The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-21 00:00:00

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1849.

Probably, in the first instance, there will be a
feeling of disappointment on glancing through the
particulars contained in the Extraordinary Express
received this morning from Calcutta. The absence
of any remarkable occurrence may, at a superficial
glance, appear unsatisfactory. Some sentiment of
annoyance may be experienced throughout the coun-
try on finding that the somewhat disastrous informa-
tion brought by the preceding mail has been followed
by accounts of the most profound inaction at head-
quarters. A moment's cairn reflection must, how-
ever, satisfy every rational mind that the very
circumstance of the inactivity of the veteran
Commander-in-Chief, since the occasion of the
sanguinary battle at Chillianwallah, is calcu-
lated to redound to his honour, more than any
provocation to an encounter, however brilliant, and
will tend more than anything else to redeem his cha-
racter from the slur of precipitation. It would appear
that the momentary wrath which had wound up the
daring passions of Lord Goucit almost to a state of
delirium have subsided, and that with a compunctious
recollection of his last terrible victory over his antago-
nists, the old General is prepared to await the arrival
of reinforcements before attempting to resume hostili-

ties. For the time being, therefore, the grand army
remains encamped in the neighbourhood
of the Jhelum, tarrying until the victorious
soldiers under Wrnsu have passed Rarnnuggur, on
their road from the conquered fortifications of
Moulton.

At present the principal attraction is concentrated
round that famous stronghold—so heroically won,
and so gallantly, and even chivalrously de-
fended. According to the periodical fluctuation
of interest between the camp of WHISH and the
camp of GOUGH, our attention is drawn this time
in its turn to the former. On the receipt of the last
Overland dispatches, scarcely anything could be
borne in consideration except the alarming and rather
questionable successes gained at head-quarters. Now
the gaze is turned in an entirely contrary direc-
tion. The particulars relating to the seizure
of Moultan, to the submission of the Dewan,
to the occupation of the fort, and to the
captivity and bearing of the vanquished chieftain
will, we doubt not, be universally regarded as superior
to all others—seeing that the capture of that re-
nowned city was of all others the most desirable achieve-
ment of the campaign. Until Moultan had fallen, it
was worse than temerity to penetrate further into the
Punjaub. Until Moultan had fallen, the forces of
WHISH and GOUGH would be prevented from putting
an end to the period of their separation, and would,
in so doing, afford a 'grievous advantage to the
enemy. Nothing in fact could be seriously attempted
towards the suppression of the rebellion until Moul-
tan had been conquered. To adventure northwards
leaving that strongly fortified city in the rear would
have been contrary to all the rules of war—speaking
in regard to military science, it would have been an
inexplicable crime against the God of Battles.
Moultan consequently, as has been known for
several weeks, was formally invested, was vigorously
assaulted, was ultimately taken by storm, and its
courageous defenders, standing at bay within the
narrow limits of the citadel, found themselves at
length compelled to yield unconditionally to the
superior energies of their assailants. Simultaneously
with the POWS Of the 1411 of Attack into tho power of
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