The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-17 00:00:00

LONDON, 'AIONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 1853.

OVERLAND MAIL.

INDIA AND CHINA.

We have received by extraordinary express, in
anticipation of the overland mail, papers from
Bombay to the 17th December ; Calcutta, 7th
December ; Hong Kong (China), 29th November ;
Egypt (Alexandria), 6th January. By this mail
there is one month's later intelligence from our
Australian colonies.
The English mail of the 25th October reached
Agra, vi 4 Bombay, on the 29th, Delhi and Meerut
on the 30th November, and Lahore on the sth
December. The tnail of the Bth November reached
Bombay on the 7th December by the steamer
Aj daha.
The principal Indian news of the past fortnight
is the taking of Pegu on the 21st of November,
without almost any resistance. The force consisted
of Ist Bengal Fusiliers, Europeans, 300 men ; Ist
Madras Fusiliers, Europeans, 300 men; sth Madras
Native Infantry, 400 men ; Sappers and Miners,
60 men ; Artillery, 30 men : total, 1,090 men—
with two howitzers. The expedition left Rangoon
in three small steamers and a number of gun-boats
from her Majesty's ships on the 18th, and reached
its destination on the night of the 20th November.
On the following day, Sunday, the 21st, the city
fell into our hands after some tolerable show of
resistance, our loss being as follows :—Killed-2
rank and file Bengal Fusiliers ; 1 sergeant and 2
men sth Madras Native Infantry. Wounded—
Lieut. Cooke, sth Madras Native Infantry, com-
missariat department ; Lieuts. Whitlock and Clotee,
sth Madras Native Infantry ; Bengal Fusiliers, 9
men ; Madras Fusiliers, 1 sergeant and 14 men ;
stli Madras Native Infantry, 2 native officers, 2
sergeants, and 2 sepoys. Total killed, 5; wounded,
34. The first and last named officers were danger-
ously, and the second severely wounded. General
Godwin directed the operations of the day in per-
son. As usual, complaints are made of bad ar-
rangements, the troops were taken too far up the
river before being landed, and when they did land
they were close to the guns of the stockade, and
suffered severely, The best account of the affair
is given by the Bombay Times, which says—
" Pegu was gallantly captured on the 21st ultimo,
with a loss to us of five killed and 32 wounded, most of
the latter severely ; the attacking force consisted of a
Wing of the Bengal Fusiliers, a ditto Madras ditto, and
350 of the Madras sth Native Infantry, with two or
three guns of light calibre. This force left Rangoon in
the river steamers and boats of her Majesty's steamers
Fox and Sphinx, on the morning of the 18th ; and on
the morning of the 19th reached Pegu. On the 20th
they were landed during the night, and, after a
sharp fire from the stockade, carried it at the point
of the bayonet. The Burmese resisted well so long as
the wooden barrier existed between them and the
invaders, but bolted the instant the head of the column
showed inside. Old Godwin, of course, commanded,
he not being inclined to allow any of his numerous divi-
sional and brigadier officers to reap the honours. The
enemy expected we should have attacked them at the
further corner of the stockade, which they had very
strongly fortified, all ready to give the troops a warm
reception. They had, however, fortunately for them,
placed a boom, or rather posts, across the river, which
compelled the steam vessels to anchor below the river.
Our loss chiefly consists of men of the sth Madras Na-
tive Infantry, who remained at the corner of the stock-
ade near the landing place, .keeping up a fire on the
Burmese to distract the attention of the enemy from the
Europeans, who were making a rapid advance along the
the face of the work, slightly sheltered from observation
by the grass and shrubs ; the ditch was found to be
quite impassable, being so muddy that a man sunk
nearly waist deep in it.
As a garrison for Pegu, 200 of the Madras Fusi-
liers and as many of the sth Madras Native In-
fantry, with some artillery, were left behind ; the
remainder of the force returned to Rangoon. The
enemy from Pegu fled in the direction of Toonghoo,
from whence they would require to be frightened—
beaten away does not apply to such miserable war-
fare. An unfortunate affair occurred near Procne
on the 19th, in which Captain Gardner and a ser-
geant of the 40th Madras Native Infantry were
killed and six sepoys wounded. The following
account of the mishap is given in the Rangoon
letter of the Calcutta Englishman of the 2d inst. :

