The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-31 00:00:00

find that the Senate will enforce upon them the observance
of the reciprocal influences of rights anal their duties, and that
they cannot neglect the latter without shaking the very
foundations on which the former are laid. It appears from
Lord LONDONDERRY'S statement that many of the
unfortunate victims of Mr. and Mrs. GERARD were ready to
pay their rents, and actually tendered the same, but in vain--
not one spark of sympathy or remorse could be kindled.
The mandate had gone forth, and in a moment, as it were,
they were cruelly exiled from the spot of their birth, and
the hearth to which their earliest recollections might in a
thousand ways have endeared them beyond any other
locality they could find. If the population of Ireland be
redundant, and in the absence of manufactures and other
resources, such as are afforded in England,.an undue com-
petition for land has supervened in Ireland. consequent upon
its being regarded as the only tangible means of subsistence,
however poor and precarious, could people like Mr.
and Mrs. GERARD be ignorant that this untoward
"tate of things had attracted the attention of the

tion of them, as is understood, moving on Ferozepore.
The division has been brigaded, and it consists of three
European and eight native infantry regiments, with
the Belooch battalion—two regiments of regular, and one of
irregular cavalry—three troops of horse, and four batteries
of foot artillery—or, in all, above 16,000 fighting men, with
nearly thirty pieces of artillery. The troops from all parts
of India continue to move northward—the country generally
very tranquil. We have now on the Sutlej, from Mithenkote
to Umballah, an army of above 60,000 men.

THE PUNJAIII.

OPERATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO THE tat Feeleyletee—The siege train
was now drawing near to its destination. From Busseau to eloodkee
it was escorted by a detachment of the 38th Native Infantry, under
Major Scott. It approached Hurreeke on the sth, when twelve
howitzers were detached by the Commander-in-Chief instead of
pushing on, as was expected, to the Governor-General at Ferozepore.
Colonel Wheeler's brigade took up a position near the village of Sun-
emit, six miles from Coodianah. He had under his command a power-
ful force, consisting of the Ist Light, and 4th Irregular Cavalry,
lI.M. 50th, the 24th, 30th, 30th, and 48th N. 1., the whole Sheka-
watts brigade, with four horse artillery guns—in all probably about
8,000 men. On the 3d, four days after the battle of Aliwal, the force
under General Sir Harry Smith marched from Boondrie towards
Durrumkote, and made arraugements to rejoin the head-quarters of
the Commander-hi-Chief at Hurreeke Ghat. Here the enemy co. Ahmed
to maintain themselves in force. Their principal position was right in
front of as, on our side of the river ; it was strongly fortified, armed
with 70 pieces of artillery, and defended by above 30,000 well-discip-
lined troops. A large body of men lay encamped on the opposite side—a
well-constructed bridge of boats maintaining the communication be-
twixt them. Sir Harry Smith joined the Commander-in-Chief on
the Bth, and arrangements were immediately made for an attack on
the enemy. So obstinately were the suns defended, and so apt to be
made use of if recovered for a moment, that two men of each com-
pany, exempted from all ether duty, were detached from tile
European regiments, and provided with spikes to cane into the vents.
The pontoon bridge at Khoonda Ghat, Ferozepore, was in readiness
to be used at a moment's warning, when our troops were prepared
to cross.
Let us now turn to the state of matters at Lahore, where, amidst
cruelty, perfidy, and falsehood, a stern and courageous determina-
tion not to yield to force of arms continued to manifest itself. The
Queen-Mother maintained a restless and uneasy position, unable to
see her way, or to control her vassal chiefs. She had learned that a
conspiracy had been matured by Goolab Singh to depose her and the
infant Maharaja Dhulleep Singh, and throw them into prison. This
was to be carried into execution on the return of the army from
Ferozepore, where success against us was considered certain. The
descendants of Shere Singh were to be placed upon the throne --the
mountain chief exercising all substantial power, and entrusting with
authority such Sirtiare as might be subservient to his will. To
counteract this scheme the Queen invited Goolab Singh on his arrival
to occupy the residence of the late Dhyan Singh ; she intended to
have him and the sons of Shere Singh murdered. The Raja de-
clined ; the other persons became aware of their danger, and escaped.
Goolab Singh is understood about this time to have sent messengers
with a view to negotiation with the Governor-General—hoping
to cover his designs, or, in case of a reverse, obtain separate
' terms for himself. lie declined to have the customary salute fired
on his arrival at the capital. On the 30th—the day of the battle of
Aliwal—he appeared at Court, and stated that he was ready to un-
dertake any duty her Majesty might assign him. He was offered
money and ammunition, and recommennded to proceed to camp ;
but replied that he had brought abundance of both with him, which
would be at the disposal of Government. He wished to fight the
British with his own hill men, and declined being mixed up with
the Seikhs, on whose courage no reliance could be placed. Ills
own troops and personal attendants numbered about twelve
thousand, with ten pieces of artillery. The conference ended in
nothing. The same evening tidings reached of the victory of
Sir Harry Smith, and strong detachments were immediately ordered
from Lahore to succour their defeated brethren, and reinforce the
comp at Hurreeke. The following day the Queen in her helpless-
ness was induced, notwithstanding all that had occurred, to nomi-
nate Goolab Single Vuzzeer, or Prime Minister. On the 2d February
a report was circulated that the Seikhs had retrieved the disaster
of the 30th, beaten the British, and recovered a portion of their
gune ; and as the man by whom the tidings was brought
was handsomely rewarded for his pains, other bearers
of intelligence equally flattering and fallacious made
their appearance in abunda ce. In two days more an
intimation from the defeated General Rugnoor Single re-
vealed the full amount of their di asters : two thousand men out of
24,000 who lead been engaged, was all he had been able to collect
or keep together, and Cheese were without money, arms, ammu-
nition, or food—their whole artillery were ba the hands of the
victors. Information soon after arrived, that so disheartened
was the grand army under Tej Single by the disaster expe-
rienced by their brethren that it would be difficult to get
them to, fight unless Goolab Singh showed himself in
camp. Evil tidings had arrived from the Indus ; a rebellious
chief, at the head of 3,000 men, was ravaging the Dhejarat, and
troops were ordered from the remote province of Cashmere to assist
the forces of Government likely to be overcome. It soon after ap-
peared that the rebels had taken six guns from the Minims forces, for
which they were far more than a match. On the 4th of February it
was agreed that the British Government should be openly and formally
applied to—that it should be intimated that the troops repented them
of what they had done, and were most anxious for au amicable arrange-
ment of differences. To induce the Governor-General to treat with
them by a formidable d isplay of strength still remaining,every effort was
made to get mere troops sent to camp, and to draw on the far north-
west, on Attock and Peshawar, for reinforcements to guard Lahore.
The Wuzeer continued to wait with anxiety the return of his am-
bassadors. Urged to proceed to camp, he persisted in continuing
at Lahore, pleading that his departure would be a signal for a
rising in the capital. The Governor-General is understood to
have declined all separate arrangements, and spurned the idea
of cessation of hostilities. Tidings reached about this time of
the assemblage of a large force under Sir Charles Napier on
the lower Sutlej ; and the defection of the Moolta.n Chief
who offered at once to submit and hold his dominions on the same
terms under the British as he had done under the Seikh Government.
This must have crowned the gloomy foreboding at the capital About
the Bth February every effort was being made for the fortification
and defence of Lahore.
