The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-04 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY
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[PRICE SD.

MOULTAN.

OVERLAND MAIL

Our latest dates from Moultan extend to the 20th of
October, at which time matters stood much as formerly—
with this important difference—that Bhere Singh with
his troops had left for the Hazarelb country. Our
former narrative extended to the Ist -of October, at
which date General Whish lay encamped four miles
from Moultan, entrenched and well defended by artil-
lery, and in expectation that some attack would be made
on them, or threatened, at the period of the Dusserak—
a week afterwards. Taking up the . story of the siege
where it broke off, we find that provisions and money
were getting scarce at Moultan, and that ;the jealousies
and mistrust, which had from the beginning existed be-
tween Shere Singh and Moolraj, were on the inerease.
About this time the insurgents contrived to obtain pos-
session of a boat load of stores, to the value of 5001. to
7001., on its way down the Ravee and Chenaub from
Lahore. They were the property of an Euro-
pean merchant, and were intended for the various messes
in camp. Four companies of sappers and pioneers
under the command of Captain Siddons,' proceeded to
Soojabad—one of the posts long held by Lieutenant Ed-
wardes—to prepare fascines and gabio for the coming
siege, brushwood being abundant in the neighbourhood.
The place is about twenty miles from camp, and was at
one time intended as a depot for heavy ordnance stores.
The town was at this time reported to be nearly deserted
of its inhabitants—shopkeepers, provision-dealers, and
money-changers, almost alone remaining. The great
festival of the Dusserah—the season of the former Seikh.
outrages—at length arrived, when an attack had been
threatened, and Moolraj, who walk said V- haeet seamed
that he would.bathe in the holy seek of toorujkocnd, as,
bad been his wont from his youth upwards. The wa-
tering-place was close to our camp, and under the influ-
ence of religious feeling it was hoped the troops would
show themselves in the plain and give us an opportunity
of attacking them. Instead of this, the insurgents went
out in the opposite direction and burned no end of powder
for the honour of the occasion, scarcely within hearing
of our camp. Oomra Singh, one of the Seikhs recog-
nized as having attempted to corrupt our sepoys
at Lahore in April, was at this time caught
bathing ; he was captured and sent into camp
where being duly identified he was dispatched to
Lahore to be dealt with by the Durbar according to his
deserts. He bad originally belonged to the 42d Native
Infantry, and having taken his discharge was selected
for the service he undertook at the date just named from
his familiarity with the habits of our sepoys. On the
evening of the Bth Lieutenant Christopher, of the Indian
Navy, died of wounds received by him on the night of the
9th of September, when so many gallant men went
down. Colonel Pattoun, who fell on the occasion, de•
sired more men immediately, and Lieutenant Christo-
pher, serving as a volunteer, undertook to guide two
companies of her Majesty's 10th to the scene of action,
the localities about being unknown to them. ;This
duty performed, while he lingered near the scene a
matchlock ball shattered his ankle bone. Amputation
was twice performed, but be died on the Bth of October,
much regretted by all who knew him. One of our
soldiers who had fallen into the hands of the enemy,
and was believed to have been cruelly treated by him, is
said on the contrary to have been provided with a house
and servant, and to receive every attention from his
captors. He is employed as interpreter, and trans-
lates the contents of the letters and newspapers in-
tercepted by the insurgents ; he is an Irish-
man, and is said to enjoy the joke immensely. Trea-
sure to the amount of 18,0001., sent from Lahore for the
pay of the troops of Shore Singh before his treachery
became known, about this time fell into the hands of the
insurgents. On the 9th the Raja Shore Singh slipped
away from the city, the two preceding days having been
occupied in sending off detachments of his troops from
the north and north-east side of the the town—that being
the quarter furthest removed from the position of our
army. His purpose appears to have been to proceed by
forced marches to join his father, then hampered and
shut in by Abbott and Nicolson. General Whish was
anxious to hay e overtaken him had he lingered on the
way, but his movements were too quick for us • and with
no more than 900 cavalry at our disposal, and Moolraj
ready to pounce on the pursuing party, had pursuit
been given, it was resolved to leave him alone. His
retirement, just as the time approached when his services
were most needed, is a poor proof of the confidence of the
friends of Dewan in the strength of his cause, and the best
evidence we can have of how greatly exaggerated the
extent and dangerousness of the conspiracy organized
against us. Ilis withdrawal seems to have been occa-
sioned entirely by the jealousy and ill-feeling existing
between himself and Moolraj. His first march took him
12 miles from the city; at the end of the second he halted
at Sirdarpore, on the river, close by the place where her
Majesty's 10th disembarked on their way down. His
movements had been so regulet..l ebat he could cross the
river so soon as no necame aware that sea were sea
to pursue him; and, with the country people around in
his favour, such tidings would have reached him with the
utmost celerity. As it was from these circumstances ap-
parent that it was all but impossible to overtake him—a
march of 20 or 30 miles in pursuit of him, with the cer-
tainty of being harrassed by the Moultanees in our rear,
would have been as unwise as futile. In addition to the