The evening before last news was brought down by a
gun-boat of a disastrous affair at Akoktoung, disastrous
because a small detachment of our troops there was re-
pulsed, being overpowered by numbers, and more espe-
cially disastrous, and at the same time fell Capt. Gardner
of the 40th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry ; he was
one of the finest officers in the service. The following
account of the affair has been gathered from the report
of the officer commanding the Enterprise steamer, sta-
tioned at Akoktoung. A detachment of the 40th Regi-
ment Bengal Native Infantry, under Captain Gardner,
was attachd to the Enterprise, with instructions to visit
the Akoktoung-hill once a day. On the morning of the
18th the detachment landed, and marched over the brow
of the eastern part of the hill, which is separated by a
creek from the western, without any molestation, and
without even seeing any one, although several armed
men were observed on both sides of the hill from the
Enterprise, whom a shell or two served to disperse. On
the morning of the 10th Captain Gardner determined to
land on the other hill, and he resolved to attempt its
raor
ue
ntdwe
do
bwyh
thick
pagodas onT
ht he epl
as leoopeee
leo
ascent from the village of Tomboo just above. There
ef
rh illal,n
dsiunrg-
cftetil
is a plain extending from the jungle to the river. As
soon as the troops approached the jungle a jingal was
fired from the summit of the hill as a signal evidently, as
the troops were noc within range of it. The detachment
soon after entered the jungle alluded to, through which
a pathway passes close to the two white pagodas on the
ridge of the hill ; this road is so narrow as not to admit
two abreast, is very precipitous in most places, and is
skirted by thick brushwood. The men did not advance
far before the Burmese opened fire on them from this
jungle in which they were lying in ambuscade, and were
informed of the approach of our troops by the signal
gun. Captain Gardner, who was in front, was imme-
diately shot dead by a jingal ball in the head ; a
havildar just behind him met with a similar fate. The
number of Burmese in this advantageous position,
whence they could see the movements of our fellows
from their lurking places, without themselves being
seen, seemed very considerably. The Subadar left in
command of the party appears to have made a good at-
tempt to push his way, inasmuch as six of his men were
wounded—two dangerously. They were, however, so
hard pressed as to render it impossible to bring away the
body of the fallen officer and of the havildar, which
were in consequence left in the hands of the Burmese.
There is no doubt both were killed on the spot. The
sepoys retired to the river side, according to the testi-
mony of those who saw them, with perfect steadiness
and in good order. One is at once struck with the
strange impropriety of allowing so strong a place as
Akoktoung, with its commanding hill, to remain ungar-
lrisoned, a detachment of 50 men, Europeans or natives,
was surely not sufficient to prevent the enemy from re-
possessing themselves of this commanding high ground.
Had the detachment been located on the eminence
with instructions to hold their own, that would have
been as much as could have been expected of them ;
but to send 50 men under ono European officer to
scour ground, the nature of which afforded concealment
to considerable bodies of the enemy, seems unaccount-
ably rash. _ _

General Godwin returned to Rangoon on the 24th
November, in the steamer Mahanuddy, the Ner-
budda remaining at Pegu. A couple of Europeans
are said to have been cut off by cholera after the
occupation of the city. Nothing particular has been
heard from Prome, where provisions are said to be
exceedingly scarce. Out of 1,400, men who garrison
Martaban, 870 were in hospital ; and an equal
number of sick were unfit for duty at Maulmain in
the early part of November, the European com-
pany of artillery having only fifteen men in bar-
racks. The detachments posted at Dallas Passen-
down, and Kemmendine, had put a stop to the rob-
beries and murders before so common about these
places, and everything was quiet. An expedition
of gun-boats started from Rangoon on the night of
the 24th, to scour the Dalla creeks. On the 26th
Reid's battery, a portion of H.M. 51st Light In-
fantry, and a number of the Ramghur batallion
horse, started from Prome by steam ; and General
Godwin was to follow shortly after. On his arri-
val there, the stockade at Etheo
. men was to be cap-
tured. Further than Prome, is believed, our
force will not advance until forced. There seems
to be no doubt entertained.of the annexation of the
country up to that city.

The subjoined are the Pegu dispatches :
GENERAL ORDER BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA

IN COUNCIL.

Fort William, Foreign Department, Dec. 6, 1852.
The Governor-General in Council has much satisfaction
in publishing,gfor general information, dispatches which
have been received from his Excellency Commodore Lam-
bert, and from Major-General Godwin, C. 8., reporting the
capture and occupation of the town of Pegu, after resist-
ance, and with some loss.
The Governor-General in Council desires to express his
full approbation of the steadiness and gallantry that have
been displayed by all who wore engaged upon this service.
His Lordship in council offers his best thanks to Major-
General Godwin, C.B. ; to Brigadier N'Neill, in command
with the guns ;
Tudor,
of the troops ; to Commander Shadwell, R.N., who di-
rected the naval arrangements ; to Lieutenant-Colonel
Rifle Company,
Bengal Fusiliers ; to Major Hill, Madras Fusiliers ;
to Major Shubrick, sth Madras, N.I. ; to Captain Mallock
sth Madras N.I.
and Captain Brown in command of the
adju-
tant-general
Captain
Ha'
t His Lordship in council desires also to offer his thanks
o the officers of the stiff, to Major Mayhew, deputy ad'u-
y Major oulderson, deputy judge-advocate-
mßilton, assistant adjutant-general ;

