The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-01 00:00:00

OVER LAND MAIL

(From the Herald.)

We have received by Extraordinary Express, in anticipa-
tion of the Overland Mail, Bombay papers of the 3d of March.
We refer our readers for full particulars to the ample details
we publish below from the Bombay Times.
We have received the official dispatches relative to this
last great victory, which we shall publ;;;Ei to-morrow.

Our advices from China art of no later date than those
brought by the last mail,

SUMMARY.
(From the Bombay Times of March 3.)

Another great battle has been fought and victory won. On
the 10th ult. the Commander-in-Chief with a force of about
20,000 men, attacked the Seikhs, 36,000 strong, on our side
the river at Hurrekee, and, after a severe and bloody ac-
tion, defeated them at all points, and drere them across
the river. Sixty-seven guns, and all their ammuni-
tion and camp equipage, fell into our hands. The pon-
toon bridge was inadequate to afford them a passage to their
own side of the river, and their loss altogether was estimated
at 10,000 men. Our casualties amount to 2,343 killed and
wounded—including, amongst the former, one Major-
General, two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Captains, nine
Lieutenants, three Ensigns, and 301 non-commissioned
Officers, rank and file. The same evening a portion
of our troops crossed at Ferozepore; by the 14th the
whole army destined for the advance on the capi-
tal were over : and by the 24th in all likelihood Lahore
would be in our hands. It is unlikely we shall attempt
anything more this season ; and it has been intimated by the
Governor-General that it is not our intention to annex the
Punjaub to our dominions, but to compel them to pay
the expenses of the war, establish a firm Government,
and retire. The whole arrangements of the Sinds
army have, since our last, been altered. Sir Charles
Napier having received orders to join the Governor-General
without delay, quitted Snkkur on the 10th, leaving the civil
government of Sinde in the hands of General Simpson—the
command of the army devolving on General Hunter.
Instead of proceeding to Mlthenkote to take up
their quarters for the hot season, the troops are now or-
dered up to within 50 miles of Bahawulpore—a por-
tion of them, as is understood, moving on Perosepore.
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 15,000 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 hare now on the Sutlej, from Mithenkote
to Umballab, an army of above 60,000 man.

TUE Ptllo ALI
0e21.1176its steufltalNT To Tait 14 Fanattaity.--,-The isiege train
Was now drawing uear to its destination. From Hussein to Moodkee
it was escorted by a detachment of the 38th Infantry, under
Maj ,r Scott. It approached Ilitriteke on the sth, when twelve
howitzers Were d'etttelied by the Commander-in-Chief instead of
pushing on, as *as expected, to the Governor-General at Ferozepore.
Colonel Wheeler's brigade took up a position near the village of SAM-
%mit, six miles from Loodianah. He had under hie command a power-
ful force, consisting of the let Light, and 4th Irregular Cavalry,
11.5 f. 50th, the 24th, 30th, 30th, and 48th N.L, the whole Shelta-
watte brigade, with four horse artillery giant—ill all probably about
8,000 men. On the 3d, four days after the battle of Aliwal, the forge
under General Sir Harry genith marched from Boondrie towards
DurruMkete, and made arrangements to rejoin the head-quarters of
the Comtnander-in-Chief at Hurreeke Ghat. Here the enemy conti..ued
to maintain themselves in force. Their principal position was right in
front of us, on our side of the river ; it was strongly fortified, armed
with 70 pieces of artillery, and detlinded 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 maittaining the communication be-
twixt them. Sir Harry Smith joined the Commander-in-Chief on
the Bth, and ariettigeinente Were immediately made for an attack on
the enemy. rio obstinately were the Lulls defended, and so apt to be
made Use of if reccvered for a moment, that two men of each com-
pany, exempted from all ether duty, were detached from the
European regiments, and provided with spikes to ram into the vents.
The pontoon bridge at Khoonda Ghat, Ferozepore, was in readiness
to be used at a memeat's warning, when our troops were prepared
to cross.

