Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-27 00:00:00

INDIA.

The following summary of events since the
departure of the last mail, is given by the Calcutta
Englishman of the 22nd of December :
The intelligence we have to forward by the present
eliPortunity, is not of a cheering character, but it will
not take by surprise those of our readers who have paid
attention to the repeated remarks we have offered regard-
ing the manner in which military operations have been
carried on for several months past. In our last paper we
adverted to the peculiar tactics pursued by the Corn-
luaonder-in-Chief, which consisted in nothing but march-
riveiand countermarching, and in crossing and recrossing
rirs and the same movements' appear to have con-
nued.
From the disposition of the various columns and
their constant movements the public were lead to believe
that the rebels were completely encircled, and their retreat
,endered impossible —in fact, that they had no alterna-
re but to surrender or fight it nut. To us, however,
these representations appeared deceptive, because we
Tld not help noticing that, while an immense force was
being concentrated within Oude, several districts bor-
-I;ering on that kingdom were actually denuded of
'4lropean troops, so that in that direction, at all events,
11,0 adequate force could be opposed to the progress of
the rebels should they manage to escape the attacking
linins, and we regret to say that our apprehensions
have been fully realised. No battle has been fought, no
action has taken place, not even a skirmish has occurred,
but the rebels, almost coming up to the muzzles of our
rills, have once more made their escape, and in derision
of our military tactics fired a sort of feu de joie in
crossing the river, which the marching and counter-
marching of our troops were particularly intended to
prevent. Tantia Topee has thus once more escaped, and
the Nana, who suddenly turned up again, has with all
his followers, for the twentieth time, eluded' pursuit ; nay,
it is even asserted that en passant he stopped at Bithoor,
his former residence, to dig up and carry away with him
the treasure buried' there. Other rebels have escaped
with equal success, and thus the necessity of marching
and countermarching occurs afresh again. It is im-
Possiblnto steel our minds against the belief that the
rebels understand stratagems of war better than a
generta.of the Commander-in-Chief's experience, and we
therefore can come to the 'only conclusion that it was a
Part of the policy pursued by the Governor-General pur-
'poselvto allow the rebels another loophole of escape, in
the }cope that they might still avail themselves of the
proffered amnesty. _ _ _ _

- From private 'letters received from the camp it would
appear that the real object of Government was not to cut
up the rebels, but to coerce them into an acceptance of the
promised amnesty, for it has been asserted that our
troops had received•positive instructions not to fire on'the
enemy, but patiently wait till he fired first. The result
of all this is that the several columns are now again in
pursuit of the fugitive rebels, and it is only to be hoped
that on coming up with them our generals will act upon
`their own responsibility, and do their duty. While
'writing this we learn that General Napier overtook the
force under Ferozeshah at Ranode, and defeated it with
teat slaughter, thus clearly proving that as soon as the
direct influence of the Commander-in-Chief ceases, and
Generals act upon their own judgment, a great and
crowning victory is the result.
The Governor-General has made up his mind to return
to the Presidency, and his establishments have received
orders to hold themselves in readiness. His Lordship is
expected to arrive in Calcutta by the 14th of neat month,
and will then resume the office of President in Council,
hitherto so ably held by the Hon. John Peter Grant.
The Lieutenant-Governor is still in the districts on his
official tour, but will probably return by the end of this
Month.
it r
A private letter from Allababad says that Loll Canning,
eparted will leave that city for the Presidency
shortly.
The Rajah of Shahgurh has been pardoned by Govern-
ent.

purr game letter also says that the magistrate of
or, u.elcabad has imposed a fine on certain villages for not
'l3°Blng the progress of the fugitive Rajah of Mynpoorie.

ServiceGOVERNMENT MESSAGES.
'Message from G. F. Edmondstone, Esq., dated
Allahabad, 18th December, 5.30 p.m.
r ges of the 13th and 14th, which have been
eceived from the Political Agent at Gwalior, though not
in clear,
verty °le showed that the rebels under Ferozeshah were
hY r neighbourhood of the Seinde River, closely pressed
Sir Robert Napier, and were crossing and re-crossing
"e with the object apparently of evading the Major-
nara.l's force. Intelligence 'from Gwalior of the 16th
wigreed—eil _l.
vAt 10 a.m. of-the 15th Sir Robert Napier
hadaS fa at igurwur, intending to go into Arnold. His guides
iled him. The position of the rebels on that day
not certainly known.—Englishown, Dec. 20.
—rorn S Copy of Service Message by Electric Telegraph.
rir William O' Shaughnessy, Sunday evening, Dec.
the 19th, 7 p., to Calcutta and Madras, to C. Beadon,
4:1•1 Lord Harris, and for publication.
Most Urgent.--I have just 'received intelligence from
thMore that on the 17th instant General Napier overtook
ille rebels under Ferozeshah at Ranode, and defeated
cit. with great -slaughter. The rebels were-charged by
e 14th Dragoons, who pursued them over-a plain for
eight miles. Captain Prettyjohn, of the Dragoons.
Wounded ; no officers killed.
Service Message from G. F. Edmonstone, Esq., dated

_
Allahabad, Dec. 20.
On the 16th Brigadier Macduff pursued and drove from
heir position some 200 or 300 obels under Binjone
trgh, who were plundering a village in the vicinity of
kin& river ; several of the rebels were killed and
ii°llllded Night prevented the Brigadier from following
e rebels further. They fled into the dense jungles in
Ttheir rear. A force has been sent from Goonab, by
aPtain Mayne, towards Essanghur, the rebels under
erozeshah being reported to be atSeenee, eight toss
north of that place. Intelligence from Gwalior, just
received states that on the 17th Sir Robert Napier's
force beat, and pursued with slaughter, for eight miles,
the rebels under Ferozeshah. Captain (?) Mintic, with
dragoons,l4 _ captured six elephants. Captain Pretty-
John, Dragoons, wounded, besides eight or ten men ; none
killed.—Englishman, Dec. 22.