Captain Darroch, deputy assistant quartermaster-general
Captain Burne, military socretal y ; Captain Renaud, bri
gade-major ; Captain Latter, interpreter with the force
Captain Chads, A.D.C. ; and to all the officers, non-com.
missioned officers, soldiers, and sailors who were engaged
upon the expedition.
_

137 order of the Moat Noble the Governor-pleneral of
India in Council,

C. ALLEN, Offg. Secy. to the Govt. of India.
COPIES.
FROM HIS EXCELLENCY COMMODORE G. R. LAMBERT, COM-
MANDER-IN-CHIEF, TO C. ALLEN, ESQ., SECRETARY TO
THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, CALCUTTA. '
Dated her Majesty's ship Fox, at Rangoon,
25th November, 1852. e-
Sir,—Major General. Godwin having decided! on driving
the enemy out of the city of Pegu, where the had re-as-
sembled, and occupying it with a British force, I placed at
his disposal four small steamers and the boats of the squa-
dron under Commander Shadwell, of her Majesty's steam
sloop Sphinx, and have the honour to forward to you, for
the information of the most noble the Governor General
in Council, the report of that officer detailing the result of
the expedition.—l have, &c.
(Signed) GEORGE R. LAMBERT,
Commodore Ist Class, Commander-in-Chief.
(Reporting Proceedings of Expedition to Pegu.)
No. 7.
Her Majesty's steam-sloop Sphinx's Gig,
attached to the H. Co.'s steamer Mahanuddy,
Pegu, 23rd November, 1852.
FROM COMMANDER CHARLES D. A, !MAMMA TO HIS
EXCELLENCY COMMODORE G. R. LAMBERT, COMMANDER-
IN-CHIEF.

Sir,—l have the honour to report, for your Excellency's
information, the proceedings of the expedition to Pegu.
The troops having embarked at Rangoon, on the evening of
the 18th inst., on board the Hon. Company's steamers Ma-
hanuddy, Nerbudda, Damooda, and Lord William Ben-
tinck, as set forth in the accompanying memorandum, show-
ing the details of the whole force, dropped down the river,
below the Hastings' Shoal, and waited for the moraing
tide. A convoy of boats containing provisions, stores, and
camp followers, escorted by the gun boats, under the com-
mand of Lieut. Mason, preceding the steamers on the after-.
nom of-the 18th. Weighing at early daylight on the 19th,
and taking the whole of the flood tide with them, the ves-
sels, led by the Lord William Bentinek, proceeded up the
Pegu River, and arrived in the evening at stations a few
miles below Pegu. The Lord William Bentinck, more for-
tunato than the rest (Mr. Digney having previously ac-
quired some knowledge of the river on a former Occasion),
reached a point two miles below the position it was pro-
posed to take up ; the Damooda, Nerbudda, and Maha-
nuddy remaining for the night at stations lower down the
river. _

The further advance of the vessels on the following day
was tedious, and a matter of considerable difficulty, owing
to the decreasing width and depth of the channel, and the
serpentine bends of the river. By the evening the Lord
William Bentinck had pushed on to a position about a
quarter of a mile below the S.E. angle of the old ruined
City of Pegu : the Nerbudda reached a point half a
mile further down, the Damooda three quarters, and
Mahanuddy a mile and three quarters below the Lord
William Bentinck. After anchoring, the Major-General
accompanied by some staff officers and myself, proceeded
up the river to reconnoitre and make arra,ngerce its for
landing on the following morning. In tho evening, and
during the early part of the night, some desultory firing
took place from the enemy's river stockades on the
headmost steamer, which we returned by her and the
boats, while picquots were thrown out from the steamers
on the banks timing the Right, to prevent the accident of a
night attack.
The disembarkation of the troops commenced on the
following morning, Sunday, 21st, at 4 a.m., each steamer
landing her mon on the loft bank of the river, abreast of
her own position, from whence the different columns
marched along the bank to the point of conoontration
abreast of the headmost steamer, the Lord William Ben-
tinck. At the same time the artillery, two 24-pounder
howitzers, (whiai had been previously transferred from
the Mahanuddy to the paddle-box boats,) were landed by
the seamen under the direction of Commander Lambert.

