Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-10-01 00:00:00

DINAPORE-ARRAN,

The mutineers from Ditoa.dore, who were allowed to
retire from that place without molestation, although
there were 1,200 European troops in the cantonment,
retreated towards the Soane, and destroyed the railway
bridge across that river. They next proceeded to Arrah,
where they destroyed the bungalows, and besieged a
fortified position, to which the Europeans, and a small party
of Sikhs, had" retired. A native proclaimed himself
Rajah at Arrah, and assumed the functions of royalty.
In the meantime' detachments of her Majesty's 10th
and 37th Regiments, consisting of 250 men, under-
the command of Captain Dunbar, fUth Foot, were
sent is a steamer to the neighbourhood of Arrah, to
chastise the mutice rs. This detachment fell into an
ambuscade, and was almost entirely destroyed, about 140
of them having been killed. The troops were landed from
the steamer in the dark, a native having brought a false
message, which the commanding officer believed, that the
magistrate of Arish had sent for relief; and shortly ar,er-
wards, without being able to defend and protect themselves,
they were shot down in deems by the rebels, who were in
ambush behind a wall. Most of the officers being killed,
the survivors of the unfortunate party made their way
towards the river, and succeeded in getting on board
the steamer. More than flf:y mei were killed,
and many of those who escaped were wounded. Oae
officer and about sixteen men, being separated from the
others, proceeded by lead to Dinapore, which they
reached in safety. Amongst the officers killed were
Captain D inbar, her Majesty's 10 h Foot ; Lieutenant
Anderson, late 221; Lieutenant Ingilby, late 7th ; Ensign
Site, her Majesty's 37th ; and Ensign Erskine, her
Majesty's 10th Foot. The mate of the steamer and a
railway volunteer were also killed. Lieutenant Sandwith,
her Majesty's 10,h, Ensign Vernon, late 40th, Dr. Jackson,
and Messrs. Garstin, and Macdonald, volunteers, were
wounded in this melancholy affair. Tne rebels hung the
de id holies of the Europeans to trees, and took their
Enflield rifles, greased cartridges and all, which many of
them used. They did not, however, long enjoy their
triumph, as they have had a severe .beating by Major
Eyre, who attacked them at Arrab. lee had three
guns, 60 gunners, 150 of the 7th Fusiliers, and 12 gen-
tlemen volunteers from Buser. The mutineers num-
bered about 2,500 men, some of them with Enfield
rifles. They fought desperately, charging the gun', but
were beaten back, and the little garrison at Arrah, consist-
ing of 45 Sikhs, 12 gentlemen, and a lady, were rescued by
our brave little fcece. The rebels have gone to Sasseram,
on the Grand Trunk Road. Some reports say that the
mutineers a .e entrenching themselves; others that they are
marching to the Kurrumnassee. A party of Europeans is
going after them from Benue'. They have cut the tele-
graph wire, and stopped the dak, in consequence of which
our communication with Calcutta was interrupted for
several days. The conduct of Gen. Lloyd, who commanded
at Dinapore, when the mutin occurred, and who its
indirectly responsible for the disaster at Arrah, bats
been severely criticised by the Indian press. The
Supreme Government have also taken notice of the
conduct, having suspended him from command, and he is
also, it is said, to be brought to trial for letting the
mutineers escape. The system, however, which places in-
capable and imbecile men, who ought to be on the retired
list, in important commands in India, is chiefly at fault;
and unless a radical change is made by sweeping it away,
no good can arise from the prosecution of individuals after
the mischief has been done. Sir James Outram, who has
been again nominated Chief Commissioner in Ou le, has
been appointed to the Dinapore command pro tem , and
will no doubt discomfit the mutineers, as seventeen
hundred troops had arrived from China, and were being
sent up towards the disturbed districts.