The Express.
London, England, 1857-09-17 00:00:00

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LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 17, 1857.

letter, written on that day by aa officer on the eve
of aarrendi.r :

We ere in a dreadful plight hem, God only knows what
is to liemouie of all of us. Our able end gallant leader, Sir
Hugh Wheeler, es nue no more. He mmivod u mortal
wound Mt the sally roads the day before yesterday, and was
brought into the entrenchment to breathe his last amongst
his own race. Nobly he fought and bravely he fell, most
deeply and sincerely regretted by his gallant lithe band. Ha
death has mat a 01.14:1111 now greater than ever over our (shall
Imy doomed) fates We are short of men, no provisions,
DO water, and hardly soy ammunition left. Now we are
thinking of consulting together to capitulate to the enemy,
our only and lea but ace not the tender mercies
of the heathen cruel t" I send this letter by a trustworthy
native servant of mine, on to Allahalad, whence it will be
prated to Calcutta. I know not if it will ever reach you.
However, ere it Teaches you, our fate will be decided. Oh,
the wretchiansea around.
After the occupation our men avenged signally
the death of the unfortunate Wheeler. The rebel
&pop made prisoners during the engagement were
tried by drum-head court-martial, and hanged. They
knew they had no mercy to expect, and their de-
meanour at the place of execution was cool and col-
lected. Could they but face death in battle with simi-
lar fearlessness, we should now no longer hold India.
A native magistrate, against whom too many proofs
existed of complicity with the rebellion,sras amongst
the number of the culprits. He also exhibited the
utmost 000lness, walking calmly up to the rope, and
standing till he WS/ thrown off.
I must not emit to tbilltiOn that whilst the ?drill
under General Havelock moved up, it was followed
by the steamer Berhumpooter on the Ganges, the
little band of Fusiliers on board having its share in
the glory of those days. At one spot, where a party
was landed for wood on the left bank, a gang of in-
surgents, with a gun, commenced an attack, which
was speedily repelled, three of the Fusiliers charging
and capturing the gun.

The relief of Lucknow will now, it is confidently
believed, take place, General Havelock's last bul-
letin, affirming that that city was quite safe for the
present.
In the Nagpore and Samar territories, and the
country of Bhopal, the disaffected population arc in
arms, and although they offer little or no resistance
to parties sent out against them, still they effectually
pat a stop to the machinery of government. On the
28th of July a body of 1,000 insurgent Iloondelas
attacked Dummow, 50 miles from Saugor. They
occupied the fort there, and were attacked by de-
tachments from the 31st, 42nd, and 3rd, and driven
off with • loss of 31 killed and 17 made prisoners.
After the rout the Irregulars followed up the
enemy Lod cut up several more men. A fort occu-
pied by 500 Boondelaa in the vicinity of Nagpore,
was attacked by detachments of the 50th and 52nd,
and the result was the unresisting flight of the in-
surgents. Further west, the occupation of Edlabad
by the Hydrubod Contingent, under Major W. Orr,
has kept the districts of North Serer quiet. In
order, however, to overawe still further any Ito-
hillas or Arab plunderers from the Nizam's country,
the Madras government has sent out troops to form
a column at Kurnool, on the southern frontier of tho
Hydrabad country, and this force, under Colonel
Macleod, has been composed as follows :—lfer
Majesty's 12th Lancers, one squadron from Secun-
derabad; 50th Madras Native Infantry, head-quarters
wing; half troop of Madras Native horse Artillery.
This form was set in motion towards Kurnool on the
21th of July. Iler Majesty's 71th Highlanders has
been sent to Bellarv.
At the same time Madras has been ordered to fur-
nish a contingent of regular troops for Calcutta, for
which capital the following force was embarked,
and sailed under the command of Colonel (now Bri-
gadier-General) Carthen :—The 27th Madras Native
Infantry, from Venue; thc 17th Madras Native In-
fantry, from Madras; the Bth Madras Light Cavalry
and a native troop of hone artillery, from Banga-
lore, with a company of Golundanze (native drivers)
from the Mount (Madras).
. . . .