• The ancient city of Pegu is of a quadrangular form ;
the ruined walls or ramparts are still clearly defined, and
aro surrounded on all sides by a moat, much choked with
mud and rubbish, its sides being a mile and three quarters
in length, the Pagoda, which forms the key of the position,
lying in the N.E. division of the space, enclosed by the
ruined ramparts.
The enemy, whose numbers are stated to have amounted
to between three and four thousand, were strongly posted
at the south-east angle of the walls, and also along the
river front of their position, which was strongly stockaded.
Tho enemy made no opposition to our landing, owing to
our movements being concealed by the fog which prevailed
in the early morning. The concentration of the troops and
the arrangements for the advance were completed by about
6.30 a.m.; and at seven the advance commenced, the
columns moving along the outer edge of the southernmost
towards the eastward, so as to turn the flank of the ene-
my's position, their progress being necessarily extremely
slow on account of the difficult nature of the ground,
which was covered with high grass and jungle, and over
which there was no regular road. The enemy immediately
commenced a sharp fir, which soon caused some casualties,
and as the troops advanced along the edge of the moat,
they moved along the ramparts parallel to them, and main-
tained a constant fire. At about 9.15 the European troops
who were in advance reached a point opposite to a broken
opening in the rampart, where the moat seemed passable,
and after a short halt to refresh the men, and form them
under cover of a wood, they advanced at 9.45 a.m. in
columns of attack, charged gallantly across the moat,
entered the lino of the enemy's defence, and drovethe Burmese before them, the enemy retreating to-
wards the Pagoda. I had remained a little behind to
assist the advance of the Artillery, about which the
General had been anxious, and on my arrival at 10
a.m. had the satisfaction of seeing our troops in pos-
session of the enemy's ramparts. After refreshing
the men the troops advanced at 10.45 a,m. to the left along
the bund towards the line of the river defences, for the
purpose of dispersing the enemy in that quarter ; but on
perceiving them in full retreat
towards the Pagoda, owing
to the efficient fire of shell and canister, which, from the
commencement of the affair had been kept up on them by
the Lord William Bentinck and the gun boats, the general
countermarched the troops to the right again, and returned
to our original position. At 12 o'clock the columns again
advanced by the direct road leading towards the Pagoda,
without meeting any opposition, and on arriving near it, at
0.45 p.m., the columns wore formed for the assault. On
approaching it we perceived some Burmese stealthily
watching our movements ;
our men advanced with a rush ;
the enemy fired a volley and fled ; we entered the Pagoda,
and Pegu was oars.

It could scarcely be expected that this service could bo
performed without some loss, and I regret to say that the
military force had six men killed and thirty-one wounded,
including among the latter three officers. Most provi-
dentially none of the seamen in the boats or on board the
Lord William Bentinck (which vessel alone was near
enough to take part in the attack) were either killed or
wounded, although continually exposed to a warm fire.
It is with much gratification that I have to report to
your Excellency the zeal, energy, and good conduct of the
officers and seamen attached to the expedition. To Com-
mander Rowley Lambert, of ll.M.'s ship Fox, praise is
due for the able manner in which the guns were promptly
landed by the seamen under his direction, and subsequently
for the efficient manner in which he directed the fire from
the gun-boats, on the enemy's position, by which thdy
were ultimately dislodged. Messrs. Digney, Porter, Ber-
wick, and Simpson, respectively commanding the honour-
able company's steamers, deserve great credit for the per-
severance and energy they displayed in pushing their
vessels up the river under circumstances of most difficult
navigation, as well as for their general assistance. Lieu-
tenants Mason and Glover, and Mr. Pocock, mate, and the
subordinate officers in charge of boats acquitted themselves
to my entire satisfaction. The services of Mr. J. F. John-
son, assistant surgeon of H.M.S. Sphynx, were extremely
valuable in attending on the wounded, many of whom were
sent on board the Lord William Bentinck at the com-
mencement of the affair. Commander Beauchamp Sey-
mour, R.N., accompanied the expedition as a volunteer,
and was present with the Major-General commanding
throughout the operations of the day.—l have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES D. A. SHADWELL,
Commander.
Memorandum showing the strength of the Expedition to
Pegu, 18th November, 1852.
H. C. S. V. Mahanuddy, J. Siinsont Esq., commanding ;
Major-Gen. Godwin and staff; 50 Bengal Fusiliers ; 50
Madras Fusiliers ; 120 Fifth Madras Native Infantry ; 39
Artillery, 2 guns.
H. C. S. V. Nerbudda, W. Potter, Esq., commanding ;
Brigadier Mc Neil and staff, 250 Madras Fusiliers,
H. C. S. V. Damooda, A. Berwick, Esq., commanding;
250 Bengal Fusiliers.
H. C. S. V. Lord William Bentinck, J. Digney, Esq.,
commanding ; 250 Madras Light Infantry.
H. M. S. Fox's, Commander Rowley Lambert ; pinnace,
Lieutenant Mason, Mr. Dunlop, midshipman, 15 men ;
barge, Mr. C. Pocock, mate, and Mr. Lucas, midshipman,
13 men ; gig, Mr. W. Dawes, midshipman, 6 men ; glut
boat, Mr. A. Villiers, midshipman, 6 men.
11. M. S. Sphinx's, Commander Charles D. A. Shad-
well ; Ist paddle-box boat, Lieutenant J. H. Glover, 15
men ; 2nd paddle-box boat, Mr. A. lNlorphy, master's
assistant, 15 men • conveying 30 Sappers each, the first
towed by the H. C. S. V. Nerbudda, the second by the
H. C. S. V. Damooda. Cutter, Mr. A. Webb, midship-
man, 9 men ; gig, Mr. W. E. Cookson, midshipman, 5
men; Mr. J. F. Johnson, Assistant Surgeon.
(Signed) CHARLES D. A. SHADWELL, Commander.
Reported further proceedings and return of Expedition
from Pegu.

