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

DESPATCHES FROM INDIA.

(From the Gazette of Last Night.)
The following despatches'have been reei iced at the
India House

Major-General Sir Robert Sale, K.C.8., to Major-
General Sir Willoughby Calton, G.C.8., and
K.C.H.

Camp, Yuman, Nov. 2, 1840.
S'r,—Having received intelligence that Dust Moha-
med Khan, with a number of armed followets, had
taken possession of some forts in this direction, from
which he proposed moving to-day towards the Caore-
bond Pass, with the view of effecting a junction with his
son Mabomed Afzul Kban, I determined on endea-
vouring to frustrate the attempt.
Accordingly at 6 a.m. 1 broke up my camp at 13:lion
the fort of Meer Musjecdee, and moved on this poti•
tion. _ .

An advanced column, consisting of four companies
of her Majesty's 13th light infantry, the two flank com-
panies of the 37th native infantry, one company o: the
27th native infantry,lhe two six pounders 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.
On approaching Purwan, 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 'tom and three thousand five
hundred foot ; the native report received swell their
numbers to a much higher amount.
Dr. Lord, who accompanied Colonel' Salter to
procure information, sent word that he believtd
if the cavalry proceeded in advance fliey would be
able to cut off sornerof 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 ef the pass,
to prevent any of the enemy attempting to escape ha
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
numerous water-courses that intersected the road.

The 2d cavalry had preceded the column about a mile
when a body of the enemy's horse, abotat2oojn number,
supposed to be headed by Dost Mahomed in perstra,
came down the hill to attack them. The cavalry was
formed into line, and led on to the charge by Criptaias
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
unsupported by their troopers, and, after being most
severely wounded, extricated themselves with difficulty,
and found 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 unfertunately
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 speak toe
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, anti
one company of the 27th regiment, supported by two
guns from Captain Abbott's battery, and followed by
some of the Jane Bazees, now ascended the hid
overlooking the pass and valley of Purwan, ohich
was crowded by the enemy's infantry, and cleared it in
brilliant style, the enemy deserting their positions
one after the other, and flying in the direction of the
Punjshere Valley, where they still cover the hill aide
in great numbers.
The enemy, however, arc 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
the 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 the serious
disaster sustained in the affair of the 2d cavalry, but
little loss has resulted from the day's operations.
I have, &c.
R. SALE, Major-General.
Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing of a Detach-
ment, on Field Service, under Command of Major-
General Sir R. Sale, K.C.11., on the 2d Nov. 1840..
Camp, Purwan, Nov. 2, 1840.
Engineers-1 lieutenant missing.
2d Light Cavalry—l' adjutant, 1 subadar, 1 jemadar,
2 sepoys, killed ; 2 captains, 1 subadar, 1 havildar,
22 senoys, 2 syces, 16 horses wounded; 3 havildars,
neick, 7 sepoys, 1 syce, 12 horses, missing.
27th Native Infantry-1 havildar wounded:
37th Native li.fautry-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 aka,
7 scpoys, 1 sync, 12 horses, missing.
OFFICERS' NAMES.
Engineers—,Lieutenant Broadfoot.

.t2d Light Cavalry—Cornet and Adjutant Crispin, killed ;
Captains Fraser and Ponsonby, sovescly wounded.
R. SALE, Major-General,
Commanding Field Force in Kohistan.

Major-General Nett to the Assistant Adjuinni
General at Cabool.
Camp, Kelat, Nov. 3, 1840.
(Extract.)
I have the honour to acquaint you, for the ly.
formation of Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton,
G.C.B. and K.C.H., commanding in Affghan'astan,
that the troops under my command this morning
entered and took possession of the town and citadel
of Kelat, the rebel chiefs having evacuated this strong
fortress on the approach of the British forco.
After making the usual and necessary arranguneots,
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 Scpoys 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 Kajois
mountains, through beds of rivers and deep ravines,
me
i nth c and
t n
exceeds all praise, and has called forth the admiration
enemy,ic
il privation,
ha
s confirmed and
their
e on
of their European officer& and of the European
analt z
whene to
theyt
confidence and to
encounter
artillerymen attached to the battery ; their patience.
u
eit
i'a *
thea A
orderly conduct deserve my warmest thanks ; and
anxiousthno dr
that
he
y are,active
a
l hasten
perceive he t
la marcha
is placed in them, fully equal to any troops in the world.
I cannot cicse this letter without bringing to your
notice the great assistance I have received tiota
Colonel Stacey, commanding the 43d regiment, Major
Clarkson, comroanding the 42d regimv)t, Captain
Mecan, commanding the troops of is MajestY
Shah Shooja 00l Moolk ; and my best thanks are
duce to that excellent officer, Captain William Andes.
son in commandof the artillery, and to Captain I'.
Walker, commanding the cavalry.
to Ciptain l'alwheie
My best thanks are also duo
T tier De t A
Brigade-Major, and to Lieutenant ) pu y s_
sistan4, Quarter-Master General, for theirs. constant ex,
croons iu the public service.---I have, ,c.,
W. NOT', Major-General,
• Commanding the :Troops at Kelat.

DEATH OF SIR ASTLEY COOPER.

We regret to state that the above eminent Baronet died
day afternoon, shortly after one o'clock, at his real.
yester
dente in Conduit street, Hanover.square. Ia Lim the
profe=sion has lest one of its most distinguished ornaments,
and the public a great benefactor. Sir Astley Patton
Cooper, Bart., of Gadesbridge. in the county of Hertford,
WAS born the 23d of August, 1768; married 12th Decem-
ber, 1792, Ann, daughter of Thomas Cocks, Esq. (a
merchant of London), of Tottenham, in the county of Mid-
dlesex ; by whom (who died in June, 1827,) he had no issue.
This gentleman, who was the youngest son of the Rev.
Samuel Cooper, D D., Rector of Yelverton and Morley, is
the county of Norfolk, by Maria Susannah, daughter and
heiress of James Bransby, EFT, of Shaftesbury, in the
county of Norfolk, having attained the highest emi-
nence in the surgical profession, was appointed surgeon to
his Majesty George IV., and created a baronet, with
remainder, in default of male issue, to his nephe.w,.Ast.ley
Patton Cooper, Esq. (who married Miss Itickpir::bu°,4l
(laughter of William Rickford, E*(l.
thirdof ill
tt
coif t
itul:rep
e lateitu
dR
Motto,ev.
t "Nil magnum Mai
Creation, 27th July, 1821.
Lamm."l.l:ol\evii.ce,ik)::n(f."(oyroopiruiriedi4k7
most celebrated lecturers on furs.
Surgeons, one of the mo,
rSt oat?
Fellow of the Royal
•and most skilful operator, a
fiery en We understand that he
defy, Surgeon to the Que
lie was a Member. of the Council of the Coltregas
awfnastcatetolaisotreta,:roieo(Tl. (f.rebeyytelrazy, with which he had been

woLvEs.—Thslic Strasburg papers mention. that
the cold ha,.; become so severe in that oft of the country
to render the wolves much more daring than usual, these
animals having been committing ravages in several villageis;
and a few nights ago two of large size came close to the kr*
trenched camp at Miotte, and were about to fall on a senti-
nel, wl e tc attached them:with the hurt-ctd of his musket,i
and put them to flight.— Galiynani.