The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-24 00:00:00

THE VICTORY IN ININA,

OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.

"GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY."

INDIA BOARD, FEB. 23, 1846.
A dispatch, from which the following is an extract, has
been this day received afthe East India House :
FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA TO THE SECRET
C,MMITTEE OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY, PAYED CAMP,
FEROZEPORE, DEC. 31, 1845.
(Extract.) -

The Seikh army, in large numters, commenced crossing
the Sutlej on the 11th, and, after investing Ferozepore on
one side, took up an entrenched position at. the village of
Ferozeshali, about ten miles in advance of Ferezepore, and
about the same distance from the village of Moodkee.
In this camp the enemy had placed 108 pieces of cannon,
some of large calibre, with a force exceeding 50,000 men,
for the purpose of intercepting the approach of the British
force moving up from Umballa, to the relief of Ferozepore,
which had been thus treacherously attacked, without pro-
vocation or declaration of hostilities.
I had ordered, on the Bth instant, that portion of our army
posted at Umballa for defensive purposes, to move up on
the 11th ; and, after a rapid march of 150 miles, it reached
Moodkee on the 18th, where, on the evening of the same
day, it repulsed an attack of the Seikh army, and captured
17 guns. On the following day the army was concentrated
at Moodkee, and, on the 21st, moved by its left on Feroze-
pore ; and having on the march formed its junction at half-
past one o'clock with 5,000 men and 21 guns, under Major-
General Sir John Littler, which had moved from Ferozepore
that morning, the Commander-in-Chief the army in order
of battle, and attacked the enemy's entrenched camp, and on
that evening and the following morning, captured seventy
pieces of artillery, taking possession of the enemy's camp, with
large quantities of ammunition and warlike stores.
These successful and energetic operations have been fol-
lowed by the retreat of the Seikh army to the other side of
the Sutlej ; the British army being now encamped between
Ferozepore and the fords of the Sutlej.
You will not fail to observe that these important andbril-
liant successes have been achieved by that portion deur army
posted at and in advance of Umballa for defensive purposes,
and that our forces from Meerut and other stations from the
rear, ordered to move up at the same time, are in reserve, and
will reach this neighbourhood between the sth and the 9th
of January.
I have the honour to inclose two reports from the Com-
mander-in-Chief, detailing the admirable manner in which
these important duties have been performed ; and I am con-
vinced the Court of Directors of the East India Company, in
concurrence with her Majesty's Government, will highly ap-
preciate the eminent services rendered by the Commander-
in-Chief, and by the Akers, non-commissioned officers, and
soldiers of the Indian army.
The Commander-in-Chief has successfully accomplished
every object I had directed him to effect for the relief of
Ferozepore, and the protection of these British States. No ac-
cident or failure bas occurred dining the complicated opera-
tions of a combined movement ; and our army, whether
for defence or attack, has shown, as heretofore, that its power
is irresistible.
FROM GENERAL SIR HUGH QOUGH, BART., G. .8., THE COM-
MANDER-IN-CHIEF OF TAE ARMY IN INDIA, TO THE
GOVERNOR GENERAL OF INDIA.
Head-quarters, Army of the Sutlej,
Camp, Moodkee, Dec. 19, 1845.
Right Hon. Sir,—lt would be a superfluous form in me to
address to you a narrative of the campaign which has opened
against the Seikhs, and the successful action of yesterday,
since you have in person shared the fatigues and dangers of
our army, and witnessed its efforts and privations, but that
my position at its head renders this my duty ; and it is
necessary, from that position, I should place these events on
record, for the information of all Europe as well as of all
India.
You, Sir, know, but others have to be told, that the sudden
and unprovoked aggression of the Seikhs, by crossing the
Sutlej with the great proportion of their army, with the
avowed intention of attacking Ferozepore in time of profound
peace, rendered indispensable, on our side, a series of difficult
combinations for the protection of our frontier station, so
unustifiably and so unexpectedly menaced.
From the advanced and ealieut situation of Ferozepore,
and its vicinity to the Seikh capital, its defence against a
sudden attack became a difficult operation. It was always
possible for the Seikli Government to throw a formidable
force upon it before one sufficientiy numerous could on
our side be collected to support it : but when, upon the I 1 th
instant, it became known at Umballa, where I had esta-
blished my head-quarters, that this invasion had actually
taken place, the efforts to repel it followed each other in
quick succession;* notwithstanding I had the fullest con-
fidence in Major General Sir John Littler, commanding at
Ferozepore, and in the devotedness and gallantry of the