No. 8.

S. Sphinx, Rangoon, Nov. 24, 1852.
PROM COMMANDER CHARLES D. A. SHADWELL TO HIS
EXCELLENCY COMMODORE LAMBERT.
Sir,—ln continuation of my letter No. 7, relative to the
expedition to Pegu, I have the honour to inform your Ex-
cellency that in accordance with the wishes of the Major-
General commanding the force, the troops whom it was
proposed should return to Rangoon were embarked on board
the Hon. Company's steamers Mahanuddy, Damooda, and
Lord William Bentinck, on the evening of the 22d. The
two latter vessels left for Rangoon on the morning of the
23d, and General Godwin and staff having embarked on
board the Mahanuddy during the afternoon, that vessel
proceeded and returned to Rangoon at noon this day. A
garrison of 430 men remains at Pegu, 230 Europeans, and
200 Sepoys. The major-general at first wished the Ner-
biulda to remain at Pegu for a few days, but having sub-
sequently changed his mind, I ordered that vessel to re-
turn also, and desired one of the Sphinx's paddle-box boats
to remain until further orders. My Bamadistan, in charge
of tho yawl of her Majesty's ship Winchester, arrived at
Pegu with a convoy of provision boats from Rangoon on
the morning of the 23d. I hare instructed that officer to
return to Rangoon with the empty boats as soon as they
have been cleared.—l have, &c.,_ (Signed)
CHARLES D. A. SHADWELL, Commander.
Copy.—No. 16.

nog MAJOR-GENERAL H. GODWIN, C. 8,. COMMANDING
THE FORCES IN AVA, ARRACAN, AND THE TENASSERIM
PROVINCES, TO C. ALLEN, ESQ., SECRETARY TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
Foreign Department, Dated Pegu, Nov. 22, 1852.
(‘ Sir,—l have the honour to state for tho information of

the Governor-General in Council that Pegu was captured
yesterday. In June last I was induced by strong represen-
tation from various sources to send a small force to drive
out some Burmese from Pegu. We had had some friendly
intercourse with the inhabitants of that place, who declared
to me that if they wero put again in possession of their
town they would be able to hold it. There was an armed
party of Taliens at the time from the villages around who
promised their support. The Burmese were driven out,
and the people recovered possession of their town ; but, as
I feared, they did not hold it a week. At this time it
would have been inconvenient in many ways to have sta-
tioned a force there at the commencement of the monsoon. '
Since that time I have had various reports of the enemy
being in great force at Pc2,-u, and that they had thrown up
strong defences on the river, and from it to the Pagoda,
within the site of the old city ; they became troublesome
also to several villages between this and Rangoon. As the
army will shortly be at Promo, with a garrison only at
Rangoon, it became imperative to take possession of and
garrison Pegu.
I had determined upon this for some time, and the three
small river steamers, with the Mahanuddy, having re-
turned from Prome on the 16th of November, I arranged
with Commodore Lambert, that the troops should embark
on Thursday evening the 18th, when 300 men of the lst
Bengal Fusiliers, under Colonel Tudor • 300 of the Ist
Madras Fusiliers, under Major Hill ; 400 men of the sth
Madras N. 1., under -Major Shubrick ; 70 Sappers, with
two 24-pounder howitzers, and 32 artillerymen, embarked
by seven o'clock p.m. This force I placed under the com-
mand of Brigadier lif`Neil, of the Madras army. I also
embarked with my own staff in the Mahanuddy, for the
purpose of accompanying the expedition. Commander
Shadwell, of the Royal Navy, had charge of the flotilla.
This town is situated about 60 miles from Rangoon, on a
fine creek called the Pegu river, which runs into the Ran-
goon river, just below the town of Rangoon.

