The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-20 00:00:00

OVER LAND MAIL

INDIA AND CHINA.

THE WAR IN THE PUNJAUB.
We have received by express from Marseilles our
advices and papers from India in anticipation of the
overland mail of the 18th of December. The dates
thus received are—from the army of the Punjaub to
the 28th of November, Calcutta the Bth of Decem,
ber, and Bombay to the 18th of December.

We have to announce as the main features by
these advices the retreat of the Seikh army under
Shere Singh from the banks of the Chenab, along
the mountain chain, in the direction of the Jhelum,
after remaining for nearly a fortnight in the
presence of our army, which, during the greater
part of that period, was awaiting the arrival of its
heavy artillery. The decampment of an army
amounting to 30,000 men and a park of heavy artil-
lery from a position it had so lorg occupied, and
which offered extraordinary advantages, was occa-
sioned, or at least brought about, earlier than the
enemy probably had anticipated, by a diversion car-
ried out under Major-General Sir J. Thackwell, who
crossed the Chenab with some regiments of cavalry
and horse artillery at Wuzeerabad, 25 miles above
Hamnuggur, the position of the British camp, in-
rending to fall on the enemy's flank and to attack
their lines simultaneously with the passage of the
river, and attack by storm from the main position
under Lord Gough. The enemy's attention had pre-
viously been almost solely directed, and not without
reason, to the preparations which had been going
forward for some days in the British camp for the
erection of batteries to cover the passage of the river,
and to overpower the enemy's guns. It was
this fact, as well as the unsuccessful issue of
an attempt immediately made by a strong
division under Share Singh himself to arrest
Thackwell's progress—resulting in a decided defeat
on their part—and also the completeness of the force
with which the flank movement, when at length it
had declared itself, was conducted (for a strong
brigade of infantry were in readiness, and crossed
shortly after the cavalry), that_caused the diversion
to be regarded by the Seikhs, who were justly ap-
prehensive of a joint attack on their front, flank, and
rear, as the signal for their retreat. But before
alluding to particulars as regards the main operations
and the latest news, we have a duty to execute of a
far different complexion. We have the painful task
of announcing the fall of several distinguished
officers in an attack that had occurred some ten
days previous to the period alluded to, by a por-
tion of the army, principally cavalry, upon
an outlying body of the Seikh forces, on which
occasion a daring attempt made personally under
Lord Gough, who had just joined the army, was con-
sidered necessary. The army and the nation have to
deplore the fall of that able officer Major-General
Cureton, and of men of great promise in Colonel
Havelock, of her Majesty's 14th Dragoons, and 'of
Captain Fitzgerald, of her Majesty's 14th Dragoons.
The Seikh matchlockmen must have marked the
officers, for happily only 21 of the troops fell, al-
though, comparatively, many more were wounded.
The attack which occasioned this loss arose from a
design of driving back a portion of the Seikh force
from the left bank of the Chenab. The first body of
troops who with this view were charged by our
cavalry are described as having stood firm whilst
almost under their sabres, and to have then shown
a singular degree of strategy and of coolness by
managing to open their ranks, in order to tempt the
farther progress of our troops. The opportunity was
but too boldly followed, especially by her Majesty's
14th Dragoons, who charged through a nullah, or
dry gully, squadrons in succession, where but a few
troops could pass, upon a larger body of Seikhs, who
slowly retired, disputing every inch of ground. A
murderous fire was opened throughout upon our
troops at the points where the few men engaged
were enabled only in the confined space of the attack
to take ground, and especially in the nullah, which
had been so well covered as to be altogether unten-
able. Our troops at length withdrew (the engage-
ment having lasted about twenty minutes), having
cut down some 80 Seikhs, but left behind a 6-poun-
der gun, clogged in the sand of the nullah, which was
immediately carried off by the Seikhs.
We will now allude to proceedings in the order of
their occurrence at the main army. The first attack
we have mentioned took place on the 22d of Novem-
ber. Taught by those proceedings, the Seikhs no
longer dared to cross the ford, as they had previously
done, or to attempt seriously to molest our camp.
The artillery got up on the 30th, and before 48 hours
had elapsed, thanks to the noble exertions of some of
her Majesty's troops (especially the 29th Foot), three
powerful batteries had been erected along the river at
the most favourable positions, each within 1,200 yards
of the enemy's camp. The batteries opened fire, were
subsequently pushed nearer, and, simultaneously
with these measures, Thackwell's diversion was un-
dertaken.

