The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-24 00:00:00

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• 4
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MARCH 24, 1846.

OVEB LAND MAIL
INDIA AND CHINA.

DEFEAT OF THE SEJKIIS.

•
(Frei' the Times.)
- MALTA, MIRCII 17.

We have received India news yesterday by the Penin-
sular and Orie-ntal Company's steamer Oriental, although
she brought no mail, of the following dates :—Calcutta,
February 7; Bombay, 15th; and China, January, 1846.
Sir Harry Smith's division having reinforced Colonel
Godby's division at Loodianah, has encountered the
Sikhs. On the 28th of January, Sir 11. Smith, 12,000
strong, with 32 guns, marched out to meet the enemy.
The Seikhs advanced to meet them. After a stout
resistance and a heavy cannonade, the Scikh position
was stormed-65 out of 68 guns captured, and their
whole army, 24,000 strong, driven across the river.
In six weeks the Seikhs have been beaten in four
pitched battles, with the loss of 150 pieces of artillery.

The divisions under the Commander-in-Chief and
Governor-General continue at rest, facing the river from
Ferozeporc, westward.
The Seikhs are entrenched in great force in front.
Their camp is on their own side, and their batteries on
our side of the river, a strong bridge of boats connecting
the position.
Ghoolab Singh arrived at Lahore on the 27th with
12,000 troops from the hills.

The conquest of the Punjaub will not be attempted
before October.

The Sinde troops are advancing up the Indus ; the
division on the left commanded by General Simpson ;
that on the right by Sir C. Napier ; a steam flotilla, and
a huge array of boats creeping. up the river between. It
is said they will take up a position near Mittun-kote,
and there remain during the hot season, ready to co-
operate with the grand army, when a general move-
ment takes place.
The Mooltan chief has offered to co-operate with us,
and the Hindoo soldiers in the service of the Lahore
Government are prepared to join us in a body. Her
Majesty's 62d Regiment have been acquitted of the im-
putation of misconduct before the enemy, to which the
dispatch of General Littler gave circulation. They re-
mained under a terrific fire of grape and canister until
they were commanded to retire, further exposure being
useless.

We have papers from China to the 6th of January,
but the news they contain is unimportant.

The Governor• General has ordered levies to be raised
and trained to the amount of 10,000 men, to keep the
regiments on service in full effective strength.

Our loss in killed and wounded is about 600, that of
he enemy not known, but very severe.

THE PUNJAUB.

We delayed publication to the latest possible hour at
the dispatch of last steamer, in expectation of receiving
full and authentic tidings of a reverse said to have oc-
curred near Loodianah, but obtained none. Sir Harry
Smith's division—which occupied a position at the ex-
treme right of the British force, nearly opposite Hurre-
kee—proceeded accordirg to orders about the 19th, to
march in the direction of L )odianah to reinforce the di-
vision under Colonel Godby, considered too weak to
be opposed to the formidable body of Seikhs then
entrenched in the neighbourhood for the purpose of
annoying them. The division consisted of the Ist and
2d brigade 3 of infantry, viz., her Majesty's 31st and 24th;
42d, 47th, and 48th Native Infantry, the 9th and 16th
Lancers, three troops of horse artillery, and the 4th irre-
gular horse. Her Majesty's 53d had been ordered to join
on the way, and the junction was effected at 7 r m. or.
the 20th, to the east of Dhurrumkote, the Europeans
having marched 17 miles for this purpose; the force in
all amounting to nearly 8,000 men. On the 20th an
express arrived, intimating that the Loodianah regiments
were hemmed in. The Seikhs had crossed the river in
force, and taken up such a position as they considered
suitable for intercepting our troops and prevepting a
junction. The reinforcing division marched about half-
past one on the morning of the 21st ; 25 miles had to be
traversed before they reached their destination. Colonel
Godby had been written to, announcing General Smith's
approach, and desiring him, as soon as he saw the dust
of the advancing column, to move out and meet them.
When about five miles from the . conclusion of the
journey, the Seikh troops were unexpectedly descried
close at hand. The present object was a junction, not a
battle; and a considerable detour was immediately re-
solved upon to promote the former and avoid the latter.
The column was headed by her Majesty's 31st-531
bringing up the rear. Tin enemy's artillery did them
their usual service ; their cavalry made some demon-
strations, but speedily withdrew ; ours, consisting of
the 9th and 16th Lancers, the Ist and 3d Light Cavalry,
and 4th Irregulars were commanded not to charge,
though eager for the fray. The Umballah force had
moved out about nine o'clock that morning, and were at
this time rapidly approaching. General Smith con-
tented himself with returning the fire of the enemy's
cannon. The haste with which the circuitous movement
was executed for a time exposed the baggage, a portion
of which fell into the hands of the enemy. Our casualties
amounted to about 200 killed and wounded. Lieutenant
Hideout, of the 47th Native Infantry, and Lieutenant
Campbell, Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General, were
slain ; Lieutenant Cavanagh, 4th Irregular Horse, and
Lieutenant Grey, her Majesty's 53d, were wounded.
From the 21st to the 24th every effort was made to re-
store comfort to the brigade—loss of tents in the burning
sun of India being a much more formidable matter than a
similar occurrence at home. The greater portion of the