quarrel with the Dewan, it is probable that this cunning
chief might consider his chances of success better in the
strong mountain country with his father, where a guerilla
warfare might for some time be maintained, and from
which there was a hope of escape in case of a reverse,
than in a walled city around which an overwhelming
army was preparing to assemble. The Seikh troops at
Bunnoo having at this time murdered their officers,
and taken their departure for the Hazareh country,
the occasion was seized upon by the desponding as a
proof of the perfect organization of the Seikh conspi-
racy, and the skill at once and baldness of their mea-
sures. Moolraj, it was said, would continue to maintain
Moultan with a force of from 10,000 to 12,000, as long
as it was possible, with a view of occupying about an
equal number of troops in the siege; while Shore Singh,
moving on Lahore with 5,000 or 6,000 more, would there
be joined by all the Seikhs in the city, and Chutter
Singh, with the Jamoo and Bunnoo deserters—in all
about 16,000—pressing on the capital as speedily as pos-
sible while the British garrison was at its weakest. So
far are these dismal anticipations from being borne out
by facts, that there seems every reason to believe the
Seikhs are satisfied of the desperateness of their condi-
tion. Gholab Singh has proclaimed his determination
to do all in his power to put down rebellion; and there
has been no disturbance or rising in their favour in any
quarter of the country.
The people everywhere and
the Mahommedan troops are well affected ; and all
we have to deal with, tit the highest computation,
is some 30,000 of the old army of Runjeet
Singh, scattered about without concert or pur-
pose—without any common object or common feel-
ing save hatred of the order of things by which
their power has become extinguished. On the 14th
a strong detachment of troops—consisting of Ander-
son's Horse Artillery, two guns from M'Kenaie's troop,
a wing each of her Majesty s 10th aid 32d Foot, the Bth
and 49th Native Infantry, a squadron of the 7th and the
whole of the 11th Irregular Horse, with 40 pioneers—
proceeded as escort to enable the chief engineer to take
the bearings of a batition on the north-west side of the
fort, which he bad not before had the means of examin-
ing. The escort required to be made thus strong from
the remoteness of the point to be examined. They left
camp at three o'clock in the morning, and reached their
destination without interruption, having made a detour
of nearly nine miles. The duty on which they had pro-
ceeded having been performed, they returned to camp
in safety two hours before noon. On their way back
Moolraj's cavalry were seen hovering on their flanks ;
our horse artillery and cavalry were ordered to charge,
but the enemy were too nimble for them and escaped
them. On the 18th the camp was surprised by the
restoration of some prisoners formerly taken from us.
They stated that the two Europeans in the fort had got
leave to quit; but both were wounded, and one was un-
able, the other unwilling, to move. The troops were
now directed to be restored to full rations—these having
before been reduced in apprehension of scarcity. The
weather had of late undergone a most agreeable change
—the night having become so cool that cloth clothes
were in demand. Desertions to Edwardes' camp had
become not unfrequent-80 Rohillas one day joined him,
and shortly afterwards 500 Seikhs from Bunnoo, who
had remained faithful when the rest had gone over to
the enemy. While in this state of comparative inac-
tivity the besiegers became aware of the vast prepara-
tions making for their succour. The Supreme Govern-
ment had asked for 5,000 troops from Bombay to ren-
dezvous at Roree as speedily as possible, for service
beyond the frontier. It was expected they would be able
to move from the mustering place early iu December. In-
stead of 5,000, 8,000 are now assembling. The army will
be considered complete on the Ist November, and will be
reedy to march by the 15th. The pontoon train ac-
companies them; the heavy guns are to be left behind,
as a supply of these can be sent down more readily from
Ferezepore. They will move on Bahawulpore, their
stores and baggage being conveyed up the rivar in boats.
If required, they will be able to reach Moultan by the
first week of December; but it is likely that long before
this the fortress will have fallen. Meanwhile the Su-
preme Government ordered a force to be assembled on
the frontier immediately under the Commander-in-
Chief. The troops enumerated constitute in all a force
of nearly 30,000 men, exclusive of the Bombay column
now assembling at Roree, which will amount in all to
little short of 8,000. This army includes the troops pre-
sently at Ferozepore and loultan, but excludes those at
Lahore, amounting to betwixt 8,000 and 10,000
men. The divisional commands have been ar-
ranged as follow :—Brigadier-General Tennant
commands the Artillery; Brigadier Cheape, the
Engineers, and the greater part of the officers
cnmposing this department of the force appear at pre-
sent-
,
to be at Moultan ; Brigadier-General Cureton com-
mands the cavalry division; and Mjors General Whish
Thackwell, and Gilbert, the three infantry divisions. No
direction is given in the general order as to the move-
ments of troops on Moultan from Ferozepore, and, so
far as at present appears, the Bombay column may yet
prove the first reinforcement General Whish will receive.
A stropg reserve will probably occupy the line of the
Sutlej, ;bile detachments are employed putting down
insurrection in Moultan and the Ilazareh country, and
punishing the rebels. Our difficulty after the reduction
of Moultan will be to find a body of insurgents to operate
against. At present there are the Mooltanese, 12,000 or
so under arms ; the troops under Chuttur Singh and