It is certainly matter of regret that we could not
more securely intercept the enemy in their retreat
but with this it must be remembered that any
earlier movement must probably have frustrated the
degree of actual success which has occurred ; and it
was only because the passage of the Chenab was
found to be impracticable at any nearer point than
Wuzeerabad, that the flank movement, probably, was
not at once and completely successful.
The following lines are from our correspondent at
Bombay, and give the latest advices immediately
before the departure of the steamer, the dispatch of
which had been delayed for forty hours, to give time
for the arrival of further intelligence as to the results
of General Thackwell's operations:—
" There is late news from the Commander-in-Chiers
camp, but none respecting Generals Thackwell and
Campbell, except that they were in hot pursuit, in-
fantry and cavalry, and, as Shere Singh kept possession
of his guns, they were in some hopes of overtaking
him. Five guns and Shere Singh's elephant are amongst
the trophies taken at the engagement, when the Shere
moved out against Tha:kwell. You will see, from Lord
Gough's published dispatch, why General Thackwell
did not follow up the Shere at onco ; probably it wa,
all for the best as things have happened and will yet tall
out. There is reason to suspect, however, that Sheri
Singh has already a position prepared for him some-
where on the Telum, and also reinforcements ready; but
every way the Seikh prospects are infinitely worsted.
Lord Gough, we hear, has crossed the Chenab with his
camp some ten miles. That range will probably be his
basis. The prospects of a hang- fire guerilla warfare are
lessened, even if the brigades do not catch Shere Singh,
by the certainty that G hoolab will now come down on his
fallen friends ; for you will observe that they are in a
position where they might bid for his Government."
This degree of success in our operations is timely
in its arrival. The Seikhs bad carried their schemes
of hostility into our own territory, denuded of troops
for the frontier warfare, so that not only was the
peace of the Jullundur threatened—one of the most
consolidated provinces in that part of India—but
bands of Seikhs had crossed from the lloab to plunder
and to instigate to revolt. Those emissaries found no
difficulty whatever in their. mission ; petty Rajas at
once collected bands and set up for independence;
and even Pathenkote, a fortress of some strength, had
been invested by insurgents, and it required a retro-
grade movement by Brigadier Wheeler's force across
the Ravee to break up and disperse them.
There are highly satisfactory reports from boo-
diana as to the efficient state of the army of reserve,
and the measures of safety generally undertaken by
General Sir Dudley Hill efforts which are not the
less of value now that we do not require to count on
such precautions.
There is no news yet of the fall of Moulton, nor
are we likely to hear it for some time, unless indeed
Moolraj should evacuate the place when he hears that
the Bombay forces are on the eve of reinforcing Gen.
Whish. The last division of the Sinde field force left
Sukkur on the 29th of November. We announced
some months back, that, in accordance with the de-
sign of the Bombay Government to move forward its
divisions and guns in no other than a united manner,
the siege of the place could not be renewed until
about Christmas. This date will, we believe, be now
found exact. The Bombay authorities, we are in-
formed, considered that the position of General
Which, under any circumstances, was secure, and did
not choose to risk the success of the troops of the
Western Presidency by moving in ttetachrnents.
t.
There is intelligence by this mail of the invest-
ment ment of Attock by a large body of the Seikhs to
on thethe
10th of November. Continued advices do
and
re si
Lieutenant
22d of the same month give somewhatsstiotielsefa,
etory
accounts of the character of the
the prospects of the besieged under
Herbert.
up to Chuttur Singht
of course,
and who owed to him his
fortunes. Chuttur, it is said, treated his prisoners
Major Lawrence and his family had been given
by he chief with whom he had
taken refuge at Kohat,
t although,
strictly watched in his camp.
they were
with every mark of respec ,
Letters to
above effect had been received in
the Bombay from
Major Lawrence, dated " Mowshera, 18th Novem-
ber," and are further of value as giving the
locality
at that time of Chuttur Singh's force.