troops were encamped between Buddewal and Loodianah
—the 36th Native Infantry and Nusseeree battalion
being alone near the town. The Seikhs now apprehend-
ing an attack, in turn abandoned Buddewal, and with-
drew to a more advantageous position lower down the
river. Colonel Wheeler's brigade, consisting of her
Majesty's 50th, the 47th, and 48th regiments ,of Native
Infantry, joined on the 25th, and a few days being al-
lowed for rest an-1 arrangements, it was resolved that an
attack by the united force should be made on the 28th.
The Seikh force had originally consisted of 20,000 men
with 56 guns : on the 26th they were reinforced by the
addition of 12 guns and 4,000 men—all regular well-
disciplined troops. Their rear rested on the river, they
were entrenched strongly on the flanks; the strength of
their position was the village of Aleewal. On the 28th
the united divisions, consisting of 12,000 men and 32
guns, marched at daybreak from Buddewal in the direc-
tion of the enemy's camp. At the village of
Churck we first got sight of the enemy. They ad-
vanced some distance beyond their entrenchments
towards our division, and commenced a heavy can-
nonade on our troops, which continued for half-an-
hour. The village of Aleewal, the important point,
was now stormed by our troops. Colonel Wheeler's
brigade, consisting of her Majesty's 50th, and the 47th
and 48th Native Infantry, led the advance. The whole
line now pressed on and stormed the batteries every-
where, carrying the guns at the bayonet's point. Charge
after charge of our cavalry broke and cut up the enemy
as they endeavoured to rally. The 16th Lancers and
3d cavalry suffered most severely ; of the former 110
were killed or wounded in charging the enemy's guns
and in striving, and that most successfully, to break a
square of a Khalsa regiment, which was quickly dis-
persed or cut to pieces. In this latter service 200 of
the Irregular Horse, under Captain Hill, and 700 of
the Shekawattee Brigade eminently distinguished,
themselves. The Seikhs fought gallantly, and their
guns were excellently served ; they opened at ten, and
were not silenced till one o'clock—many of the artillery-
men remaining till bayoneted at their posts. By noon
the enemy were broken : they were driven by repeated
charges of cavalry and infantry into, and across, the
river. Many were drowned in attempting to escape.
Sixty-five of their guns were captured ; the remaining
three were left unserviceable. Nothing could exceed

the gallantry of the troops ; the artillery practice was
precise, steady, and destructive ; the cavalry charges
; and the infantry everywhere as determined,
steady, and orderly, as if a ball-practice parade, and
not a pitched battle, had been in hand. Sir Harry Smith
was present everywhere, encouraging and leading on the
men. Four European officers were killed in this affair,
and thirteen wounded. Their names are as follow:
Killed.—Her Majesty's 16th Lancers—Lieutenant H.
D. Sweetman, and Cornet or Lieutenant Williams.

50th Foot—Captain C. R. Grimes.
55th Native Infantry—Lieutenant Smallpage.
Wounded.-16th Lancers—Major Smith ; Captain
Fyler, severely.
31st Foot—Lieutenant Du Vernet, Ensign Purcell
(Qy. 50th Foot).
50th Foot—Captain Pringle O'Hanlon (Major of Bri-
gade), Lieutenant H. J. Frampton, Lieutenant William
Elgee, Ensign Farmer.

36th Bengal Native Infantry—Ensign F. J. Bagshawe.
48th Bengal Native Infantry—Captain Henry Palmer,
Captain H. L. Bird, Lieutenant and Adjutant Wall
(badly), and Etr;ign W. E.. Marshall.
The forces further to the westward along to Feroz-
pore have, fOr nearly s.. weeki, rested on their arms.
A division of Sikhs, about 40,000 strong, with a large
park of well-appointed artillery, still continue at ilur-
reekee, in front of the division under the Commander-in.
Chief. ' A heavy battery of guns arranged in sznni.cir-
cular form, the convex sick. to us on our side of the
river, protects the pontoon bridge by which the army on
the other bank communicates with this. The boats sent
up the Indus for • the construction of a bridge, which
were sunk to protect them from the shot of the enemy in
the middle of December, have been raised, and are now
being put in order for the purpose for which they were
originally intended.

