The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-20 00:00:00

THE WAR 1N THE PUNJAUB

Extract of a letter from an officer in the 52d Regi-
ment Bengal Native Infantry, in the first brigade, Bri-
gadier Hervey commanding:—
"Camp, Wuzeorabad, Feb. 26, 1849.
"On the morning of the 21st we were under arms at
sunrise, and formed up in order of battle. Our luggage,
all packed and loaded on the camels, was sent to a place
a little in our rear, under a suitable guard, and about
eight o'cloek the bugles sounded the advance. With a
cheer and a shout you might almost have heard in Eng-
land, our immense army moved on to the enemy's posi-
tion in battle array, and a more splendid sight never was
seen—the atmosphere was beautifully clear, and the sun
not oppressive; in fact, a spectator would have said that
it was a shame to mar such lovely weather and such a
beautiful landscape, with its varied and picturesque bodies
of armed men moving across, by the scenes of bloodshed
and slaughter that were to follow. Our advance lay
over richly cultivated land, and the crops being young
and wet with dew, no dust was raised to mar the glori-
ous spectacle. The sight was imposing in the extreme.
Our heavy guns on the right and left centre, drawn by
elephants—on either side columns of infantry, in their
gay scarlet uniform—between each division came a light
field battery, and between each brigade came a troop of
horse artillery, in their handsome dark blue uniform.
On either flank came the cavalry, in all their varied uni-
forms and dress—the gay lancers and dragoons—then
our own native cavalry, in their neat French grey uni-
form—and mixed up with these were the fanciful cos-
tumes of our irregular cavalry, for which branch of the
service no regular costume or colour is laid down, but is
always left to the fancy of their commanding officers,
some choosing bright yellow, others scarlet and gold,
others bright green, and others blue—in fact, the more
gorgeous the colour the more pleased is the native. Well,
to go on with my narrative. When we got to within a
mile and a half of Goojerat, we found the enemy had
actually had the impudence to advance a mile to give us
battle, and had drawn up in line, with all their guns in
front, to oppose us. We moved steadily, and directly we
got near them they opened a salvo on us from all their
guns, which did little or no damage. Immediately all
our artillery galloped out 300 yards to our front, and
the heavy guns took up their position about a 100
yards in advance of the line. The infantry wore or-
dered to throw out skirmishers, and then lie down where
we were, whilst the cavalry faced to the flank to pre-
vent their cutting up the guns. For three hours were
we in this position—the war of artillery incessant, and
occasionally a round shot hopping in amongst our ranks
would convince us that we were taking part in no child's
play; but, with the exception of taking the wounded to
the rear, and a staff-officer occasionally galloping with
orders, not a man moved, but there they lay side by side,
chatting, laughing, and joking, and moat impatient to
advance. At last we heard the enemy's fire begin to
slacken, and then we knew our work would soon come,
and then staff officers began to look to their horses'
girths and trappings, and s.,e that their pistol charges
were well home, as in galloping about the bullet is apt
to shake out of place. When I had done this, I had
scarcely lighted my cheroot, when we heard the welcome
sound of the bugle ordering us to advance. Every man
was on his feet in a moment, and on we moved. When
we had our distance, we wheeled into line again, and
on we went; our troop of horse artillery returning their
fire with compound interest. As we advanced they at
one time seemed determined to stand, but just as we
were going to charge our artillery pitched in a farewell
volley of grape from all their guns, and then, with a
shout and a yell, we commenced our rush. It was too
much for them, and they broke and fled in every direc-
tion. You may guess how complete was our success,
when I tell you our regiment scarcely fired a shot—it
being the custom in our brigade to take the guns at the
point of the bayonet, reserving the fire for the enemy
beyond; but, faith, they never stood to receive us, it wee
a case of "run, you blackguards, run, there's a mad bull
behind," and bow they did scuttle. Away went the
horse artillery and cavalry after them, and then began
the carnage. The poor wretches, in their hurry and
fright, threw away arms, clothes, and everything, to
lighten themselves, sad facilitate their escape, and so
became an easy prey to our relentless cavalry, who cut
them down by scores. The infantry pcshed on about a
mile from the enemy's camp, and there we bivouacked
for the night."

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, APRIL 19. Arrived this afternoon, the
Danish brig of war Ornen, of 16 guns, commanded by
Captain Irminger, from St. Cruz, bound to Copenhager,
but the captain being informed OR his passage up channel
that hostilities had commenced between the states of
Germany and Denmark, he put into this port, and this
evening proceeds to London for advice. He reports that
all was quiet at St. Cruz.
The brig has come to just to the eastward of th•
Bremen and other German vessels in our roadstead.
THE WEATHER IN THE ISLE. OF WIGHT.—We had
a shurp frost yesterday mor,ting; the ice was more than
half an inch thick. Port,down•hill was covered with
snow. The wind has backed to the N.%V., and the
barometer sunk from 29.50 to 29.42. The thermometer
this morning was at 28.