We started on Friday morning, the 19th, at day-break,
and in consequence of the shallow water were obliged to
anchor about two miles below Pegu at sunsent, on the
evening of the 20th. The troops commenced disembarking
at four a.m. the next morning, and were all assembled on
shore by half-past six o'clock ; and when I joined the force
at this hour I found it buried in high grass jungle, and
the whole country enveloped in a thick fog. I was in sonic"
degree aware of the position of the enemy, from a plan I
had had in my possession for some time, furnished by
Captain Latter, he having accompanied thei former expe-
dition in June, but not the particulars of it until I saw it
on the ground. The site of the old city wherein the enemy
was posted is formed by a square surrounded by a high
bund, each side of which is presumed to be about two
miles in length. Tho west side facing the river and the
square is surrounded by a wet moat, between 70and 80 paces
wide. From the south-west angle there is a causeway over
the moat, close to, and parallel with, the river. This
causeway the enemy had made exceedingly strong by tra-
verses, and breaking it down at various intervals to prevent
our advance. On the whole of the south face of the bund,
fronting our position, they had bodies of troops stationed,
extending for about a mile and a quarter. As the cause-
way on the right of their position was so narrow that only
a file of men could advance along it against their numerous
musquetry and local impediments, I abandoned all idea of
attacking them there. It was therefore determined to force
our way along the moat and to turn the left of their posi-
tion on the south face of the square. Captain Latter, my
interpreter, who was with me, had with him a Burmese
who promised to find us a causeway leading into the bund
close to the left of their position. We commenced our ad-
vance, the Bengal Fusiliers leading covered by the Rifle
Company of the sth Madras Native Infantry, in file, and for
two hours was this force struggling through:. the almost im-
penetrable grass and jungle along the outer edge of the
moat, and exposed to a very warm fire from the enemy.
We at last reached a part of tho moat which admitted of
passage for the troops, and marked by the extreme left of
the enemy's position, and where they had a strong post and
two guns. I hero directed Colonel Tudor to form a storm-
ing party of 150 of his own men and 100 of the Madras
Fusiliers, which the lieutenant-colonel led. At the signal
given they crossed the moat through mud and water, and
most gallantly stormed the enemy's post. We were now
masters of their position. Our own guns were actively
employed under Captain Mallock, at the spot from which
we first commenced our move, and after some time they
wore brought up, over almost impassable ground, nearly
to the spot where we effected our entrance into the enemy's
position, and they were protected by the Grenadiers of the
sth Madras Native Infantry, under Captain Wyndham.
After resting the troops for some time, and collecting the
wounded mon, we again advanced, by an excellent path,
in the direction of the large Pagoda. Wo suffered no mo-
lestation from the enemy, but, on approaching the Pagoda,
I formed a party for its attack, under Major Hill of the
Madras Fusiliers, consisting of 100 of his own regiment,
with a similar number of the Bengal Fusiliers. They ad-
vanced up to the steps of the Pagoda, and on ascending
received a fire of musquotry, which they soon silenced,
and took possession of the place at about 1 o'clock, p.m.
The fatigues of the day were now over, and I am certain
that while they lasted no soldier ever met with more ardu-
ous ones, nor ever met the obstacles of such an advance
with more cheerful and steady perseverance than did this
little band of brave and determined men. The enemy, by
the least computation, could not number less than 5,000
men, evidently headed by people of consideration, by the
' numerous mounted people as well as elephants which were
seen retiring by the road to Sitang. Our loss is not nearly
what I apprehended in the morning it might have been ;
and considering the difficulties of the ground and exposure
to the enemy, I congratulate myself that it is, so small.
I have now to ask the Governor-General in Council's con-
sideration of the services performed on this expedition by
the officers and men engaged ; to Brigadier McNeil, who
formed up Ups force in the morning as it disembarked, and
whose indefatigable exertions during the day brought on
an exhaustion which occasioned me much distress to witness
and which deprived me of his valuable assistance for a short
time'; to Lieutenant-Colonel Tudor, of the Bengal Fusi-
liers, who led the storming party and carried the enemy's
position ; to Major Hill, of the Madras Fusiliers, who led
the party which carried the pagoda ; to Major Shubrick,
of the sth Madras Native Infantry, whose position in the
Bentinck which was considerably in advance of the rest
of the flotilla, called forth his greatest vigilance to protect
his people from the enemy who were around him, as also
for his exertions during the day ; to Captain Mallock, for
his exertions with the guns ; to Captain Brown, who com-
manded the Rifle Company of the sth Madras Native In-
fantry, who covered our advance, and whose conduct I
witnessed with much pleasure during the day. I feel most
particularly indebted to the attention and devotion paid
to the sick and wounded by the medical officers who accom-
panied the force. The brigadier has brought to my notice
Captain Renaud, his brigade-Major, whose services he
highly appreciates. To Captain Latter, whose distin-
guished gallantry on this as on all occasions has been con-
spicuous, as also to his local information and active assist-
ance, I beg to call your lordship's particular attention. To
Commander Shadwell, who had charge of the naval part of
this expedition, I am deeply indebted for the most unre-
mitting exertions by night and day, and for the disembar-
kation of the troops, which was conducted as quietly as ex-
peditiously. Neither the steamers nor the boats could get
up to the enemy's defences, owing to the shallowness of the
river. Captain Shadwell personally accompanied me
throughout the day. Will your lordship permit me to in-
troduce to your notice Commander B. Seymour, of the royal
navy, who is here on a visit to many friends, who accom-
panied me during the day, and whose conduct was conspicu-
ous on every occasion. To Major Mayhew, Deputy-Adjutant
General, Major Boulderson, Deputy Judge Advocate Ge-
neral, Captain Hamilton, Deputy Assistant Adjutant
General, Captain Da,rroch,Deputy Assistant Quartermaster
General, Captain Burne, Military Secretary, and Captain
Chads, Aide-de-Camp, the General and my personal staff,
whose duties were most arduous, being carried on on foot,
and whose exertions to keep up the communication with
the force in this broken ground were incessant, I beg to call
your lordship's attention.
I leave a garrison of 400 men, 200 of the Madras
Fusi-
liers, and 200 of the sth Madras Native Infantry with two
24-pounder howitzers and a detail of Artillery with 10
Sappers, which the upper terrace of the Pagoda will hold
most commodiously, including the magazines and stores.
This party will bo under the command of Major Hill, of
the Madras Fusiliers, a most excellent officer. Lieutenant
Campbell, of the Bengal Engineers, will see its necessary
defences. Eight guns were taken, and it is supposed that
more will be found. I purpose leaving this for Rangoon
to-morrow. Enclosing a list of casualties, I have the hon-
our to be, &c.,
(Signed) H. GODWIN, Major-General.
Commanding the Forces in Ava,
Arracan and the Tonasseiim Provinces.
HEAD-QUARTERS, PEGU, Nov. 22, 1852.—Return of
killed, wounded, and missing at the attack and capture of
the Pagoda and its defences at Pegu, on the 21st of No-
i,ember, 1852 :
General Staff—Wounded, one European officer.
Sappers and Miners—Wounded, one rank and file.
INFANTRY.—Ist European Bengal Fusiliers—Killed,
two rank and file • and wounded, nine rank and file.
Ist European dadras Fusiliers—Wounded, one sergeant
and fourteen rank and file.
sth Regiment Madras Native Infantry—Killed, one
has-ildar and two rank and file ; wounded, two European
officers, two native officers, two havildars, and two rank
and file.