At Rhonda Ghat, where the bridge is to be placed, a
strong force is posted, end shots occasionally exchanged
betwixt the opposing armies. A demonstration had been
ordered by Sir John Grey, who commands at Attsree,
rs, and
any
orncooo
nufnao
ivalry,liglaotfhnhut
stder. ;:t
the
kihhytekehorusei
ilari.l.egrStv,lceera,i
Nhos2esi
catobcdpnl:iii
veraarirvnse;iiddno g.
beingsanticipated.
Nj carried.ohl. .
no ffGTr.
haNe3eb,
sost
Indogf
bri-
gade consists of a nine-pounder battery, the Bth Light
ve
the
army was expected to be about this time on the
General
ensrtaetlahmSe flotilla,epf stnbank
nt that
the river to be commanded by
countless host of boats, moving up against the stream
between. They were expected to take up a position near
iithencote, 140 miles above Sukkur, and 310 below Fe-
rozepore, and remain there till called on to co-operate
after the hot season was over—about September or Oc-
tobt'r. Meanwhile Ghoolab Singh has come down from
his mountain holds, and arrived at the capital with some
12,000 men and a vast amount of supplies—no fewer
than 300,000 bullocks are said to attend his camp. As
yet, on the part of the Lahore Government, there is little
appearance either of want of strength or of resources.
The Mooltan Chief appears to be negotiating with both
parties. He is said to have offered to co-operate with
Sir C. Napier, provided we will, on becoming masters of
the country, permit him to hold his estates on the same
tenure as that under which he now possesses them. lie
is willing to pay the same tribute to us as to his present
superior. He is understood at the same time to have
written to Lahore, stating his willingness to resist the
British, and maintain the war single-handed, if tribute
enough be remitted to meet the exigencies of the oc-
casion.

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

MPORTANT NEWS FROM SPAIN.

(Front the Chronicle.)

We have received by extraordinary express from
Paris a letter from our correspondent, dated half-past
three o'clock yesterday, in which we find the following:
"Dispatches were received from Madrid this morn-
ing of a most important, and, you will perceive, of a
very menacing character, fully confirmatory of the an-
ticipation I communicated to you some eight or ten days
since, that General Narvaez meditated a coup detat.
"Those dispatches bring an address to the Queen,
signed by the entire of the new Cabinet, calling upon
her Majesty to suspend the Cortes, and— for it comes to
that—the liberty of the press. .

" Two royal decrees followed in full compliance with
this recommendation. The first suspends the Cortes.
The second directs that for certain off,nces, namely, the
publication of that which may be deemed seditious
matter, the offending journal be suspended, and for a
repetition of the aggravated offence such journal be de-
finitively suspended—in other words, suppressed.
"I may be allowed to add, that all to whom this in-
telligence has become known feel intense alarm at it.
Some think that it will not injuriously affect the funds
(why always " the fends ?"), becuuse it will be held a
proof of firmness. Others, more sensibly you will think,
regard the matter as serious and Lhreatcning to the last
degree.

"You will observe that the coup d'etat of Prince
Pol.gnac here in Paris, on the 25. h of July, IB3e,
seems to have suggested to General Narvaez this
proceeding. The only difference between the two
acts is this, the ordonnances of Charles X. declared
the Chamber of Deputies dissolved, am), it terms "the
liberty of the press suspended." The ordonnances of
Isabella 11. only " suspend" the Cortes, and direct that
certain, all offending journals are suspended."
Our Correspondent adds—
" Great fears exist that the royal steamer Virago, on
board of which was the Indian mail, had foundered, as
she left Alexandria on the 9th, and had not reached
Malta on the 18th."

The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse
on Monday, at 84f. 35e., and the Five per Cents. at
1201. 60c., for time ; and for cash, the Three per Cents.
at 841. 25e., and the Five per Cents. at 1201. 20c. The
Northern Railroad Shares ended at 787 f. 50c., and those
of Bordeaux at 6861. The Spanish Domestic Debt sold
for 30i.

THE CITY LICENSING MEETING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR, —Your important report of the " City Licensing Meet-
ing," which, though held only yesterday' appeared in the
Second Edition of The Sun, affords an additional proof of
your alacrity in producing the earliest information for all
classes of her Majesty's subjects; but what must have been
the disappointment of the Licensed Victuallers at finding
the report in their own paper of this morning limited to a
space considerably within an inch l Surely, it the corpora-
tion cannot afford to send special reporters on an occasion
so interesting to their whole body, the editor might, at least,
avail himself of the published labours of others.
For my own part, I have taken in The Sun regularly more
than sixteen years, and I shall gladly embrace every oppor-
tunity of recommending it to all who require an evening
paper, because I consider that, as a medium for disseminat-
ing early and original intelligence, no paper has equal claims
to public encouragement and zupport.—l have the honour to
remain, respectfully, Sir, your most obedient servant,
HENRY BRETT.
Holborn Bars, Tuesday Morning, March 24, 1846.