THE SANGUINARY SKIRMISH AT
RAMNUGGUR.
(From the Delhi Gazette, of Dec. 1.)
The enemy, who had been reported in force at the
several places indicated, but who had always evacuated
them before they were occupied by us, were at length
ascertained to have determined on making a stand at
Rdmuugger, and General Cureton was directed to halt
until more troops came up. Brigadier-General Campbell
joined his camp on the 12th, taking command as senior
officer, and bringing up another brigade. A further ad-
vance was made shortly afterwards, and on the 17th the
camp was near Akalgbur (commonly written Alleepoor

in the letters from camp). General Cureton went 00
with a small party to look at the village in the afternoon,
and was fired upon; some of the rebel cavalry were also
s( en on that occasion, but not a man after that on the 17th
or 18th, though a report was then still rife that Sheila
Singh hail on the 17th strengthened his force on the
left bank of the Chenab. If he did so on that day, he.
as a party that went close up to Ramtinggur
certainly withdrew all the troops to the right bank on
the 18th,
could hear nothing of them, and it was previously ascer-
tained that Alleepoor had been evacuated during the
night of the 17th of November. On the morning of the
18th the whole force were turned out about four in the
morning, but why is not stated, and remained on their
parade tilt sunrise, when they were dismissed, and the
tents ordered to be repitched. Her Majesty's 61st Foot
reached the camp of Brigadier General Campbell on the
morning of the 19th, 850 strong, and were attached to
the brigade commanded by Brigadier Hoggan, who had
assumed charge. Authentic information had been re-
ceived in the camp of Brigadier General Campbell on
the 21st, then pitched at Saharun (nine miles S.S.W. of
Rarneuggur, and consequently considerably to the left
of Deedar Singh ka Killah, and a short distance from
the camp near Akalghur), that Shere Singh had, on the
17ih of that month, been joined by the Bunnoo troops
under Ram Singh, and that he was, on the morning of
the same day (the 21st), encamped on the right bank of
the Chenab, with a picket of three regiments and four
guns on the left bank. It was then surmised that, in
consequence of the proximity of the head-quarters'
camp (of the movements of the Commander-in-Chief a
separate account is given) accompanied by Generals
Thack well and Gilbert, operations would commence on
the 23d, especially as Lieutenant Nicholson's Patans
having siezed 12 boats at Wuzecrabad on the first ad-
vance of General Cureton to Goojrenwallah about the
7th of November, it was considered that these would,
with the assistance of the pontoon train, afford all the
necessary facilities for crossing the Chenab. The
Commander-in-Chief, having also considered that
the time had arrived for the commencement of operations,
orders were issued, late on the night of the 21st of No-
vember, in the camp of Brigadier General Campbell at
Saharun (with the sanction of his Excellency, who rode
over to the camp of Brigadier-General Campbell on the
afternoon of the 21st), for the following troops to pa-
rade on the ensuing morning, at three o'clock, in front
,f the centre of the camp, without sound of bugle, trum-
pet, or drum:—
The whole of the cavalry (her Majesty's 3d and 14th
Regiments of Light Dragoons, the sth and Bth Regi-
ments of Light Cavalry, and 12th Irregular Cavalry).
Two troops of Horse Artillery (Duncan's and War-
ner's). . . . . .

