The Express.
London, England, 1857-09-29 00:00:00

PRECARIOUS POSITION OF LIICKNOW.

We have just received the eubjoined
tion from the Foreign Office :

The following telegram was received at the Fo-
reign-office, from the British Vice-Consul at Trieste,
September 29, 2.45 a.m. :

DELHI.

The mutineers made great preparations for an
attack on the 31st of July, the eve of the Bukree red
festival, but nothing occurred beyond some desultory
skirmishing. On the evening of August I they
attacked the right of the British position, and main-
tained the contest through the night, and np to the
afternoon of August 2. Our loss was very slight
—lO killed, and 38 wounded—the men being kept

well under cover. Capt. Fevers, 32nd N.L, serving
with Lobos Rifles, was killed.

On the Bth of August, the enemy's cavalry, sup-
ported by artillery, attacked the Metcalfe House
picket, but not in any force. Lieutenant Brown,
33rd MI., attached to the Kunlun battalion, wan
killed; Lieutenant Venice, artillery, End Lieutenant
Temple, Kumaon battalion, wounded.
On 7th August, skirmishing, with cannonades at
intervals. A powder magazine of the enemy ex-
ploded this day, with a less, it is rumoured, of 300
lives.

On the Bth of August, a bakery, constructed by
the mutineers to indlade our guns, was destroyed.
Skirmishing was kept up during that and the
next three days. Our troops suffered very little.
On the 12th, guns established outside Cashmere-
gate were attacked by a force under Brigadier
Showers, and, after a sharp contest, taken. They
consisted of one 24-powder howitzer ; two 7 and
one 8-pounder. Our Ices was severe, 112 killed and
wounded : among the wounded were the following
officers :—Lieutenant Sherriff, 2nd Fusiliers, dan-
gerously ; Brigadier Showers, Major Coke, severely ;
Lieutenant Lindsay, Ilorse Artillery ; I.ientenant
Mansell, Engineers; Captain Greville, let Fusiliers;
Lieutenant Owen, Ist Fusiliers; Lieutenant Jones,
70th N. 1., slightly.
Brigadier-General Nicholson arrived in camp on
Bth of August in advance of his force. Ilk troops
were expected on the 13th, and all would arrive by
the 15th, on which date the army before Delhi
would number about 11,000 men. Further rein-
forcements, it was computed, would, early in Sep-
tember, increase oar numbers to 16,000 men. It is
generally expected that the assault on the city will
take place on the 20th of August.

The king is reported to be sending his Zeugma to
Rhotuck.

All well at Ages, Cawnpore, and Lucknow. The
greatest anxiety is felt regarding Lucknow. Gene-
ral Havelock, after crossing the Ganges, defeated the
enemy at (Moor on the 30th of July. On the 31st
he attacked the enemy in a very strong position in
the town of Buirerat Gunje and again defeated
them with great slaughter, and took all their guns.
His own loss was 88 killed and wounded. He then
retired on the Ganges, his small force being bur.
thened with sick and wounded and with the
captured artillery. On the .sth of August
he again advanced towards Lneknow, and
•ed two victoria.o gain more ll the sth,
and on the 12th he then found the enemy strongly
entrenched in their positions, and numbering .50,000
men. Finding it impossible to cut his way to
Lucknow, in the face of such a force, General
Havelock was compelled to retire to Cawnpore and
to wait for reinforcements. In the meantime, the
position of the gallant garrison of Lucknow is most
precarious. Major Banks, who has acted as Com-
missioner since S.r 11. Lawrenee's death, has fallen,
but the date of thin melancholy occurrence is not
stated.

The facts above stated are drawn from newspapers
and private letters, bet they are believed to be sub-
stantially correct. No official account has yet been
published.