Having given a short outline of the state of affairs in the Seikh
capital up to the 6th February, we must once more revert to the
operations of the British army, brought down to the junction of Sir
Harry Smith on the day just indicated, and ready to give battle to
the enemy.
The works had been repeatedly surveyed. They consisted of
formidable entrenchments defended by not fewer than 30,000 men
and seventy pieces of artillery. The fortifications had been most
skilfully constructed 'under Colonel Don Hurbon de Alcantara, a
Spanish engineer. There was a double line of batteries arranged in
a semi-circular form, high ramparts, and deep and wide ditches with
holes and banks ; a triple line of defences of earth and plank, such
as a rifle ball could hardly enter, with fascines, redoubts, and
epaulements, appeared to defy the efforts of our troops. Imme-
diately within they were, as in the camp at Fcrozeshah, pierced
with loaded mines, and everything arranged which skill could
plan or perseverance carry out during the four weeks they had
occupied their position. A considerable force remained on the other
side, with guns so placed as to command and flank the position on
this. The arrangements in contemplation had been submitted to the
Governor-General by the Commander-in-Chief, and met his hearty
approval. Two piequets in front of Kodeewallali and the little
Sobraon, occupied by the enemy be force during the day only,
were ordered to be taken possession of on the night of the 9;h,
and, though some misconception and delay occurred, by daylight
in the morning -of the loth they were in our hands. The
• battering and field artillery were placed in a semicircle, em-
bracing within its fire the position of the Seikhs. The cannonade
which was meant to have commenced at daybreak was delayed till
the rays of the sun had dispelled the heavy mist which, banging over
the river and the plain, rendered distant objects obscure. Two bri-
gades under Sir R. Dick meanwhile waited on the margin of the
Sutlej to commence the attack on the enemy's right. The 7th or
Stacy's Brigade, comprising her Majesty's 50th and 53d, led on,
supported at a distance of two hundred yards by the 6th under
Colonel Wilkinson; the sth under Colonel Ashburnham, forming
the reserve, was to advance from the entrenched village of
Keodewalla, leaving one regiment behind, if necessary for its
defence. General Gilbert's division, constituting the centre,
was deployed for support or attack, its right resting on the village of
the little Sobraon, which it partly occupied. On the left, near the
village of Guttah, with its right thrown out towards the river, was
General Sir Harry Smith's divisi m. The cavalry, under Colonel
, Cureton, feigned an attack on thee ford at lierreekee, threatening the
Seikh horse on the other side. In the rear, between General Gilbert's
right and Sir H. Smith's left, Brigadier Campbell occupied a position
capable of protecting beth. Sir Joseph Thackwell, with Brigadier
Scott, hell the remainder of the cavalry in reserve on the left,
ready to act as circumstances might demand. At three
A.M.' the troops advanced to their respective stations, as
just described. At daybreak the light field batteries and a brigade
of howitzers opened. By half-past six the whole fire of our artillery
was developed. Round shot, shells, and rockets followed each other
with fearful celerity, and the frequent explosion of ammunition
waggons in the enemy's camp showed with what precision they
were aimed. At first a few horsemen showed themselves recon-
noitring and directing the removal of the baggage across the river by
the bridge. Our infantry lay facing the works within carmen
range but under cover. The enemy at first scarcely seemed
aware of our position, the columns having taken up their
ground under night, but were quickly seen lining the
whole of their works as they saw themselves surrounded. In an in-
stant every gun was opened upon us from a common centre, and the
fire became tremendous. Our guns were of formidable calibre, were
admirably served, and pointed with the utmost precision ; but the
Seikhs' position was so formidable, and their cannon so numerous,
that it was feared that by cannonade alone it was in vain to hope
to carry the day in any reasonable time ; and It was determined to
bring the issue to the arbitrement of musket and bayonet.
The attack in conformity with this determination was com-
menced at nine o'clock; when Colonel Stacey's brigade, supported
by Colonel Lane's horse artillery and Captains Horsford's and For-
dyce's foot batteries, advanced steadily in line towards the enemy's
works. The infantry under Stacey, supported by Wilkinson's brigade,
moved on steadily and coolly, halting when necessary to correct any
imperfections In their line. Above twelve hundred yards of deepajand
bad to be traversed. The artillery went on at a gallop, taking up a sue-
• cession of positions until within 300 yards of the enemy. The simulta-
neous roar of one hundred and twenty pieces of ordnance now resounded
along the Sutlej ; the slaughter was terrible ; and so hot was the fire
of musketry, camel-swivels, and caution, that it seemed for a rim-
, merit impossible that the entrenchments should be won. On our
soldiers went, under a storm of grape and musketry now opening on
them from the opposite side and focus of the entrenched position. A
shout, a run, and a fire, had no effect the heaviness of the ground
over which they had passed had fagged the men. The Seikhs saw
their danger, but, confident in the power of their guns, and impreg-
nability of their position, stood firm and fought bravely. The
enemy's cavalry, ordered to the rescue, was now seen preparing
for the charge. A square was formed ; the gallant sepoys coolly
closed in on their own centre ; the enemy's horse took warning and
withdrew. In a moment the line was reformed and the troops
advancing, but not a man had as yet passed the entrenchments.
The Seikhs showed signs of wavering, as they saw our column
slowly and undismayed move on. One frightful effort more and the
outworks were our own. Her Majesty's 10th Foot, under Colonel
Franks. charged without firing a shot till within the intrenchments of
the enemy ; the 53d came next ; the Sepoys of the 43d and 59th
emulated the Europeans in coolness and determination. The brigade
of Colonel Ashburnham now came to the support of that of Colonel
Stacey. Generals Gilbert and Sir H. Smith threw out their light
troops, aided by the artillery, to threaten the other portions of the
intrenchments. The Seikhs attempted to throw the whole force
within their camp upon the two brigades which had entered, and the
battle raged with terrific fiery all along from right to left. Our heavy
guns had first been directed to the right, when their lire required to be