INDIA.

We have received from Marseilles our advices and
papers from India in anticipation of the overland mail
of the 2d October. The dates thus received are—from
Calcutta to the 2d, Madras the 7th, and Bombay the
2d of October.
There is no news yet of any effective movement as
regards the operations on the north-west frontier of
India, nor does it appear probable that we shall hear
of anything decisive until, at least, another month.
Shere Singh slipped away with his force from
Moultan on the night of the 9th of October. An at-
tack was at first contemplated by General Whish on
this body, but was desisted from on sufficient grounds
as it appears, namely, that the attack would have been
a night one against artillery, with the Dewan in the
rear, and, on our part, a lack of the necessary cavalry
force to insure success.
Orders have appeared dated " Simla, October 13,"
from the Commander-in• Chief of India, constituting
a force of some 30,000 men, to be designated " the
Army of the Punjaub," and of which Lord Gough

intended immediately to take the command in person.
The intelligence, itiTirekaids the 'State- of the Pun-
jaub generally, shows but too clearly that the whole
of the lately acquired territory is virtually in a state
of rebellion, and that the machinations of the various

parties in arms against our authority are at present,
and have been for some time past, directed on a com-
bined plan of operations, the results of which are
likely yet to develope themselves to a greater extent,
although happily the checks the Seikhs have received
and our vigilance round Lahore have much marred
their plans. A rumour which had been prevalent
for some time, that Chutter Singh and Sheer Singh
were playing a game ultimately to result in a com-
bined movement and attack on the capital, would ap-
pear by the latest advices to have been well founded,
intelligence having reached Lahore that Chuttur
Singh's forces were approaching in the vicinity of
Wuzeerabad ; and we are told that Sir F. Currie
considered the intelligence sufficiently authentic to
induce him to call for reinforcements from Feroze-
pore, consisting of Colonel Godby's Brigade (of one
European and two native regiments), with the
Ferozepore brigade of five regiments of cavalry,
with horse artillery, which had crossed the river
in readiness for operations, and at the same time
to recal, with similar instructions, Brigadier
Eckford's brigade (of two Native regiments and
two companies of artillery) then on the march to
reinforce the camp of General Whish. At that time
Shere Singh had advanced on the other side to
Sirdarpore, some thirty miles from Moultan. The
probability that a coup might be attempted on the
capital from some direction by the Seikhs in arms
appears to have been entertained throughout by the
Resident at Lahore, whose chief object it has been to
secure the safe occupation of that and the two other
chief points of strength in the Punjaub, and it serves
to explain the fact, which otherwise we should have
to regret, that General Whish had not at once been
supplied, as regards the northern line of frontier, with
any considerable reinforcement.