THE LATE FIRE AND LOSS OF

LIFE IN CRAWFORD-STREET.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
The engines of the brigade, parish, and county stations, were all
upon the spot very soon, and knowing that several persons were in
the building, the firemen laboured in a most praiseworthy manner in
trying to get the flames out before they should reach the ill-fated
parties. In that endeavour they were foiled ; for before the fire was
extinguished, Mr. Butters and his three children were suffocated.
Their names were as follows :—Robert Butters, the father, aged 37 ;
his son Robert, aged six years and a half, and William, aged one
year and a half, and his daughter Jane, aged four years and a half.
The whole four deceased parties were got out by the firemen, and
were taken to Mr. Bateman's surgery opposite. They having been
examined, Mr. Bateman pronounced them quite dead, snit they
were removed to Marylebono Workhouse. Mrs. Butters, who has
lost her husband and three children, has communicated the follow-
ing :—She says that she retired to bed on Sunday night, between
ten and eleven o'clock. Her husband, at the time, was from
home. Shortly before twelve o'clock she was awakened by the
return of her husband, who immediately undressed himself
and retired to bed. They had not been in bed many
minutes, when they were aroused by a loud knocking at the street.
door. Her husband got out of bed, and on opening the window heard
a crp of "Fire I" raised. So positive was he at that time that the
fire had not occurred in his premises, that he called out to the men in
the street that all was right. Ile then went down stairs and opened
one of the shop doors that leads into the passage, when flames burst
forth with snob violence as to nearly knock him down. lie then re-
turned to try to save her and the children. He got a small ladder,
which he placed under the trap-door on the roof, but he was unable
to get the bolts drawn back. Ile then went to the back room, and
finding there was no escape there, theyt escape,all re
whichtur theydtolh kfuroer,t‘t
room, in the hope of being rescued by
was kept at Baker-street. Whilst standing at the window the mob
called to them to do something, but what she could not tell, on ac-
count of her children screaming so dreadfully. The smoke entering
the room at last in such dense bodies, she jumped out of the window,
and site expected thather husband would have dropped the children
out, and then have come himself. She could not form any idea as to
how the fire originated.

POST-OFFICE NOTICE, MARCII 23.---711 e next mails
for Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt, India, China,
viii Southampton, will be dispatched from hence on the mornin,,
of the 3d of April. The next mail for India, via Marseilles, will he
dispatched from hence on the evening of the 24th instant (this day).
The Queen, for the Peninsular mails of the 27th instant. West In-
dies, &c.—Teviot, for the mails of the morning of the 2d of April.
America—Caledonia, for the malls of the evening of the 3d of April.
Sydney, New South Wales—Waverley, for the mails of the evening
of the 31st instant.

DEATH OF MR. JOHN LISTON, THE COMEDIAN.—The
admirers of histrionic excellence will learn with regret that this
matchless disciple of Momus has " shuffled off this mortal coil," at
the age of 69, having been born in the year 1766, in the parish of St.
Ann's, Soho. His death took place on Sunday last, at his house,
George-terrace, Knightsbridge. Ills name is associated with the
brightest recollections of the British drama, when Kemble, Young,
Cook, Emery, Johnstone, C. Kemble, Fawcett, Mrs. Siddous, Miss
O'Neil, Mrs. Dickins, Miss Stephens, Mrs. Gibbs, and a host of others,
shed lustre on the boards of Covent-garden Theatre.
MASQUERADE.—Last night a Bal Mosque was given
at Covent-garden Theatre, under the direction of Mr. Weippert.
The arrangements were in every way commensurate with the occa-
sion, and the music excellent, combining th. exertions of a band of
a hundred and ten performers. A numerous assemblage of the plea-
sure-seeking portion of the public responded to the invitation of the
projectors, and the body of the house, as well as the boxes and gal-
lery, presented au animated appearance. The lighting and decora-
tions produced a brilliant and cheerful effect, and the costumes and
characters were sufficiently diversified and amusing. Dancing was
kept up with spirit till a late hour; everybody appearing to be well
satisfied with his own exertions and those of his neighbours.

On Thursday evening, between nine and ten o'clock,
a cabriolet, in which were two persons, stopped in front of the Ma.
gazin de Nouveautes of M. Tatman, in the Rue Croix des. Petits
Champs, Paris, and invnediately afterwards one of the persons in the
cabriolet fired off a piAtol, the ball of which lodged in a piece of the
goods in the shop, just missing one of the persons near it. Befcre
the confusion and alarm created by this extraordinary and atrocious
act had sufficiently subsided for any step to be taken, the cabriolet
was driven off at a great speed, and nothing has yet been discovered
to clear up the mystery of the affair.
Thomas Dickinson, Esq., has presented to the Fistula
Infirmary the memo dematiou of 20 guineas.