gradually suspended. The Seikhs strove with indomitable fury to
recover, sword in hand, the positions from which they had
been driven at the bayonet's point ; nor was it till the weight of the
three divisions of infantry, and the fire of every piece of artillery
belonging to our army, had been felt, and the cavalry under Sir
Joseph Thackevell had in single file burst through the openings made
by the sappers in the intrenchments, reformed and charged en the
other side, that the victory was won. The 3d Dragoons overcame
every obstacle, galloped over and cut down the men still standing by
' their guns, and the victors pressed closely upon the enemy on every
side. Now their fire first began to slacken, and then ceased. Regi-
ment after regiment moved steadily down, and fearful seethes of mus-
(From the Herald.) ketry were poured lie on the retiring foe. The few parties first
We have received by Extraordinary Express, in anticipa- retiring- were followed by vast masses making for the bridge.
Thousands betook themselves to the river, which a sudden rise had
tion of the Overland Mail, Bombay papers of the 3d of March. just rendered einfordable. The bridge, meanwhile, had partially
We refer our readers for full particulars to the ample details sunk, and was totally inadequate for the conveyance of the multi-
tudes pressing towards it. This battle had begun at six, it was over
we publish below from the Bombay Times. at eleven o'clock ; the hand to hand combat commenced at nine, and
We have received the official dispatches relative to this lasted scarcely two hours. The river was full of sinking men. For
last great victory, which we shall publish to-morrow.
two hours volley after volley was poured in upon the human mass—
the stream being literally red with blood, and covered with the
Our advices from China are of no later date than those bodies of the slain. At last the musket ammunition be-
brought by the last mail. coining exhausted, the infantry fell to the rear ; the horse
artillery plying grape till not a man was visible within
SUMMARY. range. No compassion was felt, or mercy shown ; not only
(From the Bombay Times of March 3.) had our own loss been excessively severe, but tee enemy,
during the earlier portion of the day, had mutilated or 'slur-
Another great battle has been fought and victory won. On dered every wounded man that fell into their hands. The coolness
the 10th ult. the Commander-in-Chief, with a force of about and order with which the enemy retired, notwithstanding the havoc
ing made aongst thr , as Their wluns
20,000 men, attacked the Seikhs, 36,000 strong, on our side mbe
ovedout of range of our fireranks won reaching theremarkable. further bank ofmth e
the river at llurrekee, and, after a severe and bloody ad- river, and pitched their tents—sent across at an early part of the
tion.
occasionallyl'hre or
playedf
ac-
tion, defeated them at all points, and drove them across
uupon us gunsstime, saluted the camp fu -
the river. Sixty-seven guns, and all their ammuni- lowers engaged in collecting the spoil. The bridge was partly burn',
the orrorof
tion and camp equipage, fell into our hands. The pen- partly sunk, and latterly destroyed by the engineers; 'the camp was
fromwthiioiche had,to the course of the
the
Coon bridge was inadequate to afford them a passage to their Of 3.5,000 erten who lead that day maintained
own side of the river, and their loss altogether was estimated so stout but so unavailing a fight against us, more than one
sinoos.eieveorfalcpairancaegsos.et fire to by stragglers, increasing
half must have been killed or wounded ; no fewer than ten thousand
at 10,000 men. Our casualties amount to 2,383 killed and
are believed to have perished. Sixty-seven guns, with upwards of
wounded—including, amongst the former, one Major- two hundred formidable camel-swivels, numerous standards and
munitions of war, fell into our hands. In an engagement so bloody
General, two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Captains, nine
kilireoleord,ananldi a
j0,9r.1G3
enw;rmariedsedir.
RAmpoinogkstatohde
lieutenants, three Ensigns, and 301 non-commissioned ants could not but be severe. Our total casualties amounted to
and obstinate— even though of brief
officersduratwioner—e tuhenelodsi olfoit.,,h,eoutnesdseaidi-;
2,383. Of these 13 European 1
Officers, rank and file. The same evening a portion
of our troops crossed at Ferozepore; by the 14th the 6310a3inrawnkeraendtheilleg
Taylor and Ryan. The Governor-General
whole army destined for the advance on the capi- Lieut.-Cols. C. C. Taythrough-
out seems to have been in the thickest of the fight ; he does not
tal were over : and by the 24th in all likelihood Lai ore seem to have exercised a separate command.
would be in our hands. It is unlikely we shall attempt After so much of repose as the fatigues of such au engagement de-
awllaernet
mended, thee victorious army, tender the Commander-in-Chief,
pre-
anything more this season ; and it has been intimated by the
pared to march towards Ferozepore, to be united with that command
Governor-General that it is not our intention to annex the by the Governor-General, ready to enter the Punjaub. The ambas-
Punjaub to our dominions, but to compel them to pay
sadors of Metals Singh, immediately after the victory, were ad-
netted to an interview with the Governor-General, which before
the expenses of the war, establish a firm Government, had been denied them. At no time had so much anxiety to treat
and retire. The whole arrangements of the Sinde with him been manifested—lt was not likely to have been increased
by anything that had occurred. The disconsolate messengers re-
army have, since our last, been altered. Sir Charles turned on the 11th to their master, to tell him Cleat a British force
Na having ' orders to join the Governor-General was now on the Lahore side of the Sutlej, ready, without delay, to
Napier rece:v. eu move upon the capital. The moment tidings were received of the
without delay, quitted Sukkn: on the 10th, leaving the c.vil victory at Banton, preparations for crossing the river without
government of Sinde in the hands ty: General Simpson—the delay were completed. On the night of the 10th and morning of the
I I th two brigades of infantry and one of cavalry, with a considerable
al Hunter
command of the army devolving on (den._ ' body of artillery, had crossed. The Governor General appears to
Instead of proceeding to Mithenkote to take up leave immediately pushed on with the leading division :he was at
- eseer, twenty miles in advance, and thirty-two from Lahore, on
their quarters for the hot season, the troops are now or- ; 11"-- Other troops were following fast across, and by the date
the 14th. 1.
dered up to within 60 wiles of BithimulPore—a M.; -