TWo field batteries (Austin's and Dawes's).
And two brigades of Infantry (those of Brigadiers
Godby, 2d European Regiment and 70th Native Infan-
try, and Hoggan, her Majesty's 61st Foot, 36th and 46th
Native Infantry.
The cavalry to be formed on the right, artillery on
the left of the cavalry, and the infantry on the left of
the whole. The cavalry and the infantry to be formed
in column of troops and companies at quarter distance,
left in front. The camp was to continue standing, Bri-
gadier Eckford's brigade, with Captain Duncan's troop
of Horse Artillery, remaining as a guard for the camp;
the 12th Irregular Cavalry to cover the rear of the whole
column. In this order this strong detachment marched,
under the personal command of the Commande-in-Chief
(who had come up from the head-quarters' camp to
superintend the proceedings of the morning), at the
appointed time, and reached the left bank of the
Chenab, near Ramnuggur, at an early hour, in
the hope of surprising the detachment of the enemy,
who were known to be on the same side. It would
appear, however, that these had early intimation
of the movement of the British troops, and had all
retired across, except a few stragglers, and a picket,
which fled, leaving their tents pitched. The object of
the movement on our side was, however, mainly to as-
certain the real strength and position of the enemy, and
this was in some degree effected en clearing Ramnuggur
towards the left bank of the river. Then it became ap-
parent that their camp was pitched along the right bank
of the river, which was seen to be crowded by thousands
of men, whose white and light-coloured garments
strongly contrasted (says the correspondent to whom we
are mainly indebted for this narrative) with the bodies
of the British troops, to which the eyes of our officers
had been for some time past accustomed. In drawing
out their fire, to ascertain their real strength in guns,
and pressing perhaps rather too zealously in pursuit of
those of the fugitives who appeared to be within reach,
while crossing at the ford with water to the waist, Lieut.-
Colonel Lane's troop of Horse Artillery (2d of the 3d
brigade) got into heavy sand before they were aware of
it, and a leading horse having been shot, it was found
when the order came to limber up and retire, that
one of the guns could not be moved. The Scikhs were
not slow at perceiving this most inopportune embarrass-
ment, and directed so hot a fire upon the spot that it was
found necessary to abandon the gun, although a light
field battery was brought up to cover it (more than one
account says that one or two tumbrils were abandoned
at the same time, and others that two waggons were left
with the gun, but we are somewhat inclined to believe
that this is a mistake). But the fire from the enemy
from guns that were sheltered, while ours were exposed
in an open plain, was so heavy that nothing could be
done beyond scattering a few of the nearest groups of
the enemy, and then retiring. The cavalry were ordered
to do the same, and take shelter from the enemy's
round shot behind a slope of trees to the left, where
they remained quietly for a time, the infantry being
during that interim drawn up on the right. Some
of the enemy being subsequently (it does not ex-
actly appear at what precise time this was the case,
but it must lave been some time after the artillery
retired) di,covertd on the lett bank of the river
further down to the left, a largo number of our cavalry,
amongst whom were the 31 and 14th Light Dragoons,
moved down by order to dislodge them. On approach-
mg a body of Seikh cavalry, di awn up as if to receive
them, these broke and separated to the right and left,
when the I;ra:,Toons charging on were brbught up by a
nullah, or ravine, full of inatchlockmen, who opened a
most galling tire on the European cavalry, who were
comparatively helpless, being unable to descend into the
nullah. Here fell Brigaler-General Cureton, who was
hot through the heart, Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock
dangerously wounded, and Captain Holmes severely;
and it was with some difficulty that the men were extri-
cated from the trap into which they had been inten-
tionally drawn by the enemy. Having, as represented
in our letter, effected their put pose, though we do not
exactly see how, the cavalry returned, but in the mean-
time the Seikhs had come across, and taking the
6-pounder Horse Artillery gun (which had, however,
been previously spiked by the gunners) off the carriage,
bore it in triumph to their own side the river. At about
1 P.M. the troops who had up to that time continued
under arms, received orders to move to their new en-
camping ground, forming line facing the enemy about
a mile and a half distant, with Ramnuggur in their rear,
and there they remained during the 23d. The enemy's
tire was, however, renewed at irregular intervals until
the afternoon. They also fired in the same manner dur-
ing the 23d. The following is, we have every reason to
believe, a nearly correct list of the casualties, of which
no official return has been published:—
Brigadier General Cureton, C. 8., killed (shot through
the heart).
Her Majesty's 14th Light Dragoons—Colonel Have-
lock, killed; or at least his body had not been found up
to the Ist inst.
Captain Fitzgerald, wounded in five places by sword
cuts, chiefly about the bead and neck (since dead).
Captain Gall, wounded.
Captain M'Mahon, wounded in the neck.
Captain Seudamore' wounded.
Twenty-seven men killed or missing.
Twenty-two men wounded.
Her Majesty's 3d Dragoons—Capt. Cautley wounded.
Seven men wounded.
sth Light Cavalry—Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander,
right arm so much injured as to render amputation ne-
cessary. Was saved by the gallantry of Sergeant-Major
Drinkwater.
Capt. Ryley wounded; hit by a spent ball in the leg.
27 rank and file killed and wounded.
Bth Light Cavalry-35 men killed and wounded.
Her Majesty's 61st Foot—One man killed.
Artillery—Two men killed, and several wounded.
45th Native Infantry—Ensign Hardinge, A.D.Ce
wounded severely; shot through the shoulder.
12th Irregular Cavalry—Captain Holmes wounded
while trying to carry off the body of General Cureton,