European officers wounded—three.
Native officers wounded—two.
Warrant and non-commissioned officers, rank and file,
&e.—Killed, five ; and wounded, twenty-nine.
(Signed) H. GODWIN, Major-Genm al,
Commanding Army of Burmah.
(Signed) W. MASHEW, Major,
Deputy Adjutant-General.
orricras WOUNDED.
Madras Commissariat Department--Lieutenant W. Cook
(dangerously).
sth Regiment Madras Native Infantry—Lieutenant W.
H. Whiteloek (very severely).
sth Regiment Madras Native Infantry—Lieutenant H.
D. Cloote (dangerously).

(True copies.)
C. ALLZN,
Offg. Secretary to the Government of India.

In the Nizam's territories the greatest disorder
is said to exist. The Minister of that Prince con-
tinues to raise money by letting a certain tract of
country to one renter, and receiving a large sum
by way of closing the bargain, and then letting the
same land to a second or third, and perhaps even a
fourth bidder. The first party who takes posses-
sion of the villages—many of which contain small
forts, which could stand a considerable siege—or
tract of country, soon find other arrivals who dis-
pute his claims. A fight then ensues, and the
strongest party carry the day.
The flight of the Khagur chief has led to the
occupation of his fort by the irregular troops under
Major Abbott and Lieutenant Pearce. Major
Mackeson continued in the valley for some time
settling matters, and on the 19th Nov. the runaway
chief delivered himself up to him. Since then his
adherents have all followed his example, and peace
and quietness prevails throughout the Punjaub.
In Scinde, though considerably abated, sicknes
s
we continued very prevalent at Kurchee'' aensds
we have to announce the death there onra the 29th

[PRICE _ SD.