In consequence of this drain of troops, orders have
been issued by Lord Harris to form three new regi-
ments of infantry at Masulipatam,Trichinopoly, and
Venom respectively. It was such an obviously
useful measure to employ Madras troops on the
Ganges, that the question naturally mime. why was
it not adopted before? The answer to this would
involve me in too long a digression, and 1 leave the
matter for your consideration, confining myself to
directing your attention towards this significant
fact, that no Bombay native trove have yet found
their way to the vicinity of Delhi, or been employed
out of the presidency.
No further attempt has been made to disturb the
public peace at Hydrahad (Deccan), and the Je-
metier who made the attack on the residency, having
a price put on his head,was captured and brought in.
Affairs were by no means so satisfactory in the
South Mahratta country, and the Bombay govern-
ment has been forced to adopt vigorous measures to
keep the Concan quiet. I informed you in my last
letter that the Moulvie, or chief print, of the can-
tonment mosque at l'oonah, had been arrested on
the discovery that he was in treasonable correspon-
dence with the Cazee or chief Mussulman priest of
Belgaum. The plot thus secretly hatched and for-
tunately discovered had moat extensive ramifications.
A day had been fixed for a general rising at Poonah,
and similar movements were designed to be carried
out at Belgaum, and no doubt also at Setters, Kola-
, pore, Sawunt-Warre, and Dharwar. At Poonah, the
Intended massacre being checked, most vigorous
measures were taken. All available artillery from
Bombay was brought there, and the cantonment
bazaar disarmed. This duty was omitted in the
town only because it was difficult to do so without
declaring the country in a state of siege. Measures
were also taken at Belgaum. The treasure and
European families were moved into the fort, and
British artillery posted so as to prevent any effec-
taal resistance in case of a rising. At Sattara pre-
parations were also made : a company of European
artillery marched from Poonah,and replaced a troop
of native gunners,who were moved to l'oonah, even-
tually to he sent to Aden. A squadron of ILNI.'s
14th Lancers was also added to the force, which,
with one company of the 3rd Bombay Europeans,
made every thing secure. At the same time, the
Ranee of batters and her adopted son, the ex-rajah,
were removed to Bombay, and kept in Butcher's Island.
Their arrest was effected on the morning of the 6th
instant with the utmost seemly and despatch. A
detachment of artillery with two guns, under Lieut.
Reid, and parties from the 3rd Bombay Europeans,
her Majesty's 14th Light Dragoons, the 22nd Native
Infantry, and Mahratta Horse, under Colonel Mal-
colm, accompanied by Mr. Rose, the commissioner,
and his assistants, marched into the city of Sattara
before daylight, and surrounded the palace, placing
the guns in position in front. Phaetons were in
readiness to remove the royal family, which was
taken by surprise when ordered fur instant departure.
By eight o'clock the Ranee and Rajah were on their
way to Foolish, under an escort of the 14th Light
Dragoons, in charge of Dr. Imlach.
This cleverly managed affair, and the execution
of six Mussulmans,guilty of rebellion and murder, at
l'underpoor, by being blown from guns, on the
nth of August, instilled a wholesome terror into the
disaffected. Unfortunately less stringent measures
were taken at Colapore, where, on the evening of
the 31st of July, a mutiny broke out among the men
of the 27th Bombay Native Infantry. This regi-
eient,the2Bthoit Be4aum,and the29th, at Dharwar,
were raised in the South Mahratta country in 1816,
and injudiciously kept in garrison where they were
embodied.
On the evening of the 31st of July about 300 of
the 27th broke out into open mutiny in the canton-
ments outside Colapore, and sacked the mess-room,
where they fortunately found no officers to massacre.
Whether the alarm had been given in sufficient time
to enable the latter to fly I cannot say distinctly,
but that such was the case is probable, for their
junior officers were discovered after the affair mur-
dered, in a temple between Colapore and canton-
ments. I.ientenant Davidson, of the engineers, exe-
cutive officer of his department, most fortunately
escaped pursuit by coming a nulls, which was im-