Let ut no* tithe to the state of matters at Lahore, where. amidst
eraeity, perllily, 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 Dhulieep 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 Sliders as might be subservient to his will. To
counteract thii &theme the Queen invited Goolab Singh on his arrival
to eecupy the residence of the late Dhyan Singh ; she intended to
nave him and the sons of Shere Singh murdered. The Itaja 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. He declined to have the customary salute fired
en 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. Ho wished to fight the
British with big ewn hill men, and declined being mixed up with
the Seikhs, on whose courage no reliance could be placed. His
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 Singh Vuzzeer, or Prime Minister. On the Id February
a report was circulated that the Selkhs had retrieved the disaster
of the 30th, beaten the British, and recovered a portion of their
guns ; and as the men by whom the tidings was brought
was handsomely rewarded for his pains, ether bearers
of intelligence equally flatteriag and fallacious made
their appearance in abundance. In two days more an
intimation from the defeated General Itugnoor Singh re-
vealed the full amount of their di teeters two thousand men out of
24,000 who had been engaged, was all he had been able to collect
or keep together, and these were without money, arms, ammu-
Hitler), or food—their whole artillery were is the hands of the I
victors. luformatien soon after arrived, that so disheartened
was the grand army cod r Tej Singh 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 bad taken six guns from the Khrtlea forces, for
which they were far more than a match. On the 4th of February it
was agreed that the aritish Government should be openly and formally
applied to—that it should he intimated that the troops repented them
of what they had done, end were most anxious for an amicable arrange-
ment of differences. 'co induce the Governor-General to treat with
them by a formidable display of etrength still remaining,e very effort was
mete to get mere troops sent to camp, and to draw ea the far north-
west, on Attock and Peshawur, for reinforcements to guard Lahore.
The Wuseer continued to wait with anxiety tee return of his am-
beieladers. Urged to proceed to camp, he persisted in continuaig
at Lahore, pleading that his departure would be a sienal for a
rising in the capital. The Governor-General is understood to
have declined all separate arrangements, and spurned the idea
et cessation of hostilities. Tidings reached about this time of
the assemblage of a large force under Sir Charles Napier on
termsw who
o Cruenrdelelr at
th
nßcreittisoheasubhmeiitiaadrudloVuillidisedrogi,lieoinksh
the lower sutlej ; and the defection of the Moeller: Chief
This must have crowned the gloomy foreboding at the capital. Ahoat
oGnovteirialetnnemnts.
the Bth February every effort was being made for the fortification
and defence of Lahore.