Our authorities in Western India, on their part,
we are :told, had determined for some time past that
only a general and combined movement should be
made by the troops of the Western Presidency, and
the effective division then on the march might be
expected at the seat of war coincidentally with the
arrival of the main body under Lord Gough. There
were advices that the head-quarters of the Bombay
division had arrived at Sukkur. One detachment,
with some artillery, had already left Roree. The
Rifle Brigade, under Brigadier Dundas, whose move-
ments upwards from Kurrachee had been so long
spoken of, was in motion on the Indus, and, with the
European regiments of the division, might be ex-
pected to reach Upper Sinde at the end of October. It
was expected that Jacobs' Sinde Horse would cross
the frontier immediately on the arrival of the first
detachment from Roree above alluded to, and that
they would proceed together °amp Of C0.0..1
Whish.

The troops in General Whish's camp were on full
rations.

The Governor-General was expected to arrive at
Allahabad in the first days of November. Lord
Gough had left Simla, hastening forward to Ferose-
pore via Loodianah; aad it was thought that the
expeditious progress of the Commander-in-Chief
would not admit of his having an interview with
Lord Dalhousie, previous to placing himself at the
head of the army.
The following figures are an abstract of details
which appeare l in the irderaph of Bombay as a
statement of the numerical force, as near as can at
present be computed, of the army of the Panjaub and
the Bombay field force respectively :
Bengal troops (European) 8,693
46 (Native) 21,667

30,360

Bombay troops (European) 2,365
(Native) :5,652

8,017

Total (about c... 38,377
Colonel Outram was a passenger by the present
mail from Bombay, with the intention of passing
two years' furlough in Egypt. This distinguished
officer was net, we are happy to learn, compelled to
this step from positive illness, but resorted to it with
a view of recruiting his health by travelling, a step
warrantable enough after his arduous services in
India.

(From the Bombay Times.)
We gave in our last the orders for the formation of an
frontier;
I
Rotreies
ooofrumB,aouodoedmueyn
GerfeoursaelrvAicueohbmeyuotynd,
andthe
will be completed by the Ist, and ready for march by
the 15th of November. If required at Moultan, they
theirwou l would
storesproceed
beingby the
transportedline of th e Indusby boats on Boilhat
hweu lrpiov
river.
,
They would in this case reach their destination earlyin
December. Before this, however, it is expected Moul-
tan will have fallen, and in this case a part of these will
probably for a time be employed in the Lower Pun-
jaub. The Supreme Government have directed an army
of 30,000 men to be assembled on the Sutlej. This in-
cludes the force already before Moultan, at, Ferozepore,
and on the frontier, but excludes that at Lahore,
amounting to betwixt 6,000 and 10,000 men. The
Commander-in-Chief will take the command. The in-
fantry divisions are to be commanded by Majors-General
Whish, Gilbert, and Thackwell; the cavalry, by Briga-
dier General Cureton, and the Artillery by Brigadier-
General Tennant. Of this force 7,000 are now before
Moultan, and this will be raised to 10,000 when the re-
inforcements now under orders (excepting those from
Bombay) have joined. At Ferozepore, it is said, some
20,000 will assemble, accompanied by nearly 100,000
camp-followers. The Moultau army continued up to
the 20th quietly in their entrenched camp, four miles
from the city, well protected by their guns. On the
9th Shere Singh, the insurgent whose desertion from our
camp occasioned the raising of the siege on the 14th,
quitted the city. Jealousies betwixt him and Moolraj
are said to have been the cause of the secession. He is
said to have reached Sirdarpore, 30 miles up the
Chenaub, about the 12th, it being believed that it was
his purpose to entrench himself and await an attack
from us near Find Dadun Khan. On the 14th a large
reconnoitring party went out to examine a portion of the
fortress; they returned without interference. On the 18th
Brigadier Eckford received orders to proceed from Fero.
zepore to Moultan with 2 native regiments, 3 companies
of artillery, and details of corps already with General
Whish. He marched on the 19th, but was on
the 21st recalled, the advanced guards of Chuttur Singh's
force having shown themselves at Wuzeerabad, about
70 miles from Lahore and :about 230 from Moultan.
Troops were immediately ordered by Sir F. Currie to
prcceed against him, and Eekford's column was coun-
termanded. Our force, if good haste were made, would
be up with him by the 30th, even if he remained beyond
the Chenaub; and if it be true that his son, Shere
Singh, was at this date at Sirdarpore, 30 miles from the
Moultan, there is no great chance of a junction being
formed between them over an interval of 200 miles, with
artillery to transport, in ten days' time, though they are
asserted to be acting in concert. Gholab Singh has
sent 5,000 men under Colonel Steinbach to attack him
on his flank. A letter of the 21st, from Lahore, states
he
that
ht
aA 001
actedr a
j hand
alwrittenon tonstSriurctlio'.nCsufrrroim h
Currie, sttaetiDegurtbhaart,
and had always been ready to surrender provided his
life was assured him. This rumour has been current
before.