.
shot through the chest.
Our latest intelligence from the camp at Ramnuggur
is to the 26th of November. We regret to say that , as
thewhen he
far as we can learn from the varying statements k that
have reached us, both Lieutenant-Colonel itav_eiloc , er
Majesty's 14th Light Dragoons, and Captain If tale,
duringof' t he samethe
ae
tcorps,ion ohf
thea died2d out; theult.
l",i
ioeinaad:ste-t:Baemryi
last-named
Brigadier
ei received
officerjd. .
thdeurTsntgh,night.
The other sufferers from wounds are said to be doing
became
dmoei ng
suddenlywell up pto
worse, the
snd evening
expiredo of the
i,s.
a_ Barnes,ncopy
o 3dol
the Dragoons;
General Order Captain issuedwell. Amongst those mentioned as wounded, but whose •
uomgegsan havecapntsoA previously appeared,
New-
bolt, Commissariat; and Cornet Chetwynd.
by
the Commander -in Chief on the occasion of receiving
Brigadier General Campbell's report
the 22d of November:— of the skirmish of
" GENERAL ORDER,
"The Commander-in-Ch. f Nov.
27.
The following_
from Brigadier-General cle has now received a report
particulars of the affair ofCampbell, C. 8., detailing the
"'the Brigadier-Ge the 22d inst.
bation of the cond neral expresses his cordial appro-
casi,m, and dwell UCt of all the troops engaged on the oc-
brilliant charge s in terms of high wimiration on the
on enemy'sthe,cavalry, in number be-
tween 3,000 and 4
cr,ooo, of her Majesty's 14th and 3d
Light Dragoons, Ist, sth, and Bth Light Cavalry. In
one of these charges a handsome standard was captured,
and the standard-bearer slain by Trooper Alif Khan, Ist
Troop sth Light Cavalry.
"The claim of this brave young soldier to admission
to the Order of Merit will be investigated by a duly
constituted committee, when the officer commanding the
cavalry division will be so good as to order it to be
asseuibled.
"The Commander-in-Chief was himself an eye-wit-
ness of the brilliant conduct of these several corps, and
of the intrepid manner in which they were led by their
officers. The enemy were signally overthrown on every
occasion, and only saved from utter annihilation by their
flight to the cover of their guns on the opposite bank of
the river.
" In the death of Brigadier General Cureton, C.B.
commanding the cavalry division ; of Lieutenant-
Colonel Havelock, ICH., of the 14th Light Dragoons;
and of Captain Fitzgerald, of the same noble regiment,
the service has sustained a loss which the Commander-
in-Chief is sure the whole cavalry will unite with him in
lamenting.
" The officers and men wounded on the occasion are
doing well, the Commander-in-Chief is happy to think;
and though the very severe injuries sustain by are

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander, sth Light Cavalry, and
Brevet Captain Ryley, of the same corps; Captain Gall
and Lieutenant M`Mahon, of the 14th Light Dragoons;
Lieutenant Holmes, Commanding, 12th I. C., and Ensign
Efardinge, Extra Aid•de-Camp to the Commander-in-
Chief, must for a long time render those gallant officers
unfit for duty, his Excellency trusts that they will even-
tually be restored to the service whose honour and re-
putation they have so nobly upheld."