troops occupying it.
The troops from the different stations in the Sirhind
division were directed to move by forced marches upon
Busseean, where, by a most judicious arrangement, you had
directed supplies to be collected, within a wonderfully short
space of time.
The main portion of the force at Loodiana was with-
drawn, and a garrison thrown into the little fortreis there.
From this central position, already alluded to, both Looiii-
ana and Ferozepore could be supported, and the safety of
both places might be considered to be brought, in some mea-
sure, within the scope of the contingencies of a general
action to be fought for their relief. All this is soon related;
but most harassing have been the marches of the troops in
completing this concentration. When their march had been
further prolonged to this place, they had moved over a dis-
tance of upwards of 150 miles in six days, along roads of
heavy sand; their perpetual labour allowing them scarcely
time to cook their food, even when they received it, and
hardly an hour for repose, before they were called upon for
renewed exertion.

When our leading corps reached Wudnee, a small jaghire
of the late Maharaja Shere Singh, its garrison shut the
gates of the fort against them; and, as our battering guns
were far in the rear, it was determined to reserve it fur future
chastisement, and we remained content with compelling the
village to furnish supplies (it could, however, provide little,
except for our overworked cattle), under pain of enduring ag
cannonade and assault ; this it did without the necessity of
firing a shot.

When we reached Wudnee, it was evident that the force

before Ferozepore felt the influence of our movements,-as 11e
heard that a very large portion of that force had been de-
tached to oppose our further advance ; their feeling parties
retired on the morning of the 18th before our cavalry picquets,
near the village end fort of Moodkee.
Soon after mid-day, the division under Major-General Sir
Harry Smith, a brigade of that underMajor-General Sir J.

anti another of that under Major-General Gilbert,
with five troops of horse artillery, and two light field bat-
teries, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke, of the Horse Artil-
lery (brigadier in command of the artillery force), and the
cavalry division, consisting of her Majesty's 3d Light Dra-
goons, the body guard, 4th and sth Light Cavalry, and 9th
Irregular Cavalry, took up their encamping ground in front
of Moodkee.

The troops were in a state of great exhaustion, principally
from the want of water, which was not procurable on the
road, when, about three P.M., information was received that
the Seikh army was advancing ; and the troops had scarcely
time to get under arms, and move to their positions, when
the fact NA as ascertained.

I immediately pushed forward the horse artillery and
cavalry, directing the infantry, accompanied by the field bat-
teries, to move forward in support. We had not proceeded
beyound two miles when we found the enemy in position.
They were said to consist of from 15,000 to 20,000 infantry,
about the same force of cavalry, and forty guns. They evi-
dently had either just taken up their position, or were ad-
vancing in order of battle against us.
To resist their attack, and to cover the formation of the

infantry, I advanced the cavalry under Brigadiers White.
Gough, and Mactier, rapidly to the Iront, in columns of
squadrons, and occupied the plain. They were speedily fol-
lowed by the five troops of horse artillery, under Brigadier
Brooke, who took up a forward position, having the cavalry
then on his flanks.