Sobraon, occupied by the enemy in force during the day only,
were ordered to be taken possession of en the night of the 9'h,
and, though some misconception and delay occurred, by daylight
in the morning of the 10th they were in our hands. The
battering and field artillery were placed in a semicircle, eme
' bracing within its fire the position of the Seikhs. The ceraiionade
which was meant to have ccinmenced at daybreak Was delayed till
the rays of the sun had dispelled the heavy milt Which, hanging over
the river and the plain, rendered distant objects obscure. Two bri-
gades under Sir R. Dick meanwhile Waited on the margin of the
Sutiej to commence the attack en the enemy's right. The 7th or
etacy's Brigade, comprising her Majesty's 50th and e•Ad, led on,
supported at a distance of two hundred yards by the Gth under
Colonel Wilkinson ; the sth under Colonel Amhburnham, forming
the reserve, was to advance from the entrenched village of
Keodewalla, leaving one regiment behind, if necessary Per its
defence. General Gilbert'e division, constituting the centre,
was deployed for support or attack, its right reefing 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 division. The cavalry, under Colonel
Cttreton, feigned an attack on the ford at Harreekee, threatening the
Seikh horse on the other side. In the rear, between General Gilbert's
right and Sir IL Smith's left, Brigadier Campbell occupied a position
capable of protecting both. 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
of
waggons
hgsh
go fvnei
fearful
zr
f ain developed.r s
sae., the troops advanced to their respective stations, es
just described. At daybreak the light field batteries and a brigade
ot
celerity,
enuree
iondt
Round
em,a Bya half-pastnyshdoettahse shells,
eifrequent
sh six,gou wane
entdaht
rockets
withevi khpeol
tol whole
followedoi thniattofoietracahrtoiltlhereyr
of
freaemlomiortithioeyn
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 cannon
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
Are 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 is any reasonable time t and it was determined to
bring the issue to the arbitremeht 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 Horsferd's and For-
dyce's foot batteries, advanced steadily in line towards the enemy's
works, The infantry under Steelier, Supported by Wilkinson's brigade,
moved on steadily and coolly, halting whets necessary to correct any
imperfections in their line. Abel's teethe hundred yards of deepsiand
had to be traversed. The artillery Went on at a gallop, taking up a suc-
cession of positions until within 300 yards of the enemy. The simulta-
neous roar of onohundred 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 cannon, that it seemed for a mo-
ment 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, end a fire, had no effect : the heaviness of the ground
over which they hal passed had fagged the men. The Sellths taw
their danger, hut, confident in the power of their gene, 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 tquare 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 entretielnliehts.
The Seikhs showed signs of wavering, as they' haw ottr column
slowly and undismayed move en. One ftightilil effort more and the
outworks were our own. Her Majesty's 10th Foot, under Colonel
Franks, charged without flring a chef till within the, intrenchmente of
the enemy; the t3d came next ; the Sepoys of the 411' and 59th
emalated the Europeans in coolness and deterniiilation. The brigade
of Colonel Ashbternharn now came to the attppott bf that bf Colonel
Stacey. Generals Gilbert and Sit H. Staltle threw out their light
troops, aided by the artillety, to threhten the other portions of the
intrenchments. The Seikha attempted to throw the whole force
within their camp Upon the two brigades which had entered, and the
battle raged with terrific nay all along from right to left. Our heavy
guns had first been t.,rected to the right, when their fire required to be
gradually slitaiended. The Seikhs strove with indottiltahle fury to
recoveo, svcoed in hand, the pilsitione faith which they had
been driven at the bayonet's point; not was it till the weight of the
three divisions of intkutrO, Mid the fire of every piece of artillery
belonging to our lathy, had been felt, ard the cavalry under Sir
Joseph Thackwell had in single file burst through the openings shade
by the sappers in the intrenchmente, reforthed aid charged on the
other side, that the victory was wen The 3d Dragoons ovetcatne
every obstacle, galloped over and cut doWn the men kill standing by
their guns, and the victors pressed 'Closely Upon the enemy on every
side. New their fire first begat' to slaclen, and then ceased. Regi-
ment after regiment moved steadily down, and fearful seethes of mus-
ketry were poured in on the retiring fee. The few parties first
retiring were followed by vast masses making for the bridge.
Thousands betoug themselves to the river, Watch a sudden rise had
just eendtred unreadable. The bridge, meanwhile, lied partially
sunit, and was totally Madeatiate for the conveyance of the multi
