The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-19 00:00:00

THE WAR IN THE PUNJAUB. MO
TIM VICTORY OF G 00JERAT.
(From the London Gazette Extraordinary.)
A Gazette Extraordinary was published this morning
containing the following official dispatches relating to
the victory of Goojerat which have been received at the
India House, but which had not previously been made

INDIA BOARD, APRIL 18, 1849.
The dispatch, of which the following is an extract,
and the accompanying papers, have been this day re-
ceived at the East India House, from the Governor-
Gereral of India.
THE GOVERNOR. GENERAL OF INDIA TO THE SECRET
COMMITTEE OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.
(Extract.) March 7, 1849.
Under Divine Providence, the British arms have
signally triumphed. On the 21st of February an
action was fought, which must ever be regarded as
one of the most memorable in the annals of
British warfare in India ; memorable alike from the
greatness of the occasion and from the brilliant
and decisive issue of the ( mounter. For the first time,
Seikh and Aft/Oen were banded together against the
British power. It was an occasion which demanded the
putting forth of all the means at our disposal, and so
conspicuous a manifestation of the superiority of our
arms, as should appal each enemy, and dissolve, at
one, their compact, by fatal proof of its futility. The
eerepleteneis of the victory which has been won equals
the highest hopes entertained. The results are not yet
fully developed.
The enemy, estimated at 60,000 men, with 52 guns,
were posted near the town of Goojerat. His Excel:
lency the Commander-in-Chief opened his artillery upon
them, with tremendous effect, on the morning
.of the
21st of February. A sustained cannonade of three
hours compelled them to retire from the positions they
had maintained with resolute hardihood. The subse-
quent advance of the whole British line drove them back
at once from every point; and, retreat speedily be.
coming rout, they fled in the utmost disorder, " their
ranks broken" (the COmmander-in-Chisf writes),
" their position carried, their guns, ammunition, camp
equipage, and baggage, captured; their flying masses
driven before the victorious pursuers, from midday to
dusk, receiving most severe punishment in their flight."
It will much enhance the gratification which the intelli-
gence of this great success must afford you, to hear
that it hes been achieved with comparatively little loss,
and that amongst the 53 guns captured, we have reco-
vered those lost at Ramnuggur and Chillianwallah.
In a general order, issued on the Ist of this
mouth; I gave public expression to the sense I
entertain of the devoted gallantry of the noble army
which has gained this victory.
In the name, and on behalf of, the Government of
India, I offered to his Excellency Lord Gough, Com-
manding in Chief, to the generals, the officers, non-com-
missioned officers, and soldiers of the force, my grateful
acknowledgments of the service they have rendered to
their country.
I took occasion to express the unbounded con-
fliieuee I feel, and have ever felt, in this army, and
my conviction that they will meet, cheerfully and
gallantly, as heretofore, whatever obstacles may
yet be opposed to them. I stated, further, that I would
earaesrsy commend their past services to the considera-
tion of her Majesty's Government, and of the East
India Company; and I now, accordingly, fulfil this
promise.
On the morning after the battle of Goojerat, Major-
General Sir W. Gilbert was detached with a force to
effect the passage of the Jhelum, and follow the enemy to-
wards Peshawur, in which direction the main body of them
that still held together had fled. Brigadier-General
Campbell advanced, at the same time, on the road to
Mather, scouring the country all round in that quarter.
He returned, on the 25th, bringing in several guns which
the enemy had abandoned in their flight.
Major-General Gilbert experienced some difficulty in
crossing the Jhelum, in consequence of the enemy having
reached the river before him, and burnt all the boats,
with the view of retarding his passage. The Bengal
division was over the river by the 2d instant, and suc-
ceeded in capturing, in the town of Jhelum, two brass
mortars, with 9,000 rounds of ammunition. On the
sth, they were at the formidable pass of Bakrala, the
Bombay division being two marches behind them. The
road to the next stage has been broken up by the enemy,
but, after repairing it, and reaching Dhuneeal, it is the
Major-General's intention to stay there till his ammuni-
tion, heeey guns, and commissariat stores reach him.
NOTIFICATION.
Camp, Ferozepore, Feb. 24, 1849.
The Right Honourable the Governor-General dir,cts
the publication of the following letter from his Excellency
the Commander-in-Chief reporting the complete defeat
of the Seikle army, on the 21st instant. The detailed dis-
patches will be published hereafter.
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN INDIA TO THE GOVERNOR-
GENERAL OF INDIA.
Camp, in front of Goojerat, February 21st, 1849.
I have the honour to report to your Lordship that I
have, this day, obtained a victory of no common order,
either in its character, or, I trust, in its effects.
I was joined yesterday by Brigadier Markham's
Brigade, Brigadier-General Dundas having joined
late the preceding night. I moved on in the
afternoon of yesterday as soon as these troops
were refreshed, from Trikur to the village of Shadiwal,
and, at seven this morning, I moved to the attack,
which commenced at half-past eight o'clock; and, by
one o'clock, I was in possession of the whole Seikh posi-
tion, with Lll of his camp equipage, baggage, magazines,
am?, I hope, a large proportion of his guns; the exact
number I cannot, at present, state, from the great extent
of his position, and length of pursuit, as I followed up
the reemy, and from four to five miles on the Bimber
road, and pushed on Sir Joseph Thack well with the ca-
valry. The rout has been most complete; the whole road
for twelve miles, is strewed with guns, ammunition wag-
gons, ?ems, and baggage.
My :ocs was comparatively small (I hope within
300 killed and wounded), when it is considered I had to
attaek 60,000 Seikh2, in a very strong position, armed
with upwards of sixty guns. The loss of the enemy must
have been very severe.
The conduct of the whole army, in every arm, was
conspicuous for steadiness in movement, and gallantry in
action. The details I shall furnish hereafter.
BRIGADIER GENERAL J. TENNANT, COMMANDING THE
ARTILLERY DIVISION OF THE ARMY OF THE PUN-
iAUB, TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL P. GRANT, C. 8.,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY.
Camp, Goojerat, February 22, 1849.
I have the honour to report, for the information of the
Commander-in-Chief, that the Bengal Artillery of the
Army of the Punjaub were allotted as follows, during
the action of yesterday :
Lieutenant-Colonel C. Grant.
let Troop 3d Brigade, Captain W. H. Warner. At-
tached to Brigadier Leckwood'e Cavalry Brigade, on the
righ-.