passable when the mutineers came up. The Sepoys,
chiefly M ussulmans and Pootbeas (B rahminy),m arched
down upon Colapore, and halted for the night before
the Achtwar and Mungulwar gates, which had been
closed, as usual, for the night. Their intention was
to enter the city in the morning, and obtain the
co-operation of the townspeople. The rajah, however,
knew too well that his interest lay in remaining
staunch, and he assisted Colonel Maughan, com-
mandant of the Colapore force, in preserving order.
Taking with him the remnant of the 27th, some
Colapore infantry, English cavalry, and Mahratta
horse, Colonel Maughan, assisted by Captain Snyder,
of the and Bombay Native Grenadiers, second in
command of the Colapore local infantry, marched
round by the jetty bridge to the Mungulwar gate,
and tlwre encountered the mutineers, who made no
stand. A small party of about fifty took refuge in
a narrow suburban street where they were not at-
tacked ; Colonel Maughan, knowing they could not
escape, preferred leaving a detachment to watch
them, and marched back to cantonments, where he
restored order. On the next morning the mutineers
justified the colonel's foresight by surrendering at
discretion, declaring their contrition and regret. The
result of this mutiny was the plunder of the trea-
sures and the loss of three officers killed. The fugi-
tive mutineers fled in the direction of Belgaum by
the Kagul road, hoping that a rising concerted
there by lepers from Kolapore had been suc-
',nonfat and"' not knowing 'that those letters
had been intercepted. The failure of this
correspondence saved Belgaum, from which
imminent danger was averted chiefly by the excel-
, lent arrangements of Mr. Selori Carr, through whose
activity the correspondence between the Moulvie
of Poonah and the Cares of Belgaum was discovered.
Still it was evident that the 28th and 29th were not
to be trusted, and accordingly it was resolved to
despatch troops in this direction. Colonel Legrand
Jacob, of the 27th (who has never yet seen his regi-
ment), was sent in chief command of the disaffected
district. There were already at Belgaum a detach-
ment of the 3rd Earopeans,the depot of H.M.'s 61ili,
and European Artillery. One wing of the 2nd
Europeans, just arrived from Kurrachee, left for Goa
and Vixiadroog, and on the 9th a company of H.:ll.'s
33rd, just arrived from the Mauritius, and a com-
pany of the 86th, left for Runnagherry. Steamers
were sent to take the ladies and treasure from the
latter place, as well as from Belgaum, Kolapore, and
Dharwar. Hopes are now entertained that the ar-
rival of English troops, not expected in such a
season as this, will put an effectual stop to all future
rebellious or mutinous movements in the South
Mahratta country.
On the 13th, a Jet chief, named Shah Mull, was
attacked and routed, with a loss of 600 men, the
Shah himself remaining on the ground. The most
active measures have been taken at Meerut to
strengthen the place, which is now surrounded with
earthworks.
The latest news we have received from Delhi de-
scribes the besieging force as hearty,andahle to hold
is ground until the arrival of reinforcements.
Great activity characterises the proceedings of Sir
John Lawrence in the Punjaub. When the re-
bellion first broke out, four augmentation companies
of infantry were prepared, from which it has been
determined that four new regiments should be
formed. These are to be embodied immediately,
and they will no doubt soon be in a fit state for
action. The depots are to be at the stations of
Umballa, Phillour (Loodhiana), Meehan Jhelum,
Peshawar Kohat, and Ilehra Ismail Khan.

All future trouble from mutinous Sepoys is ended
by the disarmament of the 39th Bengal Native In-
fantry at Behr& Ismail Khan (on the Indus) and the
capture of most of the Peshawar and Sealkote
rebels.

The Anal rout of the 65th men who endeavoured
to mike their way out of the l'unjauli bills was pro-
duced by the assistance of the chiefs on the borders
of Cashmere. The rebels attempted to proceed by
way of Khogun and Koubar into Cashmere, having
failed in obtaining from the chiefs permission to
pass unmolested. They were encountered by the
Synds of Khogun and people of Koubar, beaten, and
dispersed. Thirty-two Sepoys sent in after the en-
gagement were received by Major Beecher, com-
mandant in Benue, and executed.