tudes pressing towarde it. This battle had begun at six, it was over
at eleitn O'clock ; the hand to hand combat commenced at nine, and
lotted Scarcely two hours. The river was full of sinking men. For
two hours volley after volley was poured in prom the h.utasan mitts
the stream being literally red With blood, and covered with the
bodies of the ,laid: At ut,t the musket ammunition be-
coming eihittisted, the infantry fell to the rear ; the horse
artillery plying grape till not a man was visible within
tango. No compassion was felt, or mercy shown; not only
had our own loss been excessively, seopre, bet the enemy,
during the earlier portion of the den had Mutilated or mur-
dered every wounded man that fell into their hands. The coolness
and order with which the enemy retired, notwithstanding the havoc
Wine made amongst their ranks, was remarkable. Their columns
moved out of range of our fire on reaching the furthet bank of the
river, and pitched their tents—sent across at an early part of the ac-
tion. Three or four hoary guns which had, in the course of the fight,
occasionally played upon tie front time to time, saluted the camp fol-
lewere engaged in cellectine the spoil. The Midge was partly burnt,
partly sunk; and latterly destroyed by the engineers; the camp was
several placed set fire to by stragglers, increasing the horror of the
scene of carnage. Of 35,000 men who had that day Maintained
so stout but so unavailing a fight against us, more than one
half must have been killed or wounded ; no fewer than ten thousand
are believed to haVe perished. Sixty-seven guns, with upwards of
two hundred formidable camel-swivels, numerous standards and
munitions of wtr, fell into our hands. In an engagement so bloody
and obstinate—even though of brief duration—the loss of the assail-
ants could not but be severe. Our total casualties amounted to
2,383. Of these 13 European officers were killed-101 wounded ;
303 rank and Ale were killed, and 1,913 wounded. Amongst the
slain were the gallant veneran Major-General Sir E. Dick and
Lieut.-Cell. C. C. Tayler and Ryan. The Governor-General through-
out seems to have been in the thickest of the fight ; he does not
Seem to have exercised a separate command.
After so much of repose as the fatigues of such an engagement de-
manded, the victorious army, under the Commander-in-Chief, pre-
pared to march towards Ferozepore, to be united with that command
by the Governor-General, ready to enter the Putaatib. The ambas-
sadors of Geolab Singh, immediately after the victory. were ad-
mitted to en interview with the Governor-General, which before
had been denied thetti. At no time had so inuch anxiety to treat
with him been manifested—it was not likely to have been increased
by anything that had occurred. The disconsolate messengers re-
turned on the 11th to their master, to tell him that a British force
was now on the Lahore aide of the Sutlej, ready, without delay, to
move upon the capital. The moment tidings were received of the
Victory at Sobraon, preparations for crossing the river without
delay were completed. On the night of the 10th and morning of the
11th two brigades of infantry and ono of cavalry, with a considerable
body of artillery, had erossod. The Governor-General appears to
have immediately pushed on with the leading division he was at
Kussoor, twenty Mike in advance, and thirty-two from Lahore, on
the lath. Other troops were following fast across, and by the date
jest given every man intended for the advance to Lahore was within
the Seikh boundary. Geolab Singh was stated to have intimated
that he was on his way to camp: the Lancers had gone
out to evert him in. Brigadier Wheeler crossed from
Umballa on the 17th, and captured Phullour on the day
following without resistance—the Seikh army having fled without
fighting. 'Thiel le the latest intelligence, thought not the most im-
pottant, We have ree,i;ei. On the 14th the Governor-General
published one of the mast important proclamations for half a cen-
tury issued by any ruler in India- not so much as intimating a
fact as indicating a principle--that the operation of "the law
of expansion and Pares of circumstances," under whose ima •
gilled influence we have, in indulging tee lust of territorial
aggrandisement, so often committed grievious wrong, was no
longer recognised. The Seikh army having been chastised
and humbled, is to be deprived of all power of annoyance ; the
expenses of the war must be met by those who have provoked
It; till thee is seen to, and a strong and suitable Government he es-
tablished at Lahore, our troops will continue to occupy the country,
and then be withdrawn. The provinces, hill and plain, betwixt the
Sutlej and Rene, :s alone to be appropriated, their revenues forming
a portion of the indemnity required. I line of policy so strikinglycontrasted with that we have fur ten years pursued—so novel said
so unexpected,
is likely to be keenly canvassed at home. The ve-
teran who now rules over ns has shown that a ruler may in India
dare to be peaceful and just, and fear not. His measures have fully
exemplified the advice of the Great Duke, to avoid a little war.'