THE RETREAT OF THE SEIKLIS.
NOTIFICATION.
Foreign Department, Camp Umballah, Dec. 8, 1848.
The Right Hon. the Governor-General has much
pleasure in publishing, for general information, the fol-
lowing dispatch from his Excellency the Commander-
in-Chief:—
Head-quarters, Flying Camp, Hillah, Dec. 5, 1848.
pleased Almighty God to vouch-
My Lord,—lt has
safe to the British arms the most successful issue to the
eitensive combinations rendered necessary for the pur-
pose of effecting the passage of the ;Chenab, the defeat
and dispersion of the Seikh force under the insurgent
Rajah Shere Singh, and the numerous Seikh Sirdars
who had the temerity to set at defiance the British
power. This force, from all my information, amounted
to from 30,000 to 40,000 men, with 28 guns, and were
strongly intrenchod on the right bank of the Chenab at
the principal ford about two miles from the town of
Ramnuggur.
My dispatch of the 23d of November will have made
your Lordship acquainted with the motives which in-
duced me to penetrate thus far into the Punjaub, and the
occurrences of the previous day, when the enemy was
ejected from the left bank of the Chenab. My daily pri-
vate communications will have placed your Lordship in
possession of the difficulties I had to encounter in a
country so little known, and in the passage of a river
the fords of which were most strictly watched by a nu-
merous and vigilant enemy, and presenting more diffi-
culties than most rivers, while I was surrounded by a
hostile peasantry.
Finding that to force the passage at the ford in my
front must have been attended with considerable loss,
from the very strong intrenchments and well selected
batteries which protected the passage, I instructed the
Field-Engineer, Major Tremenheere, in co-operation
with the Quartermaster-General's Department, to ascer-
tain (under the difficulties before noticed) the practica-
bility of the several fords reported to exist on both my
flanks, while I had batteries erected and made demon-
strations ao as to draw the attention of the enemy to the
main ford in my front, and with the view, if my bat-
teries could silence their guns, to act simultaneously
with the force I proposed to detach under an officer of
much experience in India—Major-General Sir Joseph
Thackwell.

On the night of the 30th of November this officer, in
command of the following force, and more particularly
detailed in the accompanying memorandum:—
European. Native. Total.
Three troops Horse Artillery 3 0 3
Two Light Field Batteries 2 0 2
One brigade of Cavalry 1 4 5
Three brigades of Infantry 2 6 8
TWo 18-pounders with elephant draught and detail artil-
lery. Pontoon train with two companies of Sappers
moved up the river in light marching order, without
tents and with three days' provisions, upon a ford which
I had every reason to consider very practicable (and I
have since ascertained was so), but which the Major-
General deemed so difficult and dangerous that he pro-
ceeded (as he was instructed should such turn out to be
the case) to Wuzeerabad, a town 22 miles up the river,
where Lieutenant Nicholson, a most energetic assistant
to the Resident at Lahore, bad secured 16 boats, with
the aid of which this force effected the passage on the
evening of the Ist and morning of the 2d inst.
Upon learning by an aide-de-camp sent for the pur-
pose, that the Major-General's force had crossed and
was in movement, I directed a heavy cannonade to com-
mence upon the enemy's batteries and encampment at
Raninuggur, which was returned by only a few guns,
which guarded effectually the ford, but so buried that
although the practice of our artillery was a'lmirable
under Major Mowatt and Captain Sir Richard Shakes-
pear, we could not, from the width of the river, silence
them. This cannonade, however, inflicted very severe
loss to the enemy in their camp and batteries, and forced
him to fall back with his clrnp about two miles, which
enabled me, without the loss of a man, to push my bat-
teries and bress:works, on the night of the 2d, to the
bank of the river, the principal ford of which I then
commanded. By ;his I was enabled to detach another
brigade of infantry, under Brigadier Godby, at day-
light on the 3J, e hich effected the passage with the aid
of the pontoon train six miles up the river, and got
into communication with Major-General Sir Joseph
Thackwell.