The country is a dead flat, covered at short intervals with
a low, but, in some places, thick, jhow jungle, and dotted
with sandy hillocks. The enemy screened their infantry
and artillery behind this jungle, and such undulations as
the ground afforded; and, whilst our twelve battalions
formed from echellon ofbrigades into line, opened a very se-
vere cannnonade upon our advancing troops, . which wars
vigorously replied to by the battery of horse atrhtieartilleryunl ,
er
Brigadier Brooke, which was soon joined by
a two light
rtillery
ebr
j batteries. tneprpi eesami soon
. Therapid
paralyseand NtVh ao ell-directed
fthe ;
enemyii fire of our
;
as it was necessary to complete our infantry dispositions
without advancing the artillery too near to the jungle, I
directed the cavalry under Brigadiers White and Gough to
igad
of
e
make a flank movement on the enemy's lewfitt,hwtihteh2ad view
br
threatening and turningte3d g
that flank,
nlanrka,giofopnoss,sible. With praise-
woi thy gallantry, h
of cavalry, consisting of the body guard and sth Light
Cavalry, with a portion of the 4th Lancers, turned the
left of the Seikh army, and, sweeping along the whole
rear of its infantry and guns, silenced fora time the latter,
and put their numerous cavalry to flight. Whilst this move-
ment was taking place on the enemy's left, I directed the re-
mainder of the 4th Lancers, the 9th Irregular Cavalry, under
Brigadier Mactier, with a light field battery to threaten their
right. This manoeuvre was also successful. Had not the
infantry and guns of the enemy been screened by the jungle,
these brilliant charges of the cavalry would have been pro-
ductive of greater effect.
When the infantry advanced to the attack, Brigadier
Brooke rapidly pushed on his horse artillery close to the
jungle, and the cannonade was resumed on both sides. The
infantry, under Major-Generals Sir Harry Smith, Gilbert,
and Sir John M'Caskill, attacked in echellon of lines the
enemy's infantry, almost invisible amongst wood and the ap-
proaching darkness of night. The opposition of the enemy
was such as might have been expected from troops who had
everything at stake, and who hal long vaunted of being irre-
sistible. Their ample and extended line, from their great
superiority of numbers, far outflanked ours; but this was
counteracted by the flank movements of our cavalry. The
attack of the infantry now commenced; and the roll of fire
from this powerful arm soon convinced the Seikh army that
they had met with a foe they little expected ; and their whole
force was driven from position after position with great
slaughter, and the loss of 17 pieces of artillery, some of them
of heavy calibre; our infantry, using that never-failing wea-
pon, the bayonet, whenever the enemy stood. Night only
saved them from worse disaster, for this stoat conflict was
maintained during an hour and a half of dim starlight, amidst
a cloud of dust from the sandy plain, which yet more ob-
scured every object.
I regret to say, this gallant and successful attack was at-
tended
field
fo
for some
he considerableurs,
and loss;nlr forceetthuernedto
ite bivouackedrneeainiis o naiti:tanhtt
it, the
after ascertaining that it had no enemy before
night prevented the possibility of a regular advance in pa_ r-

suit. -
I beg to congratulate you, Right Honourable Sir, on this
first defeat of our invaders by the army
command. The perseverance by whiCn succcss was attained
I have the honour to
you personally witnessed; and the troops, I am sure, felt
proud of the self-devotion with which their Governor-General
exposed himself to every danger amongst them. I before
said that our loss has been severe: it could not be esteemed
small if we had no other to record, when I mention that, to-
wards the conclusion of the affair, Major.Geivral Sir Robert
ry‘o,iieod
has mortal.
done
his SirSir
country
I.32+,llT:est igll,ooadn
ser-
vice, Sale, to whom India and England are so much indebted,
had his left thigh shattered by a grape shot, end that the
received a ball through his chest, oil the
an
oduld vi a l has
soiftinceeerp,
advance of his
division, and immediately expired. Brigadiers
Mactier, and Lieutenant-Colonels Banbury
Byrne, nu and Bolton
444
other valuable officers, are amongst the
losses our country and the service will
deplore, wounded. Then
con-
sider unavailing, when Feroze o Ifrom but not
re
invader, and the insult p shall be rescued the
our
territory and rule fitly

I have every reason to be proud of, and gratified with, the
exertions of the whole of the officers and troops of this army
on this arduous occasion; with the conduct and dispositions
of the generals of divisions, the brigadiers of the several arms,
the general, personal, divisional, and brigade staff, and the

* Sic in orig•