Legislature ; and was it not the dictates of policy,
as well as of philanthropy itself, to have waited and
seen what the Legislature might have devised before they
proceeded to scourge the hapless occupants of their soil?
And if it were to be said that this would have involved
a sacrifice, from whom have we a right to look for such sacri-
fices, if not from persons of affluence and social distinction?
Surely it was their duty, so far as their individual conduct
was concerned, to have co-operated with the Government,
and by humane and lenient treatment of those who were
justified in looking to them for protection, instead of relentless
dispersion, have led the country to believe they would have
seconded every effort that might be made by Parliament to bring
prosperity to Ireland. Acts, however, like that of which
they have been guilty only serve to thwart the best inten-
tions of public men. In other parts of the country where
wholesale ejectments have taken place, the owners have
generally sought to soften the severity of their measures by
making some provision for the emigration of their tenantry,
and for their temporary support and maintenance until such
could be carried into execution. In the case before us,
however, no one act of providence seems to have accom-
panied the ruthless scheme; all is dark from first to last.
An universal gloom overspreads the entire picture. It is re •
plete with every forbidding feature. The reflections it offers
are sufficiently grave. We can bode no good of a country
charged with offences of this description. Parliament must
interfere with unsparing hand ; and, by efficacious laws, re-
buke such civil enemies of our public welfare as those whose
conduct have elicited these remarks.