Brigadier-Generi;l Nicholson, whom we had left
watching the Sealkote mutineers at the lrimmoo
Ghent, on the Raver, after their first defeat, at-
tacked them a second time moat successfully on the
16th of July.
The remnants of the Sealkote mutineers found
their way into Cashmere, and were there disarmed,
and sent in by the authorities of Ghoolab Singh at
Juarouta. Sixty-eight of them, belonging to the
9th Cavalry and 46th N. 1., were immediately exe-
cuted by order of Lieut. .11'Nfahon, the assistant-
commissioner, who marched some days before from
Sealkote with 300 new levies.

An insurrectionary movement in Swat, near Pc-
shnwur, was put down by the activity of our autho-
rities. The Lahore bulletin of the 28th July gives
the only account of this affair u follows:

A feoatival Moulvie from Swat had moved down and set
up his @tended in the notorious village of Niramode' on the
eaten, bootie of Easufraie, where with a munber of his
follower. he we attached on the 21st ingant by detach-
mente from the Mountain Train Battery from Wild's and
Vaugtames Corp. of Pookaub Intone, and some police hone.
The village we carried by smelt after a stout resastanee, 55
of the enemy were killed, and many wounded. The Moulvie
contrived to make himself searee early in the fight, having
apparently on a neater lie t• of them no relish for the glories
of martyrdom.
The heat endured by oar troops during this short expe-
dition is reported to have been execeive, and nine Sepoys
(aid of 10 airsick down) were killed by Coup de Bard.

The Lahore Bulletin of the 29th says:
At 111.111.1112 Subsdar Ilej. or liabur Khan, of the 69th N. 1.,
has been eousiet,4 before e general court martial of mutinous
and seditnota conduct, end executed by being blown away
from a gun, in the presence of all the tronpa paraded for the
purpoec;come others of this regiment are to be brought to
trial. end great praise is due In Major C. Chamberlain, wbo,
aided by ,oimo of hie excellent native officers (in eapecial
Meer thicket Allq Wurdee Maier), bee succeeded in dis-
ooverinr the be.. treachery meditated by these miscreants
end esmbli•bing it by proof. One hundred and twenty-one
of the Sealkom mutineer., brought In from the Jmroutith
Mama, hays been summarily executed.
Perfect order has been restored at Sealkote.
Brigadier Brind, who, it seems, was shot at by hi
own servant, is dead of his wound. This man was
a llindoo, and so it appears that ths Rev. Mr.
Hunter and his family were killed by Hindoos,
Mr. Montgomery issued orders by which all places
held by Ilindoos under government were to be taken
from them and given to deserving Punjaubees.
BOMBAY, Averse 13.

The weakness of trusting to men who are actuated
apparently by no motives which Europeans can un-
derstand has been curiously exemplified by an out-
break at Ilinapore. Amongst the few regiments of
Bengal Native Infantry which had hitherto remained
quiescent were the 7th, Bth, and 40th. Owing, no
doubt, to the presence of her Majesty's 10th Regi-
ment of Infantry and a battery of artillery manned
by Europeans, these regiments maintained their
loyalty so long as no suspicions were shown as to
their intentions. Like many other bodies of Sepoys,
they served on more than one occasion in putting
down rebellious movements; and no fears were
conceived regarding them, when strong bodies
of Europeans were in their rear coming
up from Calcutta, and in their front mov-
ing towards Cawnpore. This was the very
time, however, which the seloys took to rebel,
pushed to it unfortunately by injudicious measures
adopted by the authonties. Suspicions being en-
tertained of their fidelity, the regiments, instead of
being disarmed, were ordered to surrender their
percuuion cape on the '24th of July. They refused
to obey, and their disobedience was not punished.
They were allowed to remain in a state of semi-
mutiny for several hours, during which General
Lloyd, instead of taking means to enforce obedience,
is described u having gone on board a vessel in the
Ganges with several other officers. Whether this
be true or false, as I have not present means of
ascertaining, there is no doubt that the semis re-