The cannonade and demonstration to cross at Ram-
nuggur was kept up on the 2d and 3d, so as to fix a
large portion of the enemy there to defend that point.
Having communicated to Sir Joseph my views and in-
tendons, and although giving discretionary powers to
attack any portion of the Seikh force sent to oppose him,
I expressed a wish that when he covered the crossing of
Brigadier Godby's brigade, he should await their junc-
tion, except the enemy attempted to retreat. This in-
duced him to halt within about three or four miles of
the left of their position.
About two o'clock on the 3d the principal part of the
enemy's force, encouraged by the halt, moved to attack
the detached column, wl:en a smart cannonade on the
part of the enemy took place, and an attempt to turn
both Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell's flanks by
numerous bodies of cavalry was made. Atter about one
hour's distant cannonade en the part of the Seikhs, the
British Artillery never returning a shot, the enemy took
courage and advanced, when our artillery, commanded
by that excellent officer Lieutenant-Colonel C. Grant,
poured in upon them a most destructive fire, which corn
silenced all uheir guns and frustrated all their operationiz,
with very severe loss upon their side; but the exhausted
state both of man and horse induced the Major- General
to postpone the attack upon their limit and rear, as he
was directed, until the following morning, the day
having nearly closed when the cannonade ceased.
I regret to say that during the night of the 3d the
whole of the Seikh force precipitately fled, concealing or
carrying with them their artillery, and exploding their
magazines. I immediately puAied across the river the
9th Lancers and 14th Light Dragoons in pursuit, under
that most energetic officer, Major-General Sir Walter
Gilbert. The Seikhs, it appears, retreated in the
greatest disorder, leaving in the villages numerous
wounded men. They have subdivided into three divi-
sions, which have become more a flight than a retreat,
and I understand a great portion of these not belonging
to the revolted Khalsa army have" dispersed and re-
turned to their homes, thus, I trust, effectually frustrat-
ing the views of the rebel Shere Singh and his rebel as-
sociates. _ _ _

I have not received Major-General Sir Joseph
Thackwell's report, nor the returns of his loss, but I
am most thankful to say that our whole loss, subse-
quent to the 22d of November, does not much exceed 40
men. No officers have been killed, and but three
wounded. Captain Austin, of the artillery, only appears
severely so.
I have to congratulate your Lordship upon events so
fraught with importance, and which will, I have no
doubt, with God's blessing, tend to most momentous re-
sults. It is, as I auticipatrd, moat gratifying to me to
assure ycur Lordship that the noble army under my
command has, in these operations, upheld the well
established fame of the arms of India, both European
and native, each vying N+ ho should best perform his
duty; every officer from the General of Division to the
youngest Subaltern well supported their Commander-in-
Chief, and cheerfully carried out his views, which, at a
future period, and when we shall have effected the views
of the Government, I shall feel proud in bringing to
your Lordship's notice.

I have, &c.,
(Signed) GOUGH.
Return of the strength of the force sent under the
command of Major-General Sir J. Thackwell, K C.B.:—

Camp Ramnoggur, Dec. 5.
Proceeded with Major-General Sir J. Thackwell, 3
troops of Horse Artillery, 2 Light Field Batteries, 1
BUTOpeall Dragoon regiment, 2 Light Cavalry regi-
ments, 1 Irregular Cavalry regiment, 2 regiments of
European Infantry, 5 regiments and 2 companies of Na-
tivo Infantry, and 1 company of Pioneers. Rein-
forcement sent-1 regimen: and 2 companies of Native
:nfantry.
N.B.—Two 18-pounders, two 9-pounders, pontoon
train and detachment of Irregular Cavalry, returned from
Wuzeerabad.
European regiments employed-3d Light Dragoons,
24th, 61st, 2d European Infantry. Goucu.
By order of the Right Hondia. the Governor-General of
In.
11. M. ELLIOT,
Secretary to the Government of India, with
the Governor-General.

(From the Bombay Telegraph and Courier Extra,
of Dec. 16.)
An express arrived last night, containing the im-
portant intelligence of Shere Singh having been driven
from hie position on the right bank of the Chenab,
and a portion of his guns captured by our force.
Our correspondent with Lord Gough's camp
writes under date the 3d instant :