We have accounts from Madrid to the 23d inst. The
Tiempo, the only Opposition paper published, contains little
information, and the Heraldo, being sold to NARVAEZ, is nut
to be depended upon. The only intelligence therefore ob-
tained is from private correspondence. According to that, the
French Ambassador, Count BREssox, laden interview on the
23d with NARVAEZ, which is said to have been satisfactory to
both parties. The report was, that Count BRESSON, by the
orders of his Court, had advised the Dictator to act with
more moderation, and show some regard for the Constitu-
tion, otherwise he could not expect the support of France.
This belief appears to a certain extent to have calmed the
public mind. The capital was tranquil, and the accounts in
the Government paper from the provinces were also favour-
able. M. BUSCHENTAL, who recently arrived from London,
was on the 22d ordered to quit Madrid within forty-eight
hours. The real cause of this measure is unknown.

On the 23d the Three per Cents. closed at 31% for cash,
and 32 3-16 to the 26th of April. The Fives were not quoted.
Exchange on London, 37%.

The Paris papers are chiefly occupied with the Polish in-
surrection and the affairs of Spain, but with the exception
of some remarks in a letter from Madrid, published in the
Journal des Debats, there is nothing to interest the English
reader. The writer states that at an interview with the
French Ambassador, NARVAEZ had assured him that it was
not his intention to violate the Constitution, and that the
measures taken were but of a temporary nature. But this
does not say much. He had adopted these strong and un-
constitutional measures without any legitimate object, and
solely, it is believed, for the purpose of marrying the
QUEEN to a Prince repudiated alike by the Cortes and
the nation. This marriage may please the Court of France,
but it is unfair towards Spain to accomplish it by decrees
which abrogate the Constitution. The Constitution is mere
waste paper if it thus can be suspended at the will of the
Government.

The domestic intelligence in these papers is not important.
Most of them contain long reports of the trial now going on
at Rouen of M. DE BEAUVALLON, for killing last year in a
duel M. DucunntEn, editor of the Presse. The trial had
already lasted two days, and was not expected to close till
late on Monday. The Prince DE JOLNV!LLE reached Nantes
on the 26th, on a nautical tour of inspection previous to his
departure from Toulon to take the command of the experi-
mental fleet. The fleet, it is understood, will not sail till about
the and of April, and will consist of the Souverain, of 120
guns, in which the Prince will hoist his flag; the Jem-
mapes, 100; the Inflexible, 90 ; the Jupiter, 86 ; the Nep-
tune, 86; the Alger, 82; the Marengo, 82; and the Triton,
82 ; and several war-steamers.

A letter from Rome, of the 17th, states that a riot had
taken place at Trasteverino, in consequence of a collision
between the Papal troops and the people. Several persons
were killed and wounded on both sides.

In the Passage of the Opera, on Sunday, the Three per
Cents. were done at 83f. 90e.

The following are the latest quotation: of shares at Lyons :
LYONS, MAECH 27.—Marseilles and Avignon, 965 f. ; Paris and
Orleans, 1,300 f. ; Rouen, 1,046 f. 25c. ; Vicrzon, 710 f.
BIiIiLNESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Maucu 30.
Boulogne and Amiens, 11j —Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Celle
(Espeleta), 2—Dutch Rhenish, s%—East Indian, % —Great North-
ern of France Constituted, 15% —Great Western Bengal, 4 —Great
Western Canada, 3%—ltalian aid Austrian, 1 —Namur and Liege,
17i —Orleans and Bordeaux, 11% —Paris and Rouen, 404 Paris
and Strasbourg (Constituted), 6—Sambre and Meuse, 3% —Tours and
Nantes Constituted, 7.

INDIA.

DEFEAT OF THE SEIKHS,

'WITH

IMMENSE LOSS,

AND

TERMINATION OF
THE WAR.

(From the Morning Post)
TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES.
MARSEILLES, MARCH 29, 1846.

On the 10th of February, the English army, com-
manded by Sir Hugh Gough and by the Governor-
General, attacked the Seikhs at Sebras (the tete de
pont of the Seikh forces on this side of the Sutlej),
and carried their position after four hours' hard fighting.

The Seikhs lost 12,000 men and 65 pieces of artil-
lery. The English had 300 men killed, 13 of whom
were officers, and 2,500 wounded, of whom 101 were