ult., of Assistant-Surgeon Bowes, of the 83rd Foot,
of fever. The health of the 83rd had improved,
but not so that of the wing of the 64th at Hydra-
bag. The European recruits left by steamer for
Mooltan on the 24th, and the wing of the 2nd
Grenadiers for Sukkur on the 26th. The Seinele
News office had been seized on by the military
authorities, and the publication of the paper sus-
pended. Why or wherefore is not stated.
In Bengal and the north-west provinces there is
little or no news. The parties who recently de-
frauded the Bank of Bengal, by means of forged
cheques, have been discovered—they are, or were,
employes in the establishment, as was suspected
from the first ; one of them has turned Queen's
evidence, although informed he would gain nothing
thereby. The Marquis of Dalhousie proceeds
shortly after New Year's-day on a tour through the
eastern provinces, and will be accompanied, among
others, by Mr. C. Beadon. The Darya-i-Noor dia-
mond, said to be a far purer gem than the cele-
brated Koh-i-Noor was sold at Calcutta on the
29th of November for i 5,9001. It formerly belonged
to the father of the present Prime Minister at Hy-
derabad, who obtained it from the Mahratta princes
for 13,0001.: how it got into the possession of the
late Runjeet Singh is not stated. A great number
of articles of value were also being disposed of by
Government ; amongst others the emerald armlets
of Nadir Shah and the state dress of Shere Singh.
Generally speaking, on the north-west frontier all
is quiet, and seems likely to remain so. Between
the 3d and Bth of this month there was a very con-
siderable fall of rain all across India, from the
Madras coast on the east to Bombay on the west.
This is a most rare occurrance at this season of the
year. The present season is, for Bombay, unusu-
ally cool and plea,sant.-
The Governor-General, and the Governors .of
Madras and Bombay, are at the seats of their re-
spective governments. Lord Falkland, the Gover-
nor of Bombay, returned to the presidency on Ist
instant, after an absence of nearly eight months in
the Deccan and
'Lord
hills. The Com-
mander-in-Chief, Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, is
at Poonah, inspecting the troops at that large sta-
tion. From Poonah he intends to push on to
Ahmednuggur, and thence to Doohlia, in Candeish,
and the disturbed districts. He has seen more of
the Poonah army during the month he has held
command than most of his predecessors have dur-
ing their five years tour on the staff as Com-
manders-in-Chief. Sir William 'Gomm is still in
the Himalayas, where he is amusing himself with
trips into the interior.

COMMERCIAL.
TUE CALCUTTA MARKET, DEC. 7, 1852.-- The Bombay
express, with London advices to the 25th of October
last, arrived on the evening of the Ist, followed by the
Oriental steamer, with the mail, on the sth instant.
The commercial intelligenc3 is again satisfactory, al
though the indigo sale did not terminate with thatbuoyancy
which its commencement led many here to anticipate.
In our export market sugar is scarce, and must be so
until the produce of the new crop begins to arrive. The
stock in the bazaar does not exceed 3,000 bags, and
prices have got up 4 to G annas per maund. The demand
for saltpetre 'has been checked by the rise in freights,
and prices have given way about 4 to 5 annas per
maund. The grain market is moderately supplied,
while' the demand for rice has been increased ; prices
have consequently advanced 4 to 6 annas from the
lowest point. A better disposition prevails to operate
in raw silk, but the supplies are still very limited, and
holders ask prices which shippers generally are un will-
ing to submit to. Corals would be taken at the lower
rates established lately, but holders have increased their
pretensions, and business in these goods has been conse-
quently checked. A good demand continues to prebail
for lac dye and shell lac : D. T. has realised 72-S, and
J. E; 61-0. D. C. shell lac has sold at 13-0 per maund.
The inquiry for hides for the British market has not
been so active, but shipments are freely in progress to
the United States. An active demand prevails for jute
at better prices. Americans have increased their trans-
actions in linseed, but less has been done in that article
for the British market. Rape-seed has slightly declined
in value. We quote linseed at 2-10 to 2-12, and rape-
seed at 2-2 to 2-3 ; supplies of the former are moderate,
and of the latter are small.

Our import market has continued in a promising posi-
tion, although the advance in the value of cotton piece
goods and mule twist has checked the activity of the
dealers ; holders are, however, firm and confident. The
demand from the Upper Provinces has not revived. Grey
and white shirtings, white figured shirtings, 6.4 th
cambrics, madapollams, 39 to 42 inch grey jaconets,
lappets and woollens, have all advanced a little in value.
Twills, book muslins, mulls-mulls, and prints and chintzes
remain without improvement. A shade of advance has
occurred in some kinds of Turkey red goods. Mule
twist has been in excellent inquiry, with a further ad-
vance of from 1 to 3 pies per morah on many counts. A
fair business has been done in both German and British
Turkey red yarns at full previous prices. In metals,
copper has improved little in value, consequent on a de-
mand from the docks, and for the supply of Lower Ben-
gal. Iron remains steady with firm holders. The de-
mand for spelter has slackened, but previous quotations
are supported. Lead continues in a good position, with
improved prices. The supplies of European salt have
lately been limited, and full prices are maintained.
Exchange has been firm at our lasi quotation, with a
tendency upwards. We may now quote 2-01 to 2-1 for
first class credits and documents.
We have no change to note in the position of our
money market, which continues gluted. The parties
(natives) concerned in the forgery on the Bank of Bengal
have been arrested, and nearly all the money has been
recovered. Government securities maintain their value,
but the active demand which lately prevailed has sub-
sided. The share market remains firm, with an upward
•
tendency in prices.
Freights have improved. We now quote 3/. salt-
petre, 3/. 10s. sugar, and 4/. rice to London. -