" Camp Ramnuggur,
~ We are firing away, a'nridv Dec. 3, 1848.
General Gilbert's division
is close on the bank of the
bank, playing
tc cross. Our
battery is now close to the on the enemy
over the water, with a view of driv?onlugaythinegm away a little,
and thus enabling us to effect
our object. General
Thackwell has destroyed the walls
had come.
to
which place a small force of the enemy c
heels.
ome. On
r hearing of his approach the rebels took to their
Thackwell was expected to arrive in the o.
about two o'clock this afternoon ; and w., r 5
about
?Y's rear
this hour now, and the cannonading is
going
presume he must have arrived. I went t on, 1
morning to the furthermost breastwork,this
con-
structed of bags of mud, only a quarter of a mile from
the
the river; and we could distinctly see the enemy on the
other side. We had at this battery two 18-pounders,
three mortars, and two 8-inch howitzvrs, Lord Gough
was a little in the rear. I htlieve the troJps are cross-
ing now.
Further letters of the 4th and sth inst. respectively
have likewise reached us. The latter gives the latest
news from Camp, received in Bombay. '
" Camp Ramuggur. Dec. 4, 1848.

" You will see by to•day'a news -flat, just as I had
anticipated, we have gained a complete victory over
Share Singh. The success to which I allude was achieved
on the 3d instant.
" General Thackwell, afterhaving crossed the Chenab
at Vizierabad, marched down some 19 miles and met the
enemy, to whom he gave battle. The engagement com-
menced at two P.M. and lasted, I bear, till nine, when
Pere Singh was beaten and tuck to his heels. low
00214 it be otherwise, when he allowed us to outflank

and surprise him? He has certainly not shown any great
degree of generalship.
"Shere Singh has taken away all the guns he had
with him, and the powder which he could not take he
has blown up. The report of the explosion made the
ground shake under our feet. It was like a salvo o`.• six
24-pounders.
" I was this morning not ten yards from the Com-
mander in-Chief, on the banks of the river. His Lord-
ship had at that time ascertained that the three batteries
on the island had been taken away, and not a soul was
to be found in the place. A ford was immediately
ordered to be traced out, and I saw the bamboos being
stuck in the bed of the river. Not long after we descried
an elephant, with four men, making towards us from
across the river. As soon as it arrived, the Commander-
in-Chief questioned one of the men what was the news?
He stated that he was in the enemy's camp selling to-
bacco, and that there had been a great fight, and the
enemy were completely beaten. Shere Singh had re•
treated towards Jallalpore on the Jhelum some 25 toss
(50 miles) distant. The 9th Lancers were now ordered
across the ford, and I saw General Gilbert plunging his
horse into the stream, and the troopers following him.
The 14th Dragoons left alto at noon in the same di-
rection.
" I hear our killed and wounded have been about 400,
and that the enemy lost 4,000 in all. Lieutenant Ni-
cholson was with General Thackwell during the fight.
He afterwards came in, met Lord Gough, and left again
immediately.
" I understand Thackwell is after the enemy with the
Dragoons and Lancers."
" Camp, Ramnuggur, Dec. 5, 1848.
" Some more of our troops are now crossing the river;
but it is rumoured that Lord Gough himself will not
cross, but move on towards Vizierabad, and let General
Thackwell finish the good work he has commenced.
" I have just heard on undoubted authority that
Thackwell has come up to Shere Singh at a place called
Dingab, some twenty miles from this. We expect to
hear of an engagement immediately.
" The Seikh artillerymen, when charged (in the
fight across the river) by the 3d Dragoons and Bth
Light Cavalry, fought sword in hand by the side of
their guns.
"I do not know where Wheeler is. Chuttur Singh
is in the neighbourhood of Attock, and Herbert still
contrives to retain possession of the fort there. Had
Chuttur Singh j oined his son, I am sure we should have
had hard fighting, and the crossing of the Chenab would
not have been effected so easily. lam assured the posi-
tion of the enemy's batteries on the island was an excel-
lent one. The day before yesterday, when we kept up
firing all day from our guns, I went over to one of the
furthermost breastworks. We had there two howitzers,
three mortars, and two 18-pounders. A few shots from
the enemy's guns passed over our heads—one on our
right, and one not far off on our left. Some of the
camp •followers, grass-cutters, Syces, &c., were actually
waiting for the enemy's shots, and when one was fired
you could see several running after the ball!
" I think Shere Singh will make a stand on the
Jhelum, and, when beaten there, he will make another at
Rhotas, a place of no mean strength. Our cavalry and
heavy guns will be of little or no further use, the coun-
try beyond Jhelum being rocky and difficult."