The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-13 00:00:00

DESPATCHES FROM INDIA.

(From the Gazette of List Night )
The following despatches have been reu‘ ived at the
India House:—
Major-General Sir Robert Sale, K.C.8., to Alajor-
Gimeral Sir Willoughby CAton, G.C.8., and
K.C.H.

Camp, Purwan, Nov. 2, 1840.
Sir,—Having received intelfgence that Dost Maho-
med Khau, with a number of armed followers, had
taken possession of soine forts in this dile,:tion, from
which he proposed moving to-day towards the Gliorc-
bunl Pass, with the view of effecting a junction with his
son .Mihomed Afzul Khan, I determined on endea-
vouring to frustrate the attempt.
Accordingly at 6 a.m. 1 broke up my camp at Buian,
the fort of Meer Musjeedee, and moved on this posi-
tion.

Au advanced column, consisting of four companies
of her Majesty's 13th light infantry, the two fl ink com-
panies of the 37th native infantry, one company of the
27th native infantry, the two six pouuders of the Shah's,
two squadrons of the second light cavalry, and two
hundred of Anderson's horse, the whole under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Salter, preceded the
main body which was commanded by myself.
Oa approaehieg Yuman, the forts and villages were
rapidly evacuated by the enemy, who were seen flying to
the hills in great numbers ; I cannot compute them at
fewer than five hundred hone and three thousand five
eundred foot ; the n--rise report received swell their
numbers to a much higher amount.
Dr. Lord, who accompanied Colonel S titer to
procure information, sent word that he believed
if the cavalry proceeded in advance they would be
able to cut off some of the fugitives, and in compliance
with his request the 2d cavalry were ordered to skirt
the hill to the right, while the Shah's horse, under
Captain Anderson, took post on the left of the pass,
to prevent any of the enemy attempting to escape iu
the direction of Ghorebund. The infantry followed,
but their movements were greatly retarded by the
guns, the progress of which was much impeded by the
%mut rous water-courses that intersected the road.
The 2d cavalry had preceded the column about a mile
when a body of the enemy's horse, about 200 in number,
supposed to be headed by Dost Alahomed in person,
came dow❑ the hill to attack them. The cavalry was
formed into line, and led on to the charge by Captains
Fraser and Ponsonby, commanding the two squadrons.
It is my painful duty to record that the gallant bear-
ing of these officers was but ill seconded by their men ;
they both found themselves in the midst of the enemy
unsuppo►ted by their troopers, and, after being most
severely wounded, extricated themselves with difflcu ty,
and (build their men flying before the enemy. I deeply
regret to state that Lieut. Crispin, the Adjutant of the
regiment, was cut down and killed, leading his men
into action ; Dr. Lord was also most unfortunately
killed in this affair; and Lieutenant Broadfoot, of the
Engineers, who was also in advance, is missing.
Of the gallantry of Captain Fraser and the other
officers of the 2d cavalry, who led the squadrons of
the regiment on this occasion, I cannot !Teak too
highly, and I regret that their noble ex ,mple, and the
opportunity offered to the 2d cavalry, of adding to its
laurels have been thus neglected by them.
The two flank companies of the 37th regiment, and
one company of the 27th regiment, supported by two
guns from Captain Abbott's battery, and followed by
some of the Jana Bazees, now ascended the hill
overlooking the pass and valley of Purwan, which
was crowded by the enemy's infantry, aad cleared it in
brilliant s'yle, the enemy deserting their pcsit;ons
one after the other, and flying in the direction of the
Puejshere Valley, where they still cover the hill side
in great numbers.

The enemy, however, are at too great a distance to
admit of my following up the advantage I have obtained
this evening, the whole of the troops having been under
arms for nine hours ; I have therefore encamped on
tl^ ground, taking every precaution to guard against
a night attack.

I beg to enclose the accompanying casualty return,
from which you will perceive that, excepting thy: serious
disaster sustained in the affair of the 2d cavalry, but
little loss has resulted from the day's operations.
I have, Sze.
R. SALE, Major-General.
Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing of a Detach-
ment, on Field Service, under Commend of Major-
General Sir R. S;:le, K.C.8., on the 2d Nov. 1840.
Camp, Purwan, Nov. 2, 1840.
Engineers-1 lieutenant missing.
2d L'glit Cavalry-1 adjutant, 1 subadar, 1 jemadar,
2 scpoys, killed ; 2 captains, 1 subadar, 1 havildar,
22 sepoys, 2 syces, 16 horses wounded; 3 havildars,
1 naick, 7 sepoys, 1 syee, 12 horses, missing.
27th Native Infantry--1 havildar wounded.
37th Native Icf,ntry--3 sepoys wounded.
Total-1 adjutant, 1 subadar, 1 jemadar, 2 scpoys,
killed : 2 captains, 1 subadar, 2 havildars, 25 scpoys,
16 horses, wounded ; 1 lieutenant, 3 havildars, 1 naick,
7 scpoys, 1 syce, 12 horses, missing.

OFFICERS' NAMES.
Engincer!—Lieutenant Broadfoot.
2d Light Cavalry—Cornet and Adjutant Crispin, killed
Captains Fraser and Ponsonby, severely wounded.
It. SALE, Majoi-General,
Commanding Field Force in Kohistan.

Major-General Nutt to the Assistant Adjutan
General at Gabon!.

Camp, lielat, Nor. 3, 1840.

(Extract.)
I have the honour to acquaint you, for the in.
formation of Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton,
G.C.B. and K.C.H., commanding in Affghanistan,
that the troops under my command this morning
entered and took possession of the town and citadel
of Kclat, the rebel chiefs having evacuated this strong
fortress on the approach of the British force.
After making the usual and necessary arrangements,
1 shall deliver the place over to the political authori-
ties, leaving a complete regiment to garrison that im-
portant fortress, until the pleasure of Government shall
be known.

Although the Bengal Sepoys have not had, on the
present occasion, an - opportunity of distinguishing
themselves in action with the enemy, yet I beg to
assure you, that nothing could be finer than their
conduct ; the zealous and cheerful manner in which
they conveyed the battering train during a march of
near 300 miles of the most difficult country in the
world, dragging these heavy guns over the Kejok
mouritdins, through beds of rivers and deep ravines,
exceeds all praise, and has called forth the admiration
of their European officers and of the European
artillerymen attached to the battery ; their patience
under fatigue and privation, and their soldier-like and
orderly conduct deserve my warmest thank, ; and their
anxious and active zeal to hasten the march and to
encounter the enemy, has confirmed me in the convic-
tion that they are, when they perceive that confidence
is placed in them, fully equal to any troops in the world.
I cannot closa this letter without bringing to your
notice the great assistance I have received from
Colonel Stacey, commanding the 43d regiment, Major
Clarkson, commanding the 42d regiment, Captain
Mecan, commanding the troops of his Majesty
Snail Shooja 00l Moolk ; and my best thanks are
duce to that excellent officer, Captain William Ander-
son in commandof the artillery, and to Captain T.
Walker, commanding the cavalry.
My best thanks are also duo to Captain Pol3vhele,
Brigade-Major, and to Lieutenant Tytler, Deputy As-
sistant Quarter-Master General, for their constant ex-
ertions in the public service.—l have, &c.,
W. NOTT, Major-General,
Commanding the Troops at Kelat.