* it ise es the way,
sad took see to Ide teat, where I got dry Oxide.* mad toot-

sae, and what I much needed—a gime at Wendy, • liquor I
had not tested for nearly two months.
I thanked God for bating safely cooduated me through
this dangeroua enterprise, and Kumajee Len for the muse
and intelligenos with which he had conducted MEe,!
during this trying night. When we were questioned be
let me spate as little as posable. He amyl had • reedy
answer, 54.4 I feel that I am indebted to him in • great
tosseure more than to myself for my escape. It will give
me great satisfaction to hoer that he has been suitably
neer rded.

In undertaking this enterprise I was actuated by a sense
of duty, Maiming that I could be of use to his Excellency
the om+maeds-in-chief when approaching, for its relief, the
boologed portion, which had heroically resisted the attack
of thirty times its own number for nearly five months,
within a weak and irregular entrenchment ; and secondly,
bananas I was anxious to perform some terries which would
swims to me the honour of wearing our Most Gracious
lfisjosty's Cross.
My reception by Sir Colin Campbell and his staff was
cordial end kind to the utmost degree, end ifl never hays

more than the romembranso of tiair candmosasioa and o
the heartfelt oonpatulation cd Sir hese Outsell and o
all the oaken of his garrison on my sok return to them, I
shall not repine, though to be sirs having the Victoria Croce
would =home a powder and a hapcior mem.
Camp, Alumbagh, Nov. 24. Isms Cseaneen.

LETTERS PROM INDIA.

The following is from a brave and skilful officer
who has been in close attendance upon Sir Colin
Campbell throughout his operations in Oude and the
Doab :

CAWNPORE, Du. 16.

Truly the mass of ruins from which we extricated
this brave garrison spoke mast eloquently—far more
so than words can express—the severe nature of the
ordeal they had passed through. In spite of all
detraction, the acts of the Indian army proclaim its
worth. Faithful to their trust, heroic in action, and
enduring under the greatest difficulties, its officers
have shown to the world that it is not from the want
of the soldier's best qualities that this great misfor-
tune has fallen upon the country. . .
I nuat tell you what has been done since
we left Lucknow. While we were yet many
miles on the other aide of the Ganges we heard the
firing of heavy artillery, and concluded that the
Ciwalior Contingent, and other rebels ,joined to that
force, had made an attack on our position here. This
hurried our movements. With all our wounded, and
women, and children we made a forced march of
nearly 30 miles, and arrived at the opposite bank of
the river on the 28th tilt., and with a portion of the
force, two batteries of artillery, crossed on the 29th,
and took up a position to facilitate the crossing of
the families, &c. All were safely over the next
da. At this time the rebels were in possession of
ally the city and all the cantonments to the north-
west of the canal, and kept up a continual fire on
the intrenchments and our camp, which was very

insulting. But Sir Colin's purpose was the mfety of
the wounded and families above all other considera-
tions, and he, therefore, merely kept down this fire—
which continued more or less so long u we remained
there. However, on the 6th he was ready for an
attack, and we moved out in the early forenoon in
splendid order—turned their flank, drove them from
their first position, and soon broke them into flight—
passed their camp, and pursued them with artillery
and cavalry for twelve or fourteen miles—captnred
all their guns, all their camp and property, and
immense store of ammunition. At the same time a
portion of our force obtained possession of a
mast important post, which greatly tended to
subsequent successes. On the Bth, a detachment
left is pursuit cif &portion of the enemy that re-
treated by another road, came up with them, and
took them completely by surprise in the bed of the
river, preparing to cross their artillery into Oude,
captured all the remainder of their guns—l 3 in
number—without a casualty on our part. This was
an immense swims. It has oompletely broken up this
rebel force and dispersed them. We have since
been halted here. Sir Colin is, of course, much
pleased—he has gained all his objects, and at the
least possible sacrifice; and he owes all to his own
excellent management of his troops, and his skill in
selecting the line of operations. He is very careful
of his men, and, if apparently slow, the results jus-
tify all he does. One learns a lesson in soldiership
under such a general, and I have had the good for-
tune to be continually at his aide throughout all these
and the Lucknow operations. . . .
The campaign hitherto has had very important re-
sults politically. . . •
Our communication with the Upper Provinces is
almost suspended. Occasionally messengers bring
down letters, but no regular post can be established.
It will be a chief part of our next operations to en-
deavour to open up this communication. . . .
In all the actions I have been close to Sir Colin.
What a noble old soldier ! He is so cool under the
fiercest are ; so thoughtful of his men, and anxious
about carrying them into danger, but so collected
when his plans are formed, and so gallant in leading
them on. It is a fine sight to see this old man at
such a time ; full of energy and enthusiasm, yet calm
and collected as possible. . . .
I have written so much ►bout him that you will
suspect me of hero-worship. The fact is there is
something very captivating in his manner. . .

GENERAL THOMPSON, M.P., ON INDIA.

[The following letter, addressed by the veteran
Corn Lair Reformer to the Manchester Guardian,
with • view to correct some misconceptions as to his
views on the Indian question, is a valuable testi-
mony to the merits of the Company's government.]
gin,—ln times of beat, nothing is more common
than not to know friends from foes. In some letters
of mine to Bradford, one passage of which in parti-
cular is handled rather severely in a leader in your
journal of 16th January, examination would have
shown that instead of being directed against the
great and able men whom you so justly defend, the
whole was designed for their unprincipled oppo-
nents, for whom no language can be too strong.
For two centuries and a half the East India Com-
pany and its servants managed India with the pru-
dence characteristic of commercial men. All the
troubles which from time to time arose were the
work of other people. In opposition to the resist-
ance and remonstrances of the compouiy, the
elements of mischief were gradually, introduced ;
and now comes the explosion, which it is ingeniously
attempted to charge on those whose lives were one
continued attempt to hinder it.
If you should admit this letter in your next, I
shall be happy if the effect is to direct the attention
of your great commercial community to the im-
portance of rallying round the But India Company
in the coming struggle.-1 am, &c.,
T. PEZZONET THOXPBON, M.P. for Bradford.
Eliot Vale, Blackheath, Jan. 26.
passel Thampeoa's War does not appear to us to beer
mry spas the subject of the article to which he Mem
U the pomp whisk gave ries to oar animadversions bad
any remnisil at 4/1, it wet lam been hiteedeit mesa stoma
ea Woo somata of the Bast India Company who were
repseseible k the meter of the greeted cartstigsms—li.
Greet]

Warr or Moors of Bgrau..—Tho !Woad of
budis:says,in itsiestium revived by Me mill :—A. The
minds of troop at* la Canna no Law rentbne *kb
their ecenetorsed regularity. MOOD dr departure at dr ire
mall not a dal& moldier has arrived boo Inert& 1111
Colbe Ceraybuil urgently requires relnkronnemin, owl N-
edra hug verserty No tat el boor, le sow mil rillib AP'
unisd. Every mambas Ism ban bees semi up to the !teeth
West T eulaandieer proem Me Weed bola aremelmaill
ad it wail be dilicult now ie epee a mirekes Began
Bawl, ware k eves is mob wiled."