At Peshawur the troops continue faithful, and the
trumpery outbursting of robber chiefs, who, up and down
over the country, were taking advantage of the troubled
state of things, were rapidly being put down. The troops
everywhere continued in excellent health and the best
spirits.

- The Sesostris brings news of the 29th from Kurrachee,
at which date everything continued tranquil.
The Governor-General was expected at Allahabad
about the 2d of November.
A violent hurricane, in which one ship was lost, and
five or six more damaged, swept the upper portion of the
Bay of Bengal, and the lower country on the Ganges,
between the 14th and 16th, and reached Bombay on the
19th, but occasioned little damage.
The Governor and Commander-in• Chief are at the
Presidency, where we have at present a full council.
The cold season is now setting in. A scarcity of food,
in consequence of deficiency of rain, is apprehended in
Malwa, and along our north-west frontier.

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ROYAL NAVY.—Lieut. F. B. Quin, her Majesty's
steamer Medea, at Whampoa, on the 13th Sept.
APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, &C., ANNOUNCED SINCE
DISPATCH OF LAST OVERLAND MAIL, ON OCT. 17.
"LER MAJESTY'S TROOPS.—STAFF.— Lieutenant-CC...
lonel R. Benson, to officiate as mili'ary sedietsry
to the Right Hon. C.B.de Governor-General," vice Colonel
Mountain, C. 13., proceeding to join his regithent, or-
dered on active service. Major E. Lugard, to tor as
clst —ing 3dAidede Regiment. ea(mLp (Light).—Lieutenant
to t)
m.—General
R.
Gil-
Adjutant-General, vice Colonel Cureton, appointed to -
command the Cavalry Brigade with the field force.
DRAGOONS.-3d
Al
rfs
siG oofloia.C.B. Lieutenant W. H. White, deceased; 'at
ÜbCeouirtbß ia llah, on the 22d of September: - Cornet Itt H.
Hodgson to be Lieutenant, vice White, deceased. Lieu-
tenant Rathwell is on sick leave to Meerut, and has
two years' leave to Europe. 10th Regiment (Hussars)
—Lieutenant Smith has two years leave to England
on private affairs. Lieutenant J. S. Little has been
appointed an extra Aide-de-Camp to Lord Falkland,
Governor of Bombay. Cornet J. Drummond to be
Lieutenant, vice Parker, ;who retires. 14th Regi-
ment (Dragoons)—Major Stuart, Captains:l Goddard
and Wilmer, have been appointed a committee' of
paymastership. Paymaster Rolfe hai' sick Attie to
Europe. 15th Regiment (Hussars)—Lieutenant Millar
has proceeded to Europe on sick leave. SurVcip M2lint _
has been tried by a court-martial, and seritenJed-trbe
dismissed the service. Lord Gough, refuses to confirm
the sentence, and has directed Dr: Mdunt to return to -
Europe. Brevet Captain Von Strong has passed as in-
terpreter in the Tamil language.
INFANTRY.-Bth Regiment—Captain J. L. Meriden,
deceased, at Kurachee on the'l6th ult. 10th Regime it-- -
Lieutenant Medhur hits'sick leave to 'Europe for two
years. Ensign C. B. Calcott
.to 'be lieutenant-vide
linsworth, died of wounds received in action. 18th-li&
gimen (Royal Irish):=Lieutenant Kelly has two years'
sick leave to England. 22d Regiment—Lieutenantl. H.
Graham has passed in the Mahratta langnage. 29th
RNiment—Colonel A. S. H. Mountain, C. 8., has joined
his regiment,
.ordered on active service. 60th Regiment
(Rifres)=-Lietitenant•B. Ward to be brigade-major of
the7-11r-Infantry Brigade of the Moultan field force,
underAlior-General Auchmuty, C. 8., from the Boni-
btiyg!rosuiency. 61st Regiment—Captain C. J. Otter
iimmireatidjutant-generel of. 'oq's. !ST=
usent--Brevet MAW Lowth na9
years sick leave to England. 98th Regiment—Lieute-
nant-Colonel Gregory and Captain Ormsby have leave
to Calcutta, thence to England, for two years, on pri-
vate affairs.